What are native, web, and cross-platform applications? How to differentiate all of these? Most importantly, which one to choose for your next mobile app development project? Does it address your business needs? 

Obviously, you have all these questions in your head when you are thinking of developing your mobile app to streamline your business processes. All the platforms have various reasons to support and oppose. But what will suit you depends on your business requirements and customer demands. 

This post is all about native app development and why you should choose it. So let’s start with the basic understanding of what Native app development is.  

Exactly, What is Native App Development?

The term belongs to the mobile apps developed for a particular platform and device only. A native application is built with tools and programming languages specific to the platform such as iOS and Android. The native apps can leverage device-specific hardware and software. 

It is a fact that native applications are time-consuming, but they are easy to understand and deliver a superior user experience.

Native app development needs different skills and technologies compared to mobile app development. You do not have to be concerned about the browser’s behavior and compatibility. 

The Myriad of Benefits of Native Mobile Apps

So why do most mobile applications choose native development? The reason is native apps have a plethora of advantages compared to the alternatives.

|1. Performance 

When we compare the performance of Native vs. Hybrid Apps, native apps win. Native apps are more rapid than hybrid ones. When any application utilizes the core technology and API to develop an app, the app will always be much more efficient. 

Native apps are built for a particular platform and compiled using the platform’s core programming languages and APIS. The device stores the app and enables software to use the processing speed of the specific device. When a user navigates through the app, the content is previously cached on the device. It means there is a speedier loading time. 

|2. Security

You do not have to worry about security while developing a native app. When it comes to Android, Java is way more secure compared to the HTML and CSS framework. 

Web apps rely on various browsers and technologies like Javascript, HTML, and CSS. But building a native app ensures your users about data protection. 

Native apps also enable companies to leverage mobile device management solutions by offering apps’ remote management controls on specific devices, comprising wipe the app and all the data. 

|3. Compatibility 

If we talk about the Hybrid app, it is compatible with all the platforms. But the code will be generic and use all the potential libraries to make it compatible with every platform. So there are chances that hybrid apps might not perform well with any specific version of the app. 

When you develop a native app, you won’t have such type issues. Native apps will work smoothly with all the versions. It gives you another good reason to choose native apps.  

|4. Device Features 

Native apps can use all the features of a specific device but hybrid apps can not do so. Irrespective of the operating system you are using, there are some excellent features in the system itself. 

It is possible to leverage the device’s features with native apps and compile them to generate an app. If you also want to apply the same feature in third-party apps, you have to build a module and get the relevant code to get the ball rolling.

Therefore, if you are interested in leveraging device features, native app development is the best option to choose. 

|5. Fewer Bugs 

There are fewer bug chances with native apps as you do not have to depend on hybrid app development tools like Xamarin and Cordova. Native app developers can leverage new tools to develop apps with advanced features. Thus, users have access to the most innovative features. 

When it comes to solving a bug, you can remove naive apps bugs easily. The reason is there are fewer dependencies to native apps compared to cross-platform apps. With cross-platform apps, the code needs to run successfully on all the devices. It forces developers to add all the dependencies that are used in every mobile device. 

Anyhow, in native apps, developers can also have some of them. They can obtain the remaining functionalities from the device. 

|6. Interactive UI

Interactive UI is all about the navigation within the app. You might get a good-looking UI with hybrid apps, but when you need an interactive interface along with good looks, you should opt for native apps. 

Native mobile apps work easily as they inherit the device’s OS interface and make it look just like it is an integrated part of the device. Native apps improve the user experience with the particular OS. 

The native app flow turns more neutral because of UI standards for every platform to aid users in learning apps quickly and perform different activities smoothly.  

|7. Advanced Customization 

It is possible to customize native apps because of the fewer limitations. Developers do not have to combine the features of both OSs. They can be focused on Android/iOS at a time and develop tailored solutions according to advanced business needs. 

Additionally, operating systems offer various flexible tools to leverage compared to hybrid frameworks. 

|8. Pool of Experts 

Everyone needs to hire a developer with years of expertise and practical skills when it comes to mobile app development for a business. Hybrid and web apps are relatively new compared to iOS and Android platforms as it has been more than a decade since the inception of the iOS and Android platforms.  

Thus it is easy to find native app development experts with thorough knowledge of native platforms. Ultimately you can save on time, cost, and resources. 

Tools and Tech Stack 

While developing native apps, experts write codes in a specific programming language that the system will understand. Let’s take a deep dive into the tools and technologies. 

Android Specific Development 

You can use Java, Kotlin, and C++ programming languages for native Android apps. For that Google is offering excellent Android development tools like, 

• Android SDK
• Firebase development platform 
• Android Jetpack
• Command-line tools 

You can also use plenty of third-party solutions along with Google’s in-house tools for native android app development. You need to submit your Android app to the Google Play app store for Android users to download.  

iOS Specific Development 

You can use Objective-C or Swift languages for native iOS apps. iOS has closed source code built only for Apple’s hardware. So it requires Mac devices to build native iOS mobile apps. Apple is offering advanced tools and resources such as, 

• iOS SDK
• Swift Playgrounds
• XCode
• TestFlight 

You can also use a third-party ecosystem with developer tools like AppCode and CodeRunner. You need to submit your iOS app to the iOS App Store by adhering to the review guidelines. Otherwise, there are high chances that your app gets rejected as the iOS App Store has strict guidelines. 

Summing Up 

If you want to pursue high-quality mobile app development, native is an ideal approach. Appealing design, HD graphics, fast speed, extensive features, etc., will serve your business a competitive advantage. However, you need to pay more to obtain all the privileges. But in the end, you will get a high ROI because of the effortless maintenance. 

It is worth going native.