When you are in plans to build a mobile app or a web application for your business, the first and foremost question will be ‘How to provide the best customer service?’. That is the one question that answers every further doubt arising regarding an application development.
WhenTake for example, two of the best salesmen from the hit TV series ‘The Office’ – Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert. They are best in their own ways along with their cons. We are about to see how these two fictional salesmen might be selling the solution to all your doubts regarding developing an app for your business.
What is a Native App?
Native Apps are applications written in languages that are specific to the platform they are being built for. For e.g., Java is used to write native Android apps while Swift or Objective-C is used to write Native apps for iOS. On the other hand, PWAs are written mostly using JavaScript.
Apple and Google support the app developers with their own development tools, interface elements and SDK (Software Development Kit) – Xcode and Android Studio. This makes the work of professional developers a bit easy while building native apps.
When to use Native Apps?
Native apps are preferred in industries like finance, health and banking where creating high-security apps becomes the first concern. The appropriate amount of security the native apps provide with their advanced control features makes them the preferred choice.
The reliability factor when published on the established App Store (Apple) or Google Play Store boosts your business and adds credibility to the brand. Native apps are also better than PWAs in making use of the various smartphone features like GPS, camera, sensors, geofencing and much more.
Much like the Assistant to the Regional Manager ‘Dwight Schrute’? – Yes, you’re goddamn right!
What is a Progressive Web App?
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) bring out the combination of a mobile app and a quickly responsive website. PWAs are mobile sites built using JavaScript frameworks offering a full-screen experience to the users and also can be added to the home screen of our smartphones.
Even though similar to native apps in many ways, PWAs are still websites in function. PWAs provide web experiences that are fast, reliable and engaging. The immersive user experience provided in a quick and steadfast manner made way for increased usage of PWAs by existing and upcoming businesses.
When to use PWAs?
The scalability and lower cost of entry provided by the PWAs serves as their USP. PWAs are also the go-to solutions if you have limited time in your hands to reach a larger target audience. Established distributing channels for your business makes the job even easier which can be done just by sharing the URL links. It also gives you a chance to reach your potential customers with the help of Google Search results.
Businesses like e-Commerce sites which are trying to engage better with their customers or in the process of gaining new ones might go with PWAs if the resources are scarce. With minimal resources compared to Native apps, PWAs help you big time in retaining your customers and improving business performance.
Brings to memory the ever-charming Jim Halpert aka The Big Tuna? We know.
Like the two salesmen of Scranton branch, both native apps and PWAs carry along their own set of pros and cons.
Native Apps
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| • More secured • Faster and better app performance • Makes full use of device’s features • Reliability factor provided by authenticated app stores | • High development cost • Time-consuming development process • Less flexible • Requires frequent upgrades |
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| • Faster build time • Lower maintenance cost • No installation or manual updating process • Broad range of access (smartphones, laptops, tablets) | • No access to official app stores • Limited usage of device features • Problems in compatibility with iOS • Increased battery usage |
To sum it up, Native Apps just like our Dwight, offer more reliability with a better all-round performance. The PWAs, on the other end provide us the simple and cost-effective option with an increased performance compared to exiting mobile websites. Yes, the Jim to Native apps’ Dwight!
