What is a Native App?

If you’ve ever downloaded an app directly from the App Store or Google Play, there’s a good chance it was a native app. They’re built specifically for one platform – iOS or Android – and tend to feel fast, seamless, and responsive. But are they always the best choice for your business? Not necessarily.

At WASH & CUT HAIR SALOON LIMITED, we like to be as clear and transparent as possible, right from the start. And while native apps have their advantages, sometimes they’re simply not necessary. We’re firm believers in building smart, scalable solutions that align with your goals, and finding the best way to reach these goals while staying within your budget. So if that means suggesting a hybrid approach rather than a native app, we’ll propose it. 

So, let’s explore what a native app is, how it compares to other types of apps, and most importantly — when it’s the right choice. 

How Native Apps Work

A native app is built using the programming language and tools specific to one platform. For iOS, that’s usually Swift or Objective-C. For Android, it’s Kotlin or Java. These apps run directly on the operating system, which means they can tap into every available feature — from the camera to the GPS, accelerometer, and push notifications. Because of this tight integration with the device, native apps tend to be lightning fast. You’ll notice smoother animations, faster load times, and fewer glitches — especially when handling complex functionality. But that performance doesn’t come cheap.

Key Advantages of Native Apps

Faster Performance

Since native apps are built specifically for one platform, they run more efficiently and respond more quickly to user input. That’s especially useful for graphics-heavy apps or anything demanding real-time responsiveness. That said, the performance gap between native and hybrid apps has narrowed massively. Unless you’re building something technically intense, users likely won’t notice the difference.

Full Access to Device Features 

Native development is ideal when full control over device features—like the camera, GPS, or biometrics—is essential. For many business apps, though, that level of control isn’t always necessary. Today, frameworks like React Native and Flutter have significantly closed the gap, offering robust access to common device capabilities without requiring a fully native approach.

Reliable Offline Functionality 

Native apps are inherently better suited for offline performance, thanks to direct access to local storage, background services, and optimized system-level caching. While hybrid apps can offer offline capabilities, achieving the same reliability and responsiveness typically requires more engineering effort. For use cases where seamless offline functionality is critical—like field tools or travel apps—native is often the more dependable choice.

Familiar UI/UX 

Native apps are built with the platform’s own design language — Material Design for Android, Human Interface Guidelines for iOS — which means they automatically align with user expectations. While a hybrid app can be made to look native, it often requires extra effort to match the nuances of each platform. If you’re investing properly in designing user-friendly mobile interfaces, you won’t lose anything by going hybrid.

Disadvantages of Native Apps

Higher Development Costs

You’ll need two separate codebases — one for iOS and one for Android — which means hiring multiple developers or teams, and doubling your budget.

Slower Time to Market

Two apps = two development cycles. That’s more time before your product sees the light of day.

Expensive to Maintain

One of the most important questions to ask is how expensive an app will be to maintain. With a native app, bug fixes, new features, and OS updates all need to be implemented twice. That means more ongoing effort and cost over time. 

Native App vs Web App vs Hybrid App

Let’s break it down:

1. Type of App – Built With

• Native App: Platform-specific code (e.g., Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android)
• Web App: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Hybrid App: Web technologies wrapped in a native shell (e.g., React Native, Flutter)

2. Runs On

• Native App: iOS and Android (separately for each)
• Web App: Web browser (any device)
• Hybrid App: iOS and Android (same codebase)

3. Pros

• Native App: Best performance and full access to device features
• Web App: Fast to build and budget-friendly
• Hybrid App: One codebase, quicker launch, decent performance

4. Cons

• Native App: Expensive, longer development time, requires two codebases
• Web App: Limited device capabilities and lower performance
• Hybrid App: May not match native smoothness; occasional bugs or inconsistencies

For 90% of use cases — especially MVPs, internal tools, or early-stage products — hybrid apps win hands down. You get native-like functionality without the native price tag.

When Should You Choose a Native App?

When it comes to deciding whether or not to opt for a native app, it all depends on what you’re trying to build.

High-Performance Gaming

If you’re building a graphics-heavy mobile game that needs every last drop of performance, native might be your best option.

Real-Time Processing

Apps that rely on real-time processing—like live video, audio streaming, or low-latency camera access—often benefit from native development due to the need for direct access to hardware-level performance and system APIs.

Enterprise-Level User Base

If you’ve already got a massive user base and the budget to support fully native development across platforms, it might be worth considering.

But again — that’s the exception, not the rule. Most businesses are better off investing in smart UX and flexible builds that balance performance with practicality.

Final Thoughts

So, what is a native app? It’s a mobile app built specifically for one operating system — and while that gives you speed and power, it also gives you complexity, cost, and duplication. At WASH & CUT HAIR SALOON LIMITED, we’ve chosen not to offer native app development because we think there’s a better way — one that prioritises your budget, your timeline, and your business goals. We’ll always steer you toward the smartest solution, not the flashiest.

Want help figuring out what approach makes the most sense for your idea Let’s talk.