At least once, many developers or business owners discussed or argued about “mobile apps vs. web apps.” So, what’s better? How are they different? When should you use a utility for smartphones, and when should you implement software for PC? We’re going to explain it in this article. Let’s go!
So, let’s start with the theory. A web application is a thing that runs in a browser, and it’s a website. A mobile app is a thing that is downloaded from the App Store, Google Play, or the web. That’s how mobile applications differ from web applications. It’s straightforward.
If you have a separate icon on your smartphone or tablet desktop to launch the program, it’s a mobile app that can work wholly or partially without the Internet. If you use the program’s functions, you need to go to Chrome, Safari, or your other favorite browser – it is a web application. Now let’s understand what web and mobile applications are for.
Web apps
Web apps help you find, organize, and view the information you need on sites with a wide variety of content in the shortest time. Web apps collect, store and process user data independently without additional resources. Of course, this only uses some help but the vast majority.
This, for example, is engaged in the sites of various banks. Web apps help automate many processes on the site. For instance, if the content must be updated regularly, you can configure the auto-update function, pre-loading all the necessary material in the stash.
Mobile apps
Their use increases sales and encourages clients to come repeatedly (of course, if the UI and UX of such utilities were done well). Many people use smartphones and tablets for shopping, so mobile utilities often beat websites in terms of traffic. Utilities for mobile devices are aimed at increasing KPI.
With their help, you can personalize promotions and recommendations for your customers. When a person opens the app, the system will show him exactly the products he wants to buy. Loyal and verified customers usually install them.
If a person has downloaded your app to his smartphone, he is already ready to cooperate with you in some form or another. Your task is to recognize this readiness and provide the user with a convenient and profitable tool to realize his desires.
What to choose – web and mobile applications
So, we found out what mobile applications are different from web applications. But what is better and what is worse? Let’s compare the pros and cons head-on:
- The definite advantage of web applications is their scale. But there is a disadvantage. For example, the fact that for them the user will need access to the Internet. In the case of mobile utilities, offline access is possible.
- Unlike mobile applications, the server version (site) does not require installation and therefore does not load the device’s memory.
- The functionality of mobile resources is more. But it will take much more time and money to develop it. However, promotion and PR are often more accessible and cheaper, comparing similar processes with websites.
- Web applications are updated automatically, but users must get a new mobile application version.
- Mobile apps have access to device memory and other data. On the other hand, the web app asks for the necessary data every time. Since security is important to many users, this point can become critical.
So, we have covered all the main points. As you can see, mobile and web apps have advantages and disadvantages. You can find the best solution by weighing your capabilities, goals, and audience. The choice of what to use is entirely up to you. By the way, there are also web apps for mobile, but that’s another story for another article.
