Technology                                                                                                         Posted on: 2 May 2014                                                                                                                                                                       

From time to time, we’re asked about our decision to have implemented a Web-app instead of a native app for our mobile solution.  First, it’s important to understand the differences between the two platforms:

• A Native App is an app developed essentially for one particular mobile device and is installed directly onto the device itself. Users of native apps usually download them via app stores online such as the Apple App Store, the Google Play store and so on.

• Web Apps, on the other hand, are basically Internet-enabled apps that are accessible via the mobile device’s Web browser. They do not need to be dowloaded onto the user’s mobile device in order to be accessed.

From the mobile user’s perspective, native and Web apps look and work much the same way, with very little difference between them. That said, one disadvantage of Web-apps is their inability to take full advantage of smartphone hardware, which often results in a smaller feature set.  

While a limited feature set is certainly something to consider, Web-apps are not without substantial benefits:

Web-apps allow our developers to remain in control. Native apps are constantly being pulled from the App Store without explanation. Apple is in full control of the App Store. Since Web-apps don’t need to be downloaded, we avoid third-party restrictions, rules or decisions that may impact our users.

• Every mobile platform uses a different native programming language. While iOS uses Objective-C, Android uses Java, Windows Mobile uses C++ and so on. Web apps, on the other hand, use languages such as JavaScript, HTML 5, CSS3 or other Web application frameworks as per the developer’s preferences.  This allows us to keep our development costs down by not having to develop a solution for each particular platform. 

• With a native app, the user has to download updates. A Web app, on the other hand updates itself without the need for user intervention.

Today, Web-apps provide more flexibility, control and lower developmental costs.  While it may not be the right solution for every application, we believe providing a Web-app solution is in the best interest of ActivTrax, its customers and users.

To talk more about this, or anything else, please Contact Us.