Everything You Need To Know About Native Apps
As mobile use and mobile applications gain increasing popularity, it becomes more and more important to talk about the different kinds of apps and the emerging programming languages that facilitate the development of these apps. In fact, when deciding to build a new application, one of the first things that businesses need to establish is the type of app that would be most suitable for their brand. Since one of the most popular ways to build apps is natively, in this blog we’ll talk about native apps and how they differ from other types of apps.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about native apps and app development in Kuwait.
What is a native app?
A native app is a smartphone applicationn coded in a specific programming language in order to be developed for use on one specific platform or operating system (like iOS or Android). Actually, they are called “native” because they are developed for the native operating system of each device. Since they are developed for one particular mobile device, they can take full advantage of the device’s hardware and software, and avail features like the camera, microphone, and GPS, consequently improving app performance, reliability, and user experience. By creating native applications fully adapted to each operating system, businesses are able to offer a more complete and unique experience to users.
A native app is installed via an app distribution system (like the App Store or Google Play Store), and lives on your device. It functions as a stand-alone program that stores data on the device and facilitates communication with other native apps on the device. So, logging onto Facebook on your web browser or a different device is not the same as accessing Facebook’s native app on your phone, as they are both built using different software.
Some native apps can also be used in low-connectivity environments or without an internet connection, since they have some or all of their data set contained within the application. Native apps are usually harder and more expensive to develop by app developing companies in Kuwait. Because they are tied to only one type of operating system, businesses might be forced to create other versions for different platforms. Most video game applications are native. Some examples of native apps include, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, Pokemon Go, Candy Crush Saga, etc.
To summarize,
Advantages of native mobile applications:
- Uses less bandwith
- Offline access
- Faster and better UX
- Access to device features
- Better security
- Higher engagement
- Optimized aspect ratio (ratio between width and height)
- Better control over app orientation, size, and resolution
- Higher customization
- More likely to be bug-free
- Better store support
Disadvantages of native mobile applications:
- More expensive
- Should be built separately for each OS
- Space-consuming
- Requires upgrades/maintenance
- Long download process
- Less flexibility
Native Apps vs Web Apps
While mobile app developers in Kuwait develop native applications for a specific mobile device, a web app usually exists inside a code and is accessed through a web browser. With native apps, using a social media site through an app on your phone and through the computer may essentially look and feel the same, but you are functionally accessing two different things. This is not the case with web apps. Plus, web aps require an internet connection since they don’t store any data on the device, limiting customer reach.
Web apps do not need to be downloaded like regular mobile apps, so they don’t take up any memory or storage on the device. However, since they are so heavily dependent on browsers, they lack consistency in user experience and functionality: certain images/features/buttons may look different on different browsers. Web apps are also slower and less responsive. But at the same time, they give more control over their performance and users need not manually download software updates since it’s all automatic. Overall, since web apps have a pretty straightforward development process, they are simpler, cheaper, and have a shorter time to market.
Native Apps vs Hybrid Apps
By now we know that while a native app lives on the device, a web app lives within a code and is accessed through a web browser.
Hybrid apps are the mix of both. When mobile application developers in Kuwait create hybrid apps, they use the shell of native apps but load website codes within the app. So, the app grabs data from both device storage and the server. They require less development but also offer less customization than native apps. With hybrid apps, you get the ability to quickly produce an app that can be targeted across different platforms. Compared to native apps, they are inexpensive to develop, reach the market sooner, and are simpler to re-code when releasing new versions.
Although unlike native apps, hybrid apps have lower performance and responsiveness as they are still dependent on browser technology. They also have limited access to device features, lowering user experience. And even though hybrid apps can be distributed through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, they may face additional restrictions.
Should You Opt For a Native Mobile App?
You may need a native mobile app if one of these statements is applicable to you:
- You want an optimal user experience
- You want higher engagement and easy access to users through notifications
- You only need one platform to publish your mobile app
- Your app is reliant on the device’s native features (like Camera for a social media app, or GPS for a fitness app)
- You plan on monitizing with mobile
Native development builds true high-performance apps that bring long-term success to businesses. However, it’s important to first find out the kind of app your business will benefit the most from, while being financially viable. If you’re unsure, you can start by testing out different ideas and receiving consultations from mobile app development companies in Kuwait. At Design Master, you can get in touch with our team of best mobile application developers in Kuwait, who have built various types of apps, from market research to launch.
You can also visit our portfolio to learn more about the different types of apps we’ve created.
