Native vs. Hybrid Mobile Applications: Which is Better for Your Small Business?
Nov 1, 2019
Successfully
Small companies benefit greatly from mobile applications. This is largely due to the fact that mobile apps can do just about anything they are programmed to do. Whether your company is looking to build a tool, streamline a relationship, or improve operations on the back end, there are application developments to boost your success.
Job Hub Group can empower your success with a spectrum of custom app capabilities. The overall structure, goals, and needs of your business will determine whether a native or hybrid app is the better choice for you.
People’s personal devices are just that: personal. Applications on those devices are used to deliver your brand voice straight into the life of the consumer. Those with mobile phones are constantly relying on their devices to give them helpful, accurate, and immediate information.
Understandably, creating an excellent user experience is key to managing success with a mobile application. In this day and age, people want to complete entire transactions and conduct all of their business needs through their phones. Your information and services must be there for the customer on demand. Connecting with your customers’ mobile devices is the best way to form relationships and have solid interactions with them.
Native and hybrid apps can provide the end user with a variety of services, experiences, and answers. While they can both perform a lot of the same functions, there are a few key differences that can make or break their viability for your small business.
A native app is defined as a mobile application written and developed specifically for mobile devices. This means that an app will be made with iOS or Android users in mind, using that particular coding language. Alternatively, hybrid apps are essentially web-based packages that have been put into a native app shell. They were not originally written in a mobile application language, and act more like websites that have been optimized for mobile phones. Usually, hybrid apps are written in JavaScript or HTML5.
For most consumers, these differences are not readily apparent. People do not consider what the application looks like outside of the end user framework. But when it comes to your business, it is important to know what each application can or cannot do.
Consider what native apps are capable of to determine whether this is the direction you need your business to go in. Keep in mind that there are specific functions that only native apps can perform.
Native apps have better and more flexible UX options than hybrid apps
App stores such as Google Play or the Apple App Store allow native apps to be downloaded directly to mobile phones
There are built-in integration features with native apps that allow them to integrate with other mobile phone features that include the camera, GPS, contacts list, notification settings, and more
Offline functionality is possible with native apps
More developers are needed to create native apps
Native apps are more difficult to upgrade, as the code cannot be reused
Using native code language requires more effort than hybrid languages
Native apps win when it comes to better UI learning, and its seamless integration features are nice. It is important to ask yourself what you need in order for your app to run smoothly. Do your company’s services require your app to have access to users’ GPS navigations? Are you giving your consumers something that can only be used when there is an Internet connection? If not, then perhaps a hybrid app would be better suited.
A hybrid app is developed quite differently from its native counterpart. This type of application gives customers the convenience of a website packaged neatly into a smart device. There are many benefits and pitfalls to consider with hybrid apps as well.
It is easier and faster to develop hybrid apps in comparison to native apps
Hybrid apps can be used both on mobile devices and BYOD developments, allowing for the use of plug-ins that can access the same device capabilities that native apps can
Hybrid apps are capable of being upgraded many times, often seamlessly and unseen by the end user
Hybrid apps are flexible and portable, since they are written in one web language and transferred to a number of different devices
There are certainly some differences in origination between hybrid and native mobile apps. If speed to market is one of your biggest priorities, a hybrid app is likely more in your wheelhouse. Or, if you feel that a multi-platform application is the best solution to delivering your services to the customer, taking the hybrid approach is your best bet.
Native and hybrid apps are both widely used for a wide variety of different applications. You may be surprised to know that some of the most well-known apps were all developed using a hybrid package. The Apple App Store, Gmail, and Instagram are all hybrid apps. Alternatively, Google Maps, LinkedIn, and Twitter are native iOS and Android applications.
For some purposes, either app will work just fine for a small company’s needs. As stated earlier, there is rarely a big difference in the eyes of the consumer. In detail they can serve different purposes and perform different functions, but they are only better or worse depending on how they work for you. Assessing your small business needs and understanding what type of app you want to give your consumers will help you make your choice.
Building a mobile app for your company is highly beneficial. No matter if you need to develop something for your internal systems, or you want something that can reach the customer every day, it’s important to find what kind of app is best suited for you.
Job Hub Group wants to put all of the possibilities and capabilities of a mobile app into your business. It’s important that your unique service is developed on a platform that will optimize those capabilities. Contact us today to learn more about developing a custom mobile application that meets all of your needs.