A native app or a web app?

Een native app of een web app*?*

Web apps are gaining ground. Not entirely without reason: they are super mobile-friendly and great for user experience, making them the ideal platform today. But what about the widely used native app of which we all have at least one on our phones? Do those no longer matter? In this blog, you can read more about the progressive web app and the native app, and why we are such great advocates of mobile websites.

 

The growth of mobile

In recent years, the use of mobile has increased tremendously. Here are some facts:

  • In 2020, people will spend 4 hours and 10 minutes daily on their phones, a 20% growth compared to 20191
  • 60% of all Google searches are done via mobile, almost double compared to 5 years ago.2
  • By 2022, mobile ads will account for more than 50% of total ad spend. With that, it has overtaken desktop ads.2
  • In 2020, more 40% more hours were spent streaming via mobile1
  • Every year 30% more time is spent in shopping apps. Shopping via social media like Instagram and Pinterest is also on the rise with an expected spending of $2 trillion by 2024.1

The facts don't lie: mobile is still exploding after all these years. So it's time to transform your website into a mobile-friendly platform. 

 

What is a web app?

A web app is a mobile website that behaves like an app. This means that a web app can use mobile functionalities just like a native app, giving users a similar user experience as they would have with a native app.

A web app is a mobile website that behaves like an app.

Other than a native app, you can simply visit the web app from the browser. So the user does not have to install an app on his phone first to use it. On the other hand, the functionalities that a web app can make use of are a bit more limited, and because a web app is completely dependent on the browser in which it is visited, the availability of these functions can also differ from one browser to another.

 

Progressive web app

In addition to the web app, a progressive web app (PWA) is also a common term. A progressive web app is actually a bookended version of the web app that works on any device, platform, operating system and browser. The PWA is much less dependent on the browser in which it is used and can therefore make use of more mobile functionalities. For example, think of features like sending push notifications and the option to add the 'app' to your home screen. In addition, a PWA is a lot faster than a responsive web app; because data from the PWA is saved immediately after your first visit, the website will load a lot faster the next time. Saving this data also makes it possible to use a PWA offline. 

Even Google has started to see the value of progressive web apps and has started converting several apps to progressive web apps, such as YouTube Music and YouTube TV. Microsoft is also a big supporter of PWAs by allowing and recommending them in the Microsoft Store for Windows. In Windows 11, PWAs will have an even more prominent role.

 

Web app vs native app

In order to make an informed decision of having a progressive web app or a native app created, we have listed all the differences below.

(Progressive) web app

App

Suitable for all platforms, devices, operating systems and browsers.

Bound to the operating system for which the app is programmed. This can be iOS, Android or both. In addition, you also need to add the app to the various app stores.

Does not need to be installed by the user.

User must go to the app store and download the app before using it.

By Service Workers can also use a PWA offline.

Can be used offline.

Can make limited use of mobile functionalities (though becoming more so): send notifications, use NFC, open camera, use GPS location, use microphone and use other apps.

Extensive access to mobile functionalities. In addition to the functions of a PWA, a native app can also handle NFC payments, determine ambient light and make use of smart locks.

Longer than a native app because the web app has to function on different platforms, operating systems, devices and browsers and is therefore not built specifically for one system.

 

After the app is loaded for the first time, it will load a lot faster the next time it is visited.

Faster than a PWA, as the app is built specifically for the operating system and is better built in with the phone.

As the app creator, you can force an update of the app, if there is internet. From the user's side, the PWA seems to be updated automatically.

Users need to install the update.

Can be added to the homescreen.

Can be added to the homescreen.

Website must be visited via URL, quality is not guaranteed. Although Google does state that you must have an SSL certificate to release a PWA.

The quality and security requirements of app stores assure users of a safe and quality app.

The cool thing about PWAs is that it is 1-to-1 identical to the website, so you don't spend extra time on content management compared to the website.

A native app is not one-to-one identical to the website and thus needs to be managed separately. So you have to manage the content somewhere as well, which means double work.

The progressive web app is simply indexed by search engines like Google. To become more findable, you can apply SEO and SEA.

Native apps are not indexed by search engines by default. If you have both a website and an app with similar content, you can link them together to make your app visible in Google's search results. In addition, on mobile, Google shows some results from its Play Store in search results when searching for a particular keyword.

You can also use App Store Optimisation (ASO) techniques to make sure you get better visibility in the app store.

 

What do you choose?

In the end, of course, the choice for a web or native app lies with you. Decide what you want to use the app for, so you know which option best suits it. Consider whether you need certain native applications or whether a progressive web app might suit your needs better, again saving you a lot of time in terms of content management. 

We ourselves are big advocates of the progressive web app. Want to know more about this powerhouse? Discover all about progressive web apps here.