The positive tendency according to the
The application concept should outline the services and form of its providing to users. The initial conditions (whether it’s an exclusive mobile solution or just a more functional version of the website than its mobile optimization) can narrow the choice of approaches.
The list of mobile development requirements is the most influential factor since not all features can be implemented within all the approaches on the required level. It includes offline access, high traffic processing, interaction with the device hardware, etc.
The first decision here is: Android or iOS or both for now and the future. The second - whether a third-party distribution is a necessity. Planning these in advance allows avoiding additional complications and expenses if the project will go multiplatform later.
Mobile development in comparison to web initially is more pricey and there are not as many ways to form affordable and efficient technology stack as for the creation of web apps. Limited resources can initially set the approach to the concept implementation.
There are four available ways to go which initially significantly narrow the choice of mobile development tech stack and ergo app further maintainability.
The most expensive, time-consuming but quality platform-exclusive solution creation using native for the chosen OS language: Java/Kotlin for Android and Objective-C/Swift for iOS. This approach allows seamless tightening of user experience to the device ecosystem including hardware and ensures high app performance and in-store presence.
Though it appears as the most appropriate path to choose its complexity, omnichannel strategy and limited startup funding significantly diminished this market segment. Especially since other solutions started to offer similar or even novelty characteristics to upgrade mobile UX and require less challenging maintenance.
The approach that is addressing main native implementation challenges: development complexity, time and price. It implies connecting JS codebase via bridges to native components and ensures providing of native-like experience for users. The most popular cross-platform frameworks are React Native, its young
Another savings method is a code shareability for
The approach shares with cross-platform the code-sharing feature between Android and iOS apps as well as the basis on standard web components. But here they are being wrapped up in native containers for website-like rendering and integration into the mobile ecosystem to provide UX and access to device hardware units like a camera or GPS.
However, the approach also shares and disadvantages with cross-platform applications concerning performance and broad functionality. The most used frameworks for the creation of hybrid apps include mentioned cross-platform as well as Ionic and Phonegap (Apache Cordova).
The novelty approach to mobile development can be considered as the easiest, quickest and cheapest. Basically,
To create PWA you can continue the development within the
If you defined the listed above factors you will be able to make a choice. Considering that each approach to mobile development pros and cons can’t provide a 100 percent optimal solution you should define the key aspect which you should base your decision on. So if you need:
Even if you need only Android or iOS app it’s still appropriate to choose cross-platform mobile development frameworks. This way you also establish the room for future growth.
Native apps will be able to ensure it. However such examples of mobile development
The crucial factor for small business. Cross/hybrid app development is more time- and cost-efficient option for
Mobile implementation of desktop software solutions or initially complex functionality can be fully created only with native development.
If you aren’t satisfied with the mobile optimization of your website native or cross-platform app isn’t always a necessity. Consider if required UX can be provided with
Except for progressive web apps, mobile solutions developed using other approaches are acceptable by Android and iOS distribution platforms if they stick to their requirements.
If you can’t limit your project priorities to one the most optimal option is cross-platform development that’s now the most progressing scope of mobile development. It’s the most balanced approach considering its pros and cons and affordable for the SME sector.
To build a mobile app you require an experienced developer on a team
According to the current Upwork market, the wider choice will give you native languages Java and Swift as well as CP framework React Native. But namely, the last one will allow establishing the most direct and robust bridge between web and mobile.
Mobile experience is crucial for customer engagement and retention. That’s why it's important to ensure its reliability, smoothness, and uniqueness to raise the level of brand/service awareness and start building a long-term relationship from day one.