HYBRID APP TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid mobile apps development is basically a practice of developing a mobile app
for multiple platforms such as Android and IOS using a single code base.As a
result, it drastically reduces development costs. On the other hand, however, Hybrid
app development does have a few disadvantages.
for multiple platforms such as Android and IOS using a single code base.As a
result, it drastically reduces development costs. On the other hand, however, Hybrid
app development does have a few disadvantages.
For example, the rendering time in hybrid approach is usually longer than the native
approach as each OS needs a separate code base.
approach as each OS needs a separate code base.
That being said, let’s look at the pros and cons of hybrid mobile apps development
individually.
individually.
Advantages of hybrid apps:
Work across multiple platforms
The cross-platform capabilities may become the decisive factor for many
stakeholders making a choice between native or hybrid app. Hybrid apps
can run both Android and iOS having just one code base.
stakeholders making a choice between native or hybrid app. Hybrid apps
can run both Android and iOS having just one code base.
This means you don’t have to build the app for each platform as in the
case with native apps. Mobile developers create the single code base
that can function across Android and iOS.
case with native apps. Mobile developers create the single code base
that can function across Android and iOS.
This is a good news for stakeholders whose primary objective is to target
as much audience as possible. What’s more, they don’t need to decide
on which platform to build first as the broad reach can be reached with
one solution.
as much audience as possible. What’s more, they don’t need to decide
on which platform to build first as the broad reach can be reached with
one solution.
This benefit of hybrid apps will be definitely helpful for you in case you
need a mobile solution increasing the brand awareness.
need a mobile solution increasing the brand awareness.
Faster to build
It’s less time-consuming to create a hybrid app compare to the native one.
Developers don’t have to create a new code base for each platform.
Developers don’t have to create a new code base for each platform.
In addition, the building and testing processes are easier to some extent
and your QA engineer will need less time to make sure the product is
bug-free and high-quality.
and your QA engineer will need less time to make sure the product is
bug-free and high-quality.
Easier to change and update
Native and hybrid applications also differ in such aspects as making
changes and updating. Again, due to the single code base, your team
of developers doesn’t have to work with each platform separately in order
to, let’s say, change the placement of several elements. It’s enough to
make changes once and they’ll be applied to all platforms your hybrid app
works across.
changes and updating. Again, due to the single code base, your team
of developers doesn’t have to work with each platform separately in order
to, let’s say, change the placement of several elements. It’s enough to
make changes once and they’ll be applied to all platforms your hybrid app
works across.
Comparing hybrid versus native apps, it's worth mentioning that updates
containing bug fixes and enhancements are implemented a way better in
hybrid applications. At least from the point of user experience. Users don’t
have to download the latest version of your app manually through market
places to get rid of an irritating bug that has suddenly appeared some
time ago. This is a pretty common situation for the IT industry and hybrid
applications are more flexible in this regard. If any kind of issue happens
on a page that’s loaded from a server, developers can fix that and users
will get the refreshed version the next time they launch your app.
containing bug fixes and enhancements are implemented a way better in
hybrid applications. At least from the point of user experience. Users don’t
have to download the latest version of your app manually through market
places to get rid of an irritating bug that has suddenly appeared some
time ago. This is a pretty common situation for the IT industry and hybrid
applications are more flexible in this regard. If any kind of issue happens
on a page that’s loaded from a server, developers can fix that and users
will get the refreshed version the next time they launch your app.
Cheaper to build
Due to the single code base, the hybrid application running both IOS andAndroid can be implemented for nearly the same period of time that’s required to build one native app for one platform. The development time directly influences the final cost of your product.
Disadvantages of hybrid apps:
As it’s time to dive deeper into the native vs. hybrid apps comparison,
let’s consider the disadvantages of hybrid apps.
let’s consider the disadvantages of hybrid apps.
Internet connection
Hybrid apps are websites at their core and they require a constant internet
connection to deliver the full range of features to the users. This way, you may
face certain difficulties when implementing offline access to a part of their functionality.
connection to deliver the full range of features to the users. This way, you may
face certain difficulties when implementing offline access to a part of their functionality.
Also, comparing hybrid vs. native apps, we should say that it takes more time for
hybrid applications to load all their elements and, respectively, they may work slower.
hybrid applications to load all their elements and, respectively, they may work slower.
That’s the reason why the hybrid approach suits well for content-oriented apps.
They are quite simple and not overloaded with complex functions to work fast enough.
They are quite simple and not overloaded with complex functions to work fast enough.
Limited capabilities
Due to the nature of hybrid mobile apps' architecture, they rely on plugins to access the
built-in features of a device.
The disadvantage of such a method is that those plugins can be out of date or unreliable.
Moreover, developers may
need to create plugins on their own in case there are no ready-made solutions allowing to
access a certain part of the device functionality you need.
built-in features of a device.
The disadvantage of such a method is that those plugins can be out of date or unreliable.
Moreover, developers may
need to create plugins on their own in case there are no ready-made solutions allowing to
access a certain part of the device functionality you need.
Poor user experience
It’s something that must be at a high level regardless of what you choose: a native or
hybrid app. Unfortunately, the user experience isn’t the strong side of hybrid applications
since the interface for both iOS and Android platforms should meet somewhere in the
middle. In case you focus too heavily on Android, the experience will be worse for iOS
users and vice versa.
hybrid app. Unfortunately, the user experience isn’t the strong side of hybrid applications
since the interface for both iOS and Android platforms should meet somewhere in the
middle. In case you focus too heavily on Android, the experience will be worse for iOS
users and vice versa.
Pros of Hybrid Apps:
Let’s make a note of the business and user benefits of a hybrid mobile application.
* Cost:
One of the biggest pros of a hybrid app is the lowest cost of development. As you are
not going to create several versions for different app stores, the development cycle is
lesser too.
not going to create several versions for different app stores, the development cycle is
lesser too.
* Easy Scaling
Hybrid apps are very easy to scale up to a variety of platforms and OSes. This is because
web technology is almost 100% similar across different platforms. So the code can be
simply reused with no need to rebuild the entire app from scratch.
web technology is almost 100% similar across different platforms. So the code can be
simply reused with no need to rebuild the entire app from scratch.
As the development cycle is less and we already saved time by coding only once, the
initial launching time for hybrid apps is less. Apps undergo quality assurance testing like
a standard software or website. Initial testing can be performed from a web browser.
App store distribution and platform testing are quick.
initial launching time for hybrid apps is less. Apps undergo quality assurance testing like
a standard software or website. Initial testing can be performed from a web browser.
App store distribution and platform testing are quick.
Cons of Hybrid Apps:
Just like pros, few cons will also come in that case of hybrid apps. Let’s highlight those.
* UX
This is a big concern for hybrid apps. A hybrid app can never provide users a fully native
experience. Native apps use system interface components which are user-friendly, can
create a meaningful solution and can help maintain the overall workflow. This can’t be
achieved with a hybrid app without compromising performance. Better UX allows more
customer engagement and the future of the app.
experience. Native apps use system interface components which are user-friendly, can
create a meaningful solution and can help maintain the overall workflow. This can’t be
achieved with a hybrid app without compromising performance. Better UX allows more
customer engagement and the future of the app.
* Native Features
You simply can’t put all desired features in hybrid apps. Both Android and iOS have few
features exclusively for their OS. You can never integrate those in a hybrid mobile
application. This is little disappointing for the users.
features exclusively for their OS. You can never integrate those in a hybrid mobile
application. This is little disappointing for the users.
* Glitches
Another concern with hybrid apps is the way they load content is glitchy. Sometimes the
loading time is slow. This is in contrast to the smoother native apps. But there are many
solutions to fix glitches. We make sure our developed apps avoid glitches.
loading time is slow. This is in contrast to the smoother native apps. But there are many
solutions to fix glitches. We make sure our developed apps avoid glitches.
* Design
Design issue remains a factor as different OSes operate differently. So the designer
needs to fix the style as per different OS. In the process of fixing, it may force to initiate
new challenges. The scope of graphic and visual representation is limited in the case of
hybrid apps.
needs to fix the style as per different OS. In the process of fixing, it may force to initiate
new challenges. The scope of graphic and visual representation is limited in the case of
hybrid apps.
You can visit out portfolio at: iappomninos.com/app
Contact Details: munish@omninos.com / (+91 99888 80293)
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