Understanding Mobile and Native Apps

  1. A mobile or native app is a piece of software that is downloaded, stored, and run on a user's device. They are developed for specific platforms such as iOS and Android, and devices such as iPhones, iPads, smartphones, and tablets. Mobile apps are delivered through an app store and can be monetized in a number of ways.

Once downloaded, the app lives on the user's homescreen to be accessed at any time.

Mobile apps support platform and operating system (OS) specific features such as Push Notifications and can access the hardware of the device for improved performance and functionality.

  1. Unlike web apps, a native app built in native code can take advantage of the device's hardware, as well as features offered by the OS. For example, on iOS this could be Machine Learning (Core ML), Augmented Reality (ARKit), Health (HealthKit), and Siri (SiriKit). Push Notifications for PWAs are not currently supported by iOS (but they are on MacOS), so a native app should be considered if this feature is essential. Native apps are well suited to games and apps requiring high graphic performance.

We're more than happy to discuss the various app options with you and help determine the best direction for your project.

  1. Developing a native mobile app costs more than the other app alternatives (web app and PWA) on average. This cost can be multiplied when looking to develop for multiple platforms such as iOS and Android simultaneously. The additional costs to consider are developer accounts to actually sell an app on the app stores, any cut the app store will take if the app is monetized, and the cost of time waiting for app store approval for the app and each app update.

Ongoing costs for infrastructure can, however, be lower than that for a web app as the app is stored locally instead of on the server.

There are a few different ways to build a native app, and this can affect the cost of development. Please get in touch to find out more.

In The Palm Of Your Hand

The app stores are popular, and developers are making a lot of money out of getting their quirky ideas on the app store. It has become an expectation of many companies to have a native app, and many have built one out of this expectation.

Native mobile apps have been experiencing a slump over the last couple of years, with users using fewer apps more frequently. Many of the leading apps in the app stores also have six-digit marketing budgets. But don't let that put you off; it's important to understand your users, and if a native app is the right solution, then there is still huge value in building one.

The mobile shop front. Native has the app store.

Our native mobile app development services can help you make the leap and get on the app store. If you're interested in finding out more, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're always up for discussing new ideas.