Native app vs. web app - two variants with different advantages

Are you looking for direct contact with the customer? Do you want to offer an uncomplicated service or optimal access to the range of goods? That's when an app is crucial. The applications secure a place for you on people's smartphones and make the customer journey easier. To do that, you have two options: Native App and Web App, and in the following article, you'll learn what makes them stand out.

Native app vs. web app - what is what?

A web app is a browser-based application. The user accesses the company's website on their smartphone or computer via the browser. The application offers the best possible user experience depending on the device used. The web app can offer a simplified presentation especially for calls on a small mobile phone screen. It looks clearer and is easy to read. It can offer to log into an account. In this way, personalized product offers and individualization of search results are possible.

On the other hand, there are native apps. These are applications that users can download from an app store such as the Google Store or Apple's App Store. He loads it securely onto his smartphone and uses it to call up an offer. The native app can be designed according to the provider's wishes without restrictions. It can combine applications, sales of goods and services with personalized offers. And some apps even offer gaming fun for users on the train of gamification.

Examples of both variants:

Popular web apps use, for example: Amazon, YouTube, Spotify, Google Apps

Popular native apps include: Instagram, McDonald's app, TikTok, WhatsApp, AirBnB

Comparing the prices of both options

Web app and native app must both be programmed separately. However, there is one major difference: In the case of the native app, an app must be programmed for every operating system. You must have a separate application programmed for Android and iOS. In addition, these must be regularly renewed with updates. In contrast, with the web app, it is sufficient if you program a single one. When accessed via the browser, this recognizes the user's requirements and adapts specifically. As far as the price is concerned, travel cheaper with a web app. On the other hand, this has some drawbacks. Let's look at the next quality criteria.

Ease of use and functional benefits

Usability is an important criterion. This describes the user-friendliness of the application. Of course, you want to make life easy for users. You should receive a simple overview of offers. You want to provide people with an uncomplicated connection for inquiries and exchanges. And you have an idea how you can use the application to provide great entertainment and practical information.

What is the comparison between native app vs. web app? Both app variants offer you good services here. However, the design options for a native app are significantly better. After all, you have free rein when it comes to design and functions. Many native apps can access features such as the camera and microphone of smartphones. There is also the advantage that users can communicate with you directly via the app. This provides plus points in support and in case of inquiries.

Stable use of the application on smartphones

What else you should pay attention to: The app must run smoothly on the smartphone. An application that only runs with a delay and crashes is quickly deleted or ignored by users. The fact is: An application that has been professionally programmed and downloaded to the mobile phone usually works much better. However, you must get the user to download the app. And you need to update them regularly. The second means increased effort when maintaining the application and providing technical support. You can overcome the hurdle to downloading with targeted actions. In other words, by offering customers a small advantage, offering individualized promotions or making clear another added value of the native app.

In either case, you can point to these benefits with apps:

- offers tailored to personal preferences

- additional information for everyday use

- faster support for questions

- simplified payment options

- Exchange in your own communities

Give users personalized offers via apps

Anyone who uses apps with a login feeds in information. You receive data with the web app and a native app. You can use these to make personalized offers. When it comes to services, even perfectly coordinated prices are possible. Think of e-scooters, for example, which are paid per meter after use in cities. The apps tell you something about your target groups. Personalization is more difficult with web apps. You don't have such a strong connection to the smartphone at this point. It's no wonder that most companies with an extensive range of products will sooner or later have a native app developed.

Development options for both variants

In recent years, new opportunities have arisen on the part of the web app. However, the web app offers you significantly better development options. You can provide new options through updates. All you have to do is make sure that the app remains intuitive to use with the updates and that users can orient themselves well. It's best to collect feedback from users. You can hire testers to put a programmed app through its paces.

What you shouldn't forget: Don't just check the web app and the native app on the latest smartphones. They should be easy to use on older devices. Also make sure that users can work well even with a poor Internet connection. The web app offers you good options for using the application on a limited basis, even without the Internet.

conclusion

Overall, the native app offers significantly more functions and, in many questions, more user-friendliness. However, it entails more programming and maintenance costs. You must also get the user to actively download the app onto their smartphone. You can do this with an app that offers entertainment or practical everyday benefits.

Developing a web app is also worthwhile. This enables a more direct connection to the customer. It makes the customer journey easier when selling products. And it can provide personalized offers on a small scale that are perfectly tailored to customer needs. Both sides benefit from this individualization of the offer.

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