The Main Three Types of Mobile Apps
Mobile phones have become an essential part of modern human beings. From waking up in the morning to sleeping at the night we are continuously using our smartphones.
We use hundreds of apps daily, like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. But have we ever thought about how these apps are created, developed, or even maintained?
Let's dive deep into this, to know more about the types of mobile apps. From a broader point of view, there are three primary solutions available in the industry, each with its merits and demerits.
Types of Mobile Apps can be classified into:
Native Mobile apps
Mobile Web applications
Hybrid Mobile applications.
To have a better understanding of the overall mobile application types, we'll look at each solution in further depth.
Native Mobile apps
Apps that are designed only for the default operating system or specific platform are known as Native Apps.
When it comes to creating a mobile application, most developers consider using native code.
Developers design these apps in the default language of the OS which is Swift for iOS and Java for Android. Native applications have the benefit of being faster and more reliable in terms of performance due to their sole focus.
Because development is done in the native framework, the developer has access to all native APIs and features without the need for extra bridge solutions.
The application's performance will be very good because there are no intermediary layers of code that might influence the efficiency. Native apps utilize the device's native hardware directly like WiFi, Bluetooth, Storage, and location which leads to a more immersive experience.
However, the problem with Native Apps is that they are not cost-effective, and developers need to have proficiency in different languages and these types of apps can consume space in smartphones.
Examples of native mobile apps are- WhatsApp, Spotify, and Twitter.
Mobile web applications
Mobile Web Applications are merely browser-based applications that can be used on any device irrespective of its operating system.
Developers create the application using any popular language and then transfer or load it via a device browser.
The languages used to develop these types of apps are JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and others.
These apps have a wider reach and can also cut down development charges. They are easy to maintain, require no space, and can be updated directly.
Web Applications may lack speed because of their dependency on mobile browsers. They can't be sold or published on the App Store and will not work offline either.
Examples of Mobile Web Apps are- Gmail and Yahoo.
Hybrid Mobile applications
Hybrid apps are simply the combination of Web and Native Mobile apps. Hybrid Apps can be downloaded from the App Store or viewed via the web browser.
They do have an app icon, conventional design, responsive performance, and can even work offline.
Hybrid apps utilize a blend of web technologies and local APIs. They're created utilizing: Objective C, Quick, HTML5, and other technologies.
They are significantly faster and less expensive to develop than a native app. They also load quickly, making them suitable for use in countries with low internet connectivity.
Hybrid apps share the same drawbacks and advantages as both Web and Native mobile apps.
Examples of Mobile Web Apps are- EverNote, Instagram, and Uber.
Summing Up:
In spite of the fact that there is a wide range of Mobile Applications available in the market, we've covered the most widely recognized ones in this Blog.
As a Developer, you have the freedom to make any kind of application you need, however, your main objective should be to furnish end clients with usefulness and functionality. The kind of application you design is solely determined by the type and necessities of your business.