Web apps vs. Mobile Apps: Choose one or Both?

Due to the effortless access of the internet and widespread use of smartphones, around 50% of internet traffic comes from mobile phones. So, this has resulted in more than 200 billion mobile app downloads and increasing, according to Statista.

On the other hand, web apps are still being used on a massive scale, as they can be accessed via any device and give you a consistent user experience. 

So, in this article we will be comparing web apps vs mobile apps and highlight the key differences which will help you to choose whether to go for a web app or mobile app.

Mobile app vs Web app – The Difference

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps can be described as the applications designed to be used on any smartphone device. The most common way to use these apps is to download them through an application store for that particular platform, like Google Play Store for Android, Windows Store for Windows, or the App store for iOS.

Once downloaded, these apps have access to various system resources like GPS, camera function, and microphone etc. By using these resources, each app makes the most out of them and gives the user a unique experience.

Unlike web apps, mobile apps can also fully or partially function without an internet connection, depending on what their function is. Some of the most popular mobile apps include WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Google Maps, and Facebook Messenger.

Web Apps

Now, web apps can be used through the internet browser, adapting to whichever device is being used. They can be accessed through the internet and do not require to be downloaded or installed on your device. Also, unlike mobile apps, you don’t need to update the web apps on a regular basis, as they’ll be updating automatically.

Web apps provide you with a lot more features and full-fledged user experience of the given content, if compared to a mobile app. However, one major downside is that you cannot even partially use a web app without internet access. So, if the internet is down, you fully lose your access to any web app.

Pros and Cons – Mobile app vs Web app

Mobile Apps

Pros

• Much faster than web apps
• Better functionality due to system resources
• Highly secure
• Can be accessed offline
• Easier to develop

Cons

• More expensive to develop
• Difficult to get approved by the concerned app store
• Can prove to be expensive due to regular updates and maintenance 

Web Apps

Pros

• Don’t require installation, can be accessed anytime
• Easy maintenance due to common codebase
• Less time needed for development
• Updates automatically

Cons

• Cannot function offline
• Slower, in comparison to mobile apps
• Less advanced, in terms of features
• Security is not guaranteed as no approval is required
• Difficult to discover as these are not listed anywhere like mobile apps on app store

Web App or Mobile app – How to choose one for your business?

Making the decision regarding mobile app vs web app, can become a little tricky due to different factors that are involved. So, to make it easy, we will be talking about these various factors and tell you why you should consider these before making the final call regarding web app or mobile app.

• Type of audience

The most important factor to consider is your target audience. Who is your target audience? What age group will you be targeting? What suits them the best – apps vs web?

• Cost

Cost is another vital factor, as your budget will decide what you can afford. If you’re a little tight on the funds, whether getting separate mobile apps for different platforms really feasible or you can just work with a web app that works for all.

• End user experience

A customer’s user experience really makes an instant impact on how they perceive your business. In short, it is basically a first impression, and it will really drive the demand and keep your business running.

• Security

One factor that cannot be overlooked is security, as it can be a cause of great concern for both the business and the client. You need to figure out which app is more safe, in context of protecting sensitive data and ensuring a secure platform for everybody.

Verdict

To conclude, we can safely say that you’ll be having a basic understanding related to mobile and web apps. After learning about various aspects of Web apps vs. Mobile apps, you can now make a much more informed decision regarding which type of app will be the most viable for your business.

While choosing the right application, we suggest that you should first analyze what the requirements of your business are and how both types of apps can cater these requirements.

You can also choose a combination of both these types, as it will help you reach out to a wider audience and allow them to access your content through different platforms on multiple devices.

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