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The scope of mobile applications is expanding every day. According to Statista there were about 138, 809 million mobile app downloads in 2014 which is expected to reach a whopping 268.69 billion in 2017.

Apps have become an integral part of mobiles which are becoming more personal, more multitasking and smarter which each launch. The facts also bring into the spotlight the reason why businesses are favoring mobile application development.

If you think mobile app development is only for big brands, it is not true. More and more small-to-mid size businesses are including/merging mobile apps into their targeted mobile strategy.

Picture the amount of brand recognition, customer engagement, a readily available channel for direct marketing and brand visibility – you get with a single app.

That said, the big question is – where do you start? There are a number of factors that you’ll have to think, such as – your requirement, the skills of an app developer, requisite functionality of the device, security, offline compatibility, etc. before you can even answer this question. Regardless of these factors, the answer to the question lies in chosen medium for developing the mobile applications.

When it comes to finding a medium for application development, the decision needs to be made primarily between native and the hybrid mobile application development. So, lets begin the battle of superiority!

The choice of platform

A native application is particularly built for a single platform. While building a native application, developers use the native language like Java on Android and Objective-C on iOS.

Hybrid application is a union of features, given by the HTML5 and native app which works on multiple platforms. It is developed using CSS, JavaScript and HTML and then parsed in a web view container using platforms like Cordova and Phonegap. These platforms give us functionalities like that of a native app. Moreover, a single application is used for a wide range of platforms.

HTML 5 works on multiple browsers and is not platform specific. It is not just limited to web pages viewed in a browser, as it can be deployed in hybrid app.

Volume of the codes

Native Application- Building a web app in the native technique, demands specific codes for a specific platform.

Hybrid Application- A common code base does the holistic work in hybrid app by positioning native-like apps on an extensive range of platforms.

HTML 5 has a generic code which works on all the platforms.

Integration

Native app- Native app has a major critical limitation that is seen in the region of integration to external systems. Majority of the enterprises creating a native app has resource-intensive issues and crucial problems that make it an illogical choice.

Hybrid app integrates seamlessly with enterprises systems such as SAP and CRM applications.

HTML 5 – HTML 5 can be integrated with enterprise systems CRM and SAP, but needs a third-party platform for server-side integration.

Time, Cost and Labour

Native application – For native app you need to create the same app multiple times for each operating system because every app must use the native programming language of the device: Java (Android),Visual C++ (Windows Mobile) and Objective-C (iOS). Hiring a separate developer takes lot of time and investment(money) as the process involves distinctive code for every platform.
Hybrid application- Building a web app through the hybrid procedure allows a common code to be deported across various platforms, this declines the development time and cost.

HTML 5- Again for the development of a web application through HTML 5 has a generic code to be ported across platforms. It consumes lesser time and apparently costs less.

User experience

Native App- The native app offers the fastest user-experience. It seamlessly works with a swift speed while presenting a static screen with only a few elements, or when you need to present a lot of data and require a fast refresh.

Hybrid App- The hybrid has a good speed, but it is unmatchable to the speed of a native app.However, with time it is improving and in future will certainly surpass the speed of Native apps.

HTML 5- HTML 5 works equivalent to Hybrid App. But again, it is not swift in speed as native apps.

Regardless of some pros and cons, your choice will prove the potentiality of your mobile app. Take any route, but don’t neglect the fact that your application will build a path for your business to grow, this will help you to take the right decision.

We’ll help you make the right decision because only an experienced developer can help you design a great application for your mobile commerce. Go through our application development service and know more.