Every time a business plans to develop an application, it usually finds itself in a state of confusion of choice between mobile applications and web applications. If you have a business, you too must have had to come across this predicament.
In fact, even after a detailed paperwork on business goals, target audience and competitor analysis, a sense of doubt remain in the heads of development teams. But do they really have any differences in the way they function? And the answer is a big yes.
From the designing stage to the way the audience interacts with the applications, web and mobile platforms show many contrasts than similarities.
At this point in time, we should also consider the fact that native mobile apps have become more of a norm than a need for new businesses because of increased smartphone users.
But when the markets are carefully examined, web applications have their own advantages. Before we could come to a conclusion as to which one holds greater importance, it is necessary to clearly perceive the differences between web applications and mobile applications and their functions.
Mobile Applications
The most obvious and strong aspect that makes mobile applications different from web applications is its accessibility. They can be used from anywhere any time. With people turning towards their mobile phones for almost everything, these apps are available at just a click away.
Also, mobile apps today have the feature of offline access which indeed is a most advantageous feature for users from any part of the world.
Effectiveness in functioning and speed are also high in mobile applications. The variety of features and internal options are also high. Mobile apps are compatible with the specific mobile platforms they are designed for. With a wide range of resources and hardware features available on smartphones, mobile apps can access them and enhance the user experience.
This includes camera, voice, and GPS and if you are a local business, these features help you increase accuracy in delivery, obtaining demographic data and user behavior patterns.
Thanks to AI and Machine Learning technologies, these features are undergoing several changes that are transforming the area of mobile app development at a faster pace.
In terms of design and development, mobile applications demand more investment and time. The development software for mobile apps is different for different mobile platforms. If you are aiming to deploy your apps in multiple platforms, designing must be done separately.
But today, with the technology integrated application frameworks, the path is simplified and consume less time.
Other aspects that make mobile apps different from web apps are personalization features an interactive UI that is user-centric and enhance user experience throughout.
Web Applications
Web applications on the other hand equally potential advantages and some minor pitfalls. They have simple features but no options for technology integrated features like location and personalization.
Unlike the mobile applications that have to be manually updated for new features, web applications are automatically updated and new features appear themselves.
Also, they are available on the web and can be accessed without any downloading process. All you need is a browser. This difference also makes it less accessible to the users because it works only with an active internet connection.
These are slower in action and have limited features. Real-time functions too are far less compared to mobile applications. Navigation, on the other hand, is a bit troublesome for new users on web apps which is easier otherwise on mobile apps.
Design and development process for web apps is simple and is very inexpensive. They can be developed with low investment and in a comparatively shorter time frame without any software kits.
They are also developed keeping in mind the various devices on which they are used. Web apps are compatible with different screen sizes, types, and device functions.
Security, when compared to mobile applications, is far less and compromised in web applications. While the former requires a standard approval from the app stores the latter doesn’t require anything as such.
It is always important to consider your business goals, the convenience of users and features that an app gives before counting on any of the two types of applications discussed above.
Looking at the surge in mobile application development and the competitive edge they offer, mobile apps seem to be the need of the hour for many reasons.
