Mobile Application Archives

Native vs Hybrid App Development: Which Works Best For Your Business?

Posted on December 30, 2024December 30, 2024 by Ateeb Ali

Mobile app development for your business may seem like a great idea if you’re starting onto this, but the real decision is choosing the nature of the app that best fits your goals. What type of app is required concerning your idea and objectives: Would that be a native application or a hybrid app?

Before delving into this, do you know how much time a person spends on their mobile phones on average? It is around three hours and ten minutes, 90% of which is spent using a mobile application. Moreover, roughly 62% of the apps installed on a smartphone are not even used every month, but on the contrary, a typical American uses their phone once every five minutes, that is more than 200 times a day!

How did such a paradigm shift happen?

In the 1960s and ‘70s, when desktops and personal computers started to reign supreme, companies primarily relied on the on-premises applications. These custom applications were installed within the company’s own data center and accessed through the corporate network.

The rise of the internet revolutionized how applications were delivered, as web applications emerged as a powerful alternative, enabling users to access server functionality directly through their web browsers, regardless of their location. Furthermore, the advent of smartphone devices introduced new avenues for application delivery and interaction. Users now started to gain more freedom in how they can access software, choosing between web-based applications and native mobile apps installed as per their preference.

The booming mobile app development market

This eventually led to a storming rise in global application usage since it became easy to interact with people from any part of the world at any time. In 2023, the total consumer spending on mobile apps was found to be around $171 billion. This leads to the conclusion, that if you are not ready to communicate with your customers or offer better services by offering a mobile application, you might soon be out of business, but again, it is unfruitful for every little business to make a separate mobile app.

This article will further help you decide about making a decision for which type of application is suitable for your business needs, as it covers the key aspects of both types, including:

Differences between native and hybrid apps
Weighing Native and Hybrid app development with their pros and cons
Hybrid vs Native app performance comparison and
Which is better: native or hybrid mobile apps?

We are also available to sort out this dilemma with you in detail, feel free to share how we can help in your mobile app development process.

Before we move deeper into this discussion, let us give you a basic idea of what a native and hybrid app is.

What exactly is a Native app:

Just like a suit is tailored specifically for one person, a native app is designed and built exclusively for a particular smartphone operating system, like Android (developed by Google and offered by many smartphone manufacturers) or iOS (developed by Apple exclusively for iPhones). These apps are mostly developed using platform-specific coding languages such as Java or Kotlin for Android and Objective-C or Swift for iOS. A native app can perform on one of these two platforms at a time and cannot run on the other one, due to unavailability of the OS’s support.

Prominent Native applications in our use

Spotify optimizes audio streaming, enables offline downloads, and delivers a user interface that seamlessly integrates with the iOS or Android operating system, but is not exchangeable among the two platforms.
WhatsApp’s native integration ensures smooth performance, seamless synchronization, and quick access to your conversations, making it an essential communication tool.
How Google Maps operates being your navigator when you’re lost is a good example of how a native app works. While it leverages Google’s own mapping data and services, the Google Maps app itself is built as a native application using the respective platform’s SDKs (Software Development Kits) and uses deep integration with the underlying operating system for features like location services, notifications, and offline maps.
Uber leverages native development languages like Java/Kotlin for Android and Swift/Objective-C for iOS for its core functionalities, performance-critical features, and seamless integration with device hardware and operating systems, enabling it to offer cabs within your reach in real time.
Netflix leverages device-specific hardware and software for smoother video streaming and playback and integrates deeply with the device’s operating system for features like offline downloads, background playback, and push notifications.

Now about the Hybrid app:

A Hybrid app, as the name indicates, is a cross-product of native apps and web apps. It is built using technologies like HTML, CSS, or Javascript which is enclosed in a native exterior. This coalescence of native and web app elements into a hybrid app empowers it to function without the need for a browser and can run on multiple operating systems and devices, by combining the flexibility of web technologies with the performance and device-specific features of native apps such as GPS, camera, accelerometer, and more.

Commonly used Hybrid applications

Amazon App Store showcases a user-friendly UI for browsing and downloading apps within itself. While it leverages web technologies for its core functionality, it does integrate easily with the device’s operating system for features like using secure payments and installations.
Instagram’s hybrid nature is evident in its visually rich and interactive UX. While the core feed, browsing, and interaction features are mainly web-based, native components like making reels and stories enhance performance, enable smooth transitions, and provide access to device-specific features like the camera and geolocation.
X (formerly Twitter) effectively utilizes a hybrid approach. Users primarily interact with timelines, tweets, and direct messages through web-based components. However, native capabilities are crucial for features like real-time push notifications, geolocation-based content, and seamless media uploads.
Gmail seamlessly blends web and native functionalities. Users can access emails, compose messages, and manage their inbox using web-based components. However, native features are essential for offline access, push notifications, and seamless integration with the device’s address book and calendar.

Key Differences between the Native app and Hybrid app:

Now that we have covered the concept of native apps and hybrid apps, let’s talk about the basic differences between these two types.

Based on:	Native app	Hybrid app
Performance	Native apps are normally better in performance since they are built using platform-specific guidelines.	Hybrid apps perform lower because of the native framework.
Development cost	The development cost is high as it is made for individual platforms using two code bases. Maintenance must also be done for each platform.	Since hybrid apps are developed using a single codebase, these are cost-effective. Maintenance is also relatively easier because they don’t require individual platform maintenance since they can run on multiple platforms.
Coding languages	The coding languages used are platform-specific. Android: Java, Kotlin, iOS: Swift and Objective C.	Web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used for these, with native exteriors.
Device features accessibility	Native apps can access all device features.	Hybrid apps can access most of the features of the device but not all. These apps also need external support sometimes.

Native and Hybrid Apps: A Comparative Analysis

Just like every other software, native and hybrid apps have their pros and cons. But it’s these pros and cons that can help you decide which of these apps will serve your purpose more and what challenges you can face. The tables below show these pros and cons for both types of apps.

Native apps:

Pros of Native apps	Cons of Native apps
Native apps have access to all features native to the device.	The development process of these apps is lengthier.
These apps deliver high performance and demonstrate power and robustness because developers follow platform-specific guidelines.	But the average cost of development and maintenance is higher.
Native apps offer better graphics and user interface, again, due to the fact that they are platform-specific and can access inherent device features.	Native apps run on a single platform, which limits the number of users.
These apps offer better security since they can access the built-in security features of the operating system.	The long-term maintenance is more challenging since these apps require separate updates for every platform.

Hybrid apps:

Pros of Hybrid apps:	Cons of Hybrid apps:
The development process of hybrid apps is easier and faster since they are built using a single code base for both platforms, also decreasing the cost of development and making them cost-effective.	However, the performance is relatively slower, especially if the app is rich in graphics and animations.
Since they run across multiple platforms, the number of users is higher.	These apps are not as good in graphics, user interface, and experience as native apps.
These apps can be developed and published faster because they require only one code base to develop. Maintaining the app is easier because updates run across platforms, eliminating the need to update each platform separately.	These apps are less secure than native apps because multiple browsers can access them.

These pros and cons are a result of the differences in the native and hybrid apps’ characteristics. The next section contains a detailed performance comparison of these apps.

Performance Comparison for Hybrid vs Native Apps:

As discussed earlier in this article, the quality of native apps being built for individual operating systems with powerful and advanced tools beats its hybrid counterpart when it comes to speed, responsiveness, stability, reliability, and user experience.

Native apps have this kind of advantage due to their capability to utilize the device’s hardware and software components completely. This results in robustness, faster loading, fewer chances of crashing or lagging, and freedom to add advanced features. Not just that, these apps also offer high-quality visuals and graphics because of the compatibility of the software development tools and the operating system. These qualities keep the users hooked on to these apps.

Hybrid apps, on the other hand, have somewhat the same performance as a lot of apps but do not display high-quality visuals and graphics in comparison to native apps due to their native framework. These apps also have a lagging problem since they run on many platforms.

The display of these characteristics by native apps makes them more popular than hybrid apps. But that does not mean hybrids do not have any benefits. The right choice depends upon your objectives and both the apps can pay you well.

Which is the better option: A native or Hybrid Mobile App?

This question can be sorted out by answering a few questions:

Who are you developing the app for?
Who is the target audience?
What features need to be installed in the application?
What’s the app launch time? How soon do you want to launch it?
What’s the budget for the whole process?

With this approach, you will be able to decide the app that best aligns with your objectives.

Need help with selecting and developing the app?

With helping hundreds of our satisfied clients bring their ideas for mobile application businesses to life, our team of mobile app development experts at Pegasync can work with you throughout your journey from decision-making, laying out the building blocks to developing and its deployment, to build an application that would suit your project objectives and will not fail to provide the best possible experience to your target audience.

Just contact us to discuss your mobile app development project and we’ll make it happen!

A Complete Guide To The Mobile App Development Process: From Idea To Launch

Posted on December 20, 2024December 30, 2024 by Ateeb Ali

What exactly is Mobile Application Development

Have you ever wondered how in today’s modern world you’re able to access so much with just a cool mobile phone in your pocket? All of this seemed like a future fantasy, but now it is part of our daily routine. You see, that’s the magic of mobile application development, and the mobile application development process is what transforms ideas into the whole digital experiences we enjoy daily on our phones and tablets.

The potential of Mobile Apps

Let me share a perspective with you – from ordering food, shopping online, paying bills, to hailing a ride, staying connected to loved ones, booking appointments, or simply playing a fun game, apps have become an essential part of our lives, and all that is done fast and hassle-free. With access to your mobile phone’s camera, location, biometrics, and other manufacturer-offered functionalities, mobile applications can perform tasks that are beyond the limitations of website and desktop/laptop configurations.

Inside Mobile App Development Process

It is the art and science of creating these digital wonders. The mobile application development process involves the use of programming languages like Java, Swift, C#, and HTML5 to build applications that work seamlessly on both Android(an operating system developed by Google) and iOS(an operating system exclusive for iPhones by Apple) devices. These apps can be pre-installed on your phone, downloaded from app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store, downloaded especially as .apk files or even accessed directly through your mobile browser.

It’s a fascinating world where creativity meets technology, and developers constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible on our mobile devices.

Businesses that want to thrive today are in dire need of building amazing mobile applications and are looking for partners to create mobile applications. These apps have great potential to connect deeper with customers, work diligently with partners, and empower business teams.

The mobile application development process for someone starting a consumer-facing business, or just to make a social media or a productivity application may seem daunting at first, and bringing your concept to market can feel very complex. However, if you break it down into steps and stages, you can understand it undeniably. In this read, I will walk you through everything around the overall mobile app development process – from the first “eureka” moment to the scaleup.

Whether you want to develop an application for your customers for the first time or are looking to improve your internal processes using a mobile application for your business needs, this read will help you understand how to develop a mobile app step by step, explain the mobile app development process in detail, and offer insights into different phases of mobile app development.

Phases Of Mobile App Development Process

The phases of the entire mobile app development process, from inception to launch and scaling up are:

Phase 1: Ideation and Research
Phase 2: Strategy and Planning
Phase 3: Design
Phase 4: Development
Phase 5: Testing
Phase 6: Pre-Launch and Marketing.
Phase 7: Deployment and Launch
Phase 8: Post-launch support

Ideation and Research-Setting the Foundation

Every successful app is a result of a compelling idea. In this phase of the mobile app development process, you will need to answer some key questions to guide the development process.

This step of initiating a product idea for an application involves:

Defining the purpose of your app: What problems will my app solve? This is the most important statement definition for any product or idea. Unless you do not have any problem to solve or need to fulfill for your target market, you are not welcomed by the user base and the mobile app development process will be of no significance.
Finding your target audience: Who will be using my app? Define and segment your targeted audience. Remember, there could be more than one type of audience that will use your app.
Researching about the needs of your users: What are their needs? What are their habits or where does the problem statement fall within their regular day-to-day processes?
Researching competitors: Are there any similar apps that cater to the needs of the target audience? Are they fulfilling the needs of the target market?
Finding any gaps within the processes of competitors/industry leaders: Are there any gaps among the currently available solutions developed by competitors, or does the targeted audience find some other indirect tools to cater to these needs? Where do they lack? This is very important as analyzing similar apps can give you valuable information and help you establish your unique value proposition.

Defining the core features: This includes the features that differentiate your app from others in the market. This step is essential to distinguish your app from the competition, both direct and indirect.

Strategy and Planning- Defining goals and structure

After clarifying your idea and canvassing yourself within the current market, as well as identifying where you could be in serving your targeted users, the next step in the mobile app development process is to devise a strategy and plan for the application development. This phase involves setting goals and developing protocols that guide app development.

The key steps of this phase include:

Goals setting: What do you want the end result to be? What do you want your app to achieve?
Choosing the Platform: Choose the platform you want to publish your app on; Android, iOS, or both. Also, how would you like the application to function, whether it should be a native application, a hybrid application, or if a progressive web application can solve the problem? This is necessary for the distribution of your product to the relevant user base.
Identifying Resources and Budget: According to your budget, plan about how many developers and designers would be required and whether can you hire them or outsource their hiring to an appropriate mobile application development company.
Starting with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): This includes only essential features that can reduce the cost of development and help validate your idea in the marketplace eventually paving the road to a product market fit (PMF) for your mobile application.

Also Read: How MVP Drives Business Success

Design – Crafting the UI/UX process

The design phase of the mobile app development process includes both User Interface and User Experience. A good design is very important for easy navigation and user satisfaction.

This phase comprises:

Drawing wireframes: wireframes are rough designs that outline the app’s basic structure and functionality. It’s a visual representation of how each screen will look.
Prototype creation: prototypes give an idea of how the app will work.
Focus on the UI/UX functionality: Your app design should be such that the users find it easy to operate. This ensures that the users are satisfied and engage more with the app. An attractive UI/UX design means your app will be successful.

In this phase, a good project management team is necessary to have, to orchestrate a development, testing, training and launch plan, and to ensure that all of this is planned to be done according to your business requirements.

Development phase

This phase is where the actual coding comes in that turns your ideas and designs into a fully functional app. This is one of the most important steps in the mobile app development process as it includes building the entire core structure for the mobile app.

This phase includes:

Front-end development: this involves building the client side, where the users will interact with the app.
Back-end development: this involves creating the architecture to operate and store the data which includes the servers, databases, and integrations. This is the backbone that allows the app to function as required, store data, and manage user information securely.

The complexity of this phase depends on the complexity of the application’s user experience. With every feature that is added, it is essential to test for functionality and integration, ensuring smooth interaction between the front-end and back-end systems.

Testing and Quality Assurance phase–Ensuring functionality and stability of the app

After your app is developed, some bugs may come up during the mobile app development cycle that can decrease the functionality and productivity of your app. These can be detected by software testing for quality assurance and corrected before the app is launched. This software quality assurance is necessary to align your end goals with the resulting application that is developed after sourcing a good set of mobile app developers from a good staff augmentation company.

The app goes under several types of testing including:

Functionality: This is to test that every built-in feature works as it should.
Usability: It focuses on accessibility and seamless experience for the users.
Performance: In this test, the testers check the app’s overall speed, responsiveness, and stability of the workflows and both frontend and backend processes.
Security: Here, the testers verify not to have any unwanted access to the users’ or applications’ data.
Compatibility: Ensures the app is compatible with different devices and screen sizes.

Testing each feature can enhance user satisfaction and reduce negative feedback after the launch.

Pre-launch and Marketing-Creating a Buzz

Many overlook this phase of the mobile development process, but marketing helps you gain attention and popularity before your app reaches the market.

Here’s how you can plan it:

Create a Marketing Plan: You can use social media and app store ads for posting your app teasers(for early launch) and engaging content to attract the attention of the users before the app is launched.
Reach your Audience: Go through the advertisement policies and trends of the app store(s) that your app is published on, and create campaigns accordingly to reach your audience and get their attention.
Attention in the App Store: Make sure your app’s page is clear and simple with proper keywords that enhance visibility and have eye-catching visuals.
Collaboration With Partners and Tech Influencers: Gain trust and maximize the reach by teaming up with bloggers and tech influencers
Perform Beta Testing: Gather users to test the early version of your app and ask for their feedback. You can then use this feedback to make any improvements to your app before the launch.
Create Suitable Content: You can create articles, hacks and guides to showcase your app’s value proposition. You can create micro demos of the features and functionality and solve the confusion for your users (actual and potential) and in turn increase your active usage.

Deployment and Launch

The deployment and the rollout phase of the mobile app development process involves publishing the app on platforms such as Google Play and the Apple App Store. Each store has its requirements and guidelines for reviewing the app, so you have to take careful consideration with your development partners that they meet the standards of the application platform. Therefore the launch time of your app depends upon these factors.

Here’s what we can follow:

Ensure all the requirements and guidelines of the platform you are using to publish your app.
Optimize your app with rich keywords and descriptions that will help increase search visibility.
Upload eye-catching images and videos of your app’s features and interface to attract user attention.

Once the store platform reviews and approves your app, it’s officially launched! This means that the application is published and accessible to your targeted users to download through the app store. However, the mobile app development process goes even beyond that. You have to track downloads and collect feedback from users after launching the app. This will allow you to make improvements and updates to your app.

Post-Launch Support and Updates

Your app is finally live, and users are adding in from multiple regions or departments (based on your application development style), now is the time to scale. Developers regularly update successful apps to meet user expectations and adapt to new trends.. There are two key areas during the post-launch phase:

User Feedback: Analyze user reviews and feedback to identify key areas for product improvement and potential feature enhancements.
Regular Updates: Keep updating the app’s performance, bring new features, and share updates regularly with your users to retain them and enhance overall satisfaction.

Track your users’ interactions or actions they mostly perform in your app (by defining functional events and tracking their engagement and clickthroughs) and understand how they engage with it. You can measure and understand the long-term success of a mobile application by tracking KPIs, including daily active users and retention rates.

This is a journey of mobile app development from conceiving the idea to launching it and later, never-ending iterations. It means strategic planning, building features, and realizing performance improvements over time. Sticking to the mobile app development lifecycle and working out each stage from ideation, design, testing, and deployment gives your app the gates open to achieving success.

All the successful apps have evolved, catering to the needs of the user and changing technology. All the well-crafted mobile app development workflows can make your app a perfect treasure that meets the ideal expectations of users and provides keenly vibrant repute for your brand in the digital marketplace.

Ready to bring your app idea to life?

Conclusion

Pegasync drives its mobile app development services with passion, transparency, partnership, and excellence, offering customized solutions tailored to meet your specifications.. From development and launch to post-launch support, our team will handle everything. Pegasync has the skills and experience to help bring your app to life.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your idea for mobile application development.

Category: Mobile Application