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

In 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

HTML5 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.