Types of App Development For Every Business Case

Today, many businesses are leveraging technology to gain an edge over competitors. One way to achieve this is through app development.

With a plethora of options available, understanding the different approaches can help you make informed decisions that align with your objectives. Each development type offers distinct advantages tailored to various business cases, and choosing the right mobile app for your business can lead to growth and power revenue. 

5 Types of Apps for Every Business Case

Determining the appropriate app choice is often underestimated in the development process. 

Keith Shields, CEO of Designli, believes that the type of app comes down to what the project actually needs. 

“Native apps tend to deliver stronger performance and a better user experience, which is great for more complex applications,” Shields said. But if you aim to reach a wider audience quickly, hybrid apps can be more cost-effective and time-saver.” 

Explore different types of mobile apps for every business case:

• Web Apps
• Native Apps
• Hybrid Apps
• Cross-Platform Apps
• Progressive Web Apps

1. Web Apps

What are Web Apps?

Web apps are software programs that run on web browsers. They don't require installation and can be accessed from a remote server. Web apps offer functionality that visually resembles native apps and can run on different platforms simultaneously.

Most web apps are responsive, meaning they can adapt to mobile screens, making them usable on devices, but they aren't the same as dedicated mobile apps.

Best Projects for Web Apps

There are many instances in which web apps can excel, and some of the most popular include e-commerce, email, online banking, social media, and ride-sharing services. An excellent example of a web app is the e-commerce giant Amazon, which generated nearly $575 billion in net sales revenue in 2023.

Pros & Cons of Web Apps

Pros

• Accessibility: Built for all platforms and accessible from all web browsers.
• Cost-effectiveness: More cost-effective to develop than native apps because they are built once and work on multiple platforms.
• Easy to maintain: Since they are hosted online, updates to web apps are automatic and seamless.

Other pros of web apps include lower storage requirements and the fact that they do not require approval from app stores.

Cons

• Poor discoverability: Unlisted in app stores, making it more difficult for users to find such apps.
• Limited functionality: Not designed for specific operating systems. They can't access a device's hardware features, such as Bluetooth and cameras, as easily as native apps.

Other cons of web apps include poor user experience (UX) and internet dependency.

2. Native Apps

What are Native Apps?

Native apps are applications created for a specific OS or platform. They use programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and Kotlin. Instagram, Google Maps, and Spotify are all examples of popular native apps.

Best Projects for Native Apps

Social media, e-commerce, news, fitness trackers, augmented reality, and ride-hailing apps are some projects that work best with native apps.

Pros & Cons of Native Apps

Pros

• Better performance: Because native apps have a singular focus, they are generally more efficient with a device's resources, giving users a more optimized experience.
• Better security: Native apps are developed for specific platforms, meaning they can leverage the OS's built-in security features.
• Better user experience: They offer a UX that matches the OS's look and feel, providing a more integrated and intuitive interface that enhances user engagement. 

Other benefits of native apps include offline functionality, app store exposure, and access to full device features, such as push notifications, contacts, and cameras.

Cons

• Higher development costs: Since they are developed separately for each platform, including Android and iOS, this increases the effort, time, and resources needed.
• Longer development time: Building apps from scratch for different OSs can significantly push the development timeline, given each platform's language, design guidelines, and environment.

Other disadvantages of native apps include the need for frequent updates and maintenance, the app store approval process, and limited reach since they are platform-specific.

3. Hybrid Apps

What are Hybrid Apps?

Hybrid apps combine the capabilities of a native and web app. They are developed using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML technologies and then wrapped in native app containers. These containers allow the apps to access hardware features, including cameras, Bluetooth, and contacts.

Best Projects for Hybrid Apps

Popular projects for these types of mobile apps include e-commerce, social media, project management, food delivery, and to-do lists.

Pros & Cons of Hybrid Apps

Pros

• Cross-platform compatibility: It can run on Android and iOS with a single codebase, significantly reducing development costs and time.
• Access to device features: The native container allows users to access device hardware and features, including the camera and GPS, enabling functionality that mirrors native apps.
• Offline support: Users can access hybrid apps without an active internet connection by caching data in a device's local storage.

Other benefits of hybrid apps include quicker time to market, wider audience reach, and easier maintenance.

Cons

• Performance limitations: While these apps offer decent performance, they may still lag behind native apps in responsiveness and speed.
• User experience limitations: A hybrid app's user interface (UI) might not feel as polished as a native app. Differences in UI elements and navigation patterns may make an app less integrated with a device's OS.

Other cons of hybrid apps include dependency on third-party platforms and tools, challenges with customization, and complexity in accessing device features.

4. Cross-Platform Apps

What are Cross-Platform Apps?

A cross-platform application is software designed to operate seamlessly on different OSs or platforms, including Android and iOS, as well as desktop OSs like macOS and Windows. It utilizes a single codebase, which streamlines the app development process. Cross-platform app development eliminates the need to develop separate apps for each platform.

Best Projects for Cross-Platform App

Examples of projects for cross-platform applications that businesses can adopt include budget trackers, messaging applications, task management apps, social media apps, and e-commerce apps.

Pros & Cons of Cross-Platform Apps

Pros

• Cost-effectiveness: By leveraging a single code system, businesses need not build different apps for multiple platforms, significantly lowering development costs.
• Accelerated development: Since developers can build apps for different platforms concurrently, the time to develop apps reduces significantly, meaning apps reach the market much faster.
• Expanded audience reach: Cross-platform apps can help businesses reach a broader audience by eliminating the constraints of a single OS.

Other pros of cross-platform apps include easier maintenance, native feature access, accelerated prototyping, and easier maintenance and updates because they use one codebase.

Cons

• Performance limitations: These apps may not perform as well as native apps, especially for apps that require intensive resources, such as gaming apps.
• Limited access to platform-specific features: Integrating features specific to a particular OS, such as biometric functionalities, with cross-platform apps may be challenging.

Other limitations of cross-platform apps include their dependency on third-party frameworks and larger app sizes compared to native apps.

5. Progressive Web Apps

What are Progressive Web Apps?

A progressive web app (PWA) is a native application running inside a browser. The web page behaves like a mobile app, giving it a native look and feel. PWAs use web technologies such as CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.

Best Projects for Progressive Web Apps

Real estate listings, fitness trackers, news, weather forecasts, and e-commerce are lucrative projects that can leverage this technology.

Pros & Cons of Progressive Web Apps

Pros

• Cross-platform compatibility: PWAs offer versatility since users only need a browser to access them from any device.
• Better performance: PWAs load faster once users open them, providing a smoother UX.
• Offline capabilities: These apps can function offline, allowing users to access them without an internet connection.

Cons

• User experience limitations: Depending on the web browser, users may have varying experiences when using PWAs.
• Limited reach: Since PWAs aren't available in app stores, businesses may be unable to access the broad audience on the Google Play Store and App Store.

Find the Right Service Provider To Build the Best App for Your Business

Businesses can adopt different types of mobile apps depending on their needs. From web apps that run on browsers to native apps for specific OSs, these apps may be suited to different projects and workflows. On the other hand, hybrid apps are essentially web apps with a native app feel, while PWAs are web pages that function like mobile apps.

When working with his clients, Shields recommends asking about their target audience and what key features they might need in their app. 

“If they want to reach iOS and Android users without spending much money, I’d walk them through why a hybrid app might be a smart option. But if their top priority is tapping into, say, brand-new hardware abilities for a new phone model, then I’d recommend going with a native app,” said Shields.

However, in the end, the decision should reflect the client’s goals and budget. 

While there are many types of mobile apps, choosing which app is right for your business isn't a one-and-done decision. It's advisable to hire a service provider to walk you through the mobile app development process, helping you make an informed decision regarding the best app for your business. 

About the Author

Anna Peck Content Marketing Manager at Clutch

Anna Peck is a content marketing manager at Clutch, where she crafts content on digital marketing, SEO, and public relations. In addition to editing and producing engaging B2B content, she plays a key role in Clutch’s awards program and contributed content efforts. Originally joining Clutch as part of the reviews team, she now focuses on developing SEO-driven content strategies that offer valuable insights to B2B buyers seeking the best service providers.

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