Web Apps Vs. Mobile Apps: Key Differences

Posted by Christina James on June 28th, 2021

Are you planning to build an online presence for your business or company? If yes, then one of the first considerations you may likely make would be between a mobile application or web application, or perhaps even both. The choice may depend on various factors such as target audiences, budget, intended goals and essential features, etc.

However, there is always a misconception that web applications and mobile applications are the same. This is simply not true. Both applications may look like they serve the same purpose, but they are uniquely segregated in reality. The whole process from app development to deployment differs for each application.

There are numerous reasons why companies or organizations choose one application type over the other. However, web application development and mobile application development are two separate entities, and if you're split between choosing between the two, we got you covered. This article will demonstrate an overview of web apps and mobile apps while identifying the key differences. Hopefully, after reading this, you will be able to make the best choice for your business.

An Overview of Web Apps and Mobile Apps

Building an app for your business is key to accelerated growth and success. It is an excellent way to reach your target market and establish your company. However, the dilemma of choosing the right application for your business remains. Perhaps you may need both mediums, or the situation turns into a 'Mobile App Vs. Web App' scenario.

Before you make your decision, it is important to understand exactly what mobile and web applications are. Mobile apps or native apps are developed for a particular platform such as Android or iOS. On the other hand, a web app is an app that a user can access via a browser. It is interesting to note that users don't have to download web apps to access it. However, native mobile apps can only be accessed after being downloaded from the app/play store.

Even though the difference between these two types of apps may seem negligible, that is far from the case. Read on to understand the differences between mobile apps and web apps clearly.

Web App Vs. Mobile Apps: Key Differences

Here are some of the key differences between web apps and mobile apps:

Platform: Native mobile apps are developed as platform-specific applications. Different platforms can be Windows, iOS or Android. Users have to download them to use them.
Web apps are not platform-specific at all. They can be accessed on browsers from either a mobile or a desktop. These apps are internet-based and have device compatibility. There is no reason to download it to use web apps.

App Development: Both applications require a distinct development process. It should be noted that these apps are developed on native mobile platforms and web browsers, respectively. For mobile apps, app developers follow distinguished steps. For instance, programming languages differ according to the choice of platform.
Web apps make use of frameworks such as JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3, etc. However, there are many frameworks available, and your choice can depend on your unique needs.

UI Design: User-Interface is another area where these apps differ. However, the differences are hardly visible. Native apps follow platform-specific guidelines to design their UI. The user interface is graphical and fits well on mobile screens. At the same time, a web application has a flexible UI that can be viewed on desktop, mobile or tablet. Simply put, they adapt well regardless of the size of the device.

Compatibility: Native apps are fully compatible with the phone's hardware. It has access to features such as a camera, GPS and other hardware. However, the feature has to be consistently updated to run successfully.
On the other hand, Web apps cannot access these features that belong to the device it runs on. But these apps have the added advantage of never having to be updated by the user, unlike mobile apps. Also, it loads from the web, regardless of the device you use.

Connectivity/Speed: Mobile apps allow connection and access quickly. It has the upper hand as it is 1.5 times quicker than web apps. Some mobile apps even allow connectivity without an internet connection. This is because most of its data is stored locally in the device, and most functions are incorporated into the device itself.
In comparison, web apps work slower and require a server to function properly. They also need a solid internet connection and a database to store information. Poor connectivity means a bad user experience.

Security: No matter what your application is, you are prone to cyber-attacks or risks. The risk level of security depends on the type of application you choose. Mobile apps are a safer option because they are downloaded from a store and hence are screened and tested beforehand. On the contrary, web apps are loaded from browsers, implying that there is no guarantee that it is safe and risk-free.

Cost: It is apparent that mobile app development cost is higher than web app development costs. This is because maintenance expenses depend on updates, bug fixes, choice of platform, bespoke features, etc. However, web apps are cost-effective in comparison as the maintenance costs are low.

To sum up, both applications have pros and cons. Your choice may depend on your specific requirements and how they will benefit your business