Hybrid apps are the unique solution for developers looking to create apps using web technologies like JavaScript, CSS and HTML. They are those uniquely designed apps compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, Android and iOS. Hybrid app development is a combination of both web and native mobile applications.
Furthermore, using open-source frameworks like Ionic or React Native, the code is wrapped within a native application. It enables the app to operate in the embedded browser of each platform rather than the web browser, allowing it to be operated on mobile devices and sold in app stores like ordinary native apps.
They also have full access to the device’s hardware and functions, such as the GPS, camera, and address book, if they use plugins at all. Wrapper solutions also come with a set of UI components that may be used to develop a native interface.
Hybrid applications, although being built with web technologies, have the same aesthetic appeal as native apps, deliver the same user experience, and can operate across multiple platforms.
Hybrid app frameworks
Hybrid mobile app development is the aggregation of both web and native mobile applications. JavaScript, CSS and HTML are some of the most prominent web technologies preferred by developers to create hybrid apps. Further, the code is then entwined within a native application using open-source frameworks such as Ionic or React Native.
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It lets the app operate in the embedded browser of each platform rather than the web browser, allowing it to be deployed on mobile devices and sold in app stores just like ordinary native apps.
Moreover, the hybrid app framework has full access to the device’s hardware and functions, like the GPS, camera, and address book, if they use plugins. Wrapper solutions also come with a set of UI components that may be used to create a native interface.
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Hybrid app development: advantages and disadvantages
All said hybrid mobile app development carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While hybrid app development is cheap, quick and easy to design on one side, it has its own drawback in performance, graphics, and functionality. Let’s explore the positives and negatives of hybrid mobile app development.
Advantages of Hybrid app development
1) Cost-efficient
Hybrid mobile app development allows companies the benefit of having to write and maintain a single code that is capable to run on multiple OS. The less time required to make the app also means that the production cost comes down remarkably, hence the overall investment for the app. It proves crucial for small businesses.
2) Lower maintenance
Hybrid applications use simple HTML language, which is comparatively easy to maintain compared to native apps. Unlike in native apps, there is no versioning here. A hybrid app doesn’t require producing a new app every time a new operating system is released. Its functionality stays the same even in the new operating system.
3) Scalability
Hybrid mobile apps are easily scalable to various platforms. Developers can optimise them for use on multiple operating systems without significant effort. The hybrid app development is similar in most cases because the web technology used behind is the same. Therefore, the process of scaling is not required to develop the app again.
4) Development Time
The codes for hybrid mobile apps need to be written just once, thus saving developers and companies a lot of time. It proves to be crucial in comparison to the native app. Also, the time spent on QA is significantly lesser.
In addition to that, QA engineers spend less time testing the apps for bugs with a quality similar to a standard app.
5) Internet Requirement
Offline support is another major plus for a hybrid app. A hybrid app framework can also function without internet access. This feature is useful especially for those living in remote areas who don’t have access to good internet.
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Disadvantages of Hybrid app development
1) Graphics
Because of their inefficiency to render 3D graphics, the Hybrid app can’t deliver pictures of high quality. Moreover, there are other quality issues appearance-wise, and that is why Hybrid apps require more effort on this front compared to the native app.
2) Performance
Performance-wise, a hybrid app isn’t as competent as a native app. Since there exists a layer between the operating system and the source code, this is the case. The performance degradation of Hybrid mobile app development also varies depending on the type of the application. If it’s a tiny program, the issue mostly goes undetected.
3) Functionality & User Experience
Fact that Hybrid app development runs on one single code and is common to all platforms, some interesting native features are missing from the app. Therefore, the users cannot experience the maximum level of quality and stability when it comes to hybrid apps. Especially for those apps with intricate features.
Even the user interface, for that matter, isn’t too exciting in the case of a hybrid app. Moreover, the operating system operates differently, and therefore, the hybrid app design might not be suitable for all the operating system platforms. So, if the hybrid app framework is developed according to the Android OS, the experience for IOS users won’t be very pleasant and vice-versa.
4) Browser Requirement and other issues
The hybrid app must be accessed through the web browser, which is quite different from the native app, can be accessed through the main screen display.
Users must first enter the URL, then visit the website before accessing the app. As a result, because the hybrid software is not available in the app store, many users find it difficult to interact with it. A hybrid app’s content can be glitchy from time to time. They don’t run as smooth as a native app.
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Examples of hybrid apps
Because of the quick advancement of new technologies and the growing availability of hybrid app frameworks, a few types of mobile app firms have been able to develop high-performance mobile applications with excellent interfaces and functionality.
1) Instagram – Instagram is the world’s most popular photo and video-sharing social media platform. Hybrid mobile app development systems can accommodate a large amount of media, as well as offline data, therefore it is crucial for Instagram. In offline mode, users can access the app’s functions and media, including photographs and short videos.
2) Uber – Uber is easily accessible and boasts of a great user interface. With easy navigation and an intuitive user design, this hybrid software is arguably the most utilized ridesharing app in the world.
3) Gmail – Google upgraded from HTML to HTML 5, giving consumers new, sophisticated features and functions, thus improving the user experience altogether. Gmail is one of the aptest hybrid app examples that use a combo of native and web components thus forming a high-performance mobile application.
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4) Evernote – Evernote is a hybrid mobile app development example known for its performance. It boasts a polished design and the ability to function seamlessly across multiple platforms.
5) Twitter – Twitter is another hybrid app that proves that efficiency isn’t a problem when it comes to hybrid app development. The social networking program can manage a lot of traffic, and millions of people use it every day.
