Selecting between a mobile app and a web app is an important decision for any business in the present situation. Indeed, both help businesses to achieve a digital presence in the competitive world. However, they offer various benefits when it comes to user experience, functionality, and cost. Making the right choice relies wholly on the target audience and business goals.
The Basics
Before comparing mobile apps and web apps, it is better to understand the basic differences between the two. A mobile app is a standalone application to be downloaded from an app store like Google Play Store or the App Store. It is installed straight onto a device, and it is built for a particular operating system. This is why a separate version of a mobile app is required for Android and iOS devices.
On the other hand, a web app is a responsive website that operates like an app. Users access it through a web browser, and this is possible on any device. They do not have to download or install anything. A web uses a single codebase that works across different platforms, from smartphones to desktops.
When To Opt for a Web App?
In most cases, a web app is the most sensible starting point when it comes to businesses with a limited budget or new businesses. They are generally affordable and quicker to develop as they need only a single version. Due to this feature, they are easy to maintain and update as well. All you have to do is make changes on the server. When this is done, all users can see the new version of your application instantly.
Web applications are the best if your key objective is to reach the broadest possible audience. As they need not be downloaded, there is no stopping point for new users. Also, your prospective users can discover your web app through search engines. Further, you can easily share them via a link, and your users can access the app from any device with a web browser. This is why they are ideal for simple e-commerce platforms to content-heavy blogs and sites, where discovery is highly important.
Nevertheless, web apps are dependent heavily on web access. Also, users cannot leverage these apps via the native features of their devices, like push notifications, GPS or Camera.
When to Choose A Mobile App?
Let us consider that your business depends heavily on providing a personalised, interactive, and deeply engaging experience to customers. In this case, you should invest in a mobile app and not a web app. The reason is that mobile apps are more dependable and quicker as they are not stored locally on the device. Some apps can even function offline.
The biggest advantage of relying on a mobile app is the ability to use the native features of a device. For instance, a social media app thrives on sending push notifications, a fitness app needs the accelerometer to count steps. and a food delivery app needs access to the location of users for accurate delivery. All these things are important to keep users engaged. If your business needs this level of interaction with customers, you can opt for mobile app development rather than a web app.
