Mobile apps or web apps, which do you like more?
Justin Johnson
26 replies
Obviously depends on the product but curious if the benefits of a downloadable mobile app outweigh the benefits of simply building a web responsive app that works on mobile and desktop.
Replies
Rich Watson@richw
NVSTly: Social Investing
web apps
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I prefer web apps over mobile apps as it's easier to access and feel it's more functional than mobile apps
@sanjay_somashekar I can see that side too. Also don't have the added purchase barrier of a download requirement.
Launching soon!
Performance & UX wise — native mobile apps are snappier and smoother than web based mobile apps. However, if it's something super lightweight, then web based works 👍🏻
I have a preference for mobile apps.
thanks @michael_hood5, out of curiosity and a bit of user research, what makes mobiles apps more appealing for you?
The simplicity of the functionality and, of course, the fact that the application must be free. For example, you can see heylocate best free phone number trackers, which helped me a lot. I recently lost my phone and didn't know how to find it.
@michael_hood5 great example!
As a user, it depends on how actively I use the service. If it's something I use regularly and it relies on video, microphone, etc, then an app is often preferable, however if its something I only intend to use as a one off, then I don't want to have to install anything.
As a Product Manager, unless I am building something specifically just for mobile, then having a great web app, and potentially leverage PWA features is the preference initially.
@stevenbirchall completely agree with what you've said from a PM side.
The approval process alone, especially on iOS apps can just throw out your Web app development, especially if you want to try and have consistency of offerings across web & mobile.
@stevenbirchall So spot on. One question. You may want/think your audience will actively use the product but in reality they only need it when in the buying decision process. Where do you start the build? Do you prototype mobile or web? Since there are so many tools to test low-fi versions, curious about where you see the starting point.
@stevenbirchall @samantha_harris_ the approval process is so bad! We literally just had an issue that got stuck in "waiting of review." Just so happened a potential investor looked at our app and it was all messed it. Very embarrassing but had to explain it was unfortunately part of the process.
I'm always on my phone! Even when it comes to designing, a mobile-first approach is something I consistently implement into my creative process.
@tessmeskin This is where the question actually came up for me! I've always tried to think mobile first for a number of reasons but there have been so many changes in how web apps are built and work. But totally agree from a design standpoint, it's usually easier to go from mobile to web versus the other way around.
web applications can be easily viewed from any browser and thus do not need to be installed
@thasleema_samad agree! But what about no or unreliable wifi? I've personally been saved a couple times traveling when I didn't have web access but the app still worked.