What is a Native Mobile App? The Difference Between a Native and a Hybrid

What is a Native Application?

It is created for a specific platform and is downloaded from Play Market or AppStore, using the memory of the device's OS. The advantage of this type of mobile is optimization for one operating system, so the products work correctly and fast enough 🙂.

The development of native applications for iOS or android takes place using "native" writing languages for these platforms, so they seamlessly fit into any device. Once installed on the gadget, the service has access to most phone services: camera, microphone, calendar, photo and video files, as well as other services. After installation, the user can enable push notifications, by accessing the notification system of the device.

Pros and Cons of Native Apps

The development of native applications has its own features and many advantages. We propose to consider what are the exclusivity and what are the disadvantages of native. The pros:

• Performance and high speed;
• Ensures smooth running of games;
• Complex mathematical calculations are possible;
• Can only be installed from official marketplaces;
• Native mobile app is supported by a particular operating system;
• Can work both when there is internet and in offline mode;
• Uses hardware and software of the gadget;
• Attractive, advanced interface.

There are also minuses:

• Covering only one platform 😮;
• Creation is labor-intensive and takes a long time;
• Native apps for android or iOS are not cheap.

How is a Native Different From a Hybrid?

In addition to netivation, there is another type of design. It is not as resource-intensive and more versatile, but has certain drawbacks. We are talking about such an alternative cross-platform solution as hybrid mobile applications, which are created for both platforms at once.

7 facts about hybrid mobile products:

1. Written for two operating systems at once;
2. Can be simultaneously downloaded to AppStore and Google Play;
3. They are multifunctional and workable;
4. One way of writing - no need for multiple languages;
5. High speed of design and visual similarity of the product with Native;
6. Incorrect operation in the absence of internet connection;
7. Minimalism with respect to visualization and animation - not suitable for games.

At the same time, native applications that need to be developed separately for iOS and Android cost much more than the price of a single cross-platform solution.

If you want to integrate mobile into your business, you should take into account that hybrid apps have average speed compared to native apps 😏. But if you need to save significantly on budget and quickly design two ready-made business solutions, it is worth opting for hybrid. A striking example of a successful cross-platform solution is Instagram, whose popularity is not to speak of.

The final choice can be made when you understand what your goals are and what results you expect. But if you want to be on the crest of a wave and strive for global trends - do not miss the opportunity to take advantage of mobile.