The modern world of computer technologies is full of varied apps, including hybrid apps. Developers are getting more sophisticated and professional. Each online store, supermarket, or logistics company has its own app now. It is convenient, simple and cost-effective. But not everything is so simple in the world of information technologies.
Today the experts of Gravum are going to talk about hybrid applications. This development type has a number of advantages that really attract small businesses. However, there are also some disadvantages that should be taken into account in choosing your concept of development.
So What Is a Hybrid App?
Originally, each of us knows what web applications are. It’s just a page in a browser where we can obtain different information. This format used to be available only on the computer from a web browser. Now, of course, it has been also optimized for mobile devices because we constantly use smartphones.
A native app is a more difficult structure that works only on one platform, e.g. iOS or Android.
In turn, a hybrid app is a combination of web and native applications. Basically, they are web pages that are conveniently transformed into mobile applications. Mostly they are based on Javascript and HTML5, which gives them versatility.
Hybrid and Native Apps: The Difference
The difference between native and hybrid apps is versatility. Plus, there is also a difference in cost and development timelines.
With native apps, the customer company receives a completely individual application that matches all their unique requests. Users of such programs feel comfortable because the developer has thought through all the required details.
Hybrid mobile applications are developed in such a way so that a user can perceive them as native apps too. They’re installed on smartphones and sold at app stores. The main feature is placing them in the frames of native apps and working at WebView.
Despite the similarities, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages:
| App type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Native | The convenience of geolocation function. With its help companies can adjust loyalty programs, send notifications, report sales to clients from certain regions | High development cost |
| Can collect and analyze data on user activity for further assessment of the app’s work | Must have approval from each app store | |
| Convenience of use | App promotion can be difficult if it isn’t a specialized app | |
| Hybrid | Development cost is cheaper, but multifunctionality and personalization level aren’t any worse | Apps that require complicated development are still easier to make native |
| Can works on several platforms at the same time | There is a risk of exclusion from app stores because of not working smooth enough | |
| Comfortable development of visually advanced apps |
Generally, hybrid mobile apps are a great fit for companies that have just started to implement mobile applications into their business. There are minimal risks for business, and if the online business sets off, the company can switch to native app development later, or stay on hybrid if it satisfies their needs.
t’s quite a development type among small and medium-sized businesses. However, one of the prime examples of a cross-platform app is Instagram.
Read also: How to Pick Your Best IOS App Development Tech Stack
Development Features of Hybrid Applications
So, you have weighed for yourself all the pros and cons. Your choice fell on an app of the hybrid type. Then you should know this industry has 2 accepted giants: Cordova with its functional tool PhoneGap and Appcelerator Titanium. Both tools let create quality and simple apps.
Now, Cordova is a great universal tool for development, very similar to the development of a web page. With its help, we can create a local file in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and test it in an ordinary browser. If everything works, we can transform individual web views on Cordova. All is quite simple, you only need to figure out the functionality and put a little effort into product packaging.
As for the well-known Appcelerator Titanium, here the process looks different. You don’t need to use HTML or CSS. Although there is a great option: we can save and reuse modules for other hybrid applications. It can speed up the work. The program gives you an opportunity to use a wide range of tools. In other words, such an app will work on devices not included in the web view because it’s directly interpreted by the JavaScript engine.
Sure, there is a huge variety of other tools for hybrid mobile apps development. For example, IONIC, which is considered one of the most forward-looking frameworks. Applications are developed on the basis of HTML5, the program can offer a fair amount of UI components. So it’s really comfortable for creating interactive apps.
There is also Intel XDK. This tool from the famous IT giant has a range of quite simple functions. A free application compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows must be installed, and then you can work with a lot of patterns. There is UI framework support.
Read also: Top 5 Solutions for Mobile Backend (BaaS)
Conclusion
Today the world depends on information technologies. It’s hard to avoid smartphones’ impact on routine life. If you want to expand your business, you should keep up with the times. A mobile app for business is an excellent tool capable of solving a number of problems and raising your profit. Although the implementation of IT products can seem like a really complicated process, a lot still depends on your priorities and desirable results.
The main things to decide are:
- What do you expect from the app?
- What functions must it comply with?
- What goals do you want to achieve with its help?
A good developer, such as Gravum, can explain to you the peculiarities of a certain type of development. You’ll likely start with a hybrid application if you don’t need a complex individual app with multi-level functionality. A hybrid app will serve as a wonderful start for building new strategies for business growth and development.
