Hybrid apps are almost the same as native apps. In fact, they replace the need to write separate codebases for Android, iOS, and web versions of the same app. But they still may not be the best choice for your app idea — performance and investment wise.

In this guide, we’ll see how different native and hybrid apps are, and then you can determine which one is the best for you.

What is a Hybrid App?

Hybrid apps are applications built with web programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and wrapped in a native container. Due to such technology, hybrid apps can function like a native as well as a web app.

With a single codebase, you can view a hybrid app on Android, iOS, and web browser. That’s also the reason why hybrid apps lag sometimes. They aren’t as performance efficient as real mobile apps and thus, lack several features that only native apps have.

What is a Native App?

Native mobile apps are software applications that are built for specific operating systems, such as Android and iOS. They can function only on mobile devices with the operating system that an app is built for.

Unlike hybrid apps, native apps have different programming languages for specific operating systems. Swift and Objective-C are used to develop iOS applications while Kotlin and Java are used for Android apps.

When you install a native mobile app, the code gets locally stored on your device. This allows the app to access your device’s features such as camera, microphone, and GPS. Therefore, creating a more personalized experience.

Native vs. Hybrid Apps: Key Differences

Although native and hybrid apps look almost the same, they aren’t. Here’s a detailed look at their differences across key aspects:

User Experience

Hybrid apps have one codebase for all platforms: Android, iOS, and web. Because of this, they are much slower and less responsive than native apps. It impacts user experience significantly and reduces retention rate.

Native mobile apps, on the other hand, integrate seamlessly with the device’s interface and create an intuitive experience. In addition, businesses can send push notifications for a unique user interaction.

Security

Hybrid apps rely on their native wrapper and browser for security. It means that any vulnerabilities that the wrapper is susceptible to also risks the app’s security and user data as well.

By contrast, native apps adhere to strict security protocols to get approved by app stores. Native mobile apps also take advantage of local encryption mechanisms that operating systems provide.

Platform Compatibility

Hybrid apps use one codebase wrapped in a native container. This allows them to function just like native apps and makes them compatible for Android, iOS, and web browser. However, they may not be able to provide device-specific features like native apps can.

Since native apps are built for Android and iOS devices specifically, they create a satisfying interface for the user. This gives an edge to native apps over any other app type.

Investment

Although both hybrid and native apps are expensive to build and maintain, hybrid apps are generally less expensive. However, if you look at the long-term development costs, app development is expensive either way.

So, how do you really build an app? The answer is, with an AI native app builder.

AI app builders like Natively can help you to build native mobile apps quickly at an affordable budget. The best of all features: you don’t need to write even a single line of code to build the Android and iOS versions. All that you need to do is write prompts, add integrations, and let the AI work.

Which App Type is the Best for You?

While hybrid apps look and function like native apps, they aren’t exactly native apps. Hybrid apps are less efficient, lack security, and can’t function for apps that need high-performance. With all these cons, they cost a fortune to develop and maintain.

On the other hand, native apps are everything that you need in order to retain users. They have robust security, efficient performance, and excellent responsiveness. And they don’t even cost a lot of time and resources to build with AI app builders.

The choice depends heavily on your requirements, however. You can choose the app that suits your business the best based on your audience, features you want in your app, and the overall experience you want to create.