There is a common misconception that native mobile apps and web apps are the same things, but these two forms of application are very different. While they both perform a similar function, the ways the applications are developed and how they are used can be quite different.

It’s important not to get the two confused—as the two application types appear very differently for both your clients and developers, so it’s essential to know what kind of application you are interested in before pursuing app development in Melbourne. All in all, there are quite a lot of differences between a mobile app and a web app.

The Key Differences

So what are the main differences between web and mobile apps? First of all, a web app is just a standard website that has been adapted to respond fluidly, when being viewed on a smartphone, they are designed to make mobile web browsing as seamless as possible. Web apps function like downloadable apps, but all from the comfort of your phone’s browser. This means they can adapt to whichever device you’re viewing them on and don’t need to be downloaded or installed.

Native mobile apps, on the other hand, are built for a specific platform, such as either Android or iOS application development. These apps cannot be accessed through a browser and must instead be downloaded and installed via an app store and generally have native access to system resources, such as GPS and the camera function. Mobile apps live and run on the device itself, meaning that they can save data and have additional functionality.

For a mobile application, The development team creates an app in code for a specific platform. The two main options are currently Apple’s iOS and Android. Developers create web apps differently. Instead coding them directly using HTML, javascript, Python and CSS, avoiding the middle man.

Pros and Cons

Even though there are lots of similarities between the two application types, there will always be different benefits to choosing to pursue a mobile or web application. Have a read below to learn more about what each option can offer you.

Mobile Apps

• Pros:

  • Safe and secure—native apps must first be approved by the app store

  • Easier to build due to the availability of developer tools faster than web apps

  • Greater functionality as they have access to system resources

  • Able to work without an internet connection

• Cons:

  • Different apps will need to be developed for different platforms

  • Expensive to maintain and update

  • More expensive to build than web apps

  • There is a complex approval process for getting your application viewable on the app store.

Web Apps

• Pros:

  • Do not need to be downloaded or installed as they can function entirely in browser

  • Easy to maintain

  • Will update themselves

  • Quicker and easier to build than mobile apps

  • Do not require app store approval, so can be launched quickly

• Cons:

  • Do not work offline as they are only accessible in browser

  • Slower than mobile apps, and less advanced in terms of features

  • Less general visibility as they are not listed in a specific database, such as the app store

  • Quality and security are not always guaranteed

Progressive web apps

These applications are a brilliant third option as they fall somewhere in the middle of a mobile app and a web app. They have much more functionality and flexibility than a typical web app and because of recent developments in browser caching these apps can be accessed offline the same way mobile apps can. From a user experience standpoint, Progressive apps behave more like mobile apps too, allowing for more creativity and a tailored experience.

Progressive web apps, like standard web apps, don’t require installation or approval from Apple or Google so there is no worry about the long approval times. Progressive web apps offer the best of both worlds: flexibility, ease of use and speed. However, one downside is that because they still exist entirely in browser, they aren't able to utilize push notifications or popups, but this is only a small caveat. So if you are torn between the two available options, a progressive app may be a perfect compromise.

Conclusion

So if you are looking for a way to make your business more accessible on the go, looking into app development in Melbourne is a step in the right direction. Whether web apps or mobile applications are going to be better for your business will depend on your vision and user base, so meeting with an app development team and discussing the benefits of both web, android and iOS application development is the perfect way to make sure you are getting the best application for your company.