Building A Web App Vs Building A Mobile App — Which One Is Better?

In the world of software development, choosing between a web app and a mobile app can be a tough decision. This article explores the pros and cons of each option based on personal experience from building both types of applications over several years.

Key Takeaways

• Consumer Preference: Mobile apps are generally favored by consumers over web apps.
• Developer Experience: Both platforms offer great tools, but web development is often easier to set up.
• Developer Velocity: Web apps allow for immediate bug fixes, while mobile apps have longer review times.
• Payment Processing: Web apps have faster payouts and lower fees compared to mobile apps.
• UI Design: Mobile apps have less variability in screen sizes, making design simpler.

Consumer Preference

When it comes to consumer products, mobile apps are the clear winner. Most users prefer to download an app rather than use a mobile web browser. Think about it: how many websites do you exclusively use on your phone? Probably not many. Most people lean towards dedicated apps for their daily tasks.

Developer Experience

Now, let’s talk about the developer experience. Both mobile and web development have come a long way. Frameworks like Swift UI, React Native, and Flutter make mobile app development pretty straightforward. On the web side, tools like Next.js and Remix are also user-friendly.

However, setting up a local development environment for web apps is generally easier. Mobile app development often requires downloading additional dependencies, especially for iOS apps, which can be a hassle if you’re not using a Mac.

Developer Velocity

When it comes to developer velocity, web apps have a significant edge. If you find a bug in a web app, you can fix it and push the update immediately. For mobile apps, you have to submit the update to the app store, which can take hours or even days for approval. This delay can be frustrating, especially if you need to roll out a quick fix.

Payment Processing

Let’s discuss payment processing. Web apps allow you to use services like Stripe for instant payouts. If your app goes viral and you make a lot of money, you’ll see that cash in your bank account within a couple of days. On the other hand, mobile apps often have longer payout periods, and both Apple and Google take a cut of your earnings—30% in most cases. This can complicate your business model.

UI Design

Finally, consider the UI design aspect. Mobile apps typically have less variability in screen sizes, which simplifies the design process. You don’t have to worry about users resizing their windows or using odd screen resolutions. This makes it easier to create a consistent user experience.

Conclusion

In the end, whether you choose to build a web app or a mobile app depends on your specific needs and target audience. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice varies from project to project. Take the time to evaluate what works best for your application, and you’ll be on the right path to success!