Native vs Hybrid vs Cross-Platform Apps: What’s Ruling in 2025?

In 1993, IBM created the first mobile app with SIMON, a touchscreen smartphone with ten built-in apps. The applications included Email, Calendar, Address Book, notepad, and Calculator. Since then, and to this day in 2024, the mobile app market has advanced significantly and is increasingly becoming essential in our daily lives.  

Applications have become the primary way we interact with our devices, access information, and engage with services. But the first big dilemma for businesses and entrepreneurs diving into app creation is Native vs hybrid app development. While native apps are built specifically for one platform (iOS or Android) using that platform’s programming languages and tools. Contrastingly, hybrid applications combine elements of native and web applications with functions on multiple platforms.

The platform dichotomy is merely the tip of the iceberg; numerous intriguing aspects beckon exploration! We aim to provide details of native vs hybrid vs cross-platform app development, offering a comprehensive overview of their advantages and disadvantages in this blog.

Native App Development

Native applications are meticulously built for specific platforms with programming languages that are native to that platform e.g. Java or Kotlin for Android and Swift or Objective-C for iOS. They leverage the full potential of each platform’s hardware and software. Unlike web apps you access through a web browser, these applications are downloaded and installed directly onto your device. 

Native App Examples

Some of the famous native app examples include:

1. Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app, is developed as a native app for both iOS and Android. 
2. Google Maps is a navigation and mapping app that’s a native experience through platform-specific features.
3. The Facebook application is native to iOS and Android devices and it is tailored to each platform’s design principles and functionalities.

Advantages of Native Apps 

From optimizing the user experience to commendable hardware utilization, native apps have proven to be an appealing choice for businesses due to their following advantages:

Performance

Native applications perform well due to their optimized code for a particular platform. According to a study by Compuware, 85% of users prefer native apps for superior performance.

User Experience

Research by UserTesting suggests that 79% of users prefer apps that are easy to use. Platform-specific design guidelines can be leveraged to enable native applications to offer an intuitive and engaging user experience. 

Access to Device Features

Native development grants direct access to device features, such as GPS, camera, and push notifications, fostering richer functionalities within the app.

Advanced Security 

Native mobile applications get compiled into assembly language, which gives them an inherent advantage in securing codes.

Disadvantages of Native Apps 

With numerous advantages, one might wonder why native apps aren’t the perfect choice for all. The answer lies in the considerable limitations they pose. While native apps come with a collection of benefits, it’s also crucial to acknowledge and weigh their disadvantages.

Development Time and Cost

Creating separate codebases for different platforms elongates development time and increases costs significantly.

Maintenance

Maintaining multiple codebases for each platform demands dedicated resources and time, potentially leading to a synchronization issue.

Complex Updates

The inherent need to build distinct applications for various platforms, each requiring its own frameworks, tools, and technical elements. All of these substantially contribute to the complexity of updates.

Hybrid App Development

Hybrid applications combine web-based technologies with the look and capabilities of native apps. They leverage web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript encapsulated within a native shell, enabling deployment across various platforms. Hybrid applications are developed in two parts:

1. Backend code to connect web-based functionalities and native app capabilities, offering a unified experience.
2. Use a Native shell to get access to device hardware and features to run seamlessly without any glitches on multiple platforms. 

Hybrid App Examples 

Some of the famous hybrid app examples include:

1. Instagram has transformed some parts of its functionality according to the hybrid approach.
2. Uber has multiple elements of the driver interface built using web technologies within a native shell.
3. Twitter X’s mobile app employs a hybrid approach for parts of its user interface. 
4. Evernote, the note-taking app, is another example of a hybrid app.

Advantages of Hybrid App Development

Hybrid apps take less time to develop because they use a single codebase and have become a trend nowadays. The recent stats reveal that such apps shatter platform walls, doubling your potential user base with a 70% increase in reach compared to single-platform apps. However, developers and business owners alike get multiple more benefits from these applications listed below:

Scalable to Different Platforms

Hybrid mobile applications are convenient to customize for several operating systems by cutting down the effort of a developer to build the application again during the scaling process.

Cost and Time Efficiency

According to Clutch statistics for 2023, Hybrid applications reduce development time by 50% compared to building separate native versions that make them budget-friendly. 

Simplified Maintenance

Updates and modifications can be applied uniformly across platforms, streamlining the maintenance process.

Broader Reach

With a single codebase, hybrid apps ensure wider accessibility across multiple platforms, catering to a larger audience.

Constant Updates

Continuous updates are part of a proactive approach that ensures users benefit from the latest versions.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Apps 

We have always heard that everything comes with an expiry date. Similarly, despite all the remarkable advantages they provide, one must not disagree with the disadvantages of hybrid apps before making a final decision.

Performance Limitations

Hybrid apps may get performance bottlenecks due to the additional layer between the code and the device’s functionalities.

Limited Access to Device Features

Integration with device-specific features might be limited compared to native apps, affecting the overall user experience.

User Experience Differences

Achieving a consistent and seamless user experience across different platforms can be challenging in hybrid apps, as they may not fully adapt to the native design principles of each operating system.

Difficulty in Achieving a Native Look and Feel

While frameworks like React Native or Ionic aim to bridge the gap between web and native development, they often struggle to replicate the seamless integration with the underlying operating system that native apps effortlessly achieve. 

Low-Quality Graphics

Hybrid applications sometimes suffer from subpar graphics quality. Developing such apps necessitates more effort as compared to native.

Content Glitches 

Content loading in hybrid apps may have glitches, resulting in less functionality. However, there are some methods available to mitigate these issues.

Tiring Debugging Process

Coding for multiple platforms increases the likelihood of bugs and errors in hybrid app development. Debugging gets challenging as developers strive to identify and address specific issues.

Cross-Platform App Development 

Time and budget-conscious? Cross-platform apps get you there quickly, but performance and functionality might need compromise. Developers use this app development framework to achieve the native-like look for multiple platforms like iOS and Android with a single codebase. But the most amazing thing is that it is built on sharable codes that accelerate development. Java, Javascript and Ruby are the commonly used programming languages for Cross-platform app development. Similarly, Kotlin Multiplatform and Flutter are commonly used frameworks for such apps. 

Cross-Platform Apps Examples 

Some of the famous cross-platform apps include;

1. Microsoft Teams uses the Xamarin framework and is built using a single codebase to run seamlessly on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
2. Dropbox is based on React Native in its mobile application for smooth file access and sharing across various devices.
3. Slack utilizes JavaScript, HTML, and CSS frameworks to allow users to collaborate and communicate across various platforms. 

Advantages of Cross-Platform Apps  

Cross-platform apps offer the following advantages over traditional native app development. 

Code Reusability 

A shared code base reduces repetition, speeding up development compared to platform-specific apps. Avoiding native code for each OS and learning multiple tools streamline development. Bugs and enhancements can be addressed simultaneously across platforms, reducing effort and costs.

Budget-Friendliness

Cross-platform development offers significant cost savings by allowing simultaneous multi-platform apps creation with a unified team. This mitigates the need for specialized OS knowledge, streamlines development with tools, and facilitates market testing for strategic decision-making. 

Fast Development Cycle

By utilizing frameworks like Flutter and React Native, cross-platform app development minimizes the time required for product deployment and development lifecycle. It allows quicker responsiveness to customer feedback and market shifts, streamlining maintenance and support efforts across different operating systems.

Enhanced Brand Uniformity

Cross-platform development streamlines brand consistency across iOS and Android apps, minimizing maintenance efforts. While navigation may vary, overall interaction and brand image remain coherent, enhancing authenticity and reliability perception among customers.

Cross-Platform Apps Disadvantages 

Cross-platform apps may suffer from limitations in accessing platform-specific features, performance issues compared to native apps, and delays in incorporating new OS features, frustrating users. We have discussed some more disadvantages of cross-platform apps below that you must consider before choosing.

Compromised UI/UX Quality

Cross-platform app development employs a unified codebase for both platforms, potentially limiting access to device-specific features. While this may impact user experience, depending on your app’s requirements, separate native apps could be beneficial for accessing all necessary features.

Integration Issues

Building a cross-platform app has perks, but integrating it with platform-specific features like local settings, notifications, and preferences can get challenging. This “one-code-for-all” approach often requires compromises. While third-party cloud services seem like a fix, they raise security concerns. 

Update Lag

When an operating system introduces new features, they may not be promptly accessible on any cross-platform framework. You’ll need to wait for the framework to be updated before you utilize these features. This delay can disappoint users accustomed to immediate access to new updates and features.

Missing Features

Cross-platform app development is convenient, but sacrificing unique features can be a trade-off. However, some frameworks might not serve the purpose if your app requires advanced hardware features like camera control, precise GPS, or complex notifications. While rare, this lack of full hardware support is a potential downside to focus on before choosing a cross-platform approach.

Performance Impact

Building for multiple platforms presents several challenges. Issues vary by OS and device, and leveraging cutting-edge features is tricky due to compatibility concerns. Unsolvable glitches impacting small user segments can arise (e.g., partially hidden buttons). Effective cross-platform development requires a dedicated and skilled QA team for problem detection.

Are Hybrid Apps Useful for All Businesses?

Choosing hybrid mobile development depends on each company’s different business requirements. Nevertheless, such applications are highly in demand in small and medium-sized businesses that don’t require high app performance.

Opting for a hybrid application proves advantageous for startups. It offers swift development, streamlined server communication, and enhanced compatibility and is particularly well-suited for content-centric and local-focused products and services.

For the development tasks of large enterprises, choosing a hybrid solution can be a strategic move when initiating an MVP. For instance, when launching a new product or service with uncertain market demand, a hybrid approach facilitates rapid MVP development, allowing companies to test hypotheses efficiently.

Do All Businesses Find Value in Using Native Apps?

The suitability of native apps for businesses depends on various factors. Unlike Hybrid apps, native applications are more suitable for companies working on high-performance, complex projects. Seamless integration with device features and native UI makes them an ideal option for projects requiring highly customized and platform-specific user experience. 

Small businesses looking for a quick market impact might not get many benefits from native apps nevertheless they excel at meeting the complex requirements of large enterprises. Besides, such developments are done for projects that demand integration with various backend systems and third-party services. 

What is the main problem of cross-platform apps?

A common issue in cross-platform development revolves around achieving consistent performance across diverse platforms. Native applications perform better than cross-platform ones, particularly in tasks demanding substantial resources. Developers must delicately manage the trade-off between maximizing code reuse and optimizing performance.

Flutter vs Flutter Alternatives in Cross-Platform App Development

According to Google, Flutter is used by almost 2 million developers since the launch of its first version back in 2018 till date. Flutter is a widely used option for cross-platform projects in comparison to other alternatives due to the following reasons;

• Flutter compiles native ARM code, eliminating performance overhead from a JavaScript bridge like React Native.
• It ensures a consistent UI with customizable widgets, offering pixel-perfect designs across platforms.
• The extensive UI components, animations, and flexibility provided by Flutter help developers create visually stunning apps. 
• The Flutter SDK supports iOS, Android, web, and desktop, enabling cross-platform development with a single codebase.
• The vast Flutter community enables developers to get diverse plugins, packages, and libraries for extended functionality. 
• Dart in Flutter has modern tools and docs to streamline development with robust typing and hot reload.

Native vs Hybrid Apps vs Cross-Platform Apps vs Progressive Web Apps 

The choice between web apps and native apps depends on factors such as project requirements, target audience, and development goals. Each category of apps has its unique advantages and limitations that we have discussed below:

Native vs Hybrid App Development: 10 Key Questions to Ask!

You can never come out of the native vs hybrid app development without ticking a few boxes to determine the need. Here are the top 10 questions you must ask yourself before making a pick!

1. What are the particular requirements of your app?
2. What functionalities do you want to incorporate into your app?
3. How important is it to deliver a good user experience?
4. Which operating systems (iOS, Windows, Android) do you want to run your application?
5. What is your expertise level in native and hybrid development?
6. Does your app require integration with third-party services or APIs?
7. How critical is data protection for your app?
8. Does user acquisition strategy align with the app’s platform compatibility?
9. Do you need a uniform look and feel across all platforms?
10. Are you planning to migrate your app to other platforms in the future?

Different Ways of Testing Hybrid, Cross-Platform Apps & Native Applications

Testing Hybrid Applications

Businesses need scalability and robustness, and bug-free hybrid applications can guarantee high performance and a better user experience. Considering this, development companies pay extra attention to their testing process to catch every bug to prevent disruptions. These are some testing procedures for hybrid app developers to deliver quality. 

Compatibility Testing

Check if all functions of your application are properly working across different devices, operating systems, and browsers. 

Performance Testing

Evaluate your app’s responsiveness, speed, and overall performance under various conditions to ensure all features work as intended. 

Usability Testing

Assessing user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) is imperative before deploying to check if it aligns with the project requirements.

Security Testing

Identify and address vulnerabilities in the hybrid app to ensure data security.

Cross-Platform Testing

Verify the app’s consistency and functionality across multiple platforms using hybrid frameworks.

Automation Testing

Implement automated testing tools to streamline repetitive testing tasks and ensure quicker feedback.

API Testing

Validate the communication between the app and external services or APIs.

Testing Native Applications

Unit Testing

Test individual components or units of code in isolation to ensure they function as intended.

Integration Testing

Validate the interactions and interfaces between different components or modules of the app.

Functional Testing

Confirm that the app’s functions and features work according to the specifications.

Regression Testing

Ensure that recent changes are not having adverse effects on the existing functionalities.

Performance Testing

The app’s speed, responsiveness, and resource usage are tested under multiple circumstances to evaluate functionality.

User Interface (UI) Testing

Verifying visual aspects is mandatory via a user interface testing phase to provide a seamless and appealing user experience.

Security Testing

Identify and address potential security vulnerabilities to safeguard user data.

Usability Testing

Assess the overall user experience, including navigation and user interface design.

Localization Testing

Verify the app’s functionality and appearance when adapted to different languages and regions.

Device-Specific Testing

Test the app on different devices and screen sizes to ensure compatibility.

Testing Cross-Platform Apps 

Manual Testing

Manual testing is required to ensure a cross-platform app’s performance and functionality across multiple devices and platforms. It helps detect any problems or discrepancies in functionality, user interface, or user experience.

Automated Testing

This approach aids in promptly detecting bugs and maintaining uniform functionality. Automated testing tools help mimic user interactions on various platforms. 

Device Emulators/Simulators

Developers can test cross-platform apps effectively using emulators and simulators to replicate physical devices in a controlled environment, ensuring accurate performance assessment.

Cloud-Based Testing Services

Using cloud-based testing platforms tests the app across diverse genuine devices and operating systems, providing insights into compatibility and performance issues.

Beta Testing

Engaging beta testers from diverse platforms and demographics helps assess real-world performance, gather valuable feedback, and identify platform-specific issues or usability concerns.

Compatibility Testing

Ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms requires compatibility with various browsers, operating systems, screen sizes, and resolutions.

Performance Testing

This process involves assessing performance metrics such as load times, responsiveness, and resource usage across different platforms to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Security Testing

Conduct security evaluations to detect vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security standards across all platforms, safeguarding user data and privacy.

Is it expensive to develop native applications compared to hybrid apps?

Regarding expenses, native apps cost more because they need separate codebases for each platform, while hybrid applications reduce development costs by allowing code sharing. 

Is Flutter native or hybrid?

Flutter is a cross-platform platform that is neither Native nor Hybrid. Its code is written in the Dart programming language and gets converted to the native ARM code. This process ensures native-like performance and appearance on both iOS and Android platforms. However, it does not rely on a web view to render UI like most conventional hybrid platforms. 

Why are hybrid apps slower than native apps?

Hybrid applications need additional resources, like internet connectivity for specific features, plugins, web resources, etc. to run smoothly. In contrast, native apps can operate offline, mitigating the influence of network latency.

Native vs Hybrid vs Cross-Platform Apps: It’s Time to Make A Pick!

In between the native apps vs hybrid vs cross-platform apps development debate, the most important thing to keep in mind is your project requirements.

• Developers working on native apps must redesign all functionalities using the platform’s specific development language. Whereas, with a hybrid app, developers can develop the app’s functionality using a unified codebase.
• Native apps offer better performance due to direct access to device-specific functionalities. Contrastingly, Hybrid apps suffer performance bottlenecks due to additional connections between code and device functionalities.
• Cross-platform applications balance the development efficiency and app performance, suitable for a wide range of applications.
• Adherence to the design guidelines is a crucial factor to focus on when differentiating between native vs hybrid vs cross-platform apps. The one mentioned formerly provided an intuitive interface while the other replicates the native structure and provides a consistent experience.
• Native apps can directly access a device’s hardware and functionalities for enhanced user engagement. On the other hand, hybrid applications have access to limited functionalities that impact the user experience. But cross-platform apps 
• Native apps require separate updates for each platform, but Hybrid apps having a single codebase allow for uniform updates across multiple platforms. 
• Cross-platform apps may require platform-specific tweaks for optimal performance or to access platform-specific features.

Additional Factors

Consider the following factors when deciding on picking the best from native vs hybrid vs cross-platform apps;

• Project requirements (performance, user experience, feature set)
• Budget constraints
• Time to market
• Development team expertise
• Long-term maintenance and scalability needs

Native, Hybrid, or Cross-platform? Get a Custom Mobile App Crafted by BrainX!

BrainX Technologies elevates businesses by providing cutting-edge mobile app development services, offering custom-made apps for start-ups, mid-scale, and large enterprises. At BrainX, we focus on your business objectives to provide innovation-driven solutions tailored to your requirements. Our tech consultants and project managers always work round the clock to guarantee high-quality results for optimizing your business.

The decision to choose either a hybrid, native, or cross-platform application depends on the goals and priorities of your project. However, if you are spending too much time struggling with your decision on mobile app development, reach out to the adept consultation team at BrainX to get over the challenges and make a well-informed decision