App development

Demand from target groups has long since clearly confirmed it: An app – whether engineered in iOS, Android, as a web app, native or hybrid – enriches existing services, simplifies outdated processes and also increases customer satisfaction.

But beware: organizations quickly rush into app engineering and make little headway due to many technical issues, high budgets, and lack of clarity about goals and target audiences.

Many smartphones, many platforms and three options for app development: cross-platform compatible as a web-based app, with the supreme discipline of native apps or with the hybrid app as a mixed solution. Depending on the requirements, these three types of app development are sometimes more, sometimes less suitable. We will give a brief overview to help you decide.

The basic question for app development is, of course, the requirements and the desired platforms. Combined with the available budget, this simple calculation results in the final engineering strategy.

But which development approaches are available for app development and what are the advantages/disadvantages of these approaches? First, there are the web-based apps, which, as the name suggests, are built on pure web technologies (HTML 5, CSS 3, Javascript). The supreme discipline is probably the development of native apps in the respective platform technology (e.g. Swift, Kotlin) and hybrid apps come into play as a hybrid of both worlds.

The major advantage of web-based app development is the relatively simple implementation of cross-platform support. However, anyone who is already familiar with the browser problems on desktop systems will have an idea of the stumbling blocks that can await them on the countless mobile systems. Extensive tests must be scheduled here. Many providers offer emulators or other test options for this – from simulated environments to remote access to real devices connected in a testing farm.

Web-based apps are certainly often used for mobile websites. In addition, the new functions of HTML5 & Co. also allow many other requirements to be mapped:

• Offline functionality
• Automatic updates
• Local storage of data
• Access to geo-based functions
• Touch gesture support
• Mimic typical app interfaces using CSS3
• Execution in a separate browser directly from the home screen (PWA)

Beyond that, however, the possibilities are currently still very limited, especially with regard to device access (sensors, camera,…). In addition, the performance and GUI naturally cannot keep up with real apps. Many consider the lack of distribution options for web-based apps via the app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play Store, etc.) to be a major disadvantage.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

PWAs are web applications that use modern web technologies to provide an app-like experience on different platforms and devices. They combine the performance of web applications with the functions of traditional native apps.

They are particularly reliable even with a poor network connection and load quickly and smoothly. They also adapt to different screen sizes so that they work equally well on desktops, tablets and mobile devices. It is also worth mentioning that PWAs can send notifications and access device functions such as cameras, location and microphone.

Another key advantage is that users can install PWAs on their home screen without having to visit the app store. This enables quick access. PWAs also update themselves automatically.

These features make PWAs a flexible solution for developers who want to reach a wide range of devices and platforms without having to develop separate applications for each platform.

Many companies are faced with the task of selecting the optimal tech stack for their mobile applications. With a multitude of technologies and frameworks such as Kotlin, Flutter, SwiftUI, Xamarin, .NET MAUI, Cordova, React Native, and more, the decision can quickly become overwhelming.

A promising mobile product starts with a solid foundation: the tech stack. The choice between native, cross-platform, or hybrid development depends on the requirements of the app. When selecting frameworks and tools, aspects such as data processing, usability, maintainability, and extensibility should be carefully considered. The tech stack should form the basis for seamless development and fit the specific problem and planned application scenario of the app. Well-thought-out decisions when putting together the stack can increase efficiency and reduce costs.

At BAYOOTEC, we help you figure out which combination of technologies and tools best suits your project to create powerful software that inspires users.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Before exploring other development approaches, it’s worth taking a look at the high-end option: native apps. These are built using the designated technologies for each platform – for example, Swift or SwiftUI for iOS and Kotlin for Android. Native tools enable direct access to device features and deliver very high performance. However, implementation is complex, especially when an app needs to be deployed for multiple platforms. Different technologies mean that code reuse is limited, resulting in separate development and maintenance efforts per platform.

Especially in UI design, data persistence, and network communication, developers typically use custom implementations or specialized libraries. At the same time, the established design patterns of each platform – such as Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines or Material Design on Android – are deeply rooted in user expectations and should be consistently considered in interface design.

In return for higher complexity, developers gain full access to device capabilities and platform features, allowing for fine control over GUI, performance, and integrations. Because of the tight integration with the operating system, it’s possible to implement solutions that seamlessly fit into the respective ecosystem. By following each platform’s native best practices, the result is a familiar user experience, including platform-specific navigation and menu concepts on Android and iOS.

Although native development requires specialized expertise and separate codebases, it offers first-class performance, high integration potential, and an excellent user experience. If the platform providers’ guidelines are followed, nothing typically stands in the way of publishing the app in the official markets and app stores. Therefore, the decision for native development strongly depends on the app’s requirements and the underlying problem it aims to solve.

Cross-platform development makes it possible to serve multiple platforms with a shared codebase. Using frameworks such as Flutter or .NET MAUI, time and resources can be saved, as a large portion of the code is reused. This ensures a largely consistent user experience across different devices.

In many projects, we rely on Flutter or .NET MAUI for app development. These approaches offer access to a wide range of device features and allow for interfaces that closely resemble native apps. However, with very complex requirements or deep integration of device-specific functionality (e.g., camera, sensors), there can be limitations, requiring some components to be implemented per platform. There may also be delays when new platform features are introduced and these are only later integrated into the available development tools.

A major advantage of cross-platform development lies in maintenance and further development: many updates need to be made only once. If an app is planned with reduced development effort, faster time-to-market, and a consistent UI across multiple platforms, a cross-platform approach can be the right choice.

Choosing the right tech stack is a key success factor for any mobile project. Different technologies and tools offer distinct strengths and areas of focus that can be leveraged depending on the application scenario. When making this choice, the main considerations are the app’s requirements, target audience, and long-term project goals.

At the beginning of app development, the focus is on the functional requirements and the target platforms. Combined with the available budget and the desired time-to-market, these factors define the most suitable development strategy.

Whether native development, cross-platform solutions, or hybrid approaches — each path has its advantages and disadvantages. Hybrid approaches combine native and web-based components, which is why many cross-platform solutions in practice appear as hybrid models. Finding the optimal tech stack requires a careful analysis of requirements and a solid understanding of each option’s strengths and weaknesses.

Frameworks such as Kotlin, Flutter, SwiftUI, and React Native play an important role in building stable and high-performance applications. Those who invest time in evaluating these options ensure that the chosen tech stack truly fits the app’s needs.