There are multiple angles to answering this question, especially in the form of a short blog. Though we will try to cover most of them, let us get a few important terms defined first, so that we can talk more on the topic.
Definition:
A Mobile App – an app built particularly for a single mobile device and is installed directly onto the mobile device itself.
A Web App – an app that is generally Internet-enabled which is accessible only via the web browser of the device including mobile.
Accessibility:
A mobile app or a native app is fully compatible with the hardware and native features of the device including the camera, accelerometer and so on.
Web applications, on the other hand, can access only a handful of any device’s native features.
Efficiency:
Which demands more development cost? Mobile apps, of course. However, they can work at lightning speed and are far more efficient as they are designed to work hand in hand with the mobile device built for. Also, they are ensured of quality; as a user, you will be able to access them only through app stores online.
Web apps, on the other hand, lead to higher maintenance cost across a number of mobile networks. Further, there is no Regulatory Authority to control app quality standards.
User Interface:
For many mobile device users, both the web app as well as mobile apps look and function the same way with not much of difference between them. The selection criterion between the mobile app as well as the web app depends upon whether the app is a web-centric or an application-centric one.
Upgradability:
If you are looking for dynamic performance, then count on a mobile website than a mobile app in terms of flexibility, frequent content update and addition of multimedia functionalities.
Reach:
A mobile website is more accessible across several platforms and also the content can be easily shared amongst users, as well as the major search engines. It has higher reach capability compared to a native app.
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