To support small businesses through this uncertain time, we're offering UNLIMITED SEATS at just $99/month. Learn more

Gist
  • Products

    Acquire

    Increase website conversions with chatbots, forms and 24/7 automated meeting scheduling.

    Forms Chatbots Meetings

    Engage

    Grow traffic, convert more visitors, and run complete email marketing campaigns at scale.

    Email Marketing Marketing Automation Event Tracking

    Support

    Assist customers in real-time with a collaborative inbox, automation, and self-service support.

    Live Chat Knowledge Base Support Bot New

    Overview

    Features Overview Watch a Demo Pricing Testimonials Compare Gist What's New
  • Pricing
  • Integrations
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Log in
  • Sign up
Featured Post

What’s the Difference between Native vs. Web vs. Hybrid Apps?

Gigvy Gigvy
Marketing Sales

There are still many misconceptions surrounding app development, especially for mobile. As we move into a mobile-first world, many companies considering mobile apps are facing a common challenge — which should we choose? Should we build a native, mobile web, or hybrid app?

The answer depends on your company’s priorities and many factors such as:

— How fast you need the app

— If you develop any part of the app in-house

Bret Carmichael Testimonail

— What you are trying to accomplish with the app

— Your budget for app development

— What features you need

To help you decide, let’s take a look at the differences between native, mobile web, and hybrid apps, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can understand which approach will be the right one for your app idea.

Native Apps

 Native apps

Native apps are what comes to most of our minds when we think of mobile apps and are downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. What distinguishes native apps from mobile web and hybrid apps is that they are developed for specific devices. For instance, Android apps are written in Java and iPhone apps are written in Objective-C.

The advantage of choosing a native app is that it is the fastest and most reliable when it comes to user experience. Native apps can also interact with all of the device’s operating system features, such as the microphone, camera, contacts lists, etc. However, a bigger budget is required if you want to build your app for multiple platforms (i.e. iPhones and Android) and to keep your native app updated.

Web Apps

Joseph Hsieh Testimonial

web-based apps

Web applications are basically websites with interactivity that feels similar to a mobile app. Web apps run in multiple browsers — such as Safari or Chrome — and are written in HTML5 and/or Javascript. If your startup is on a budget and doesn’t require complex functionalities or access to operating system features, then building a web app can be the least expensive option.

The downside is that web apps can be slower, less intuitive, and inaccessible through app stores. Additionally, your users won’t have your web app’s icon automatically downloaded to their home screens, so they won’t be constantly reminded to use your app.

Hybrid Apps

hybrid apps

A hybrid app combines elements of both native and web applications. Hybrid apps can be distributed through the app stores just like a native app, and they can incorporate operating system features. Like a web app, hybrid apps can also use cross-compatible web technologies.

Hybrid apps are typically easier and faster to develop than native apps. They also require less maintenance. On the other hand, the speed of your hybrid app will depend completely on the speed of the user’s browser. This means hybrid apps will almost never run as fast as a native app runs.

The advantage of hybrid apps is that you can build them on a single base, which allows you to add new functionalities to multiple versions of your app. With native apps, you will need to replicate every new feature you want to introduce for each platform.

So which one should your startup choose?

In order to make the right choice, it’s important to understand the differences of each option and so you’re heading in the right direction. Native, mobile web, and hybrid applications each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and your final decision will depend almost entirely on your startup’s needs.

After considering your options, it’s important to work with app developers that can bring your idea to life efficiently and cost-effectively. Outsourcing your app development is a good way to test run your project without hiring permanent in-house staff. Working with a professional outsource development team is also a good way to make your mobile app development project feel like a natural transition, rather than a giant leap into uncharted territory. At Gigvy, we can help you choose the right app for your idea and connect you to our network of top app development talent in Latin America.

Popular Posts

  • The Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Automation

  • How to Build an Email List in 2021

  • How to Use Live Chat Software for The Entire Buyer Journey

Love the chat feature. Everything works well, notifications are reliable, works great!

Read full review

Jordan R Co-Founder - Computer Software Small-Business

Star Star Star Star Star

So simple and powerful with a combination of marketing tools

Read full review

Yamin I Automated Inspection Machine Operator - Internet Small-Business

Star Star Star Star Star

I'd compare Gist to Intercom. It's a platform for managing your customer contacts and your communications with them. You can field inquiries for onsite chat, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter Direct... Read full review

Bret C

Bret C Secretary - Small Business

Star Star Star Star Star

Gist makes it super easy for my website visitors to chat with my team live and their mobile app is perfect for connecting on the go!

Read full review

Blake B Owner - Marketing and Advertising Small-Business

Star Star Star Star Star

I use the chat mostly but love the fact they keep building on it and now we have a knowledge-base built it! I'm new to all this so we'll see how things go but the... Read full review

GetStartup I

GetStartup I Owner - Small-Business

Star Star Star Star Star

I love the easy to use layout and the ease of setup. Be it marketing, sales or support, Gist helps you in all of the aspects of your business and your website.

... Read full review
Pranaya C

Pranaya C Director - Small-Business

Star Star Star Star Star
‹ Previous › Next
Read more testimonials

One platform, one price.

You shouldn’t need to pay for separate platforms for live chat, knowledge base, chatbots, email marketing, automation and more.

Gist replaces 8+ tools for the price of one.

Get started for FREE

Gist

Marketing, sales, and support software that helps your business grow without compromise.

  • Privacy|Terms of Service

Products

  • Live Chat
  • Knowledge Base
  • Chat Bots
  • Popup Forms
  • Email Marketing
  • Marketing Automation
  • Event Tracking
  • Meetings
  • Integrations

Use Cases

  • SaaS
  • E-Commerce
  • Marketing Agency
  • Business Services
  • Consumer Services
  • Home Services
  • Publisher

Resources

  • Blog
  • All Features
  • Workflow Templates
  • Compare Gist
  • Migrate to Gist
  • Support Docs
  • Developer Docs
  • Status
  • Feature Requests
  • Partner with Gist