There are over 5.5 million apps in the Google Play Store and App Store combined. Most of these apps are natively programmed. This post will help you learn what native apps are, how they benefit businesses, and what challenges they may create for developers.
Native apps are platform-specific apps that are coded in a platform-specific language. This means if the app is for iOS, it will use Object C or Swift, and for Android it will use Java. Because these apps are designed specifically for the device, they have full access to the phone’s sensors. All the features and hardware of the phone such as GPS, Bluetooth, camera, and contact list can be utilized.
The platforms provide app developers with a standardized software development kit, know as an SDK. This kit contains tools, code samples, documentation, and libraries to help developers to build apps on the particular platform. Google Provides Android Studio and Apple provides XCode.
Benefits of Native Apps
Native Apps are faster
As native apps are native to the platform, they work faster. Many elements are preloaded. The user data is fetched from the web rather than the entire application, and since they work with the device’s built-in features, they are very fast.
Native Apps Work Offline
Even without an internet connection, native apps will work. In remote locations and in places without a data connection these apps will still function.
Native Apps Maintain Aspect Rations
Aspect ratio, an import factor in image quality, is the ratio of width and height of different screens. Native apps have better control of the size, resolution, and orientation. Also, the DPI (dots per inch) are the same for different sized devices.
Cons of Native Apps
Download Time
Native apps are usable only when downloaded from the prospective app store. The user must search for the app, then accept the terms and conditions, and then download the app.
Lack of Flexibility
There is no flexibility in regards to the platform for developing native apps. There has to be separate code developed for iOS and Android. This requires more time and a team of developers for the Android version and a team to build the iOS version of the same app. Most native apps usually take a minimum of 5 to 6 months to develop.
Development Costs
With the need for high level programmers and the additional time required, native apps cost more to develop. They are also more expensive to maintain. Maintenance costs are usually around %20 of the original development cost. For example, an app that costs $100,000 to develop will usually require around $20,000 to maintain the app.
In this article we have outlined the Pros and Cons of Native Apps. Are you in the market for a mobile app company to build your app? Feel free to contact the premier Mobile App Development Company Denver, 5280 Software LLC. Also, feel free to fill out our questionnaire and book a phone call to discuss your project to help us formulate a proposal for your project.
