Mobile applications add value to your business. Whether a small business or a Wall Street firm, you need a customized mobile and software solution. Therefore, it becomes crucial to opt for the one that takes you towards your mission and proves beneficial for its growth.
The question arises: Should you depend solely on web technologies or build your application with native solutions? Business apps should consider budget, calendar, team members’ experience, capacity, and target audience.
The use of mobile phones is increasing rapidly every year. There are around 6.95 billion mobile app users universally. Furthermore, there are 8.93 million apps worldwide, with 3.553 million on the Google Play Store and 1.642 million on the Apple App Store.
Radheapps offers an integrated user experience across a wide range of hybrid solutions. Using this app, your smartphone can be used to communicate directly with your business.
Radheapps helps startups develop MVPs, test ideas, and scale their digital products. As a result, your business competency improves as your software is upgraded.
Undoubtedly, it will serve as the app you have always wanted. Contact us now for a free consultation!
In this blog, we’ll explore a hybrid mobile app, why it’s better than the other options, and what it can do for you.
What is a Hybrid App?
A hybrid app is a web application that can be installed on numerous mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS. It uses the same code for all operating systems.
It combines native and web applications to contain content. The app shell is embedded with it. Hybrid applications are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Hybrid apps can be developed faster and cost-effectively using existing web development skills and code.
Let’s have a look at how Native and Hybrid App Development differ from each other.
Native vs. Hybrid App Development – Comparison
There are several points to remember while developing an app that stands out. A crucial decision is whether to create native or hybrid apps.
Let’s discuss both one by one:
Native App Development
Native apps are built using programming languages for specific platforms like Apple iOS and Android. The code is also compatible with the platform’s operating system.
It has access to all the device’s features like GPS, pictures and videos, compass, etc. However, when we talk about targeting one user, it offers a better performance but requires high buildout and maintenance costs.
Hybrid App Development
In contrast, hybrid apps must only be coded once to deploy across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows. A larger codebase is required to make it compatible with multiple operating systems and their versions.
As a result, these apps require much lower development and maintenance costs. Different programming languages and frameworks are available to make the process more flexible.
Despite hybrid app development’s powerful capabilities and speed, many industries have overlooked it. There is an increasing amount of power in hybrid app frameworks. We’ll talk about some examples of hybrid apps over native apps and the best hybrid app examples.
6 Examples of Hybrid Apps
Listed below are six real-time examples that are gaining popularity all over the world:
Uber
One of the most promising cab-booking apps is the Uber App, which has gained acceptance across many continents. Being a hybrid app, it relies upon a device’s native GPS and can access Google Maps.
You can successfully run the app across multiple devices, screen sizes, and OS without sacrificing the quality of service provided.
Gmail
Gmail is the most significant email provider that uses HTML5 for its Internet mail service. The hybrid features of this app are achieved using web technologies and frameworks like Angular.
The app enables innumerable downloads from the App Store and Play Store. A potent spam filter and multiple customer assistance options are also available.
Instagram, one of the most popular social media sites, is another example of a hybrid app. It has a large user base of over 2 billion monthly users across the globe. It is powered by HTML5 and maintains rich offline and online media.
Businesses can use it to showcase their products and services visually.
Evernote
Another hybrid app with a seamless interface is Evernote. Its flexibility, rich design, and enduring performance give it an edge over other apps in the same category.
It is an effortless and user-friendly app that provides a native-like experience to customers.
Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins is a leading ice cream chain, an online and offline shopping app that provides a consistent user interface across various platforms. It is an attractive interface consistent across different devices and operating systems.
It also allows users to browse their choice of ice cream flavors, place orders, and access exclusive deals and promotions, even without a data connection.
Sworkit
Sworkit is a fitness app that integrates interactive workouts with native device functionalities. The app allows users to track their workouts and growth in real-time. It combines the app with wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.
With its hybrid architecture, the app provides high-quality video content, interactive coaching, and personalized workouts to enhance user engagement and motivation.
List of Core Steps in Hybrid Mobile App Development
A systematic approach always yields success. An app that combines web technologies with native capabilities is a long process. A hybrid app is developed in the following stages:
Planning
The first stage is to conduct market research and outline your project. Next, understand if the chosen alternative is suitable for your project.
If you are still sure to build a hybrid app for your business, shortlist the features you want to include in the app. During the development process, you must also select the right technology infrastructure.
Architecture/Interface Design
App designing is a critical stage in any Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). In this stage, the software developers design a comprehensive product architecture based on the stakeholders’ inputs.
The business requirements are thoroughly analyzed in light of the vision. On paper, it should include all features and minute details of the project.
Development
After creating your app plan and selecting the necessary features, the next step is to write the code to build a stable, scalable, and secure back end. This stage also aims to design an eye-catching User Interface (UI).
Testing and Debugging
After writing the code, the developers proceed towards testing. It is done to ensure self-efficacy. It involves testing both the front and back ends and eliminating the bugs.
Deployment
Your hybrid mobile app development begins here. Ensure that the app is available on multiple platforms and that users can easily download and install it.
Maintenance
Your hybrid app needs maintenance after deployment to function properly. Regularly fix bugs or update them. The users will benefit from the convenience and the possibility of adding new features.
You must follow the latest app development trends and incorporate new technologies to become an outstanding performer.
Popular Hybrid Web App Framework
The battle between hybrid apps and native apps is never-ending. Both have their majors and minors.
However, frameworks of hybrid platforms are challenging the native applications.
Let’s discuss few popular frameworks:
React Native
This framework was created by Facebook, which allows you to generate multi-platform interface elements through JSK, which are linked to native code. It is an open-source JavaScript language with reusable codes that transform to native iOS and Android views.
React Native is used by social media sites like Instagram, Uber, Skype, Facebook, and Bloomberg. The Node PackageManager (NPM) installation makes it easy for new developers to use. Here, the development process is faster than that of many other frameworks.
Iconic
Ionic is another popular hybrid mobile app development framework that uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is a great option for front-end developers owning built-in support for AngularJS.
Iconic is an open-source UI (User Interface) toolkit based on Angular and Apache Cordova. It is a user-friendly, robust, and prebuilt framework for building excellent hybrid mobile apps. It comes with testing and debugging tools to build interactive apps.
Flutter
Flutter is an open-source framework developed by Google in 2017, which has gained extreme popularity in recent years. It uses Dart programming language for both iOS and Android app development.
Its competitive widgets, development speed, and reliability make it proficient in app development for desktop, mobile, web, and embedded platforms.
It also enables developers to create highly creative UIs with flexible outlooks. It delivers high performance and a faster testing process because of a single codebase. Flutter is used by many brands like Amazon, Hamilton, BMW, Toyota, etc.
How to Choose the Hybrid App Development Services
A hybrid web app framework is a software that promotes the creation of hybrid mobile apps. It contains components, libraries, and APIs that simplify the development process.
You must be wondering which could be the perfect Hybrid Web App Framework for your Project! The suggestion is right here:
Switch to RadheApps, a custom app development partner that enables you to build long-term customer relationships and allows your business to flourish.
As a business collaborator, it gives businesses an advantage in developing apps using the most up-to-date technologies. Customers benefit from its user-friendly mobile experiences due to its team’s skills in creating customized software solutions.
Hybrid app frameworks provide a range of features that help developers create hybrid apps quickly and efficiently. They support multiple platforms, development tools such as code editors, and debugging capabilities that help businesses grow.
Now, we will discuss selecting a Hybrid Web App Framework for Your Project.
How to Select the Best Hybrid Web App Framework for Your Project
Numerous alternatives are available when choosing a Hybrid Web App Framework for your project. Let’s overview the points that should be kept in mind while selecting the right one for your project:
Observe the Project Demand and Goals
Before selecting a Hybrid Web App Framework, you should know the prevailing market conditions and have an aim in mind. A clear vision will ensure a smooth hybrid app development process while meeting project goals.
Research About the Various Frameworks Available
Next, analyze all the options available. Look at the pros and cons and choose the most suitable alternative. Conduct surveys and gather feedback from potential users to choose your monetization strategy.
Remember, every framework provides unique capabilities that can help create potent hybrid apps.
Also, consider the packaging capability into multiple store-ready versions, push notifications, analytics, and monetization options.
Compare the Costs Associated
At this point, weigh both the tangible and intangible costs. The expense involved in purchasing licenses for the framework or hiring developers comes under tangible costs.
Intangible costs can include lost opportunities due to delayed launching and ongoing maintenance requirements that must be resolved shortly.
Using existing web technologies to design a simple app to reduce development costs and time is recommended.
So, with the proper research, you can find the right framework to suit your needs and budget. Try to consult an experienced developer before locking any option.
Consider the Scalability and Support Involved
Scalability
Application scalability refers to an application’s ability to expand or contract as workload increases. The performance of a system that scales well can be maintained or escalated even in challenging circumstances.
If your app is expected to handle high traffic, choose a framework that provides powerful scalability options. On the contrary, opt for a less feature-rich but lightweight framework if your app experiences low traffic and rarely comes across fallbacks.
Support
Support available for each framework is also critical when deciding on the hybrid app. Some offer more comprehensive documentation and tutorials, while others rely on third-party resources and forums like Stack Overflow.
Moreover, many frameworks provide additional support options, such as paid assistance or technical specialists, to set up and implement your hybrid app successfully. Observe the security risks associated with the hybrid app and choose the one that quickly resolves them.
Carry Out Performance Testing
Perform a thorough app testing before launching it for further performance-related doubts. Go for test management techniques to check its stability and determine whether it is free from any hitch and errors.
Cost of Hybrid App Development Services
You will come across variable answers if you talk about the cost involved in the Hybrid App Development Services. The various aspects involved in determining the cost involved in the Hybrid App Development Services are discussed below:
App’s Design
A complex app with advanced features like real-time chat, offline functionality, or intricate animations requires more expense than a simple app with elementary functions.
Other factors that make it more expensive are in-app purchases, social media integration, visual designs, and UI elements, such as icons and graphics.
Targeted Audience
Your intended audience would decide the tools and features needed for building the hybrid app framework.
Also, hybrid app development costs can be high if you want to release it for multiple platforms, as separate codebases would be needed for each platform. This can double your budget and require more experts.
Third-Party Integration
Third-party integration is done through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It makes the development process easy, thus reducing its development cost.
However, the cost increases if you integrate with the existing services like social media logins, maps, and payment gateways.
Developer’s Location
Rates of building a hybrid app depend on the developer’s geographical location as well. There is a variation in programmers’ hourly rates from region to region.
The developers working from India may charge more than those working in regions like North America and Western Europe.
Development Company’s Expertise and Skillset
No doubt, expert software technicians provide a great deal of work. But, hiring experienced developers with a profound insight into hybrid frameworks is costlier than working with less proficient individuals.
Testing, Post-Launch Support and Maintenance Services
Testing takes almost 20% to 30%, whereas support and maintenance services acquire 30% to 40% of the total app development cost.
Maintenance cost is the percentage of the initial development cost and can range from 15% to 20% per year, reaching up to 50% of the total development cost.
It is important to mention that the biggest reason why businesses are transitioning to hybrid app development instead of native apps is that it requires less expenditure.
Summing Up
The need for Mobile Apps Framework and its developers is expanding daily with increased active smartphone users.
Furthermore, every mobile application, whether a native app, web app, or hybrid app, has some positives and negatives.
Countless reasons explain why businesses should go for hybrid app development services. The cost of hybrid app development is more affordable than native apps, as you don’t need to develop two distinct apps.
Moreover, it can deliver significant savings, enhanced performance, and intense competition to other apps in your space.
Now, the question comes, what do you have to do for it?
You only need a hybrid mobile app development company that stands out from the crowd.
Using RadheApps, you can keep ahead of all your competitors. As a custom app development company, it specializes in developing iOS, React Native, and Flutter apps.
Also, its proficient bunch of software technicians make sure to improve customer engagement and brand captivation.
Make sure you stay ahead of the competition with RadheApps!
Contact us by booking a call today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Difference Between Hybrid and Cross-Platform Apps?
Hybrid apps combine native and web applications built using web technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. They are developed using tools like Apache Cordova or PhoneGap and have a native container.
Cross-platform applications are developed using a single codebase that can be deployed across multiple platforms. The code is written once and then used by tools like React Native, Xamarin, or Flutter to build apps for both iOS and Android.
Are Hybrid Apps Suitable for All Types of Businesses?
No, hybrid apps cannot be used for all kinds of businesses. They prove to be the best alternative for businesses which:
- Can reuse code
- Target multiple platforms
- Aim to be cost-efficient
- Focus on saving time
- Demand for continual updates
How Long Does it Take to Develop A Hybrid App?
A hybrid app typically takes 3 to 6 months to develop, depending on its complexity, features, and design requirements. While simple apps may take less time, feature-rich apps with integrations can take longer.
