Native App Development
Building a mobile app has become a top priority for many companies, but it’s often difficult to choose a development approach as the lines between the various options are becoming increasingly blurred. This article will dive deeper into Native Mobile App Development and the benefits of choosing this particular development approach.
Native mobile app development involves building apps for particular mobile operating systems, and users access them from dedicated app stores (such as the App Store or Google Play). If you intend to build an application for iOS, app developers will use programming languages Objective-C or Swift. In contrast, developing for Android calls for the programming languages Java or Kotlin.
Both Apple and Google provide app developers with their own development tools, interface elements, and SDK. Most companies will invest in native mobile app development because of the myriad of benefits offered in comparison to other types of apps such as Hybrid or Web. As mobile software is increasingly a necessity for companies, it’s important for companies to be well-informed about the pros and cons of choosing an app development approach. Here are the key benefits of native mobile app development:
Benefits of Native Mobile App Development
• Native Apps Have the Best Performance
With native mobile app development, the app is created and optimized for a specific platform. As a result, the app demonstrates an extremely high level of performance. Native apps are very fast and responsive because they are built for that specific platform and are compiled using platforms core programming language and APIs. As a result, the app is much more efficient. The device stores the app allowing the software to leverage the device’s processing speed. As users navigate through a native mobile app, the contents and visual elements are already stored on their phone which means load times are quick. Clearbridge Android Developer Katie Liu says, “With a native app, it’s not only the coding language that’s native, but also the architect and UX. If the app is designed to perform the way the platform expects it to, the performance will always be superior.”
• Native Apps Are More Secure
Web apps rely on different browsers and underlying technologies such as JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. Developing a native mobile app is a great way to guarantee your users reliable data protection.
It’s easier to use multi-factor authentication in an app. The app itself is a channel for delivery of a PIN, but if they’re on an app they also have a phone number right there. Multi-factor authentication is so easy as a user and adds A LOT of additional security. A win-win if there ever was.
Certificate pinning. An app can have an embedded certificate, better than a browser for preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
Fine-grained risk evaluation. API calls can have their risk-exposure be evaluated on a “what are you doing basis” rather than on a given URL. Fine grained authorization and risk checks are harder to do in a browser with a URL scheme. You’d have to code it in the application (and in each-and-every application). When it’s API driven, you can do the risk assessment in the infrastructure. In the infrastructure it has a lower cost of ownership, and the “security experts” can do their job without breaking open code and managing the “application” lifecycle.
Keychain convenience. The stuff that we’re (CA) doing in the Mobile API Gateway allows uncompromised security with convenience. In the browser, security is a trade off with convenience. In a mobile app, it’s not. You can use your thumb for convenient authentication but still benefit from mutual SSL authentication.
• Native Apps Are More Interactive and Intuitive
Native mobile apps run much smoother regarding user input and output. These types of apps inherit their devices’ OS interfaces, making them look and feel like an integrated part of the device.
The most advantageous benefit to native mobile apps is the superior user experience. Native apps are created specifically for an operating system. They stick to the guidelines that ultimately enhance and align the user experience with the specific operating system. As a result, the flow of the app is more natural as they have specific UI standards for each platform. This allows the user to learn the app, such as deleting an element quickly. Adhering to specific guidelines eliminates the learning curve and allows users to interact with apps using actions and gestures they’re familiar with already.
• Native Apps Allow Developers to Access the Full Feature Set of Devices
Native apps are developed for their particular platform, taking full advantage of the software and the operating systems’ features. These apps can directly access the hardware of the device such as the GPS, camera, microphone, etc. so they are faster in execution, which ultimately results in better user experience. Push notifications are another huge advantage to choosing native app development. Push notifications go through the iOS server (APNS) which you need your app bundle ID and same with Google’s Cloud Messaging (GCM).
• Native App Development Tends to Have Fewer Bugs during Development
It’s much more difficult to maintain two different applications in one codebase than it is two applications in two codebases. With native app development, you have fewer dependencies for bugs to occur because you’re not relying on a cross-platform tool such as Xamarin or Cordova. Hybrid apps access hardware through a bridge which often slows development down and can amount to a frustrating user experience.
This problem is prominent when new versions of Android and iOS are released. Native app developers have access to new software development kits (SDK) to start building their applications with the most recent features. Because of this lead time, users of native applications have access to new platform features once they update the operating system.
• Native apps run faster
Native apps are stored on the device so their processing speed is not dependent on internet connectivity or bandwidth. Moreover, these apps utilize a device’s native programming language and APIs to operate. So they run extra efficiently. In contrast, web apps are actually a bunch of web pages tied together with browser technologies. They just give the look and feel of apps but are HTML-powered user interfaces. For any action to be performed in a web app, calls are made to remote web pages. The speed at which processing occurs is dependent on internet connectivity in the vicinity.
• They have the App Store advantage.
App stores only feature native mobile apps. And app stores are undeniable one of the most important marketing channels for any app. When a person is in need of a new app, the App store will probably be the first play they’ll look for it. If your app is listed there, its chances of being discovered are greater. There are ways your app can be made more prominent in App Stores. Since native apps are backed by App Stores, they are perceived as the hallmark of quality by most users.
Another big thumbs up for native apps is that their monetization (commission, revenue, etc.) are taken care of by the App Stores from where they are downloaded. For web apps, payment systems have to be integrated within the app.
• Scalability and enhancement are non-issues
New features can be added to native apps easily and rapidly. The unlimited APIs available for native apps can render your app scalable and better. If need be, new APIs can be created for crafting features that aren’t provided by existing APIs. Conversely, web apps can work only within the limits of the web browser facilitating them. So they aren’t as flexible as native apps.
• Good integration with mobile hardware
Mobile devices have super features such as camera, GPS, touch screens, integrated calling and microphone. Native apps can utilize these features with ease. Leveraging these capabilities within a web browser can be challenging and cumbersome.
• Delights users with anticipated UI and UX
Native apps delight users with the kind of UI and UX they have come to expect from their handheld devices. Web apps give the look of inherent apps but not their feel. They cannot function as seamlessly as native apps. Web apps also give a monotonous user interface across all devices that rarely matches the spectacular user experience provided by native apps.
• These apps run offline too
One of the biggest advantage of native apps is that, unlike web apps, they don’t need internet to run. Since they are stored within a device, native apps can be worked on the move, in a desert, forest or anywhere else. Web apps are hosted on web browsers that can be accessed only when online. So, if using web apps, you will be hindered by wavering internet speed, connectivity issues and hefty internet usage charges.
Although the initial cost may be higher with native mobile app development, you’ll end up saving a lot of time and money in the long run, doing it well the first time. By offering a great user experience, better performance, and leveraging the device features, you’re able to offer your users a more personalized experience which will be rewarding in the long-term. The combination of the native mobile app advantages will result in higher conversion rates and will ultimately boost customer loyalty. Whichever approach you choose should above all be quick, responsive, and reliable. As users are demanding more from mobile experiences, it’s important to keep up with their changing demands.