Can You Explain Hybrid App Creation? A Complete Overview

As the software industry keeps evolving, creating hybrid apps has gained immense importance. This is due to its emerging popularity as it enables the swift and economical production of applications that can also operate on different platforms and operating systems, without demanding a complete rework.

Although hybrid apps are not as widely adopted as native applications, they offer certain advantages that make them a practical alternative.

This write-up will present a summary of hybrid app development and elucidate why it could be the most fitting option for business needs. We’ll also examine the ideal frameworks to employ, along with the different phases implicated in designing a hybrid project.

What is Hybrid App Development?

At its core, hybrid app development aims to build an application using a single project, utilizing a framework that can be customized to run on all necessary platforms (such as Android, iOS, and Windows).

One of the primary benefits of hybrid software is that a single codebase can be utilized across various platforms. Developers only need to write the code once as it can be reused when developing the app for other platforms. The only significant difference being the user interface, which customers prefer to be customized to their selected platform.

It’s clear that two major factors are driving the widespread adoption of hybrid applications: they’re easier to develop than native apps and their code can be repurposed to extend a business’s reach across a range of platforms, including the web.

Businesses are drawn towards hybrid mobile app development because of its capacity to release their products simultaneously across multiple platforms with a single action.

How Much Does a Hybrid App Differ from its Native Equivalent?

The development of hybrid applications can be advantageous to developers working on several platform-specific projects. By creating an app once, they can conveniently distribute it across various platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows, saving a substantial amount of time.

Since frameworks are routinely updated with new capabilities, developers can take advantage of the distinct features of different platforms whilst still working in a familiar development environment. This makes the process of creating apps with a hybrid approach more straightforward.

Nevertheless, this enlarges the overall size of the software to accommodate the numerous platforms and OS versions that the app is intended to function on.

By contrast, building a native app from scratch necessitates more effort since it must be developed to work with a particular operating system. Although hybrid applications may occasionally surpass their native equivalents, native apps typically reign superior in performance.

Depending on the outcomes and objectives you seek to achieve, a native app may be the best alternative if you need to support one platform while prioritising performance.

If you’re looking for an app that can be utilized across various platforms, hybrid app development may be the most budget-friendly alternative. While some features may not function optimally on every platform, this method could be the ideal selection for you.

Premium Frameworks for Hybrid Apps

In modern times, there is a vast array of hybrid app frameworks to choose from. It is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each framework to establish which one is most suitable for a particular project.

1. React Native

In the year 2015, Facebook introduced React Native, an open-source JavaScript framework that empowers developers to build cross-platform mobile apps utilizing React and JSX. This framework permits developers to link native code and convert it into native views for both Android and iOS.

The Views serve as native components that connect the JavaScript functionality and the rest of the application. To execute the code, a JavaScript thread is employed.

2. Flannel

The open-source Flutter platform relies on Google’s Dart programming language as its foundation, enabling apps to be distributed across mobile, web, desktop and embedded devices.

Despite being a relatively new addition to the list of frameworks, its rapid iteration cycle and extensive plethora of widgets, several of which are created utilizing Google’s Material Design guidelines, have obtained a significant amount of attention from developers.

3. Apache Cordova – Framework for Third-Party App Development

Apache Cordova is a free, open-source mobile framework that is compatible with various platforms. It offers developers the ability to design mobile device apps using commonly available web development tools. To ensure proper functionality of Apache Cordova applications, a WebView must be incorporated in the native app wrapper.

4. Ionic

Ionic is a highly-regarded framework for designing hybrid mobile applications utilizing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Its comprehensive features and easy-to-use interface make it a popular choice among frontend developers who are already proficient with the AngularJS framework.

5. Xamarin

Xamarin, developed by Microsoft, is a platform that allows developers to create mobile apps in C# by using the .NET framework. Xamarin empowers developers to generate apps and access the platform-specific Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of iOS, Android, and Windows.

Soon, it will be unified with the .NET platform and rebranded as .NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI).

6. Unity

Unity is a flexible platform, commonly employed for creating interactive entertainment, including video games, virtual reality, and augmented reality experiences. This platform utilizes C# as its programming language.

Flutter can be used to develop apps for both mobile and web platforms, although it might be more difficult to attain a native appearance and usability compared to other options. Nonetheless, it offers an excellent solution for those seeking to design an entertainment or leisure app.

Unity is highly recognised for its adaptability, as it can construct games for various platforms, including PCs, Macs, Linux, iOS, Android, WebGL, and cutting-edge augmented and virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift, Microsoft HoloLens, and Sony PlayStation VR. Furthermore, it is also compatible with top gaming consoles such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

When deciding which hybrid app framework to utilise, it’s crucial to consider the project’s characteristics, one’s proficiency level, and past work experience. Several exceptional choices are available, such as React Native, Flutter, PhoneGap/Cordova, Ionic, and Xamarin, that should meet the requirements of most developers.

Advantages of Hybrid Application Development.

Hybrid application development has numerous benefits. It offers greater flexibility and opportunities for project design and implementation by employing multiple technologies.

You have the freedom to explore various technologies and platforms to determine which ones are most suitable for your needs.

By employing a hybrid approach, your app can operate on numerous platforms, allowing more individuals to access it. This is critical if your audience includes users with older devices.

Hybrid applications typically provide a better user experience than traditional web apps because of their enhanced speed and responsiveness.

Nevertheless, here are seven additional advantages of hybrid app development tools:

1. Easy Creation

Developers can create hybrid applications without being experts in the platforms’ different programming languages, which makes them more accessible.

Hybrid app development languages are based on web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), but C# is also a feasible alternative.

2. Maintenance Availability

Programmers can easily transfer their code between different operating systems using hybrid apps. Applications can be quickly released with any necessary updates using a single backend. This saves time in the development process by eliminating the need for developers to create separate backends for each platform.

3. Execution

Hybrid apps are generally lighter than their native counterparts, as they use a single process and memory. Depending on the development approach taken, a hybrid app may have faster response times than one built using native technology.

4. Independence from Devices

These programs have been created with cross-platform operation in mind, which means they aren’t restricted by the same limitations as applications designed for a single platform. They are perfect for businesses looking to expand their customer base to include all possible customers.

5. Client Feedback

Sharing code and assets across platforms with hybrid apps can create a more consistent and dependable user experience. This may also benefit an app’s brand recognition, as users will receive the same interface and user experience no matter which platform they are utilizing.

6. Faster Time-to-Market

Developing hybrid apps can be done much faster than creating a similar native app. This is especially advantageous when creating an app that must be available on multiple platforms and where much of the code can be reused.

7. Economical

Creating a native app can be expensive, especially for an individual developer or a small team. However, the cost of developing a hybrid app is typically much lower. By using hybrid web technologies for developing hybrid applications, businesses can save a significant amount of money compared to traditional native app development.

Challenges in Developing Hybrid Apps

When developing hybrid apps, it’s essential to keep in mind both the benefits and potential drawbacks. There are several important points to consider.

Implementing new functionality can take time.

Hybrid app development frameworks offer various advantages, but they may not be able to incorporate newly introduced features of a particular platform as soon as they are released. It may take some time for the framework to be updated with the latest functionality.

Before choosing a framework, make sure that it supports any platform-specific cutting-edge technologies you’re interested in utilizing.

Less Efficiency and Larger Size Compared to Native Apps

Even though these frameworks can be extremely fast and may even outperform native apps, ultimately, they cannot match the efficiency of a native app.

Native apps have a clear performance advantage as they can directly access native code. On the other hand, hybrid frameworks are at a disadvantage as they rely on libraries and other code snippets to achieve the same result.

The addition of these libraries also increases the software’s installation size, which is a disadvantage.

Cost of Hybrid App Development

Determining a fixed cost for hybrid applications is not possible. However, the overall cost of developing a hybrid app will be less than that of building a native app. The time and financial resources needed to create an app can differ greatly depending on its scope and complexity.

Here are some estimates of the costs for various example hybrid mobile applications, varying in complexity:

  • Developers can create simple hybrid mobile apps more easily and release them to users faster. These apps typically cost around $10,000.
  • Apps with moderate levels of complexity usually cost between $10,000 and $50,000 and take a few months to build.
  • Enterprise hybrid mobile apps are intricate applications with numerous features that can take a considerable amount of time to develop. These apps typically take 3-6 months to launch and may cost between $50,000 and $150,000.
  • Developing games is one of the most expensive and time-consuming forms of app development. With hybrid app development services, costs can reach up to $250,000. Hourly rates for companies providing these services can start at about $50 per hour.

Top Examples of Hybrid Apps

While there are countless hybrid apps available, only a few of them stand out. Here are some notable examples:

  • Facebook:

    Among hybrid apps, Facebook is one of the most ubiquitous. As it is built using React Native, it is compatible with any mobile device.
  • Twitter:

    Twitter is a social networking web application that flawlessly integrates features from various platforms. It is compatible with a range of mobile operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and others.
  • Pinterest:

    With over 100 million users worldwide, Pinterest is a well-known app that uses a hybrid approach to improve performance on multiple devices while still maintaining a manageable codebase.
  • Airbnb:

    Airbnb is a widely used platform for booking accommodations, combining a hybrid of features. It is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, among other systems. Additionally, the company has partnered with Apple to develop an app specifically optimized for the Apple Watch.
  • UberEATS:

    Uber recently introduced its food delivery service, UberEATS, using a hybrid app. Customers can now order their favorite meals from nearby restaurants and have them delivered to their doorstep.
  • Spotify:

    This further highlights the benefits of hybrid app development in delivering a consistent user experience across multiple platforms. Since its establishment in 2008, the service has amassed a worldwide user base of over 100 million individuals.
  • Uber:

    This app offers a simple way for users to locate drivers who are willing to transport them in their personal vehicles. Users can benefit from the convenience of online booking, vehicle tracking, and payment.
  • You Can Do All of This in the Amazon Appstore.

    The app lets you browse Amazon’s catalogue, gather additional information about items, read customer reviews, and ultimately make a purchase.
  • WixApp:

    Without requiring any coding expertise, users can create their own responsive website in a matter of minutes with this free software.

The Process of Creating a Hybrid App

Hybrid app development merges web and native features to produce apps with a user experience similar to that of a native app. Frameworks like PhoneGap and Ionic are utilized to ensure seamless performance on mobile devices.

In this section, we’ll explore the various stages involved in developing a Hybrid app:

1. The Preliminary Stage Before Commencing Actual Development

It is crucial to evaluate whether developing a hybrid app is the best option for your project. Careful planning and research should go into selecting the necessary tools and frameworks for building the desired technological stack.

2. Development and Enhancement

For hybrid mobile app development, this is where the code should be inserted. Cross-platform technologies like PhoneGap and Ionic are necessary for finalizing the development of the UI, UX, underlying architecture, and any required functionality.

3. Evaluation

Before launching your hybrid app development project (usually a prototype) into production, it’s crucial to perform a comprehensive testing process to ensure that all aspects of the app are functioning correctly from both the front and back ends.

4. Implementation and Deployment

The hybrid mobile app is now prepared to be deployed to the appropriate platform(s) for consumer access. You can either host the app on your own web servers or submit it to the relevant Android or iOS app store.

5. Upkeep

Hybrid mobile app development is a continuous process. It may be necessary to update the app at some point to meet the changing needs of the organization, for example, by releasing a new version with improved features.

It’s crucial for hybrid app developers to continue working on and improving existing hybrid app projects even after release. To remain competitive, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in hybrid app development.

If you’re considering building a mobile app for your business, how can you determine whether a hybrid app is the most suitable choice?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this question. Look for an app development company that can meet your unique business requirements.

Here are some factors to consider that can help guide your decision:

Which Devices are Compatible with Your App?

It’s crucial to ensure that the app development company you select has the required experience and expertise to create cross-platform applications. Please ensure that the company you choose has a successful track record in developing hybrid apps that can work with the devices your target audience uses.

A List of the Features Your App Will Offer

The quality of hybrid applications can vary significantly. While some developers prefer to create complex programs, others may prefer simpler applications. It’s essential to be cautious when hiring inexperienced developers as they may not be able to deliver the required level of functionality for the app.

Expected Timeline for Progress

When do you intend to release your software to the public? Consider this before making any decisions.

Cost Involved

Developing a hybrid app can be expensive, but it’s more cost-effective than building a native app from scratch. Therefore, it’s advisable to seek out a company that provides an affordable solution that fits within your budget.

Quality of Customer Service

When choosing an app development company, it’s important to ensure that customer service is a top priority. It’s recommended to check the company’s track record of customer satisfaction to ensure they can meet your requirements.

Hire the Best Hybrid App Designers Today

Works can assist you in identifying and hiring the finest hybrid app developers for your company, regardless of where you are located, at a lower cost and in less time. Please contact us today for further information.

Join the Top 1% of Remote Developers and Designers

Works connects the top 1% of remote developers and designers with the leading brands and startups around the world. We focus on sophisticated, challenging tier-one projects which require highly skilled talent and problem solvers.
seasoned project manager reviewing remote software engineer's progress on software development project, hired from Works blog.join_marketplace.your_wayexperienced remote UI / UX designer working remotely at home while working on UI / UX & product design projects on Works blog.join_marketplace.freelance_jobs