Web based mobile app VS iPhone app

I've said this a few times and I will say it again, who really wants to have their phone full of all these different web apps when they can instead just have a list of bookmarks in their browser? If a company has a mobile version of their website I'd be much happier bookmarking and using that rather than download their app and adding even more clutter to my phone.

Obviously a lot of people out there agree. HTML5 is much smarter and is not limited to just the one type/brand of device.

Exactly, but people are still creating these shiny iPhone Apps.

I can understand magazines having them - especially when used on the iPad.
The Economist on the iPad: Perfect - (37signals)

I whole heartedly agree with you, Will. I've been ranting about it on the forum all evening. Yes, there are even stats to back this up - check out this article on why web apps will eventually overtake native apps - Survey Results: Mobile Web Has More Users While Mobile Apps See Higher Engagement | Mobile Marketing Watch

I get this question a lot from clients: Should they build a native app or web based app?

My answer is usually "It depends." What approach you take is heavily dependent on target audience and budget.

The stat you are referencing is misleading. Although they have 700,000 users of their web-based app, this is across all mobile platforms. With Android owning roughly 60% of the mobile market and only a percentage of iphone users installing their app, it makes sense that their web app is getting more traffic.

I personally recommend native apps for a number of reasons:

- Native apps can take better advantage of the phone's hardware. Apple has already shown that they limit the processing power dedicated to javascript in mobile Safari.

- Caching on native apps is not as limited as it is with web apps.

- Greater ways of monetization

- Long term product development is not as limited (can integrate external hardware support, barcode scanning)

- Native apps can be found in the app stores, increasing exposure from just website traffic.

This debate is very common but a third argument can be made that it would be best to utilize both approaches if the budget allows.


There are ton of points we can touch on but to keep it simple and consider...

How many native android/iphone apps do you have?

How many web apps do you have saved to your phone's dashboard?

Those are great points. My post wasn't meant to knock any personal preference only explain the benefits of native app development. I'm in this business to make money and native apps make a lot.

As an example, I have an ad-supported free app and a pro version without ads. The free version is download in greater numbers but my conversion rate to the pro version is pretty good. Yesterday the free version had 1.8 million adsense impressions, 17,400 clicks, and sold 1,200 paid versions. There is no way I could expect that from a web app. Even Google has built out native apps.

We are all very smart when it comes to technology. Most people with an iphone or android know of no other way to download an "app" other than the app store (or marketplace). I also cannot charge a user to save a bookmark of my web app. I either have to monetize the web app through a web service or with advertising.

The app store isn't going anywhere. It is so successful that Apple now has the Mac App Store, even if it is just a marketing channel for mac applications.

I do a lot of competitive research and download a ton of apps. Currently, I have 171 apps installed on my iphone and it's only taking up 3.3 GB.

Coming from a web development background, I had no idea how to create software. It was almost better that way since I had to rely on my outsourcing skills to get way I am now.

I think the web based app will work for companies that do not update or perform a lot of social networking.

I believe and the results prove once you get the user to download a real app. They use it WAY MORE than the web based app.


CHAD

Honestly, just remove the address bar from a mobile site you can connect to social networking, stream live audio, live TV, video, RSS feeds, Geo-coupon deals, Maps etc etc.

You have an application right there without installing a single thing. I have mobile sites that look as slick as any installed app.

For my current project:

I would rather sell this:


Its just HTML5 a slick looking mobile site which does all things a native app would do.

Not trying to crush native apps here as they have advantages I'm just sayin a mobile site can be an app for all intents and purposes.

I have a good idea for a useful mobile app. I haven't found anything like it yet, but it is possibly a day away. How can I protect my idea and also get started on making this happen.

LOL - okay - the WF is getting scary - I was actually just surfing G for EXACTLY this question - and here it is!

I do understand why certain types of businesses would prefer a native app and the potential exposure in the iphone store for example - but for local businesses - isn't a web app sufficient when all they really need is to connect with local customers?

Not to mention the cost differential, submission process etc?

Very timely discussion and I found exactly what I needed here...again ;-)

Melody