Web App vs Mobile App Development: Where You Should Invest?

The Web App vs Mobile App: How Stats Favour Both!

The digital landscape is full of possibilities, and at its heart lies a crucial decision for businesses: web apps or mobile apps? To understand both better, we must dive into the data given below:

• The mobile app vs website data show as of 2023, the app market is set to reach $756 Billion by 2027. This represents a CAGR of 8.58% between 2022 and 2027. 
• As per the eMarketer report, smartphone users spent nearly 4 hours/daily on the internet in 2020. If you see, 88% of that time is spent using mobile apps.

• The 2021 survey reflected that customers prefer using mobile food apps over web food apps. However, the ease of accessibility web apps offer makes them a first choice when you are looking to reach users quickly.

In the below-given data, it is shown that most users like to use a mobile website or app at different times as per their needs.

The future of mobile is brimming with possibilities. Understanding its projected growth allows us to prepare for a world where technology is even more deeply integrated into our lives. Let’s further understand both mobile apps and web apps separately.

What Process to Follow for Mobile App Development?

Before we dive into the differences between web apps and mobile apps, let's first understand what exactly is meant by mobile app development. Needless to say, businesses need to have a mobile app to redefine their business model and help them gain more customers. 

Mobile app development refers to the process of creating applications specifically designed to run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Applications are downloaded and installed directly onto the user's device, allowing for easy access and a seamless user experience. Mobile apps can be developed for both iOS and Android platforms, catering to a wider range of mobile users. 

 The mobile app development process expert developers follow:

• Mobile app ideation
• Wireframing and UI/UX design 
• Selecting the right tech stack
• Mobile app development
• API integrations and development
• Quality assurance and deployment 
• Maintenance and update 

As a result, different programming languages are required for creating applications for mobile, based on the target operating system.

For iOS, app developers work with Swift or Objective-C. Similarly, Android developers use Java, Kotlin, or C++. Businesses that prefer cross-platform apps can go for React Native or Xamarin.

 What Process to Follow for Web App Development?

On the other hand, web app development services focus on the creation of applications that are accessed through web browsers. These applications do not require downloads or installations, as they are hosted on remote servers and accessed through a URL. You might be asking what essential features to include in a web app to engage users. Well, that depends on the project requirements and your vision. It’s necessary to follow an agile development methodology for desired results. 

The process of developing a web application goes like this: 

• Identifying the goals
• Hand-picking the features
• Identifying and selecting the third-party vendors
• Choosing the tech & structure
• Actual development & testing 
• Launch and maintenance 

Web apps are compatible with various operating systems and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility makes web apps attractive for businesses looking to reach a larger audience across different platforms.

For example, when you open Gmail in your browser and compose an email, you're interacting with a web app. Your actions, like typing text, clicking buttons, and attaching files, trigger requests to Gmail's servers. Gmail's servers receive those requests, process them, and perform necessary tasks, like saving your draft or checking for new emails. The servers then send back relevant data and instructions to your browser, which dynamically updates the displayed content.

This cycle of user interaction, server-side processing, and dynamic response is the heart of web app functionality.

Mobile App or Web App Development: Where You Should Invest

Choosing between mobile app and web app development depends on your specific needs and goals.  For a business wanting to gain customers, a website is a go-to choice. However, if you are looking for a high engagement rate then an app can be a better option.

Here's a breakdown to help you decide more profoundly:

• Do you want to reach a massive user base?

The best way to reach a bigger pool of users is through web applications. As per the Google search traffic data,  79% of user traffic is currently coming from web apps.

This is because the content on websites is easily shared through social media, email, and other online channels, allowing wider organic reach. This can drive significant traffic without relying solely on app store visibility. So, if you are willing to reach a larger audience, websites would be an ideal choice.

• What is your app development budget? 

In general, the cost of mobile app development is more than web app development. So, if you are tight on your budget then going for a web application can be a good option. Remember you always have the option to scale up your project.

To give you an idea, the cost of developing a basic mobile app starts at $15,000. On the other hand, a more feature-rich app with advanced functionalities can go up to $1,00,000 or more. But, if your preferences align towards developing a mobile app, you can consider building an app which can be scaled up as you move ahead. 

Note: This is just an overview. The actual cost depends on various factors like complexity, UI/UX design, and the mobile app development company’s location. Reach out to a professional like Apptunix for your tailored needs. 

• How fast do you plan to launch your app? 

If you want to launch your app quickly then going for a web version is a better option. The time for development is shorter because developing one front-end and one back-end is only the primary concern.

Generally, the time to build a simple web app may take 1-2  months. On the other hand, the timeline for mobile app development can vary from 2-4  months. A feature-rich app with cross-platform compatibility could take even longer.

• Do you need the app to work offline too? 

By offline it means working without network availability. Going for the mobile app is a smart choice if you want your app to work in offline mode. A mobile app can be built to provide offline services like gaming, maps, language translation, and more.

• What speed are you aiming for in the app's performance?

There’s absolutely no doubt that mobile apps are faster than web applications. Mobile app's local data storage reduces the need for constant network communication. This minimizes latency and delivers faster response times. Simpler web apps with minimal data transfer might still offer acceptable performance. However, to offer fast operational speed mobile apps are the go-to choice.

• Do you require device features for usage?

The need for device-specific features plays a crucial role in deciding between a mobile app and a web app. Apps that offer real-time navigation, or camera access rely heavily on device hardware like GPS and cameras. Web apps simply cannot replicate these functionalities to the same extent.

If your app needs to function with the device's features, a native mobile app is the better choice.  However, advancements in technologies like HTML5 and Web APIs are enabling web apps to access some device features like geolocation and camera functionalities.

Also Read: An Ultimate Guide to Developing Mobile Apps for Foldable Devices

What is Better: A Mobile App or Web App in 2024?

Now that we have examined the unsung battle of web app vs mobile app, the question arises - which platform should you choose for your business? The answer to this question ultimately depends on your business needs and objectives. If you are looking for a more optimized and interactive user experience, particularly taking advantage of device-specific features, then a mobile app may be the way to go.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a more cost-effective and accessible solution that can reach a wider audience across different platforms, then web app development may be the better choice.

In addition, progressive web app development is an exciting new avenue for businesses to consider alongside mobile apps and websites. PWA offers a unique blend of web accessibility and app-like features, making it a potentially impactful choice. 

It is important to carefully consider your target audience, budget, and desired functionalities when making this decision. Consulting with a reputable mobile app development company or web app development services can help you make sound investment decisions based on your specific requirements.

Closing Remark

Whether you decide to invest in the web app or mobile app, it is important to choose a reliable and experienced partner to ensure the successful execution of your application. With the right platform, your business can stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape and provide a seamless experience for your users.

Of course, mobile app development has its own challenges. However, if you have the correct resources and development team, your business will flourish immensely. Apptunix, a leading mobile and web app development company, stands ready to assist you in navigating this era of innovation.  Additionally, we provide end-to-end web app development services to ensure the high performance, security, and function of the platform.

Apptunix boasts a team of experienced mobile app and web app developers, and designers who can help businesses create successful apps. In today's digital age, the right platform empowers you to thrive, hire mobile app developers in New York to make that happen.