Choosing the Right Development Path for Your Business
We often talk to businesses about the advantages of bespoke software – a custom-made tool that perfectly fits your unique requirements. As we discussed in a recent blog post, this approach is particularly valuable for back-of-house operations because you make the technology fit your business, not the other way around.
Once your team commits to custom app development, you face the next big decision: What kind of application should we build?
On the table are essentially three main application types, each with its own trade-offs in terms of cost, performance, and accessibility. In this post, we’ll outline and provide examples for the contenders – Web Application, PWA or Native App (the term ‘native app’ refers to a mobile application developed specifically for a particular platform, e.g. iOS or Android, using platform-specific programming languages). Then we’ll share our recommended strategy for getting started.
Contents
Web Applications
The Universal Baseline
A web app is the foundational digital application. It runs entirely within a standard web browser like Chrome, Edge or Safari. It is a single, responsive codebase (typically HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) accessible via a simple URL.
The Pros
Low Barrier to Entry: No downloads or app store approvals are needed.
Single Codebase: Only one version needs to be built and maintained, making it the most cost-effective and fastest option to launch.
The Cons
Limited Capabilities: It requires a constant internet connection and cannot access most of a device’s advanced hardware (like the camera or GPS) or send push notifications.
Inconsistent Experience: Web applications may display inconsistently or have varying functionality across different browsers, which can affect how features and interface elements appear to users.
Web apps are ideal for internal dashboards, simple data entry tools, or any application used exclusively within a controlled environment with reliable internet access.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Blending Web and Mobile
A PWA is an enhanced web application that uses modern web technologies to mimic the behaviour and feel of a native mobile app. It is a browser-based app that utilises technologies like Service Workers to add capabilities typically reserved for native applications. A service worker enables offline access, caching, and background functionality. Users can access it via a browser but are often prompted to “add to device’s home screen” for quick access.
The Pros
Offline Access: It can cache data, allowing users to access key content and functions even without an internet connection.
Minimal Storage: “Installing” a PWA requires only a few megabytes (MBs) as it’s essentially just a sophisticated shortcut that leverages the browser. This takes up far less space than a full native app, which is a key advantage for users dealing with limited phone storage.
High Reach: It works across all devices and browsers, avoiding the app store process and associated costs. PWAs are supported by modern browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. Desktop users can also install and benefit from PWAs, enjoying similar functionality and engagement as mobile users.
Engagement: A PWA is capable of sending push notifications to re-engage users.
The Cons
Feature Limitations: It has limited access to some of a device’s deeper hardware features (e.g., Bluetooth, advanced biometrics) compared to a Native App.
Installation: The process for adding it to the home screen can be less familiar to users than downloading from an app store.
A PWA is an excellent choice for public-facing services like e-commerce or media sites where no download is required and a broad market reach is high priority. It is also well-suited for a Content Management System (CMS), allowing content contributors or management to quickly access and edit data on the go with robust speed and offline stability.
Native Apps
The Full Power Solution
A native app is built specifically for a single operating system (iOS or Android), delivering the highest level of performance and device integration. It is an application built using a native development method, where app developers write platform-specific code (e.g., Swift for iOS applications, Kotlin for Android apps) and distribute it through the Apple App Store or Google Play. This approach requires developers to use the appropriate programming languages and optimise for each platform.
The Pros
Optimal Performance: It runs with the highest speed and delivers the most polished user experience tailored to the specific operating system.
Full Device Access: It has unrestricted access to virtually every device feature, e.g. GPS, camera, accelerometer, biometrics, and more.
Trusted Distribution: App stores provide a familiar and trusted method for installation.
The Cons
Highest Cost: Developing and maintaining separate codebases for iOS and Android requires a significant investment of time and money.
Slower to Market: The necessary app store approval processes add time to the launch cycle.
Risk of Deletion: Because native apps have a larger file size, they take up significant storage space on a user’s device. If a user runs low on storage, they are likely to delete the app, leading to a loss of that user.
We recommend this for apps where deep hardware integration, offline functionality or maximum processing speed is essential to the core function, e.g. mobile games, secure banking apps, or applications using augmented reality. Native apps are also ideal for projects that require frequent updates with new features and ongoing improvements.
Hybrid Apps
A Win-Win Solution?
While many focus on the three types we’ve mentioned, hybrid apps effectively bridge the gap between web apps and full native apps by wrapping web code in a native shell. This gives your business the flexibility and efficiency needed to reach users across multiple platforms.
Hybrid apps are built using familiar web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This single web codebase is then wrapped in a native shell (or container) to compile the app and get it distributed through Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This means your users can find and install your app just like any other mobile application, while we benefit from maintaining the core application logic in one codebase. However, it’s important to note that the native wrappers, settings, and platform-specific plugins still require separate configuration and maintenance for both iOS and Android.
A hybrid app combines the core functionality of a web app with the polished look and feel of a native application. Using frameworks like React Native or Angular Mobile, we can create your user interface and app logic with the web technologies we know best, then we package everything for distribution across multiple platforms. This method of custom app develoment means that the application can access essential device features such as cameras, GPS, and push notifications (capabilities that standard web apps often can’t provide), ensuring your final product truly meets your business needs and your users’ expectations.
Our Stance: PoC First, MVP Second
Committing to a native app too early represents a high financial and time risk. If the core value of your idea hasn’t been technically proven or validated by the market, you risk wasting a substantial investment.
Our strategy is to minimise risk and maximise learning by not committing to a final app type until the idea is proven.
Start with a Proof of Concept
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a highly focused, short-term project to test the technical feasibility of your idea. The goal is simple: confirm whether the core technology can work. We often use the simplest web app structure for this initial test.
Minimum Viable Product Development
Once the PoC is successful, we build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). An MVP includes just enough features to solve a key problem for early users. We typically build this MVP as a Progressive Web App, which combines aspects of both native and web apps. A PWA delivers fast market feedback for a reduced development cost compared to native. Essentially it allows us to validate the business model and user demand before incurring the expense of multiple native codebases.
Develop A Native App (only when required)
We only proceed with the higher investment of a native app when the MVP has validated market demand and the next stage of the product road map absolutely demands the deeper hardware access that only a native app can provide.
QUICK TIP
Using Off-the-Shelf Tools for PoC
We don’t always need to code to test feasibility. We regularly save clients time and money by simulating complex workflows within an existing off-the-shelf tool (like a project management platform or similar software).
This allows us to quickly test a proposed process, see what works, and precisely define which parts absolutely require a custom-built solution before any major development begins.
In Conclusion…
The most responsible way to develop bespoke software is to spend money on a validated product. Begin with the simplest solution to test, and reserve the most complex type for when success is already clear.
We’re Here to Help
We know that moving from a great idea to a successful custom app can feel complicated, but that’s exactly why we’re here. As growing business owners, you need an app development partner focused on cost-effectiveness and risk mitigation. So if you still aren’t sure whether your end goal is web app, PWA or native app, we can talk you through all your options based on your unique requirements and introduce our Proof of Concept and Minimal Viable Product development strategy.
Plus, we don’t just write the code; we offer creative input and design partnership to ensure your bespoke application is intuitive and genuinely a good experience for your users. Our process starts with a free, requirements call to understand your vision and any existing systems you are looking to integrate with. We often then progress to a paid scoping period to nail down any integration points and create a full interactive Figma mockup. This ensures you see the final look and feel before we ever write the first line of code, giving you full confidence as we move into agile development. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to start building a scalable, successful app with full project support? Let’s discuss planning your PoC today.
Is a Progressive Web App really as fast as a Native App?
While Native Apps technically offer the absolute maximum speed because they are compiled directly for a specific device’s operating system, the difference for most business applications is now minimal.
A well-optimised PWA is significantly faster than a traditional website and is built for speed and responsiveness. For apps that rely on heavy graphics, real-time gaming, or complex video processing, Native is still best.
But for standard business workflows, data entry, and user-facing content, a PWA provides an excellent, fast experience without the dual-platform development cost. We assess the performance needs of your specific use case during the scoping phase.
If we build a PWA, can we still monetise it like a regular app?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, PWAs offer greater flexibility for monetisation because they are not restricted by the strict payment systems of the Apple App Store or Google Play.
With a PWA, we can implement:
Subscriptions and Premium Tiers: You can use standard, secure payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal) to process payments, allowing you to bypass the 15-30% fees typically charged by app stores.
Advertising: PWAs can utilise any standard web-based ad network (like Google AdSense or others) just like a website.
For small businesses, this control over payment and revenue can be a significant financial advantage when first launching an MVP.
How long does the Proof of Concept stage usually take?
The duration of a Proof of Concept solution is entirely dependent on the complexity of the “hardest” technical challenge we need to solve.
However, because the PoC is designed to be succinct, focused, and minimal, it is significantly shorter than developing an entire application. We aim for PoC projects to take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
The goal is to get a definitive technical answer quickly. If the PoC is successful, we gain the confidence and documentation needed to make the MVP and full development stages much more efficient. If the PoC fails, we save you months of wasted budget and pivot immediately.
Steph is a Co-Founder and Director of Appetising Development Ltd, a web and app development firm specialising in customised technical solutions and all-around project support. With a keen focus on efficient operations, Steph keeps a problem-solving hat firmly on, supporting clients with their technical and administrative needs. She thrives on variety, whether implementing SEO strategy, optimising processes through virtual assistant support, or training teams on new productivity tools. The core of her work is delivering comprehensive support, always focusing on understanding client's needs, and making every aspect of their digital presence work better.
