Web App or Native App: Which One to Choose?

Web app or native app? You may be wondering what the difference between the two is, as you want to be present on mobile phones on the one hand and increase your visibility.

In this article, we'll discuss the differences between a web app and a native app, analyzing the pros and cons of each option. Ultimately, you can decide which solution best suits your needs. Read on to find out more!

What are the differences between a "Native App" and a "Web App"?

Native App

A native app is a mobile app that you download (from the App Store or Play Store, for example) and then install on your smartphone or tablet, just like software on your computer.

In other words, each manufacturer has its own programming language:

• for iPhone and iPad, the programming language is called Objective-C;
• for all Android and BlackBerry devices, the programming language is Java;
• for Windows phones, the programming language is C#.

These languages call the basic layers of the smartphone or tablet or, more simply, its functionalities such as GPS, accelerometer, etc.

Web App

A web app is nothing more than a website created exclusively for mobile devices!

But be careful not to confuse web apps and responsive websites.

The web app is only accessible via mobile browsers. The programming languages are HTML5, CSS3, and JS (JavaScript).

The visual difference between a native app and a web app is not necessarily obvious, just a few features.

Install and update

Native App

As mentioned above, a native app is downloaded and installed on your device.

When the developer updates an app, the user has to do it manually to keep the app up-to-date. This can result in a multitude of files on the mobile phone.

When an application is installed, a shortcut icon is created on the "desktop", which allows to launch it quickly.

Web App