NATIVE, HYBRID, OR RESPONSIVE – WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO OPT WHEN DESIGNING YOUR MOBILE APP?

Do you know that now you can get a mobile app in three different flavors? A native app, a hybrid app, and a responsive app (website) – these are three flavors you can now use when designing your mobile app.

As of the growing technology, nothing can remain the same forever. For this, IT gurus are struggling hard to making everything shine like the sun.

Earlier, you didn’t have much of a choice when designing your mobile app. You even didn’t have many OS back then. But now you have iOS, Android, Windows, RIM and much more. And not only the mobile apps are designed for these OS, but mobiles are also manufactured based on these OS (or vice versa).

So, when you’re about to plan your mobile app, you need to keep in mind that it isn’t going to be easy developing an app. You would’ve to incorporate the OS as a core element of your mobile app development strategy. And you’ll also need to understand which functionality you’re going to adapt to develop that particular app.

Here, in this post you’ll learn the three core choices of designing your mobile app with their pros and cons. So let’s get you started.

The Native App

As the name sounds, this type of an app is designed for a particular OS. You won’t be able to run an iOS mobile app on an Android OS unless you have an Android version of the same app.

The Pros

• As they’re designed for one specific OS, they naturally adapt its environment, making the app a best fit for that particular OS.
• When you’re writing a code using the native app as your choice, the chances are high that you won’t face many bugs, making the coding more reliable and easier to run.

The Cons

• But, a native app calls for some extra workforce and cost. When you’re designing your mobile app, you can’t ignore the other OS (unless it’s for that particular OS). So, if you’re going to follow native app design method and want to develop a mobile app for all the major OS, you’ll have to write codes separately for each OS. This increases your effort and your expense.
• Not only you’ll be spending more time in the development process but your maintenance time will also add up. And so will be the cost of maintenance.

The Hybrid App

This is a blend of a native mobile app and a responsive app (website). It will work for all the platforms with few hiccups.

The coding is easier when you’re designing your mobile app using the hybrid method. A single code is written but will then be compiled to be executed for all the OS.

The Pros

• Since a single code is used to design a mobile app, less effort is done both in the development and the maintenance processes.
• The cost is also low as compared to developing a native app.

The Cons

• With benefits outnumbering the drawbacks, one detriment haunts mobile app developers. As of the limitations, plugins will not be able to offer much assistance if encountering complex situations. If a developer has to face such a complex issue, the effort and so as the cost could be 2 times more than maintaining a native app.

The Responsive App (website)

A responsive website basically functions as an app.

A responsive website is a smart choice when complex situations are not likely to be followed. With a little effort, you can develop a website which easily adjusts itself to its environment. So, if you have a desktop version of a website developed using the responsive design methodology, your website will automatically adjust its screen and functions when accessed on a mobile or other devices.

HTML 5 and JavaScript, are the two spices you’ll be using when in the designing phase.

The Pros

• It’s easy to adapt. With less work, a website which works on every platform can be designed.
• No extra burden on the design and developing teams. One single website for all the devices
• Cheaper to build and maintain.

The Cons

• As it isn’t a complete mobile app, you can’t sell it on the mobile app stores.
• Unlike a mobile app, a responsive website needs an internet connection to perform.
• The UX could affect your audience if it doesn’t work as expected.

Conclusion

With more options to design an app, it’s still a hard decision to choose the best option. But in your particular case, you could decide what the purpose of your app is?

• If you want to generate some serious cash out from your app, iOS is the best OS to develop and sell your app. So, a native app methodology is the best choice of flavor you’d have.
• If you want to target a large number of users, and your app doesn’t involve complexity, a hybrid app technique could become your preferred choice.
• A responsive website could be used when you have budget constraints or the app doesn’t require complications.

Having said that, when you need to grow your business and want to serve your audience to the fullest, you’ll be required to work harder than your competitors. Also, the cost of developing and maintaining your app will go up. But the benefits you’ll get will definitely suffice your efforts and expenses.

If this blog was helpful to understand the choices of designing your mobile app, do share your opinions. Your critical views and suggestions are also welcome here.