If you have a business that involves selling anything (be it a product or a service), then you need to have a mobile app. Whether you are dealing directly with your consumers or with other businesses, having a mobile app has become necessary in today’s world. 

In this article, we will discuss the different types of mobile app development that are generally undertaken by businesses, what are the pros and cons of each type of mobile app development, and which factors should you consider before finalizing which type is perfect for your business. 

Let’s fire away.

1 .  Native Mobile App Development 

Introduction – Before we discuss native app development, it makes sense to explain what the different types of mobile platforms are. In general, smartphones run on a platform which is known as Operating System (OS). There are two main OS’s in the world – iOS developed by Apple and Android developed by Google. 

When we talk about native mobile app development, we mean that the app for your business will be developed keeping in mind one of these OS. For instance, developing an app with Android as its native platform will require engaging an app development company that does Android app development with a focus on making the app completely in sync with Android devices. 

Pros – The main advantage of going for native mobile app development is that the apps developed are more stable and have higher responsiveness with the mobile platforms that they are designed for.

Cons – The main disadvantage of opting for native mobile app development is that since the app is developed only for a particular platform, the technical programming cannot be used or run in other platforms. 

Final word – Native app development is not for all businesses as it requires specific knowledge and requires expertise on the part of the developer which makes it costlier. 

2. Hybrid Mobile App Development

Introduction – As the name suggests, hybrid mobile app development is completely opposite to native mobile app development. In hybrid mobile app development, the developer creates an app that can work on something as simple as web browsers. It is not bound to any specific platform like Android or iOS. However, this does not mean that performance is compromised.

A mobile app developed using hybrid means is in fact very common in those businesses which are just starting out and are not aware if their user base is more attached to anyone operating system. It is a good testing ground for those looking to start selling or interacting through mobile apps.

Pros – It provides a user experience which is similar to the natively developed mobile app. It goes one step ahead and provides greater control to the business as compared to native mobile app development.

Cons – The look and feel of a mobile app developed using native mobile app development is slightly superior and the hybrid method cannot be used for high-end mobile apps like 3D gaming apps and those involving graphic designs.

Final word – This is a good place to start with and take the app forward in the future depending on feedback from users.

3. Custom Mobile App Development 

Introduction – Again, before we go in-depth into custom mobile app development, it will be ideal if we discuss the app development process in general first. Whenever a business looks for an app, say an online marketplace, they have two options – either go and purchase a generic online marketplace app that is used by many businesses and available for a fee or opt to choose a developer who develops an app exclusively for them.

The latter is known as custom mobile app development. If the business that you run is such that your needs cannot be met with any standard format, then you have no choice but to find a custom mobile app development company.

Pros – A custom mobile app development offers a high degree of control to the business. This ensures that business efficiency improves considerably. In fact, it has been noticed that revenues shoot up over time once a business has correctly decided to go for custom mobile app development.

Cons – As the app will be built exclusively for your business, there will be two major cons. First, you will have to spend the necessary time explaining your requirements to your developer and handhold them through all the features that you want. Second, this will be more expensive as compared to going with a standardized app.

At the end of the day, having read the nature and benefits of the main types of mobile app development processes, it is up to you to decide which type works best for your business. The ideal way is to first identify your target audience and then take it from there.