You are facing a strategic decision and wondering: a web app or a mobile app? Your budget, speed to market, and the future success of the entire project depend on this choice. In this article, you will learn about the fundamental difdifferences between these solutions, compare their development costs, and discover which option will best meet the needs of your company and customers.
Table of contents
Introduction
2. Application development: a comparison of cost and time
3. PWA apps – a golden mean between web and mobile?
4. When to choose a web app versus a mobile app? Practical scenarios
Introduction
In today's digital landscape, the decision to create a new digital product often boils down to a fundamental question: a web app or a mobile app? This choice is not merely a technical issue but a strategic decision that will impact the budget, time to market, reach, and the way users interact with it. As a COO or the person responsible for product development, you are facing a task that will determine the future success of your venture. The purpose of this article is to guide you through the key aspects of both solutions. We will explain the basic differences, analyze the costs, and present an alternative in the form of PWA apps. All this is to enable you to make an informed and accurate decision that will best meet the needs of your company, your customers, and your budget. Understanding when to choose a web app versus a mobile app is the first step to building a product that will conquer the market.
Web app vs. mobile app – key differences you need to know
To make the right choice, we must first understand how these two types of applications truly differ. Although both are used for user interaction through a digital interface, their nature, distribution method, and technical capabilities are diametrically different. These web app vs. mobile app differences have a direct impact on business strategy.
What is a web application?
A web application is essentially an advanced website designed to function interactively, similar to a computer program. The user accesses it via a web browser (such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) on any device – a computer, tablet, or smartphone. There is no need to download or install anything. Just type in the URL or click a link.
A key feature of modern web applications is responsiveness (Responsive Web Design, RWD). This means that the application's interface automatically adapts to the screen size of the device it is displayed on. As a result, the same application looks and works well on both a large computer monitor and a small phone screen. Application development in this technology is based on a single codebase, which significantly simplifies the development and maintenance process. Think of a web application as a universal tool that works wherever there is internet access and a browser.
Read our guide for non-technical stakeholders on how to choose the right technology for app development:
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What is a mobile (native) application?
A mobile application, often called a native app, is software created specifically for a particular operating system – iOS (for Apple devices) or Android (for most other smartphones and tablets). To use it, the user must first find, download, and install it from a dedicated store: the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
The main advantage of native applications is their excellent performance and optimization. Because they are written in the "native" language of a given system (hence the name "native"), they can fully utilize the device's processing power and its features, such as the camera, GPS, accelerometer, contacts, or push notifications. The app icon is always present on the phone's home screen, which builds a habit and facilitates regular use. However, developing a native mobile application is more complex, as it usually requires creating two separate versions of the product – one for iOS and another for Android.
Availability and installation – the key to user acquisition
The way a user reaches your application is one of the most important decision-making factors. In the case of a web application, the barrier to entry is minimal. A user can find it through a Google search, click on a link in social media, an email, or an ad, and start using it immediately. There is no installation process that might discourage less decisive individuals. The reach is virtually unlimited – every person with a browser is a potential user.
The situation is completely different for a mobile application. The user's journey is longer: they have to hear about the app, go to the store (App Store or Google Play), search for it, click "Download", wait for the installation, and only then can they launch it. Each of these steps is a potential point where a customer can be lost. On the other hand, if a user decides to install the app, it is a sign of greater engagement. The app icon on their phone becomes a constant reminder of your brand.
Performance and access to device features
Another fundamental difference concerns performance and technical capabilities. Native mobile applications undoubtedly reign supreme in this category. They run faster, smoother, and more reliably because they are perfectly tailored to the operating system. More importantly, they have full access to all hardware components and phone features. If your app idea relies on advanced use of the camera, real-time geolocation, mobile payments, or integration with the operating system, a mobile app will likely be the only correct choice.
A web application, operating in the browser's "sandbox", has much more limited access to the device's resources. Although modern browsers now allow for the use of some features (e.g., basic geolocation or camera access), it is far less advanced and reliable than in native apps. The performance of a web application also depends on the quality of the browser and the speed of the internet connection.
Application development: a comparison of cost and time
For every director and product manager, budget and timeline are the two pillars of a project. When analyzing the web app or mobile app dilemma, these key aspects cannot be overlooked. Often, it is these factors, not just the technology, that dictate the final choice.
The cost of developing a mobile vs. a web application – what does it depend on?
The general rule is simple: developing a web application is usually cheaper than developing a native mobile application. The main reason lies in the universality of the code. In the case of a web application, developers create a single version of the product that runs on all devices with a browser. The costs are associated with one team of developers and one testing process.
The situation becomes more complicated with mobile applications. To reach users of both iPhones and Android phones, you need to create two separate applications. This means engaging two teams of developers (or programmers familiar with both technologies), running two parallel development processes, and testing the product on hundreds of different device models. This naturally doubles a significant portion of the costs.
Therefore, the cost of developing a mobile vs. a web application increases with the degree of complexity and the number of platforms you want to support. A native application is an investment in the highest quality and performance, but it is a much more expensive investment. There are, of course, cross-platform technologies (like React Native or Flutter) that allow you to write a single codebase for both mobile platforms, but this is a compromise that has its drawbacks and is not always the ideal solution. For simplicity, in a classic comparison, a web application remains the most economical choice to start with.
Find out exactly what determines the cost of custom application development:
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Implementation time – how to reach the market quickly?
Time to market is crucial, especially in competitive industries and for startups that want to validate their idea as quickly as possible. In this category, too, the web application has a clear advantage. The development process is simpler, and most importantly, deployment is immediate. As soon as the application is ready, you just need to place it on a server. Any updates or bug fixes are also implemented instantly – users see the new version the next time they refresh the page.
In the world of mobile applications, the process is much longer. After development is complete, the app must be submitted to the App Store and Google Play for review. This process can take from a few hours to even several days (it tends to be more restrictive with Apple). Every update, even the smallest typo fix, must go through the same review process. This slows down the development cycle and delays the delivery of new features to users. If your priority is agility and quick response to market needs, a web application gives you much greater flexibility.
PWA apps – a golden mean between web and mobile?
In the "web app or mobile app" discussion, a third, extremely interesting player has emerged in recent years: Progressive Web Apps, or PWA apps. This is a modern approach that combines the best features of both worlds and may prove to be the perfect compromise for many companies.
What are Progressive Web Apps (PWA)?
In the simplest terms, a PWA is a web app "on steroids". It is a website built using modern technologies that can behave like a native mobile application. A user accesses it through a browser, just like any other site, but after a moment may receive a prompt to "add to home screen". After clicking, an icon appears on their phone's desktop, just like an app from the store.
What's more, PWA apps offer features previously reserved for native apps:
- Offline functionality: Thanks to caching mechanisms, a PWA can work even without an internet connection, displaying previously loaded content.
- Push notifications: They can send push notifications that engage users and remind them of the app, even when the browser is closed.
- Speed and responsiveness: They are designed with mobile devices in mind, making them very fast and smooth.
All of this without having to go through the publication and review process in app stores.
PWA vs. native app – when is it worth betting on a hybrid?
The PWA vs. native app dilemma is becoming more common. Choosing a PWA is strategically justified in many scenarios. It is an excellent solution if you want to offer users a mobile-like experience but do not have the budget or time to create two separate native applications. A PWA, like a standard web application, is based on a single codebase, which significantly reduces costs and speeds up application development.
Choose a PWA if:
- You want to bypass the App Store and Google Play, avoiding their commissions and review process.
- You care about reaching users quickly and easy distribution via a link.
- Your application does not require advanced access to the most niche hardware features of the phone (although access to the camera, geolocation, or microphone is now possible).
- You want one application that will serve users on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
A native application is still a better choice when maximum performance is the absolute priority (e.g., in 3D games, video editing apps) or when the application needs to deeply integrate with the operating system and other apps. For many e-commerce, informational, or service-based projects, however, a PWA offers the ideal balance between cost, reach, and functionality.
Find out how the Discovery phase can help you determine if a PWA is the right solution for your business:
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When to choose a web app versus a mobile app? Practical scenarios
Theory is important, but ultimately, the decision must be based on specific business goals. Below is a concise summary to help you situate your project and answer the question: when to choose a web app versus a mobile app?
Choose a web application when...
- The budget is limited: It is the most economical solution to start with.
- Time is of the essence: You want to enter the market and test your idea (MVP - Minimum Viable Product) as quickly as possible.
- You need maximum reach: You want to reach users on all devices (desktop, mobile) without the installation barrier.
- Functionality is simple: Your application does not require advanced phone hardware features.
- SEO is a major customer acquisition channel: Web applications are indexed by search engines, which facilitates marketing.
Choose a mobile application when...
- User experience (UX) and performance are a priority: You want the application to be ultra-fast, smooth, and reliable.
- You need to use hardware features: Your idea is based on the camera, GPS, NFC, accelerometer, or biometrics.
- The app is intended for frequent and regular use: An icon on the desktop and push notifications help build a habit.
- You need an offline mode: Users must have access to key features without an internet connection.
- Monetization is based on in-app payments: Mobile stores offer ready-made and secure payment systems.
What kind of app for a startup? Fast idea validation
The question "what kind of app for a startup" comes up very often. In the initial phase of a business, when resources are limited and the business idea has not yet been fully verified by the market, speed and low cost are paramount. Therefore, in most cases, the best choice for a startup will be a web application or a PWA.
This approach allows for:
- Quick MVP creation: Building a basic version of the product with minimal financial outlay.
- Easy feedback collection: Distributing the app via a link allows for quickly reaching early users and gathering valuable opinions.
- Flexibility and fast iterations: The ability to instantly implement changes and improvements based on user data.
Only after proving that there is market demand for the product and the business model works, can you consider investing in a more expensive and advanced native mobile application that will provide an even better experience and allow the business to scale.
Summary
The choice between a web app, a mobile app, and a PWA is one of the most important decisions in the early stage of digital product development. There is no one, universally best answer. A web application offers wide reach, low cost, and speed of deployment, making it an ideal solution for testing ideas and for projects with a limited budget. A native mobile application is a guarantee of top performance, the best user experience, and full access to a smartphone's capabilities, but it comes with higher costs and a longer development time.
In turn, PWA apps represent an intelligent compromise, combining the accessibility of web applications with many of the advanced features of native apps. The final decision must be the result of a careful analysis of your business goals, target audience, required feature set, and, equally importantly, your available financial and time resources.
