Mobile app or web app? Which one your project needs
The differences between a mobile app and a web app, when each makes sense and what to ask yourself before choosing.
The difference in a nutshell
A mobile app is downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and installed on the phone. A web app runs in the browser on any device, with nothing to install.
When a mobile app makes sense
- Your users will open it often, daily or several times a week.
- You need notifications, camera, location or offline use.
- You want a presence in the app stores.
When a web app makes sense
- Your users mostly work on a computer, like an internal team.
- You want to reach more people without asking them to download anything.
- You need to ship changes instantly, without waiting for store review.
- You want a lower upfront investment to validate the idea.
Middle-ground options
A progressive web app (PWA) can be installed on the phone and partly works offline. Another common path is to start with a web app and, once usage justifies it, add a mobile app connected to the same system.