If we are considering a software application for a business, we may come across the following question:
Is it necessary to pay for both a web application and a mobile application?
The answer is subjective and depends on individual needs. The purpose of this post is to provide information about a concept that can be useful when making this decision.
Responsive web application
It is a design implementation that could save us from developing a mobile application.
A web application is accessed through a browser (such as Chrome or Safari) and does not require installation on the device (PC, mobile, etc.).
Responsive design refers to the ability of a website to adapt to different screen resolutions, such as smartphones, tablets, and monitors. With a 100% responsive web application, it gives the feeling of interacting with a native application of the operating system on a mobile device. Additionally, its development would be unified for the main devices and platforms.
On the other hand, developing a mobile application is required for each operating system (such as iOS or Android), which entails a higher budget and greater support demands.
Purpose and users of the application
With the so-called "Digital Revolution," the software industry, along with its demand, grows each year.
The global market is taking advantage of this, and it is increasingly common for companies to use software to manage their resources and processes.
On the other hand, there is a niche market in the application business, which consists of solving a need through a software application and generating profits by renting that application.
Market needs for applications
Based on the above, we can identify two purposes for wanting a software application: For internal use and for rental use.
Internal use within a company with the aim of managing resources and processes.
This category includes ERPs and CRMs, which have in common that only personnel within the organization have access to them.
Profit generation through the application
For example, a startup or an application aimed at renting the use of software.
This category can also include an ERP, but the purpose would be different from internal use mentioned earlier.
It is not the same to say "I need an application for my business" as "Let's build an application to rent its service."
Therefore, it is important to analyze the target audience for the application, as well as the functionalities and processing requirements it will have.
Advantages of a web application over a mobile application:
It can be more cost-effective because its development is unified. Since it runs in the browser, the application will work on most common devices, and its interface will remain consistent across all platforms. If the goal is to rent the service, you are not dependent on platform requirements like the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).
Disadvantages of a web application over a mobile application
Some functionalities may be limited, such as working offline or performing background tasks (like GPS if the browser is closed). There is no immediate access since you have to open the browser and enter the address that leads to the application.
Advantages of a mobile application over a web application
The application is readily available as it is installed directly on the device. Notifications are not limited and can be displayed on the device's home screen. Background tasks can be executed since the application can be controlled to remain open.
Disadvantages of a mobile application over a web application
- There may not be consistency across different devices due to the functionalities offered by each operating system (Android or iOS).
- Some functionalities may be limited by the device on which the application is installed.
- It is not the same to have a high-end mobile phone as a low-end one.
- It represents higher cost and support since there are typically developers for iPhone and developers for Android.
- It must comply with the rules and regulations set by each application distributor.
When to use each type of application As mentioned earlier, the choice depends on the needs of each user and, above all, the device on which the application is most commonly used.
From our experience, we would recommend using a web application for internal operations when constant interaction with the interface is not required, such as video streaming or purely informational purposes.
Additionally, a web application can be a good option for prototyping a startup.
I would recommend using a mobile application when constant interaction with the interface is required (such as messaging services and notifications) or when it needs to run in the background (like GPS or audio streaming).