Native v/s Hybrid App Development: Which to Choose?
In the past few years, the native and hybrid application has taken the Mobile App Development in UK world to the next level and rightly so. Companies often spend hours and days to find out the answer to the question, which is better between Native and Hybrid or PhoneGap app development.
Native mobile app development can be done for both Android and iOS platforms. For Android, developers use Java or Kotlin while for iOS, Objective-C and Swift are used for app development. While Hybrid app development is used with web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Since PhoneGap is the most popular web app development framework, that is why it is used to develop native-like web app often termed as ‘Hybrid’.
Both Native and Hybrid have some Pros and Cons over the other technology. Below, we will do an in-depth analysis of the features of both of it.
Native v/s Hybrid App Development
1. Affordability
When it comes to building affordable mobile applications, hybrid or PhoneGap app development is less costly. The reason for this lies in the vast number of libraries which reduce the development time and creates a native-like user experience with PhoneGap. Moreover, you can develop a PhoneGap app by writing its code once and then deploy it on any platform you wish to do.
As far as Native is concerned you need to either code twice i.e. for each of the platforms or you can use React Native App Development which will allow you to minimise the cost and make multi-platform apps. Hybrid app development can cost anything around 60 percent the cost of Native app development for both iOS and Android.
Winner: Hybrid
2. Designing Interfaces
Designing mobile interfaces is extremely crucial in mobile app development. Hybrid/PhoneGap app development uses simple programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript which provides more feasibility in designing interfaces. But a few times, while implementing native UX designs, it is time-consuming to get things done effectively.
In the case of native or react native development environment, it is easier to design better user experience interfaces.
Winner: Native
3. Development Time
In general Hybrid mobile app development takes lesser time compared to native app development. But we have often experienced that while adding native features, sometimes it takes a lot of time which increases the development cost of Hybrid.
Winner: Hybrid
4. User Experience
Native mobile applications are better in terms of performance and are responsive and are more interactive compared to Hybrid apps. In some situations, Hybrid apps encounter delays and are not as responsive as Native apps are. Moreover, native apps provide better performance with clicks, scrolling, and animations compared to Hybrid application development.
Winner: Native
5. Maintainability
Hybrid apps are more maintainable compared to native applications. But it depends on the framework which your mobile app developer is choosing. Moreover, web technology is easier to maintain and any alterations in code are easy to execute considering technologies for hybrid apps revolve around JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
Winner: Hybrid
6. Limitations
Native mobile apps take the help of native design tools which allow developers to implement native features for native mobile apps across each platform. It is very easier considering it is being backed by top development companies and is every now and then updated with the latest tools. In the case of Hybrid app development, unless the framework is up to date, it will create problem in implementing native features.
Winner: Native
7. Platform Dependency
This is the main reason why businesses shift to Hybrid /PhoneGap app development. Hybrid provides great opportunities for businesses to get cross-platform app development. But one should always consider the top of the league i.e. Top Mobile App Development Company in UK as it can provide you seamless hybrid app development. As mentioned above, for native you can go for react native app development to get multi-platform solutions.
Winner: Hybrid
8. Tools and Fixing Errors
Native mobile app development provides tools to fix the errors and hence is the more preferred method for debugging. Moreover, native tools find it easier to complete fixing issues compared to Hybrid app development. This is why it is the preferred method when it comes to building apps that do not compromise with native features.
Which One you should Choose?
You can choose to go with Native mobile app development if you need to create an immersive user experience. Moreover, Mobile App Development Companies that do not have budget constraints go with native app development as the more preferred choice.
While if you have budget issues or limitations or need quick delivery for multi-platform apps, then you can go with Hybrid or Custom PhoneGap App Development. Both Native and Hybrid app development has some advantages over the other. It is up to you, what your requirements are.
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