Web app or mobile app? The advantages and disadvantages of each
Whether it is to make a reservation, to listen to music, to play video games and others, applications manage all of our daily lives. But do you know the difference between a mobile app and a web app? It does not matter if you have trouble telling them apart, we’ll take a look at it in this article.
Access to applications
To use a mobile application or native application, you must download it from the official Google Play store or App Store. It will then be installed on your mobile device. The web application or web app, on the other hand, is accessible directly from your usual internet browser.
On the other hand, the use of mobile applications can be done without an internet connection, while for the web application, you must have a connection to be able to use it.
Application storage
Mobile apps take up the internal storage of your mobile device, as you need to download and then install it. On the other hand, the web application is installed in an external server and does not take up any space on your smartphone or tablet.
When it comes to backups of usage data, native apps typically use your smartphone’s internal space, and web apps use cloud storage.
Application updates
Any app, mobile or web, needs updates. However, the conditions are not the same in the two cases.
Updating a mobile app
Mobile apps perform regular and frequent updates to detect and fix bugs and improve their functionality. It also helps to adapt to the evolution of operating systems and the latest mobile devices. In the end, the goal is to ensure that the app works perfectly.
You should know that when this type of app is updated, the development team needs validation with the stores before the update can be deployed (as would a new app). The user must then update the app installed on his mobile. For this, it must have an Internet connection and some free storage space which varies depending on the program concerned.
Updates
Web applications, on the other hand, do not require frequent updates. Being an integral part of a website, updates are made by the developers of the application without you having to download them. The latter are therefore not perceptible to the user.
The experience of using applications
Native apps
Native applications are generally more practical from a user experience point of view. In particular, they can be associated with the different technologies of your mobile device (GPS, accelerometer, tachometer, pedometer, etc.) to offer practical and fairly complete functionalities. In addition, they can be used over a long period of time and independently of the company that developed the app.
Moreover, as noted above, updates are deployed regularly to optimize the experience. As long as the user has the latest version and their mobile also has the latest version of the operating system associated with it, everything should be fine.
Web apps
When it comes to web apps, the user experience depends on the capabilities of the mobile browser. One thing is certain, it can always be optimized, as long as the developer does his job well.
It is particularly important to turn to a recognized framework. In addition, good documentation is essential to offer the customer a code that lasts. Precisely, at Appwapp, we provide everything necessary for an evolving experience with digital and so that everyone can make it their own.
In the end, what advantages and disadvantages for the mobile application?
Advantages
- Offline accessibility
- An optimized user experience on certain features (use of mobile tools such as the camera or geolocation;
- Permanent availability once downloaded to your smartphone, as long as the app is updated periodically (every year);
- Proximity to the user (app always at hand).
Disadvantages
- Frequent updates with the need to dedicate a development budget for the sustainability of the app;
- Storage required on smartphone or tablet;
- Compatibility dependent on mobile device operating system.
What about web apps?
Advantages
- Compatible with any mobile device
- Direct access without downloading or installation (but with a need to identify yourself to be connected);
- No binding updates for the user.
Disadvantages
- Need an internet connection to work;
- Less immersive user experience.
Entrust the development of your application to Appwapp
Need or want to develop a mobile or web application? Ask our services. At Appwapp, we’ve been digital savvy for over 10 years now. We are attentive to your needs and requirements to realize, by your side, a project that suits you and meets your needs. To get an idea of our achievements, we invite you to explore some of our achievements, including the mobile app Naturel Moose Calls and the web app Adisq: voting platform.
