With people using the smartphone more often to access the internet, mobile apps have become a necessity. The popularity of mobile apps is also because of the enhanced personalisation, loading speed, features etc. That is incorporated within it. Today mobile apps outpace websites in the features offered. It is no wonder that most businesses prefer native app development.
The word “native” in app development is used to describe those apps that are built exclusively to run on a single platform. Other app development methods include web app development and hybrid app development. However, neither of the other two ways of app development offers businesses the kind of benefits that native apps offer.
Native apps are written using a language that that is specific to a particular operating system. These mobile apps make for an ideal choice when an app:
- Is to be used on the small screen
- Needs to be easily accessible
- Provide an excellent user experience.
However, native apps also provide many more benefits like:
- Performance: By writing these apps using languages that mobile operating system fully support, their performance is greatly enhanced. It also provides them with access to components and APIs exclusive to the operating system for which they have been written. These components and APIs are optimised to run on varied screen versions, sizes and types. They help to enhance the performance of the native apps across devices.
- Security: This is a primary concern for businesses seeking to develop an app. While hybrid apps do not have inbuilt security and depend on that provided by the browser, it is different for native apps and cross-platform apps. Security for these apps comes in several different layers as offered by the operating system for which they have been written. These apps are more secure also because:
- No third-party frameworks are involved in their development
- The use of tried and tested APIs enhance their security
- SDKs undergo long development to make them well-tested, more reliable and secure
- Official platform releases are not as frequent as framework releases
- Access to superlative developers: Experienced native app development programmers understand the nuances of operating systems like iOS and Android. This knowledge makes them ideally suited to solve problems associated with views, animations, implementation of non-standard behaviour etc. They are also knowledgeable enough to offer valuable advice about the technical and UI/US aspects of the app. Businesses seeking services from native app developing companies, like Neuronimbus, greatly benefit from their deep-rooted knowledge of mobile operating systems.
- Scalability: The fact that native apps are operating system or OS-specific makes it easier to configure and develop them. They are also compatible with all versions of the OS by default. Hence, developers can use all features of newer versions released without having to incorporate additional codes to make them compatible. This increases the scalability of native apps.
To increase app functionality further, some developers are incorporating the features of both native and cross-platform solutions into an app. Development of such apps is initiated natively but as it progresses small modules of the app are equipped with certain cross-platform features. Facebook, AirBnB etc. are perfect examples of this.
- Compatibility with hardware: Perhaps the fact that native apps can access all hardware features available on a smartphone, makes it a popular choice. Coupled with the fact that native apps can be developed and implemented quickly and easily, make them a preferred choice with businesses.
- Stability: Android and iOS are two extremely popular mobile OS today. They are flagship products that get full support from their respective parent companies, namely Google and Apple. For native apps, that are again exclusive to either of these two OS, this support makes the apps more stable where development and subsequent maintenance of the app is concerned.
- Better UI/UX: This feature is rather ingrained within the mobile operating platform. Users of Android or iOS already use a great UI/UX. Since this path recurs in the native apps, users can also access and navigate these apps easily.
Native apps come with huge possibilities for imposing developing and designing standards. By taking advantage of this, companies offering native app development services can increase the appeal of this app. This further increases the usability and applicability of these apps for a business.