Web App vs Native App

When is NATIVE app the best ?

•          You want to take advantage of the device API’s such as Camera, Accelerometer, motion detection, GPS, etc. Web apps can use only GPS as of today

•         You want your content or service to be available offline .  When you do not need much of the Internet service to serve your needs.

o   For example, Pocket Aid offers first-aid and CPR information that is available on your phone, regardless of whether or not you are connected to the Internet. This availability is crucial to the application's success and therefore makes perfect sense to be native.

•          Rich User Interface.

When is WEB app the best?

1. Benefits for Businesses/Clients

Accessibility (No Download/Install)

The problem with a native app is that you need to download and install the app first before you can use it. And most people who just need to use the app every once in a while are not likely to download the app. This is why web apps are better. All you need is Internet connection and WebKit-based browser which you already have with your phone.

Portability

With native iPhone apps, the app is only available for one single device – the iPhone. However, with the web app, we have developed it in such a way as it is compatible with most browsers so you can use it not just on an iPhone but also on other smart phones like Android, HTC and Blackberry. It is a great win for businesses because they are able to reach broader smart phone users on multiple devices and platforms with one single app.

Cost Saving

Getting a web app developed is much cheaper compared to getting a native app developed. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on development or server infrastructure. Users of the app won’t need to pay anything as it will be available for free on the web.

2. Benefits For Developers

Ease of Maintenance

Since iPhone web apps don’t need to be approved by Apple to be listed on App Store, the developers can release updates whenever necessary. Updates take effect immediately the moment they are deployed onto the web server, as oppose to native apps where updates have to be installed by the user on their iPhone. As a web app developer, you can be sure that every user of the app is using one single version, whereas with native iPhone apps, it is possible for users to be using different (outdated) versions.

No Sharing of Revenue Stream

Apple takes about 30% of the price from iPhone apps sold on App Store. However, with web apps, the developer doesn’t need to share the revenue. The cost of running/hosting the web app works out to be much cheaper than sharing the revenue with Apple.

Full Control

Native iPhone apps are like desktop apps that are installed onto your mobile device while web apps are accessed from a web location via a URL. Having a web app means the developer has full control over the app, when it comes to configuring, deploying and upgrading the app. It suits our business model because we need to allow business owners to be able to sign up and make their Store Locator app available as quickly as possible, and this is not possible with native iPhone apps where you have to go through approval from Apple to be listed in the App Store which could take at 1-2 weeks.

iPhone web apps, however, are not without its flaws. Web apps are generally not as “WOW” as a native app. However, in our case, we are developing a utility app, not a game app, and therefore wowness is not a requirement!