Like all other technologies, mobile app technology is also improving at a rapid speed. This is of no wonder because many businesses are creating mobile apps to increase sales and develop their business. So, mobile app development is growing like never before. Are you thinking of building a profitable app for your business? If so, you should consider hybrid app development because it provides many benefits. Although it has a few limitations, many organizations prefer hybrid app development. Do you want to know why? Here is a detailed analysis of the advantages, limitations, and consequences of hybrid app development.
What Is a Hybrid App?
Hybrid app is a software application that combines the elements of both native apps and web apps. Initially, native-specific apps were the only option. Then hybrid apps were introduced. A Hybrid app looks similar to a native app but there is one main difference. Unlike native apps, hybrid apps are run by websites. Hybrid apps are written with web technologies like CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript. They run within a native container.
Earlier, developers and users did not prefer hybrid apps because of two main reasons. The first one is it is too slow and the second one is its low performance. However, thanks to technology experts, hybrid apps are very advanced and so many companies are switching over to hybrid app development. Today, hybrid apps have gained a lot of popularity because many organizations prefer cross-platform mobile apps. It allows the developers to create apps that are compatible with both iOS and Android.
Because of its amazing performance, it is widely used these days. There are several hybrid apps that we use daily. It is the most used app for online retail businesses. Research shows that more than 75% of the retail apps on the app store are hybrid apps.
Here are a few very common and popular hybrid apps:
- Gmail
- Uber
- Amazon app store
- Baskin Robbins and
- Sworkit etc. `
9 Key Benefits of Hybrid App Development
Here are the advantages that hybrid apps provide to businesses.
1. Cost-Saving
This is the first and foremost advantage of hybrid app development. You can save about 30-50% of your mobile app development cost when you go for hybrid mobile app development in place of native app development. A developer should develop separate codes if you want your app to run on various platforms. As a single code is enough for developing applications for Android and iOS, the time taken and the efforts put up are minimal. When time and effort are saved, the cost goes down.
2. Faster Launch
Do you want to market your launch in a short time? If so, hybrid app development is an ideal choice. The development time is less. The overall development process is easier. This will allow you to launch your app in a few months.
3. Better Performance
Hybrid apps are developed in a mature ecosystem. As users can use and navigate hybrid apps faster, the apps perform better. Moreover, they are not only as fast as native apps, sometimes, but they are also faster than responsive and progressive apps. Their performance and speed are proven with apps like Twitter, Gmail, and LinkedIn, etc.
4. Easy Maintenance
This is an important advantage of hybrid apps because it saves time and money. As there is no need to ask for approval and as the apps are updated automatically, the maintenance is easier. Moreover, there is no need to resubmit the new versions of the app unless the code is modified. Also, they don’t need decoding each time. So it is easy to maintain the app.
5. Offline Accessibility
This is one of the primary benefits of hybrid apps. You can connect to the app even if you don’t have an internet connection. This is because these apps can store data in cache form. This feature allows users to access data when they are offline. Although there are a few functionalities that you cannot access offline, the others can be accessed. This is a very big benefit when you are in rural areas with no or slow internet connectivity.
6. More Reach
Hybrid apps can be launched on multiple platforms like Android and iOS and also lesser-used platforms like windows and blackberry. So the user base is wider and the reach is more.
7. Increased ROI
When the reach is more, there will be an increase in prospective buyers. This means a larger audience and more sales. Hence, you will get a greater profit margin. So, the rate of investment increases automatically.
8. Instant Access
You can load hybrid apps through direct links. So, you can easily share on social media. Hence, the users can interact with the app instantly. There are no friction points that may delay access to apps.
9. Better UI and UX
The UI of hybrid apps is incomparable and provides a seamless experience to app users. Furthermore, the UI is lightweight. This helps to load graphics and content faster. You are also assured of hassle-free streaming and quick data display because of its better UI and UX. This applies to all platforms.
One-size-fits-all hybrid apps are advantageous to the users and the businesses as well. That is why hybrid app development is very popular. However, there are a few disadvantages too.
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8 Notable Limitations of Hybrid App Development
Here is a list of limitations of hybrid app development that you need to know.
1. Extensive Testing
Since the app has to be compatible with multiple platforms and devices, the testing process and procedures are extensive. The testing team should test the app in multiple environments. So the testing phase is very long.
2. Difficulty in Debugging
Errors are unavoidable while building an app. As hybrid apps are developed for multiple platforms, it can be difficult to find the issue and solve it or to debug. Hence, the developer has to be extra alert to avoid errors. This may be stressful to the developing team.
3. Slow Loading of Graphics
There are many tools to boost the graphics in hybrid apps. However, the results are always better in native apps than native apps. This is one of the biggest issues with hybrid apps.
4. Slow Performance
Hybrid apps perform slowly when compared to native apps. It is not only slower but also inconsistent. You can understand this if you compare native apps and hybrid apps with the same functionalities. Native apps perform faster and better. The page transition is also slower than native apps. However, you should note that the difference in performance is lesser if the app is simple.
5. Browser-Dependence
Users cannot open the app without opening the browser. So it may take more time to open. However, you can solve this problem.
6. Difficult to Discover
Apps listed in app stores are easy to discover. So they reach the audience easily. As hybrid apps are not listed in the app stores, it is difficult to discover them. However, companies can rectify this issue. They can encourage users to save it as an app or bookmark it.
7. Limited Functionality
Developers may not be able to access a few features like augmented reality. This causes limited functionality.
8. More Time to Add New Features
It takes a long time to add new features and support them as new SDKs don’t support hybrid apps.
Despite the disadvantages, the advantages like cost-effectiveness, better reach, and fast deployment, etc. are impressive. Nevertheless, you should know the consequences of hybrid apps before making a shift.
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5 Main Consequences of Hybrid Apps
Here are the consequences of hybrid apps in testing and shifting.
1. UI and UX Testing
Each device has its conventions. So, you have to do testing on multiple devices. The testers and developers have to be very careful about the toolbar, menu, images, lists, and others. This will ensure a better UX. i
2. Variations On Screen
The app should meet the requirements, size, and resolution of various screens as it is for multiple platforms.
3. Testing Under Different Network Conditions
The variations in the network can impact the app. It can cause errors related to UI, functional issues, and performance-related issues.
4. Automated Testing
Automated testing with hybrid apps can be two extremes, either very easy or very difficult. If the app is built on web-based languages, it is very easy for QA engineers. They can write automated scripts very easily. On the other hand, if the app is created with different languages and navigation features, it becomes very difficult.
Moreover, it becomes difficult when the app contains native code too. In this situation, every test will have multiple scripts for testing. The testers have to deal with debugging for all platforms individually.
5. Manual Testing
Like automated testing, manual testing will also differ. Several factors impact it. They are:
- Functional testing, especially the click zones
- Mobile behavior includes the absence of signal, slow internet connection, and data loss, etc.
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Conclusion
Hybrid apps are advantageous in many ways. If you are planning to develop a hybrid app, you should consider a few factors like the target group, updating frequency, UI, availability in app stores, and resources available for development, etc. Moreover, you should get the services of the best hybrid app development company.
