Imagine this: You just got a brilliant app idea while sipping your evening tea. You’re excited, but then reality hits—should you build a native app or go for a web app?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Most founders, entrepreneurs, and even seasoned businesses wrestle with this exact question. The good news? There’s a surprisingly simple way to decide, and it starts by asking one question you might not have even thought of…
Do You Even Need an App? 🤔
Before you spend thousands of dollars on development, pause for a second.
The presenter of the video smartly suggests:
- Sometimes, a website, Google Sheet, or even a Notion board can solve the problem.
- That’s because 77% of apps are abandoned just 3 days after being downloaded. Think about that—most apps don’t even survive a week on people’s phones!
👉 So, before you jump into app development, ask yourself:
“Will users really open this app regularly, or can I solve their problem in a simpler way?”
How to Decide: Web App vs Native App
Here’s the golden rule:
- If your app is something people use daily → Build a native app.
- If it’s something they’ll use once in a while (maybe every few months) → Build a web app.
This single rule of thumb can save you from wasting months and thousands of dollars.
Web Apps: Fast, Affordable, and Flexible 🌐
A web app runs inside a browser (like Chrome or Safari) and doesn’t require downloads.
Perfect if you want speed and cost-efficiency.
Pros of Web Apps:
- 💰 30–40% cheaper to build than native apps.
- 🚀 Faster time to market.
- 🔧 Great for simple features that don’t need deep device integration (like camera or GPS).
When to Choose a Web App:
- You’re a startup with budget constraints.
- You need to launch quickly to test an idea.
- Your app will be used occasionally by users.
Native Apps: Smooth, Powerful, and Feature-Rich 📱
A native app is the one you download from the App Store or Google Play. These apps live directly on your phone and can use your device’s full power.
Pros of Native Apps:
- ⚡ Super smooth user experience.
- 📷 Can access phone features like camera, GPS, sensors.
- 📶 Work well offline and offer better performance.
When to Choose a Native App:
- Your app will be used daily (like WhatsApp, Instagram, banking apps).
- User experience is critical for your business.
- You need performance-heavy features or offline access.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Web Apps 🌐 | Native Apps 📱 |
| Cost | 30–40% cheaper | More expensive |
| Speed to market | Faster | Slower |
| User experience | Good, but limited | Best & smooth |
| Device integration | Limited | Full access (camera, GPS, sensors) |
| Offline use | Rarely works | Works well |
| Best for | Occasional use | Daily use |
Recap: The Smart Choice
- Web Apps → Cheaper, faster, great for occasional use.
- Native Apps → Smoother, powerful, great for daily engagement and deeper phone features.
👉 The final decision isn’t about “which is better” but rather how often your users will actually use your app.
So, before you hire developers or start spending, grab a notebook, write down your app idea, and honestly ask:
“Will people use this daily or just once in a while?”
That simple question might save you thousands—and make your app idea much more successful. 🚀
