Tech

A Comprehensive Guide: The Different Types of Mobile Applications

Mobile applications have become a massive part of everyday life. A report on Sensor Tower said there are 36.9 billion mobile downloads. This is in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

Expanding your business today is not hard. It becomes more straightforward if you know the different types of mobile applications. But what app is it that you should choose? Read on for a short, concise overview of these types of apps.

A Look Into How Mobile Apps Work

Let’s take a look first at mobile apps. If you’re a smartphone user or a tablet owner, you know them well. These are smaller-sized versions of PC software. Most apps are for entertainment purposes; some are used for specific solutions. 

The Different Types of Mobile Apps

Mobile apps also come in different sizes and shapes. Most mobile app users agree that four types of mobile applications exist. These are as follows:

1. Native Apps

These are called such because they only work on one mobile platform. These are what iOS exclusives or Android-only apps are called. If users try to run them on either platform, it won’t work.

The technology behind the app:

  • C++
  • Kotlin
  • Java
  • Objective-C
  • Python
  • React Native
  • Swift

2. Hybrid Apps

These are apps that behave like native or web apps. They can access features like the camera, contacts, and Bluetooth. They can also feature displays in a mobile WebView. They are better than native apps in that they have cross-platform functionality.

The technology behind the app:

  • Appy pie
  • AppMakr
  • CSS
  • Flutter
  • HTML5
  • Ionic
  • JavaScript
  • Objective-C
  • PhoneGap / Apache Cordova
  • React Native
  • Swift
  • Wrap-Up
  • Xamarin

3. Web Apps

These are apps that run on a web browser. They can also run on web browsers on phones and tablets. They are highly adaptable and can be made to fit any screen size.

The technology behind the app:

  • C#
  • C++
  • CSS
  • HTML5
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • Perl
  • PHP
  • Python
  • Ruby
  • TypeScript

4. Progressive Web Apps

These are different from web apps as they have functions similar to native apps. They load and process information faster. They also function like websites on a computer browser.

The technology behind the app:

  • AngularJS
  • CSS
  • HTML5
  • JavaScript
  • Lighthouse
  • Magento PWA Studio
  • Polymer
  • PWA Library
  • React PWA Library
  • ScandiPWA
  • VueJS
  • WebAssembly

Choosing the Right Type of Application

It can be hard to choose between the different types of mobile applications. Here are handy ideas on how to differentiate.

1. Why Choose a Native App

If you want to go for the best user experience, this is your app type. These app types are easily downloaded in major app stores. They also have better performance on their native devices.

2. Why Choose a Hybrid App

You can choose hybrid apps if you don’t have much budget. They are more affordable to develop. They can also be compatible with a broader range of devices.

3. Why Choose a Web App

Bypassing app stores is the Web app’s main strength. It can also help you reach a broader range of your market. These types of apps work on different devices.

4. Why Choose Progressive Web Apps

Progressive web apps are perfect for an impatient market. These apps have a zero-installation-required user experience. You also don’t need to have advanced features.

Steps To Build a Useful Mobile Application

Building an app is more complex than choosing between types of mobile applications. Remember these steps to be successful:

  • Remember what your app is intended for
  • Remember your target market
  • Remember to visualize your application
  • Remember to offer easy navigation (UI)
  • Remember to never save on mobile development
  • Remember to invest in quality assurance

These steps are helpful in giving you a fighting chance on your application launch day.

Alfred Allen

Alfred Allen, Editor In Chief/Founder of Suntrics, with a master degree in Journalism from Parkland College and a decade of diverse writing experience, is a veteran storyteller. Alfred was a former journalist which made him have a passion for exploring new things, hoisting his content to resonate with audiences across the world.

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