Hybrid Vs. Native : App Development

First of all, we need to know what is the fundamental difference between hybrid app development and native app development.

Hybrid App Development :

Hybrid Apps combines the best of both worlds, mixing the high performance & device capabilities of native development and having the flexible multi-device support of the web. Hybrid uses the web programming languages that are executed in the browser to view web-pages within the application.

Native App Development :

Native Apps provide the best performance & enable all the underlying functionalities on the devices they run on. Native apps use programming languages for a particular platform such as IOS, Android, Windows, Java, etc.

Now, down to business :

Which is better ? Which is compatible to multiple devices ? Which is used widely by developers around the world ? Which is in demand ?

For Hybrid app development web content can be created using widely known languages like HTML, JavaScript, CSS. Which easily allows us to utilize our existing web technologies & even leverage a larger set of developers to build it. And, by displaying certain content and features in Web View one can easily update the code for cross-platform support.

Subsequently the run-time environment for hybrid apps is different. When in execution, hybrid apps creates it’s own components which look a like native, have similar behavior, but are rather in fact web applications.

Why Hybrid application development seams attractive & useful ?

• Cross-Platform Support
• Shared Code
• Leverage higher amount of developers

By the year 2016, 50% of the mobile marketplace was taken by hybrid app development. And, hybrid applications tend to be cost effective from production point of view as it embeds web content for which modules are easily available or one module can be used in multiple projects.

There are 2 sides to any coin, so if hybrid is so good it also has its setbacks, like lower speed and performance, difficulties with regular updates, Source code vulnerabilities.

As of Native app development, it focuses on delivering the highest performance for the device they are making an application for. In today’s market there are only 2 players left, IOS & Android. The unusual part of native app development is that separate programming languages are used. Java or Kotlin for Android & Objective-C & Swift for IOS.

Usually the market and companies go for hybrid as it gives more options and is always in demand. But, native development has had many wins in it’s pockets, like the mobile game Pokemon Go. Which was made with Native approach and it excellent results from technical & financial point of view.

Then, Why use Native App Development ?

• High Speed & Performance
• Responsive & High Quality User Interface
• Stronger Security

Which to use then ? — Native or Hybrid !

In mobile development native apps are developed for a specific platform and require particular development languages. Since, native apps are fast, powerful and responsive they still remain the most demanding for higher end projects such as Games or Social Networks. Native apps still remain one of the most reliable solutions on the market.