In today's world, where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, mobile applications and web applications are two commonly used software applications.
However, many people don't know the difference between these two types of application. That's why we've created this article to explain the main differences. We will also outline the advantages and disadvantages of each type of application. We'll also give you some examples.
If you want to develop applications, this is the ideal guide.
What is a mobile application?
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A mobile application is a software application designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
Mobile applications are specifically developed for mobile platforms such as iOS or Android. They exploit the unique capabilities of mobile devices, such as the camera, GPS and biometric sensors.
Users download mobile applications from an application shop, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and then install them on their device. This enables them to access the application's features directly from their device.
Mobile applications can be used by users even if the device is not connected to the internet.
Mobile applications can offer a wide range of functionalities, such as games, social media, e-commerce, productivity and much more.
Advantages of mobile applications
- Personalised user experience Developers design mobile applications to offer users a more personalised and engaging experience. They can exploit the features and capabilities of mobile devices to deliver an immersive experience.
- Best performance Mobile applications are optimised for speed and performance. In fact, they are designed to run natively on a mobile device. This means they can run faster and more efficiently than web applications.
- Offline access Some mobile applications allow users to access content and functions even when they are not connected to the internet. This is particularly useful for users who travel frequently or have limited access to the internet.
- Push notifications Mobile applications can send notifications to users. Notifications inform users of new content or updates, increasing engagement and loyalty.
Disadvantages of mobile applications
- The cost : Developing mobile applications requires specialist skills. But that's not all! It requires knowledge of the programming language and specific frameworks. Mobile applications are generally more expensive and take longer to develop than web applications.
- Compatibility If your team or supplier doesn't have the right skills, you may have to develop the application separately for each platform, iOS and Android. This will increase development costs, complexity and time-to-market. But you can also use languages dedicated to creating cross-platform applications from a single code base, such as Flutter. We do it at iterates for our customers.
- Application shop approval Application shops, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, approve mobile applications before distributing them to users. This approval process can take time and result in rejection if the application does not meet the app shop's guidelines.
- Limited accessibility Mobile applications are limited to the platform for which they have been designed (Android or iOS). This means that they are only accessible to users of specific devices.
Examples of mobile applications
- Social networking applications Applications allow users to connect and interact with their friends, family and professional networks online, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Entertainment applications They provide access to films, TV programmes, music and other forms of entertainment. Examples include Netflix, Hulu, Spotify and YouTube.
- Productivity applications These applications help users to be more productive by organising tasks, schedules and to-do lists. Examples include Evernote, Trello and Asana.
- Educational applications They help users acquire new skills or knowledge, such as language learning applications like Duolingo, or educational applications like Khan Academy and Coursera.
- News applications News: These applications provide access to news and information from a variety of sources. Examples include CNN, the New York Times and BBC News.
- Navigation applications They help users find their way, whether it's routes with Google Maps or Waze, or information on public transport with applications such as Citymapper.
- Travel applications These applications help users to plan and book trips, find accommodation and explore new places. Examples include Airbnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor.
Examples of functions that are more accessible in mobile applications than in web applications
- Camera Mobile applications can exploit the camera function of mobile devices to offer users advanced functionalities, such as taking photos and videos, scanning QR codes and using augmented reality.
- GPS Mobile applications can access the GPS function on mobile devices to provide location-based services such as mapping and navigation, location-based promotions and local search.
- Push notifications Push notifications: Mobile applications can send push notifications to users, even when the application is not running. This function can be used to inform users of new content, promotions or updates.
- Biometric sensors Mobile applications can use biometric sensors on mobile devices, such as fingerprint scanners and facial recognition technology. This enables secure authentication and access control.
What is a web app?
A web app, A web application is a software application that runs in a web browser.
Unlike mobile applications, web applications do not need to be downloaded or installed on the user's device. But they can be!
Instead, users can access a web application by visiting a website and interacting with the application's interface via their web browser. Web applications are built using standard web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They can be accessed from any device with a web browser, whatever the operating system or hardware specifications.
They can offer a wide range of functionalities, such as productivity tools, e-commerce platforms, social networking and much more.
Web applications are becoming increasingly popular because of their versatility and accessibility on multiple platforms.
Advantages of web applications
- Accessibility They can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making them more accessible to a wider audience. They do not require users to download or install any software. If you wish, you can also publish them in «application shops» for greater visibility: Apple Store and Play Store (Android).
- Profitable development Web application development is generally less expensive and less time-consuming than mobile application development. This is because web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript are widely known and require less specialist knowledge. What's more, you can easily connect your web application to your existing database.
- Easy updates Web applications can be updated instantly without users having to download a new version of the application. So it's easy to fix bugs and launch new features. This is a real advantage these days, enabling you to act quickly and respond to changes in the market. You're not dependent on approval from the app shop, as you are with «traditional» mobile applications.
- Independence from the platform Users can access web applications from any device connected to the Internet, whatever its platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.). No shop can censor your application. You can make the changes you want, when you want! Web applications are therefore more versatile than mobile applications.
Disadvantages of web applications
- Limited user experience Web applications are limited by the capabilities of web browsers and do not offer the same level of user experience as mobile applications. They cannot exploit the features and capabilities of mobile devices.
- Performance problems Web applications depend on Internet connectivity. They may experience slower loading times and performance problems if the internet connection is weak or unstable.
- Limited offline access They require an Internet connection to function. They are therefore not accessible offline, unless the developers include an offline mode.
Examples of web applications
- Productivity applications They help users to be more productive by organising tasks, calendars and to-do lists, such as Google Docs, Microsoft Office Online and Trello.
- Communication applications They enable real-time communication between users, such as electronic messaging services. Gmail, messaging applications such as Facebook Messenger and videoconferencing applications such as Zoom and Google Meet.
- E-commerce applications They enable companies to sell products and services online, such as Shopify e-commerce or Amazon app.
- Project management applications These applications help teams to collaborate and manage projects in real time, such as Asana and Basecamp.
- Educational applications These applications help users to acquire new skills or knowledge, such as language learning or educational applications, such as Coursera or Udemy.
Looking for some cool ideas for creating a web app? Watch this video 👇
Examples of functions that are more accessible in web applications than in mobile applications
- Cross-platform compatibility Web applications can run on any device with a web browser, whatever the operating system or hardware specifications. They are therefore more versatile and accessible than mobile applications.
- Instant updates :Developers can update web applications instantly, so users don't have to download or install new software. This method allows them to deploy updates more frequently than with mobile applications, which must obtain approval from application shops and require the user to download.
- No installation required Web applications: Users can access web applications directly via their browser, without having to download or install them on their device. This makes them more practical and easier to access than mobile applications.
- Search engine optimisation Developers optimise web applications for search engines. This increases their visibility and attracts more users.
- Multi-tab navigation Web browsing: Users consult web applications in several tabs or windows in their browser. This makes it easier for users to multi-task and switch between tasks.
Differences between a mobile application and a web application
- User experience Mobile applications are designed to offer a more attractive and personalised user experience. They can exploit the hardware capabilities of mobile devices and take advantage of native features such as push notifications, camera and location-based services. Web applications, on the other hand, have a more limited user experience. This is because they are designed to work within a web browser.
- Performance Mobile applications are optimised for speed and performance. In fact, they are designed to run natively on a mobile device. This means they can run faster and more efficiently than web applications. Web applications, on the other hand, are dependent on internet connectivity. They can experience slower loading times and performance problems if the internet connection is weak or unstable.
- Accessibility Web applications can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection. This makes them more accessible to a wider audience. Developers design mobile applications for a specific platform, limiting access to users with the corresponding devices.
- Development costs Developing mobile applications requires specialist skills and knowledge of specific programming languages and frameworks. This can make the process more expensive and time-consuming. Developers create web applications using widely known technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This makes their development easier and less costly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mobile applications and web applications have their advantages and disadvantages. They serve different purposes.
Mobile applications offer a more personalised and attractive user experience. Web applications, on the other hand, ensure accessibility and platform independence.
Ultimately, the choice between a mobile application and a web application depends on the specific needs of the user and the objectives of the application. It's important to carefully consider the differences between the two and choose the right type of application for your project.
Need to develop your application? You're in luck! iterates can help 👨💻
You can consult our previous article about the subsidies available to you from the Brussels Region.
