In the modern era, smartphones have gained unprecedented popularity. According to a report by statista.com, there are approximately 5 billion smartphone users worldwide. This figure is expected to reach 6 billion by the year 2028.

This is the reason why more and more businesses are focusing on high-quality applications. Applications can be divided into two main categories: native Apps and responsive apps. Any business that doesn’t rely on native or response apps will lag behind its competitors. But the question is, should businesses opt for Responsive Web apps or native applications?

To answer this critical question, it’s essential to differentiate these two and discuss their pros and cons.

Responsive Web vs. Native App Comparison in 2023

Here is the comprehensive comparison between responsive web apps and Native Apps in 2023:

Native Apps

Applications that are developed for a particular operating system are called native apps. Such applications can be downloaded from Google Play Store (android version) and Apple App Store (iOS version). As compared to hybrid and web apps, native apps utilize core functionalities of a device like camera, location, accelerometer, and vibration.

Examples of Native Apps

• WhatsApp
• Spotify
• Tesla
• Pokemon Go

Pros of Native Apps

• Offline Accessibility: Once the app is downloaded and installed on the smartphone, the internet is not required to run the app smoothly. Unless there is another additional functionality required to be added, you can use the native app in offline mode.
• Enhanced aspect ratio: Aspect ratio is defined as the ratio between width and height. Native apps generally have better orientation and optimized aspect ratio as compared to web apps.
• Better User Experience: It is a well-documented fact that native applications provide a much better user experience since the target audience and the operating system on which the application will run are known in advance.

Cons of Native Apps

• Expensive: Native apps are not budget-friendly at all, as two different sets of developers and two different codebases are required to develop applications in order to target iOS and Android users.
• Longer development time: As compared to hybrid and web apps, native apps have a more complex structure, and longer time duration is required for a fully functional native app.
• Difficult Maintenance Procedure: Since two separate codebases are involved in developing Android and iOS versions of native apps, maintenance of such applications is way more complicated.

Responsive Web Apps

These are web applications built on the core principle of responsive web design. Responsive design means the web page automatically adjusts according to the device’s screen size. For different devices like tablets, and smartphones, the web page’s design changes as per the orientation and size of the device. This means that with the help of responsiveness, you can create a single web app for more than one device.

Examples of Web Apps

• Gmail
• Facebook
• Microsoft Office 365
• Netflix

Pros of Responsive Web Apps

Cost-effective: Unlike native apps, which require multiple codebases for iOS and Android versions, you can create a single version of a responsive web application for different platforms. This means that the resulting application is not only budget-friendly but requires much less development time.

Simpler Marketing:  You can promote and market your web apps for users of multiple devices with ease.

Quick Updates: Imagine your app runs into an issue after deployment. If the app is natively built, you will have to update two separate versions on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. On the contrary, one can resolve issues and update responsive web apps rapidly and much more easily.

Cons of Responsive Web Apps

• Necessary Internet Connection: Web apps cannot operate offline, since they work like any other websites and need an Internet connection to pull information.
• Lack of specific functionality: Since responsive apps are not built for a specific platform or device, they have limited support for device-specific functionalities like camera, GPS, etc.

Responsive Web vs. Native App Comparison: Final Verdict

There is no clear winner in this debate. Both types of applications have their own pros and cons, and the selection of a specific category depends on the type of project and the requirements of the client. If your budget is sufficient and you need to access device-specific features, go for native app development. On the other hand, if the client is demanding quick project delivery in a limited time period, you should develop a responsive web app.

Frequently Answered Questions

Which is better: a native app or a web app?

The answer to which is better, a native app or a web app, depends on specific project requirements and goals.

What is the difference between responsive web and mobile apps?

The main is the platform they are designed for, with the responsive web being accessible through browsers on various devices, while mobile apps are specifically developed for installation on mobile devices.

What are the advantages of responsive web design compared to a native app?

Responsive web design offers advantages such as cross-platform compatibility, easier maintenance, broader reach, and lower development costs compared to native apps.

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