Pros and cons of Hybrid App Development

Since the world is witnessing digitization at an unparalleled scale, Hybrid app development would be the need of the hour for faster time to market and scaling purposes. 

The hybrid app possesses the capabilities of both web apps and native apps. Though it looks similar to native apps, they are run by a website, and they display web content using web technologies like CSS and JavaScript. 

Additionally, the code is wrapped in the coding application using open source frameworks like Ionic or React native. Also, it enables the app to operate at embed browsers of any platform rather than the web browsers. 

It allows operating on mobile devices and selling in app stores. They also provide access to device hardware and functions such as address books and cameras if they use plugins. 

Although built with different technology, hybrid applications have an aesthetic appeal to native applications and can operate across multiple platforms. 

What is hybrid app development? 

Hybrid mobile app development helps develop mobile applications for Android and iOS using a single code. As a result, they help reduce the development costs saving on other business expenses. 

Besides, today hybrid applications are used in many devices irrespective of the operating system. And there is no doubt that hybrid apps offer many benefits to users. However, the strengths and weaknesses must be considered before developing a hybrid app. 

There are both advantages and disadvantages of Hybrid app development. Let us look at some of its pros and cons;

Hybrid Mobile Apps Development – Pros

1. Lesser Development Costs

In comparison to native apps, developing hybrid apps is 30 percent cheaper. The developers must build one project for iOS and Android users using the latter approach. However, if any modification is required, the maintenance cost can increase. It’s imperative to note that developing a hybrid app is cost-effective because the code is written once and deployed across all mobile platforms.

2. Fast Development

Mobile app developers don’t need to write unique code for each platform with a hybrid app development approach. Instead, the hybrid frameworks allow developers to primarily work with a single codebase to handle iOS and Android app development.

Reusing a big chunk of codebase between two platforms becomes easy with hybrid frameworks, making it possible to develop processes faster than native.

3. Wider Market Reach

Regardless of the effort, you put into researching the widely used platform by the audience. There will always be compromises related to developing your mobile app for any platform.

That is why the Hybrid approach is considered better for capturing a large audience initially. 

4. Compatible with Cloud and enterprise-based Solutions

Hybrid frameworks such as PhoneGap, Ionic, and Titanium, can be easily synced with Cloud because of Exchange Integration Code.

These frameworks offer user-friendly plugins helping developers to update apps along with aesthetics and validity. This leads to integrating hybrid apps into popular cloud services like Salesforce and AWS.

Hybrid Mobile Apps Development – Cons

1. Slow Performance

Performance is one of the critical parameters of mobile apps, depending on multiple aspects. For example, compared to native apps, hybrid apps show slower performance, although both have the same functionalities.

2. Limitations Related To Operability

If your mobile app consists of complex features and functionalities, then hybrid app development may not be the right option for you. Some of the hybrid frameworks don’t offer support for every native feature, which might obstruct the stability of your mobile app.

3. Delay in New Features

Whenever Google and Apple launch a new update for the iOS and Android platforms, hybrid app developers must take some time to add support for the new feature. This is due to new SDKs in native apps that are much faster than cross-platform frameworks. 

This gives your opponents an edge if they have developed mobile apps using the native approach.

4. Might Lack Support for 3D

If you want to add engaging designs having animation and 3D graphics, then the hybrid technique might not be your best bet because of the quality concerns. Though many third-party tools are available, native apps rank better than hybrid apps.

Examples of Hybrid applications:

• Uber – Uber application is easily accessible and boasts an excellent user interface. With simple navigation and design, it’s the most popular ride-sharing application globally. 
• Gmail – Gmail updated from the HTML version to HTML 5 with sophisticated features and functions. Plus, the update has improved the user experience of the application. It’s one of the best hybrid application examples that combines web and native components. 
• Twitter – Twitter proves that an app can efficiently use hybrid app development. Besides, the app can manage traffic and millions of people at the same time.

Conclusion

With all things considered, including pros, cons, and features – everything boils down to the need of your application. So, not every app requires a hybrid web development solution. But it is essential to consider the approach as it reduces the cost and time of developing the application.