Mobile application type is the first thing you have to decide before the development of the application. When you start choosing the mobile application type for creating a unique and different mobile app, you have a broad range of the options, but you are not sure where to start. You are bombarded with questions such as: is developing your app with native solutions the right choice? Shall I only consider developing with the web technologies? Can I choose hybrid solutions? These are the questions that juggle your mind when choosing the right solutions for your app idea.

The answer to these questions depends on different factors including features, compatibility, timeline, requirements, and goals of your project. 

It is recommended not to choose the mobile application type before knowing about all the mobile application type choices and their pros and cons.

To help you choose the best app solution that matches your requirement, we have prepared a complete overview of all the mobile applications types and some of their pros and cons. 

By the end of this blog post, you will have an understanding of different mobile application types and platforms and you will be able to choose the right type of mobile application for your app idea. Let’s discuss the mobile application types and their pros and cons.

iOS Native Apps

It is Apple’s mobile operating system that runs on iPad, iPhone, touch hardware, iPod, etc. Resources and tools are provided by Apple to create iOS applications and accessories for all Apple devices. Most of the applications in the apple store are developed in Objective-C language. Xcode is used for the development of apps.  iOS native app development provides a high degree of dependability along with fast performance. It provides some of the apps which can be used without an internet connection. 

iOS native applications have easy and fast-to-use operating systems. iOS apps are fully secure and customers can easily find apps on the App Store once they have been approved and featured. 

Just like other apps, iOS Native app development has its cons. The procedure to get authorization from the apple store is laborious and time-consuming. The updates of the iOS also need authorization which is a long process and there is no guarantee that the application will be accepted.  

Android Native Apps

Android is an open-source operating system with the largest developer and community reach and it is the main reason for Android’s expanded marketing and app-to-app interactions. Android developers gravitate toward this niche because of the low cost, abundant resources, and high success rates built on the best development environments. Any application for the android system can be developed by just installing the free available SDK. Android native apps support any device that is developed in OS and Android and written in Java.

Moreover, Android is the most popular operating system in today’s technological industry because of its great user interface, fastest data speeds, storage, media support, and messaging. The additional capabilities of android native apps are Web browsing,  multitasking, multi-touch, resizable widgets, GCM (Google Cloud Messaging), Android Beam, and multi-language.

Just like everything else in the world, android native application development has also its fair share of downsides. Android is prone to some malicious practices and security threats due to the lack of strict protocols. Another challenge that might hit you during android app development is the absence of a consistent user interface. There are various devices with different resolutions and sizes and developers have to take care of all the devices. 

React Native Mobile App

React native is a Javascript framework. It is designed for developing genuine native applications for android and iOS platforms. It is based on the JavaScript library called react and it empowers native application development.

It corresponds with the modern requirements of mobile application development with its two operating systems giving enterprises to choose between:

• Develop applications with great user experience
• Develop applications that are faster in development and run on multiple platforms

React native allows the process of developing applications across various platforms, due to their capability of reusing the codes between them. The popularity of React Native is rising because of its convenient solutions for developing cost-effective cross-platform applications. 

React native merges react with the best parts of the native development. It has the best javascript library for developing user interfaces. 

Hybrid Apps

A hybrid application is the amalgam of native and web technology. It is a blend of both web and native solutions. Hybrid applications are developed using technologies (CSS, HTML, and JavaScript), which are encapsulated in the native application. These apps can have full access to the features of the mobile by using the plugins.

The core of a hybrid mobile application type is just an application that is developed with JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. However, the app is launched from a native application with its own embedded browser, which is practically invisible to the user, rather than being displayed within the user’s browser. For instance, your application would be displayed using the WKWebView in an iOS application, whereas on Android, the WebView element would be used.

Then, this app is embedded into a native app wrapper while using Apache Cordova. These solutions develop a native shell app that has the webview component of the platform in which it loads the web app. It provides developers the ability to develop and publish the actual native apps which can be submitted to app stores of each platform for sale.

However, there are a few cons to this option too. The UI (user interface) needs recreation just like the web applications. We have a solution for this like Xamarin, NativeScript, and React Native. These options provide robust user interface components which feel and look like the native counterparts while giving the app a full set of the building blocks.

Studies have shown that above 20% of applications are uninstalled shortly after they are downloaded.

To avoid this situation, apps should have an impressive UI experience with superior performance.  

Done with the review of all the possible solutions for your app idea. Now, let’s decide the mobile application type for your app idea. It is totally up to you and your choice. Still, in my opinion, unless you are developing a high-performant game or any other similar app,  hybrid mobile application type might be the best choice since it has easy development, compatibility with different platforms, cost-effective approach. 

Whatever type of mobile app development you want for your idea, you are in good company. Bitsol Technologies has leveraged hundreds of customers and revolutionized their visions into growing businesses.

Our team of highly qualified and experienced developers has the necessary expertise and knowledge to design and develop all types of app that meets your needs. 

Contact us and our team will get you covered with all of your app-related requirements