With the use of web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, hybrid mobile apps offer a flexible approach to creating cross-platform applications that retain native device functionality. Hybrid applications are considered the best option for companies of any kind, size, or nature. Each of these applications offers advantages, whether it’s through raising brand recognition, product sales, generating income, or other associated things.
What is Hybrid Mobile App Development?
Just like any other app, hybrid mobile apps are installed on a device. They are made for a specific platform, like iOS or Android, and contain parts of web apps combined with native app components. These hybrid applications function similarly to browser-based web pages and operate like apps. A hybrid app utilizes a single code base for all OS, unlike native app development, which requires developers to use a platform-specific programming syntax to construct apps for various OS. Many factors, including cross-platform functionality and quick development, drive up hybrid app demand.
Why Build a Hybrid App?
A hybrid mobile app can be the best option for your development needs—especially if cost and speed are crucial considerations. The ability to bring a cross-platform framework faster to market than two native apps is a significant advantage.
Advantages of Hybrid Mobile App:
Ease of Development:
Since developers only need to write code for a single app, creating hybrid apps is simpler than creating native ones. Every operating system does not require them to master a different programming language. The key web technologies used in the development of hybrid mobile applications include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Simple Scaling:
In the process of developing mobile applications, scalability is essential. More flexibility, dependability, security, and the capacity to add new features and capabilities are all provided by scalable apps. Because developers of hybrid mobile apps don’t have to make significant adjustments to scale the app across platforms, scaling is made easy.
Compatibility Across Platforms:
Cross-platform interoperability is one of the main advantages of creating a hybrid application. Coders only need to write code once, and it will execute on various platforms. Hybrid apps aren’t platform-specific like native apps are. For companies who don’t want to invest time or resources in developing different apps for every platform, this makes them perfect.
Less expensive:
A shorter development period results in lower hourly rates. Hybrid apps will continue to be less expensive than native apps as long as they need fewer hours to construct, as they already do.
User encounter:
You can apply the same design principles to different operating platforms with hybrid mobile app development. It guarantees that consumers will have the same experience on all platforms, enhancing the brand’s perception.
Basic maintenance:
Because developers of hybrid apps don’t have to manage several code bases and platforms, maintaining the application code is made easier. They can update the apps instantly across all platforms using a single back-end.
A Comparison of Native App vs Hybrid App
A native app is any software that can be downloaded and set up on a mobile device. Native apps typically require a variety of tasks to operate, and they run autonomously on your device. Even when products or services are offered online as web applications, proper mobile apps differ from the website.
Native apps are designed to run on a particular platform (e.g., Android, iOS from Apple). The programming languages developers use to write code must be consistent with the platform’s software. The developers can more easily guarantee improved speed and security with these apps since they have access to all native device functions. However, one of the biggest disadvantages of native apps is that they are expensive to develop and maintain.
However, with hybrid app development, you can write the code only once and have it run on several different platforms, including Windows, iOS, and Android. You have more options by selecting from various programming languages and frameworks. One example of a hybrid app created with a single codebase is Uber. Therefore, customers will download the identical Uber app from their various app stores regardless of the operating system on their phones. The design and functionality will be identical on all platforms.
Best Hybrid App Examples for 2024
We recommend looking through the top hybrid app examples below before contacting an on-demand app development business.
1. Uber
Uber Technologies Inc. is, without a doubt, the best example of a hybrid app. It operates online and connects with consumers through an application. The company’s extensive network and technologies provide food, shopping, mobility, and other delivery services. Uber’s app is among the best illustrations of a hybrid app because:
- User Interface: Uber creates a unified customer experience across platforms by utilizing HTML for the app’s structure, CSS for layout design, and JavaScript for interactivity.
- Native Container: Uber’s code is contained within a native container because most of its code is web-based. This ensures that Uber’s code is suitable for mobile platforms and runs on them.
Do you want to build an Uber-like app? To get started, contact a competent development company right now!
2. Airbnb
Airbnb, a leading example of a hybrid app, provides users with an online marketplace for hotels, homestays, and other properties. Customers have the option to reserve either a short- or long-term stay. Users of the app can currently reserve vacation experiences at the destinations of their choice. But given that Airbnb is one of the best instances of a hybrid app, what can we learn from it?
Let’s examine a few tips below:
- User Interface: To improve interaction and enable users to utilize the program on devices with varying screen dimensions and resolutions, Airbnb also uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Platform-Specific Connections: Web technologies are unsuitable for developing the camera and location access needed by Airbnb’s mobile application. For greater functionality, this is the reason why developers employ JavaScript interfaces to access platform-specific APIs.
- App Distribution: Airbnb may be found on the Google Play and Apple App Store, much like other native and hybrid apps. The application is simple to install and operate on the user’s selected device.
3. Netflix
Netflix is a cutting-edge, over-the-top subscription streaming service and one of the best instances of an application on the market. Even though it does not offer hybrid app design and development, Netflix has advantages over other app development services. But you should also keep in mind that Netflix provides a Progressive Web App (PWA) comparable to the other instances of hybrid apps’ development methodology.
4. Spotify
Over 517.69 million people use Spotify as of 2023, of which 229 million are premium users. As such, it’s safe to say it’s among the best hybrid app examples and music streaming services. In the following ways, the app demonstrates hybrid app development:
- Integrated User Interface: Spotify’s user interface is designed to work seamlessly on iOS and Android devices thanks to native technology integration. For this reason, Spotify provides optimum performance and seamless integration with other gadget features precisely.
- WebView Integration: To enable the smooth view and integration of web-based functions, the app combines WebView components with native app features. Users can, therefore, regularly peruse and engage with the many functionalities.
5. Instagram
Instagram is one of the greatest examples of a hybrid app in the market, with over 2 billion users. which Meta owns, lets users upload photos and share them with their social media networks. The platform has fundamentally transformed social media and altered how we live our lives.
Common characteristics include:
- User Interface: Web technologies are used for some of Instagram’s features and interfaces, even though the app was developed using native Android and iOS technology.
- Web View: This feature provides a smooth user experience by rendering web-based code within a native application.
- Additional Hybrid Features: Instagram implements a few other hybrid features to carry out specific operations and interfaces. Users access the app’s content recommendation and user algorithms through its web-based elements, which are executed on the server side.
6. Gmail
Despite being a free service provided by Google, Gmail is among the best hybrid apps on the market. Among its attributes are:
- Enables emails to be more effectively arranged into the relevant categories.
- Protects hostile senders and spam mail.
- Obtainable by users on many devices.
7. Twitter
Twitter is another well-known social networking site and one of the best instances of a hybrid app. Common characteristics of the application include:
- Enables people to upload content and spread it to their audience.
- For improved usability, users can make use of third-party programs.
- Combines polls, comments, and various other features with photo-sharing functions.
- Email categories and filters that work automatically.
- Smart Email Draft and Smart Email Reply.
- Email alerts with high importance and prodding.
- Navigate to and manage your Gmail travels.
- Calendar events are created using event details.
- Composing and analyzing search recommendations
8. Evernote
Evernote, one of the most well-known productivity apps, is also an excellent instance of a hybrid app. Its best features are the application’s robust performance and elegant design, which contribute to a flawless user experience. Among Evernote’s features are:
- Synchronizes user notes between numerous devices.
- Enables users to assist people they know and share notes.
- Provides a scanning function that requires camera permissions.
9. Whatsapp
WhatsApp is one of the best instances of a hybrid app and one of the best cross-platform messaging apps. In addition to offering excellent VoIP services, WhatsApp facilitates accessible communication among users.
10. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft software is widely used by both individuals and businesses. Teams are used on all platforms—Windows, Apple, Android—as well as on phones and the web, where remote work is becoming more and more common. Microsoft decided to use React Native to handle all of these clients when creating their hybrid application. As a result, participants can access a work meeting using any device and enjoy the same features.
Why is Instagram a Hybrid App?
Since Instagram incorporates features from both online and native apps, it is regarded as a hybrid app. While Instagram uses web technologies through a WebView for some functionality, the platform mostly uses native code for its essential functions. Instagram wants users to have a uniform experience on many platforms, including iOS and Android. Instagram integrates web material into the program, including user profiles and external connections.
Is Netflix a Hybrid App?
For its mobile apps, Netflix largely employs a native app strategy. To provide the best possible speed and user experience, Netflix creates distinct native apps for each platform—iOS and Android, for example—based on the requirements and capabilities of each.
It is noteworthy that technological decisions and app architectures are subject to change over time, and Netflix, like other tech companies, may opt for distinct approaches in response to the evolving terrain of mobile app development.
Summing Up
The cost and time involved in creating mobile applications for every platform are high. Benefits like cost-effectiveness, quicker time to market, and cross-platform compatibility are driving the popularity of hybrid apps. Making the appropriate decision when developing your mobile application is essential, though. Making the right choice is aided by considering variables such as target audience, time, and development costs.
As a one-stop shop offering services for developing mobile apps, iSyncEvolution has you covered. Our company offers top-notch services for developing mobile apps for Android, iOS, Hybrid, and Flutter platforms. We create powerful hybrid mobile apps utilizing the newest cross-platform tools and technology, making us one of the top cross-platform hybrid mobile app development services. Cross-platform mobile technology is now on pace with native applications thanks to new tools and enhanced app performance.