The demand of the target groups has long since clearly confirmed it: An App – whether developed in iOS, Android, as a web app, native or hybrid – either enriches existing services, simplifies outdated processes, or often simply brings more fun to the target group!

But beware: Companies quickly plunge into app development – and hardly make any progress due to many technical issues and high budgets.

In this article, you will get light once on the topic of App Development & App Project Planning.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing native, hybrid, cross-platform, and web applications is an unpleasant task because each of these applications has something to benefit from.

Therefore, your choice depends heavily on your user base, and you should spend enough time knowing as much as possible about your users and what you want to achieve with your application.

Performance & UX vs. Time & Costs

Web applications are not downloaded from app stores but are accessed via the browser.

For example, it could be a single-page application created through one of the Javascript frameworks of the open-source library, such as React.js or Angular 2, which are optimized for mobile phones.

PWAs – You make it to the App Store

Certain Progressive Web apps can also access device features, send push notifications, or save to the home screen as their own “apps.”

With PWAs, you get the added advantage of offering a desktop version directly via the browser.

The development of PWA requires a completely different qualification, with a workflow that is very different from the other methods. Unlike the “Store Apps”, you also need web hosting, which needs to be additionally designed and costs on a regular time.

Distribution via the native app stores is not possible with “pure” web applications. For PWAs, deployment is possible because users do not download the bookmarks of the applications, but create them on their devices.

When should you choose … Decide?

Native

• Performance, speed & UX are a top priority.
• Long project duration/sustainability is important.
• Safety & Reliability Are High Priority.
• The offline capability has a high priority.
• Device-specific functions are used extensively.
• The application should run (for now) only on one operating system.
• The application is the main product.
• A platform-specific UI should be used (material design on Android, iOS design on iOS).

Cross-Platform

• Time and/or budget are scarce.
• Both platforms (iOS, Android) need to implement complex logic (code-sharing).
• A consistent UI/UX across both platforms is explicitly desired.
• Existing JavaScript logic/libraries should be used (→ React Native).
• Short release cycles with a low budget should be possible.

Web app

• Desktop & Mobile users should be addressed equally.
• A framework like Drupal or SPA is already in place, existing content should now get an “app feeling”.
• Content/News/Magazine Pages.

Cross-Platform Frameworks

React Native

Type	Language	Platforms	From	Release
Native	JavaScript	Android, iOS	Facebook	2015

Flutter

Type	Language	Platforms	From	Release
Native	Dart	Android, iOS	Google	2017

PhoneGap / Cordova

Type	Language	Platforms	From	Release
Hybrid	JavaScript	Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8, (… and more)	Adobe / Apache	2009

Ionic

Type	Language	Platforms	From	Release
Hybrid	JavaScript	Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8, Chrome, Desktop	Ionic / Drifty	2012

Xamarin

Type	Language	Platforms	From	Release
Native	C/ .NET	Android, iOS, Windows	Microsoft	2013

App Store / Play Store

• For public applications
• For open or closed alpha/beta tests (Android: Play Store, iOS: Testflight)
• Requirements/Guidelines:
  • Apple App Store
  • Google Play Store

In-House App Distribution

• For internal enterprise applications
• Large-Scale: MDM (Mobile Device Management) Solution
• Small-Scale: Hockey App, Email, Download

FAQ

What factors influence the cost of app development?

Because of the complexity of the tools used by application developers, several factors need to be considered. They depend on the type of application you are developing – native, hybrid, cross-platform, or web-based – and include:

• Performance
• (UX) User Experience
• Dependency on the platform
• Development Time
• Push Notifications
• Device Type and Features
• Possible App Store Upload
• App Security
• Offline Availability
• Sustainability

What are the most important questions to consider when creating an app?

The main criterion will be the question cost vs. performance, which you can clarify by answering the following questions:

•  What is the application meant for?
• Who is my target audience?
• Which operating system is suitable?
• How do I create an application regardless of the operating system?
• Make a new one from scratch or buy “half baked”?
• How do I create an application internally?
• Where does the content come from?
• What should the application look like?
• How to make an application successful?
• What are the update cycles?
• How do I earn money with a mobile application?

Do you need a mobile application or a web application?

If you want to offer offline accessibility, you need a mobile application.
Certain Web applications mimic the capabilities of mobile applications, such as the use of push notifications, all device features, and desktop shortcuts, but rely on an Internet connection. They are called Progressive Web Applications (PWAs).

What are the differences between public apps and in-house apps?

Public applications must meet the upload and test criteria for the App Store and Google Play and serve the wider public, while enterprise applications are internal platforms that can work on a large or small scale with functionalities for the enterprise and are not distributed externally to the public.

How should you choose the type of app to scale your business?

Each app type has its advantages that can help you decide which type of app is right for your business:

• Native applications ensure the best possible performance and user experience on the respective operating system, accessibility to all device features, and some offline features, as well as direct updates to the operating system.
• Hybrid apps allow you to export a website to Android or iOs platforms and can save you development and maintenance costs as well as some time.
• Cross-platform applications are developed in a specific programming language and compiled using a cross-platform development framework for an operating system. They tend to behave more like websites and provide a balance between UX and performance on a native device.
• Web applications are developed in the browser, using proven technologies and scripts (e.g. JavaScript) and usually cost only half as much as other application types.