Native vs. Cross-Platform Mobile App Development: Which Is Better?

2022: The rise of business applications

Providing the right technology for both employees and the market has become a priority for decision makers. It is about using applications as a valuable technological tool to adapt to the new digital conditions, where mobility dominates all sectors. In this way it is possible to increase competitive advantage and guarantee business growth.

An application is the best example of the development of technology specifically designed for the needs of the user, and with the digital acceleration of the last two years, having them is a priority for organizations of all sizes.

In this context, a digital evolution focused on composable applications is expected in 2022. Gartner, the consulting firm, estimates that those companies that adapt these applications will exceed 80% in the speed of implementation of new functions. Hence the importance of using applications to increase the added value of companies that need to hold up in the market and increase their customer loyalty.

Native applications for specific needs

The main description of this type of applications lies in their very specific functionality. As they are created for Android or iOS systems, their flexibility and long-term functionality are limited, but they are also made for specific goals and needs and tailored to what is required, so its performance, navigation and technical functions are not affected.

Native applications are the most dominant in the market, due to their usability and their accessibility by the majority of users who require it.

Cross-platform: wide-ranging applications

As you can infer, cross-platform applications are created to be compatible with different operating systems, creating a single code base to access different platforms and save development costs and resources.

Now that you know the main difference between both types of applications, surely your main question is how to choose the best option for your company? Take note, here we tell you the most relevant factors that will help you take an informed decision:

• Analyze your market, its characteristics and its basic needs.
• Consider the complexity of the service or product that you are offering, so you will know the type of application that best fits.
• Make sure it is fully functional, secure, and customizable. Remember that its performance depends on whether a person installs or uninstalls an application from their mobile device. In this aspect, the data indicates that native applications are the best offering functionality according to the operating systems to which they are developed.
• Consider optimizing the user experience; consulting with the developer about the flexibility and scalability of the application is essential.
• Budget decisions may be crucial for choosing whether to develop a native or cross-platform application. Remember that native applications are more expensive because of the programming specifications they need, and cross-platform applications are cheaper because they use only one code.

All in all, we can deduce that choosing between developing a native or a cross-platform application depends on the needs of the users, the characteristics of the target audience, the budget and the features of the service or product offered.

Are you ready to use mobile applications as the main engine for digital innovation of your company? At Icalia Labs we are ready to help you. We are firmly committed to the growth of our clients through intelligent and intuitive technological tactics. Let us contact you and get ready to take your business beyond your goals and expectations.