WebApp: what is it and what are its advantages

Choosing the technology used in a project can be one of the most difficult steps. In the case of app development, you will probably be in doubt between WebApp, hybrid app or native app.

We've already commented here on the FWC Blog about the differences between a hybrid and a native app.

But do you know what the WebApp is?

In today's post, you'll learn about the WebApp and learn about the differences between the three technologies.

What is a WebApp?

Before understanding the concept of WebApp we need to know the basic differences between this technology, responsive websites and hybrid and native apps.

First, let's understand how a responsive website works.

responsive website

This type of site automatically adapts to different screen types.

When accessing it through a mobile device, the website content is reorganized to screen size.

The responsive website is like a mobile version of the original website, but has the difference that there is no content change.

That is, the same content that is already programmed for your page will only be readjusted.

The main advantage of this system is that there is no loss of content. After all, the files, photos, and attachments from the original site will remain.

It is common for people to imagine that if the site runs on mobile, it is responsive. However, all sites work on smartphones, because it is a browser. That is, even opening on the cell phone, it may not be responsive.

In these cases, the user experience becomes poor. Which can lead you to give up browsing the site.

Upon giving up, the conversion is not achieved.

How to identify a responsive website?

You can identify a responsive site in two ways.

Open the website on a smartphone or zoom out the browser horizontally.

If the layout adapts to the new format, without you having to scroll the site to the side, it means that it is responsive.

What is an app?

The time has come for us to remember what an application is, so that we can then understand the meaning of a WebApp.

Unlike a website, the app can be installed on mobile or tablet. Furthermore, the user can access it without the internet browser.

The app is also developed to be used in the way the company planned, making it easier to direct customers to commercial actions.

Briefly, the application is software that works with a set of tools. These are designed to perform specific tasks on your device.

Each of the apps available on the market require a different programming and layout.

Native app

Native applications are those developed exclusively focused on operating systems. The main operating systems today are Android and iOS. Put another way, natives are applications developed for a specific platform.

As their development is focused on a single platform, the apps are able to run all the functionality of that platform.

In addition, native apps can access the full potential of the device, such as camera, photo album, GPS and others.

Considering that each of the platforms has its own language, the application must be developed to be compatible with it. But not only that. It is also necessary to adapt the tools and interfaces of each platform.

As natives' development is based on a platform, they become more efficient than others. By efficient, we mean that this kind of application becomes faster and more reliable.

With this, the native app can provide better experience for users. This is because they are able to make use of more device functions such as camera, GPS, etc.

One more important aspect that makes native apps more likely to positively impact the user experience is the ability to rely on push notifications . Through these notifications, it is possible to guarantee frequent user access, which increases engagement, increasing the chances of success.

Another very functional advantage of native applications is the possibility of using it without an internet connection. Thus, the frequency of use of the same increases, which directly impacts the rankandmaneto of the application.

However, even with so many advantages native applications have some requirements at the time of their development.

First, native apps must adhere to the platform's language and design standards. For these reasons are mobile applications that have higher development costs.

hybrid app

Hybrid apps are those mobile apps that are built alternatively to native ones.

But what does this mean?

This indicates that, unlike natives, hybrids are built by making a junction of languages.

Generally speaking, hybrid applications can be built based on different languages. The main ones are HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Compared to natives, they are simpler and faster to develop.

As stated above, the use of more languages makes the hybrid application two different formats, web and native.

With this feature, they are applications that can use resources from both the internet and the device.

Also, hybrids can run on different platforms like Android and iOS. Thus, it is not necessary to develop different apps to be compatible with each of the platforms.

Although they offer greater facilities due to their execution on different platforms, hybrid applications have a restriction.

To use cell phone features it is necessary to use a framework working as an intermediary. What makes this issue easier is the existence of several frameworks available to help with hybrid development.

The main advantage offered by hybrid applications is that they can exert similar functionality to native ones. And more than offering similar features, this type of app has lower costs.

In addition, another positive point of hybrids is the possibility of use on any platform.

Like natives, one more advantage is the ability to download apps directly from stores.

Finally, a positive point of hybrids is the lower cost related to their maintenance in the app stores.

The disadvantages related to the development of hybrid applications are twofold. The first of these is lower performance and usability than native applications. The second drawback is a more restricted design.

Finally, what is the WebApp?

At this point you already know the concept of responsive website, hybrid and native app.

Now you will be able to understand more easily what the WebApp is.

The WebApp is nothing more than a page on the internet, which can be accessed like any other website. It is normally written in HTML5 and is accessed by a browser, working responsively.

This software runs completely in your browser, like Chrome, Safari, etc., and works very similarly to common apps.

You can create a website icon on your mobile device screen so that it can be accessed directly.

However, there are some limitations in this technology compared to others presented.

Unlike hybrid and native apps, the WebApp does not utilize device functions such as GPS and camera.

Besides, it doesn't use the smartphone's memory, since the visualization is by a URL and doesn't need to download. For this reason, it can only be accessed if you have an internet connection.

WebApp Advantages

The great advantage of the WebApp is that it is close to the experience of using a native app. However, with a much lower development cost.

Compared to responsive sites, it also has advantages. Because it is designed with mobile devices in mind, there are more user interface improvements.

Another important point is that the WebApp is, by nature, cross-platform. After all, it's entirely hosted online and can be accessed by any smartphone.

All of this ends up reducing development costs, as the same code can be used for iOS, Android and other lesser-known platforms.

Progressive WebApp

Some believed that the WebApp would soon go out of use.

However, Gartner research has shown quite the opposite.

We now see the emergence of the Progressive WebApp era!

Progressive WebApp (PWA) ensures an installable user experience. This experience is very similar to an app.

This type of app is fast and reliable, which is why it is gaining ground in the world of web apps.

Fast and reliable

Users are increasingly looking for fast web experiences.

For this reason a Progressive WebApp needs to be fast and provide an interactive experience in up to 5 seconds.

Also, it needs to be trustworthy.

Think of it like this: the first use of a native app is kind of frustrating. It's in an app store and has a huge download. However, when the user reaches the point where the app is installed, this initial “cost” is erased. Likewise, a progressive web app needs to deliver this reliable performance.

Installable

Progressive WebApps can be run in a browser tab as well as installed.

An installed progressive WepApp can look and behave like any other app.

It starts from the same location as the other apps. It runs as an app and opens in an app window, without the address bar.

Remember that users who install a PWA want the app to work regardless of the network connection they use.

This is a basic expectation that must be met.

mobile and desktop

PWAs must also work with responsive design techniques.

That is, both on the mobile desktop and on the desktop, PWA needs to work the same way.

How can WebApp help you?

When your goal is to show an online presence in the mobile universe, the WebApp is a great choice. This is due to programming simplicity and adaptability to different platforms.

And now? What is the best option for your business?

Each of the technologies we present meets a different requirement.

Furthermore, they depend on customers and their needs.

A tip to decide which is the best option is to ask yourself a few points:

• Do you want to give your company more credibility?
• Is the app an extension of your business?
• Should your app work offline?
• How does the security issue need to be?
• Will you need to use various features of the devices the apps will run on?

From these initial reflections you will be able to get a better idea of which technology is ideal for your business!

Now that you know the basic differences between the options, it's time to choose the best one for you!

Who can help you with this?

We know it's hard to find the perfect company to get your idea off the ground.

If you are looking for a company to present your app idea, check out the FWC portfolio .

We can help you in this development process, showing you new paths and ideas!

FWC Tecnologia is a young application development company, passionate about technology and other web and mobile technology solutions.

We have professionals with great technical knowledge and attuned to the main news and changes in the digital world.

In this way, always looking forward, FWC seeks to transform your idea of having an application, game or website into a successful business!