Understand Your Mobile App Development Options: HTML5, Native, or Hybrid

Mobile App Development Options: Native, Hybrid, or HTML5In a world that is fast becoming increasingly social and open, mobile apps play a vital role, and have changed the focus from what's on the web to the apps on our mobile devices. Mobile apps are no longer a useful option, but an important necessity. At the same time, mobile device fragmentation is a big issue for companies developing apps for different kinds of users. There is massive fragmentation across operating systems, browsers, and devices.

Today there are more mobile devices than people in the world. Having a business presence on mobile devices is essential if you want to compete and picking the right platform to build your mobile app is not an easy task. Each mobile app development method has its own set of pros and cons. Therefore, one needs to understand the different mobile app development frameworks and the various factors related to each of them before diving into the world of mobile app development.

Mobile App Development Options

For a developer, there are 3 popular mobile app development options available to choose from. Each offers its own set of functionalities. Let's have a look at them -

  • Native App Development

    • Description

      Native mobile apps are built specifically for a given platform using the development tools and languages that the respective platform supports. They are developed using an integrated development environment (IDE). IDEs provide tools for debugging, project management, version control, and other tools which professional developers need. Native apps are exceptionally popular since they offer the most in-depth functionality as compared to other apps.

    • Technologies Used

      Native apps are mainly developed using programming languages such as Java, Swift, Objective C, and some basic HTML, CSS, and C++.

    • Features

      Native apps provide the best usability, support platform-specific features, and overall ensure a great mobile user experience. Some unique features about native apps include fast graphics, support for multi-touch, fluid animation, ease of use, and simple documentation.

  • HTML5 App Development

    • Description

      An HTML5 mobile app is basically a web page, or a series of web pages that are designed to work on a small screen. HTML5 apps are device-independent and can be opened using any modern mobile web browser. It is easier to develop HTML5 mobile apps as compared to native or hybrid apps.

    • Technologies Used

      Coded to be served over the web to a variety of devices, HTML5 apps are an ideal example of cross-platform development. HTML5 is an accepted web standard which can be used to create apps that are compatible with mobile devices as well as desktop and notebook browsers.

    • Features

      HTML5 apps are run from the web rather than stored locally and users don't have to download updates to view the content of the app. Some HTML5 apps may not run well with interruptions in connectivity.

  • Hybrid App Development

    • Description

      Hybrid apps combine the elements of both native and web apps. These apps are primarily built using HTML5 and JavaScript. PhoneGap is one of the most popular containers for creating such hybrid mobile apps.

    • Technologies Used

      Developers write the core of the application as an HTML5 mobile app and then place a native wrapper around it. The native wrapper acts as an intermediary and translates instructions into a form that the mobile device understands.

    • Features

      Hybrid apps can function whether or not the device is connected. The app can be integrated with the device's file system as well as web-based services. It also consists of an embedded browser to improve access to dynamic online content.

How about reading an article on Is it Safe to Claim React Native as the Future of Hybrid App Development?

Conclusion: Which is Better - Native, Hybrid, or HTML5?

Depending on the user base and target market, businesses need to decide the appropriate platform to build their mobile app. Developers need to analyze the different pros and cons and mobile development frameworks used in each platform and then decide on which one to go with.

The decision of which platform is better to develop a mobile app depends on different factors such as cost, time of development, number of devices in the market, type of device, etc. Developers also need to thoroughly research and study the market before deciding which path they need to take to develop the app. Here is a table which compares native vs hybrid vs HTML5 app development:

Native App
Native App
HTML5 App
HTML5 App
Hybrid App
Hybrid App
Features
Native look and feel
Native App
Native
HTML5 App
Emulated
Hybrid App
Emulated
Performance
Native App
Fast
HTML5 App
Slow
Hybrid App
Relatively Slow
Graphics
Native App
Native APIs
HTML5 App
HTML, Canvas, SVG
Hybrid App
HTML, Canvas, SVG
Distribution
Native App
App Store
HTML5 App
Web
Hybrid App
App Store
Gestures
Swipe
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
Yes
Hybrid App
Yes
Pinch, spread
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
No
Hybrid App
Yes
Connectivity
Native App
Offline and online
HTML5 App
Mostly online
Hybrid App
Offline and online
Development skills
Native App
Objective C, Java
HTML5 App
HTML5, CSS, JavaScript
Hybrid App
HTML5, CSS, JavaScript
Device Access
Notifications
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
No
Hybrid App
Yes
Camera
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
No
Hybrid App
Yes
Calendar, contacts
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
No
Hybrid App
Yes
Offline Storage
Native App
Secure file storage
HTML5 App
Shared SQL
Hybrid App
Secure file system, shared SQL
Geo-location
Native App
Yes
HTML5 App
Yes
Hybrid App
Yes
Cost
Native App
High cost of development
HTML5 App
Lowest cost of development
Hybrid App
Low cost of development

Flatworld Solutions: We Help You Choose the Right Platform to Develop Your Mobile Apps

As an increasingly large number of consumers migrate from web-based browsers to mobile apps, investing in mobile app development can prove to be a profitable deal for you. Our experts are highly experienced in the mobile app development domain and will be able to help you choose the right platform for your mobile app in this HTML5 vs native vs hybrid app development battle by studying your business requirement and the target market.

If you have any mobile app idea which you think will be the next big thing, feel free to share it with us and we will help you turn it into reality.

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