Primarily, Native app development means a process through which developers build mobile apps. However, mobile app development often involves more complex challenges in Android vs iOS. If you are planning to create a mobile app for your business and want to do it natively, it’s wise to understand the ins and outs of native app development and its intricacies that plays a crucial role in the entire development process.
Researches claim that 70% of internet traffic comes from mobile phones, which makes it clear that mobile phone users are mostly smartphone owners who expect fast and reliable apps to get their things done effectively. On average, mobile apps perform all the basic to complex activities of a human being. From paying the electricity bill to waking up the user from a deep sleep, in no time, mobile apps became an integral part of human day-to-day lives. Thus, pushing your software developers towards native app development is the best decision in today’s ever-evolving market.
Today, native app development has become a hot topic all across the board. Mobile app developers who want to ensure speedy transactions for the users are choosing native app development to enhance every aspect of the user’s life.
In this blog, we shall discuss the best aspects of native app development, its benefits, disadvantages, cost, and examples for easy understanding. So, let’s get started
What is a native app?
A native app refers to an application specifically designed for a certain platform. This term can also get generalized to other platforms like mobile apps and computer operating systems. To make it clear, different mobile platforms use different technologies concerning mobile app development. For instance, Android uses Java or Kotlin for the development process whereas, iPhone uses Swift or Objective C.
Therefore, when Swift, Objective C, Kotlin, and Java match up with their corresponding platforms, they are termed native languages. Also, there are many ways of using native app development, namely cross-platform development, and hybrid app development.
That being said, many software developers believe that native app development is only the way to develop effective mobile apps, as it offers intrinsic advantages over hybrid apps. Due to such beliefs, tech companies invest additional time and resources to build distinct native apps for each mobile platform like Android, iPhone, and at times, Windows.
What are the major benefits of native app development?
The privilege of using specific languages for each platform you intend to launch apps on may sound time–consuming and the worst decision for a company’s growth. However, it is the only option most professional developers and tech companies choose. Why? Let’s find out!
Performance
Software developers assert that native mobile app development will lead to enhanced performance than otherwise. It is because these apps will naturally have more flexibility on their native platforms. Thus, resulting in fast response time and processing speed.
Security
For similar reasons, software professionals tend to believe that native apps are highly secure. Many hybrid apps work via web technologies to transform into an influential multi-platform. However, a native app will have various security protocols that work along with all the OS layers. The software development industry dedicatedly focuses on cybersecurity and all for good reasons. Data breaches ruin the brand image, reputation, and trust over customers and may result in loss of revenue. Thus, security is paramount in native app development.
Functionality
Native app development means APIs that are easier to build and integrate. It offers all-around great compatibility when it comes to certain user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) elements that are native to the platform developers are developing for. With native apps, businesses can expect enhanced interactivity and navigation. Cross-platform development does not have the tools to promise these perks.
What are the drawbacks of native app development?
Despite the instinctive benefits the native apps offer, tech companies are keen to launch hybrid apps. Let’s understand why.
Time to market (TTM)
As mentioned earlier, creating an app using a platform-specific language can become an overwhelming task, especially if you plan to launch your app on every available mobile platform.
Cost
Time is money for every business. Therefore, the more time it takes to develop an app, the less time you get to promote the app and gather profit. Another cost margin to consider is that businesses are likely to hire developers dedicated to each mobile platform they use. For instance, android developers for one team and iOS developers for the other. Thus, it adds more cost to the project in contract to using one full stack developer team specialized in hybrid app development.
Accessibility
The greatest disadvantage of using native app development is its lack of accessibility or its diminished ability for customer reach. Businesses understand the conundrum of wanting to download an app that’s only available on iOS. For instance, if a user owns an iPhone and wants to connect with a friend through an app, but the friend has an Android phone. In such circumstances, both parties will fail to establish a connection.
It is not an uncommon disadvantage. However, software development companies often do not have the resources to build an app and launch it on multiple platforms. Therefore, the potential users end up getting disappointed. On the other hand, the company loses its potential marketing opportunity that was only possible when every smartphone user has access to the app irrespective of its Android or iOS platform.
Summary
Native app development is a highly secure and reliable way to create a trending mobile app with futuristic goals. It offers more benefits and insights than using software like React Native and Flutter to build a hybrid app and speed up development. But you will need expert guidance to understand if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of native app development.
