What are native mobile apps and why do they perform better?

As the name suggests, native mobile apps are apps developed specifically for a particularly platform, say Android or iOS. These apps are generally built using tools and design guidelines specific to only that platform.

What are the advantages of native apps?

If built properly native mobile apps tend to be more responsive than regular or cross-platform apps. If they’ve followed the design guidelines for that platform, as laid out by the platform owner (Apple, in the case of iOS, and Google in the case of Android), the apps will feel like an integral part of the OS.

In addition, native apps tend to have better access to a device’s features and capabilities as the app itself is using an optimised toolset. Lastly, it’s also possible for such apps to be more secure by default as the tools used would have been vetted by the platform owner.

What are the disadvantages of native apps?

The primary disadvantage is cost. Since native apps have to be developed for a specific platform using specific toolsets and design language, the design and code can’t be easily ported over to another platform. Each codebase will have to be maintained and serviced independently.

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A related issue is that such apps need to be updated regularly to maintain that native app look and feel, and this can be a challenge if the platform being developed for is updated regularly. On a platform like Android, the issue is more of a challenge because of the variety of form factors and resolutions to develop for.

FAQs

Q1. Are native apps more expensive to develop?

Not always, but this is often true when dealing with multi-platform apps.

Q2.Do native apps perform better than cross-platform apps?

While not guaranteed, it’s usually the case that native apps are more responsive than cross-platform apps.

Developing a Native Mobile App is great when you’re building a highly personalised experience for your users. However, most businesses and services will want cross-platform functionality for broader reach.