How to Know Whether You Need a Web, Native, or Mobile App

Last Updated: July 10th, 2024

ON THIS PAGE:

  1. Native Apps
  2. Mobile Apps
  3. Web Apps
  4. Hybrid Apps
  5. Desktop Apps
  6. PWAs

A lot of first-time app founders assume they need to build a native app (i.e. the type you download from app stores)...

But there are countless use cases where doing so is completely unnecessary (and a bit overkill).

Can you get by with just a web app, though?

And what about a mobile app? Isn't that... the same?

In this guide, you'll learn how to differentiate between all the different app types, including:

  • Native apps
  • Mobile apps
  • Web apps
  • Hybrid apps
  • Desktop apps
  • PWAs

This is important because each app type requires its own specific set of steps to build and launch.

By the end of the guide - and equipped with that knowledge - you'll understand exactly which app type you should be building (so you don't unintentionally do more work than you need to).

Native Apps

Native apps are built for specific devices or platforms, like Android devices and Google Play, iOS devices and Apple's App Store, or both.

Because they're built for specific devices and platforms in mind, it means certain components of the app can be catered to those experiences.

For example...

  • Performance can be optimized to a particular platform (compared to a web app that works across a broad range of browsers and devices).
  • Use experience can be optimized to a particular device. Since Native apps are downloaded directly to a device, they can easily communicate and integrate with your device's capabilities (like the camera, contacts list, call feature, and much more). This can make the user's experience better overall.
  • Offline functionality becomes possible because native apps can operate without an internet connection (depending on the app's functionality).

Overall, native apps can offer a more seamless experience for users in the right situation.

Why shouldn't you build a native app, though?

It all comes down to the type of app you're building and how much maintenance you want to do.

Almost all of our entrepreneurs start with a web app first because they're using Bubble, which is geared toward complex, data-driven applications.

Typically, having a web version of a data-driven app is convenient for users because the type of usage with these apps is heavier and more involved. Thus, having the ability to work on a desktop is simply needed.

On top of that, the benefit of offline functionality isn't all that helpful for data-driven apps, which inherently need an internet connection (building a PWA is an alternative, which we'll get to in a moment).

Plus, native apps have separate requirements for both iOS and Android devices (and their respective app stores), meaning more time and maintenance is required to manage an app and make updates.

Overall, building a web application first can be helpful to establish a base, and expanding with a native app (if necessary) after you've gone through initial user testing can be a more effective route.

All that said, if you're building a simple tool that doesn't involve much data manipulation (or a game) a native app off the bat can make sense.

Mobile Apps

"Mobile" and "Native" are often interchanged, and most folks think they refer to the same type of app.

In reality, though, a mobile app is simply a web app that's accessed from an internet browser on a mobile device, like a phone or tablet.

This is an important distinction to make because, as mentioned above, a lot of founders don't actually need to build a native app...

Instead, they can build a responsive web app (meaning the app's design reformats itself to fit various screen sizes).

The benefit of this are:

  • The ability for users to access the app from any device, including their phones
  • Being able to skip the process of formally submitting your app to app stores

The drawbacks:

  • If you have plans to use App Store SEO tactics to grow your user base, you won't be able to (instead, you'd need to use Google SEO tactics, for example).
  • While you can still access a device's functions with a mobile app, it won't happen as "natively" as it would with a native app. The average user likely won't notice a difference, however.

Unless you're absolutely certain you need to build a native app, a web/mobile app is usually the easier route to go for both yourself and your users.

Web Apps

Since we've been comparing the above app types to web apps, you already have a good understanding of what differentiates a web app from the others.

As a quick recap, though, a web application can be accessed on any browser and any device, as long as there's an internet connection available.

They're kind of like websites in that sense, but web apps, on the other hand, are highly data-driven. That means they don't just display information - instead, they store, manage, and give the ability to manipulate data. (Imagine reading information about vacation rentals available in a certain area versus being able to browse individual listings, message the host, make a reservation, and submit payment, for example.)

Here are some of the biggest positives to building web apps vs native apps:

  • They're easier to maintain and update
  • If outsourcing the development, web apps are generally cheaper
  • They can be accessed on any device and browser, versus being limited to a specific app store, for example
  • They don't require approval from app store marketplaces
  • Updates happen seamlessly for users, whereas a native app update requires the user to manually update their app's version

Hybrid Apps

Prior to the release of Bubble's Native app builder, the only way to put a Bubble app into app stores was to "wrap" the app using a 3rd party service.

Essentially, a hybrid app.) is a web app that's been taken and "translated" into a format compatible with app stores. Because of that, the app can be downloaded just like a native app. However, because it's still a web app at the core, it requires an internet connection to function.

BDK Native or Zeroqode Native are two examples of wrapping services that can be used on a Bubble-built web app.

With the release of Bubble's Native app builder, though, this isn't required.

Desktop Apps

Desktop apps are the programs you find and install on your computer. They don’t generally need an internet connection to work, although some functionality may be limited without one. These are the kinds of programs you find pre-installed on your laptop (or ones you download and install later on).

This one likely won’t need to be on your radar, but if it's something you're considering, a platform like Bubble unfortunately won't fit your needs.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

All the app types we've covered so far are pretty simple to understand once you see the differences laid out for you.

PWAs, on the other hand, can be confusing to explain even for high level developers.

PWAs, at their core, are web applications designed to function like native applications.

They’re built to work in a regular browser, which makes them easily accessible (no download needed to use them), but they have native app benefits, like push notifications and other offline functionality.

Now, this can get really technical because creating a PWA requires a bit of tech jargon...

To give you an overview, though, PWAs:

  • Load quickly like an offline app would
  • Respond quickly to user interactions like an offline app would
  • Feel like a native app in terms of user experience

With a PWA, you can essentially get the benefits of a native app, without actually dealing with app store downloads (users can even add your app icon to their device screen).

You might be thinking this all sounds great...

So why shouldn't you build a PWA?

First off, the platform you use to build your app must support offline functionality. So if you can't build a native app, you'll have a hard time building a true PWA unless it involves very minor offline functionality and a few handy workarounds.

Aside from that, however, it really comes down to your overall needs...

If you need to build a native (or native-like) app, you'll likely already know it.

If you're building a complex, data-driven app, though, starting with a web/mobile app will likely suit your needs just fine (as well as your users').

Ultimately, if there's no standout reason to build a native app or PWA, there's just no reason to take those extra steps.

Instead, get your web app out there, and if your needs evolve down the road, you can always expand with a native app. Many companies follow this path, and it might be right for you, too.

Launching Your App

Our own entrepreneurs start by building responsive web apps, meaning their apps work on any internet browser and any device.

Making this the first step reduces the time and cost it takes for them to reach their first launch.

After initial user testing is done, and once the app has a proven product-market fit, some of those entrepreneurs then expand with a native app if it's appropriate for their particular app and market. The more complex the app, the less likely a native app is needed.

Again, though, the decision really comes down to the type of app you're building...

Quick and simple = a native app is likely suitable.

Complex and comprehensive = a web app is likely your better bet.

Use this information to help you make faster decisions with your app...

At the end of the day, launching an app you change over time is better than not launching an app at all.