Native vs Hybrid App Development : Ultimate Guide

We have software applications to fulfill every need. From the banking sector to the education sector, all are using software applications to complete their tasks, and because of this demand, the mobile application development growth is expected to reach 13.4% CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Although these applications come in several types, in this blog, we focus on the differences between native vs hybrid applications. If you are looking for the best guide to developing a Native or Hybrid app then you should read this blog entirely.  

Whare Native Apps? 

Native applications are created using programming languages for a specific operating system (iOS and Android). Native applications have a high performance rate. Some of these applications can also be used without an internet connection. However, these applications are dependent on the specific operating system, which makes it more expensive for developers to build and manage separate sets of source code of the same application for different platforms. There are many use cases of native applications. 

• Community applications 
• Personal Finance apps 
• Mobile banking apps 
• Creativity apps 
• Productivity apps 

Advantages of Native Applications 

• Excellent Performance and Speed: A native application has better performance and speed as compared to hybrid applications.  
• More Secure: These applications are more secure than hybrid applications as they are platform specific and come with built-in features.  
• Fewer Bugs: The native applications development process comes with fewer bugs since these are platform specific. 

Features of Native Applications 

• Advanced API (Application Programming Interfaces) usability: These applications offer the best API usability. Native Applications are quick and responsive when it comes to APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). 
• Superior user experience: These applications contain responsive and user-friendly designs.  
• Simple bug prevention: The development of native applications comes with fewer bugs compared to hybrid applications since in the case of hybrid applications, developers need to ensure that their application works well for both the operating system. 
• Stability: This is one of the most crucial factors when developing a native application. Native applications are more stable than hybrid applications. 

Disadvantages of Native Applications 

• Development time: These applications are platform-specific, which means you need to develop separate source codes for different operating systems. It leads to more time in the development and management of apps.  
• Cost: Native applications are costly in total because you need to build different applications for different operating systems.    
• Accessibility: Native applications do not have a wider audience. Let us take an example of startups that have defined budgets and may not have developers to develop dedicated applications for different operating systems. In this case, many companies may move to develop cross-platform applications. 

Native Application Development Programming Languages 

Some of the programming languages that can be used to build Native applications are Swift, Objective-C, Kotlin, and Java. Two of the best languages for Android Development are Java and Kotlin. Let us discuss some other languages which you can learn to develop android and iOS-based applications. 

• Objective-C: Objective-C is the high-level programming language for iOS application development. It provides simple and effective use of APIs and has large community support. 
• Swift: This programming language helps in creating applications that support iOS and Linux operating systems. It is compatible with objective C and operates amazingly fast.  
• Python: It is also a famous object-oriented high-level programming language. It is one of the simplest languages to learn for native application development. 
• Java: This is a widely used programming language for android app development. It is secure, robust, easy to use, and scalable.
• Kotlin: Kotlin is a new language as compared to Java. This is one of the highly secure languages which helps in building android-based applications. It requires easy code maintenance and has large community support.
• C++: This high-level language is used to develop android based native applications with the use of the Android Native Development Kit. C++ is less flexible than Java and Python languages.
• Rust: This is a general-purpose programming language. Developers can create robust and secure android based native applications using Rust. 

When Should You Consider Native Application Development? 

There are certain scenarios when you can offer native applications to your audience. 

• When your audience needs an excellent interface: Native applications are best when your audience uses them to get an excellent user interface. Native applications are platform-specific, so it is easy for developers to provide the best native features to the audience.  
• When your target audience is specific: Native applications work best when you are targeting a specific audience. It is always easier to manage a specific audience than a larger audience. Native applications provide the best native features to the users.  
• When your audience likes intuitive applications: Native applications stick to the guidelines to increase user experience for the operating system. It will help to enhance the flow and intuitiveness of the applications. 
• AR (Augmented Reality) Native Applications: Native applications work well for AR. There are user-friendly frameworks such as ARCore, and ARKit used to run AR native apps. The main concern in AR is to draw 3D objects and animations in a real-world environment. Native applications are directly connected to GPU. This unit is responsible for creating graphical elements. Moreover, native apps have better control over features like cameras, plane tracking, gyroscopes, acceleration, orientation, etc., so it is excellent in augmented reality. 
• VR (Virtual Reality) Native applications: Native VR applications are designed for the particular operating system and hence are an excellent choice for intensive apps having high graphical elements. Native VR applications provide high performance with an enriched user experience. 

How much does it Cost the Development of a Native Application?  

The cost to develop simple android applications can vary from 30,000 USD to 40,000 USD and can take up to 4-6 months, whereas a medium android application can take up to 8-10 months and requires a cost of USD 70,000-100,000. Moreover, this development cost depends on various other factors as well.

If you are looking for the best native apps development company, you can contact us.

Few factors that affect the cost of native app development: 

• Operating system: The cost of development of native applications for the android operating system may differ for iOS. This is because Swift and objective-C developers charge more as compared to java and other android developers. 
• The complexity of features : Native applications have different interfaces and standalone systems for iOS and android operating systems. Different software needs different technology stacks, and hence the complexity to build native applications is high compared to cross-platform applications.  

What are Hybrid Apps? 

Hybrid applications possess elements of both native applications and web applications. These applications can be developed using technologies such as HTML/CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and React Native frameworks. Hybrid application developers employ shared code concepts in their applications. It provides an ideal fusion of native and cross-platform functionalities. Hybrid applications offer great opportunities for companies to scale their business with multi-device apps and to interact with different customers irrespective of the platform they use. 

Some examples of Hybrid applications are Evernote, Instagram, Baskin Robbins, Uber, Gmail, Twitter, etc.  

Advantages of Hybrid Applications 

• Easy to develop: We can develop these applications easily by using frameworks such as Flutter and Ionic. 
• Platform Independent: These applications work well for different operating systems and hence are platform independent. 
• Fast Development process: The development process is fast in the case of Hybrid applications since the same code can be used for applications that work for both Android and iOS developers.  

Some of the programming languages that can be used to build Hybrid applications are Objective-C or Swift for iOS, Java for Android, and React Native frameworks such as Flutter. 

Features of Hybrid Applications 

• Cross-Platform: Cross platforms frameworks allow developers to develop applications with the same code for different operating systems such as android and iOS. 
• Short Development Time: Hybrid applications require less development time as compared to native applications because of the code reusability option. 

Hybrid Applications Frameworks 

• React Native: React native framework was developed by Facebook to develop cross-platform applications. It helps to create cross-platform applications to reach a wider audience. 
• Ionic: This HTML5-based framework is also used to build high-performance cross-platform applications. 
• Xamarin: It is an open-source user interface framework to develop android, iOS, and windows based cross-platform applications. It converts programming languages such as Objective-C, Java, and .NET to C# which makes it an even more powerful tool. 
• Flutter: This framework was developed by google and written in C++, C, and Dart programming languages. 
• Cordova: It is also an open-source mobile app development framework. You can use various technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to develop any cross-platform application.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Applications 

• Performance: In Hybrid applications, there is a layer between the operating system and source code. This layer sometimes slows down the overall performance of the application.  
• Functionality: Sometimes, hybrid applications possess and lack some crucial native features. This could affect the functionality of these applications negatively.  
• User Experience: Every operating system operates differently. Hybrid applications are cross-platform applications and need to be compatible with every operating system they have been developed for. But sometimes, this can be a challenging task. 
• Glitches and debugging: Code for hybrid applications is written for different platforms. Sometimes, this leads to more glitches and bugs, and even developers find it hard to find the source of the error.  

When Should You Consider Hybrid Application Development? 

• When you want to target a wider audience: Hybrid applications are developed for multiple platforms. These applications work well for both Android and iOS applications. With hybrid applications, you can reach a wider audience.  
• When there is less development time: Hybrid applications offer code reusability options. Developers can use the same code with minimal changes for android and iOS applications. So, the development cost for hybrid applications would be less compared to native applications. 

How much does Cross-platform App Development Cost? 

The cost depends on the features you want to add to your application. Developing a simple application with minimal and basic features can take up to 2-3 months with 15000-25000 USD. Whereas, if your application is complex with more advanced features, it can cost up to 50,000 – 100,000 USD. 

To estimate the cost of any cross-platform application features insights and market research can play a deep role. To understand it better you can contact the best hybrid apps development company.

Reasons that affect the cost of hybrid application development 

• Platforms for development: Hybrid applications are platform-independent. If you want to develop different versions of applications for Android and iOS platforms, then it costs more. However, if you want to launch your application for one platform and later for another, then it costs differently. In short, platforms for application development impact the cost of applications. 
• Applications features: When it comes to features, advanced features cost more as to implement advanced features to your application you need an experienced team of developers and testers.  
• Development models: Different hiring models can affect the cost of application. The cost varies from hiring an in-house developers’ team to freelancers. Different hiring models come with different advantages and disadvantages. To know more in detail about these hiring models.  

Also Read: How To Set Up An Experienced Mobile App Development Team?

Development of Native apps and Hybrid Apps: IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) 

• Selecting the appropriate IDEs for development can be difficult for building native or hybrid applications. Let us understand different IDEs for developing these applications.  
• Eclipse: It supports operating systems such as Linux, windows, and MacOS. Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment) was developed by Eclipse foundations in the year 2001.  
• NetBeans: This IDE for developing applications can support Linux, Windows, Solaris, and macOS.  
• IntelliJ IDE: This IDE is for JVM languages and was developed by JetBrains in the year 2001. This IDE supports Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems.  
• Xcode: Xcode IDE was developed by Apple to support macOS. It allows the development of applications for iOS, iPhone, iPad, and apple watch users.  
• Android Studio: This IDE was written in c++, kotlin, and JavaScript by Google and JetBrains. It allows the developers to develop applications for android tablets, phones, TVs, etc. 

Also Read: Native vs Web App | The Complete Guide 

Conclusion: 

We hope you like this blog on native vs hybrid apps gives answers to your questions. If you are looking to hire Mobile app developers, then you can contact JumpGrowth, the best hybrid apps and native apps development company in the USA. We hold 20+ years of experience developing robust, scalable, and flexible iOS and Android applications. We served almost 1000+ clients with the help of the latest tools and technologies. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

Are native or hybrid apps more secure?

Comparing Native vs Hybrid Apps, native applications are more secure than hybrid applications. The main reason behind this is native applications are platform specific. Hybrid applications need more attention during the development phase to achieve the same level of security that can be achieved for native applications in less time.  

Which platform supports native versus hybrid apps?

Development of native applications supports any one platform at a time, either android or iOS. However, the hybrid application can support both platforms with minor changes. Developers can use most of the code building these applications. 

Are native apps a viable option for implementation?

The native application is the best choice if you want to provide your user application with excellent performance and a seamless interface. Moreover, these applications are more interactive and intuitive. 

Are cookies used by native mobile apps?

Yes, every application requires cookies to remarket advertisements. They need cookies to enhance the user experience by personalizing your experience.