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It doesn’t matter if you have a new idea, a product you want to showcase, or a service you want to streamline, you’ll eventually have to decide between building a mobile app and a web app.
On the surface, these two apps are often perceived as the same thing. A large reason for this is the similarity in appearance and function. In reality, mobile apps and web apps will give the user a completely different experience — not to mention the difference in how they’re built.
Let’s take a look at each one individually to get a better idea of which one is right for you.
What is a mobile app?
A mobile app is what a majority of people will think of when they hear either term. These will be the apps you find on your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. Because of this, they are built for certain platforms — like iOS or Android — and will be downloaded via an app store.
Once downloaded to the device, it will have access to certain device features like GPS, camera and microphone functions, and push notifications. Since they are housed on the device itself, a mobile app will require the user to download updates when released.
You might hear mobile apps called native apps in some conversations, but the two terms are interchangeable. Mobile apps are often called native apps because they’re designed to be “native” to a certain platform.
What is a web app?
Web apps, on the other hand, won’t be built for any one specific platform and won’t need to be downloaded via an app store. Web apps will look and function similarly to a mobile app, but it will be housed through an internet browser.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Isn’t that considered a website?”
Almost.
Web apps are going to give you the best of both worlds — in regards to a mobile app and a website. Essentially, you can think of it as a mobile app that’s accessed like a website. The user will need an established network or cellular connection in order to browse the web app, but it will be much more suitable for mobile devices.
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Which app fits your vision best?
As we mentioned earlier, deciding between a web app and a mobile app will be a difficult decision. Each will come with its own set of pros and cons that will ultimately determine the success of your project.
A mobile app will perform much faster than a web app. It’ll also support more integration with the user’s device, can be available offline, and will support push notifications to retain users. At the same time, they will be more expensive to build, more expensive to maintain, requires compatibility with multiple platforms, and must be approved by the app store before its official release.
On the other hand, a web app won’t require anything to be downloaded, they’re easier to build, easier to maintain, update themselves, and won’t require approval before it’s released. At the same time, they won’t be available offline, they’re only as fast as the user’s internet connection, harder to find, and will have higher security issues.
Does your development team support what you need?
Your decision will certainly affect the user’s experience, but it could also affect the development team you choose to build it. Since a mobile app and web app are built differently, some development teams will only specialize in building one.
Even for the teams that support both, they’ll likely have more experience working with one over the other. If you want your app to perform at its best, having a reliable, trustworthy, and experienced team behind you is the first step.
Your mobile app or web app is an important part of your product, service, or idea. Give your users and followers what they want by ensuring you have the resources you need.
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