Mobile app development is a massive focus for entrepreneurship in today’s information-driven age. Studies show that there are as many as 12,000,000 mobile application developers in the world. App development is growing bigger every day, leading many to jump into the field.
If you are one of the many developers looking into mobile app development, we’re here to help. Here are the three main types of mobile app development and what sets them apart from each other.
1. Native Application
Native applications are apps built for a specific operating system. For example, Android app development could focus on an application built solely for Android devices. This would be a native application, and the same can be said for any other operating system.
These apps are often coded in Java, Python, React, C++, and many other languages. Because they focus on one platform, they’re often more reliable and better performing. They also often make use of a mobile device’s features fully, as they specialize in the device.
Development can be more difficult if you intend to expand, though. You have to develop different versions of the app for each device. This can make updating and maintenance a huge hassle.
2. Web Application
The second type is web applications. These are similar to native apps, but users access them through a web browser on a mobile device. Rather than install them, users usually bookmark them instead, and they serve as responsive websites.
HTML5, CSS, Ruby, JavaScript, and other similar languages are common tools for web application design. Development costs are also often lower as they don’t need as much customization. The lack of anything to download or install helps save memory on a device as well.
A primary downside is that they’re completely dependant on the browser in use. This can lead to varying experiences, as some browsers may not support some features. They also won’t have full functionality offline, making them useless without the internet.
3. Hybrid Application
The final style of app development is hybrid applications. Hybrids combine the benefits of native apps into a web app. While technically web apps, they include a high amount of native functionality, such as offline capabilities.
Ionic, Objective C, HTML5, and other similar languages are tools for this style of development. They’re usually much cheaper and quicker to build. As such, developers commonly build an app as a hybrid to prove it can function as a native app.
The main downsides are a lack of power and generally running slower. Some features may also be disabled on some devices.
Consider Options for Mobile App Development
Mobile app development is a bustling field just waiting for you to jump in. Whether you’re building a web, native, or hybrid application, there’s always something new to explore. Creating an application is a daunting task, but thorough research and development of skills can make it much less intimidating.
If you have more questions about how to develop an app, feel free to contact us. You can also browse our blog for more tips on improving your app development company.