Web apps and mobile apps are used by everyone. Both serve business interests. Both follow a client-server model. But they are not the same. The difference between web and mobile apps is same as the difference between apples and oranges.
And web and mobile app development should be recognized for their differences. Even though they seem the same, they serve different purposes and require unique skills. Mobile and web application development are two approaches for a common purpose: delivering seamless digital experiences to users. But they take separate paths for that goal.
Here’s an article that explains the difference between web and mobile app development using real-life examples.
What is a web app?
A web application is a program that is stored on a remote server and can be accessed over the internet using a web browser. But isn’t that what a website is? Yes, web apps use the same philosophy as websites; however, web apps are interactive, unlike websites that just display static content.
You don’t need to install web apps on your phone or device. Since they are stored remotely, they load resources, fetch data, and process user requests from anywhere with an internet connection.
Does that mean web apps can’t work without the internet? Well, mostly yes, but not always. Some web applications can work offline using something called a progressive web app (PWA), but we will discuss that later.
For now, remember web apps as self-sustaining software that live on the internet and show on a web browser.
What is a mobile app?
Mobile applications are designed specifically for mobile devices, and users have to install them on their devices first to use them. You can’t access mobile apps from anywhere through the internet, unlike web apps. They are purpose-built for tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices.
Users download mobile apps from platforms like Apple App Store and Google Play, depending on the operating system. Since mobile applications are specifically built for mobile devices, they use hardware features to the fullest and generally have higher performance.
Mobile apps have diverged into different types, considering how they are built.
Types of web and mobile apps
Changing business needs and practical web and mobile application development challenges have led to different types of apps in each category. Today, there are several types of web and mobile apps based on how they are built and the content type.
The following are the major types of web applications.
1. Static web apps
Static web applications are the simplest type of web apps. They are built using HTML/CSS and some JavaScript to deliver content directly without fetching data from a server. However, it doesn’t mean they aren’t stored on a server. The difference is that once the server sends the files to your browser, the content is fixed. The content only changes if it is manually changed by the developer.
So, the app doesn’t go back to the server to fetch new data every time you interact with it. Think of them like pre-built digital pages with fixed content. like portfolios and brochures.
While static apps have less functionality, they are easy to develop and maintain. This makes them ideal for small businesses that only need a simple online presence.
2. Dynamic web apps
As the name implies, dynamic web apps are the opposite of static web apps because they generate and update content in real time based on your interaction.
For that purpose, they use JavaScript, PHP, and other server-side languages to refresh content based on user interactions. Dynamic web apps are also connected to a database to produce personalized experiences.
Such apps offer more business benefits, but they are also more complex and expensive to develop and maintain.
3. Single-page web applications (SPAs)
SPAs are web apps that load a single HTML page and update it dynamically without refreshing. This gives users a smoother and faster user experience as the app doesn’t have to fully reload the page with each interaction.
Their opposite are multi-page web applications (MPAs) that consist of multiple pages, and each is fully reloaded with user interactions.
The common web frameworks used to make that possible are Angular, React, Vue.js, and Ajax. SPAs almost give a desktop-like feeling where you can smoothly transition between windows or tabs.
SPAs are most useful if you want a digital presence in a field where speed and interactivity are critical, such as social media and a cloud-based environment. However, these applications are really tricky from an SEO point of view.
4. Progressive web applications
PWAs are the love child of a web and mobile app that can work offline as well. They combine the best features of both to deliver a mobile app-like experience using web technologies like HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
You can install these web apps on your phone’s home screen without downloading them from App Store or Google Play. Just visit a PWA-enabled website in your browser, it will prompt you with “Add to Home Screen” option.
5. E-commerce web applications
E-commerce web apps provide a platform for the buying and selling of products and goods online. They are one of the most complex web apps to make because they facilitate online transactions, product displays, and customer service.
Moreover, e-commerce web apps are built to be scalable as the platform grows, which usually doesn’t take long. Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento are some popular e-commerce web app platforms.
Mobile applications are also of different types and categories based on how they’re built.
1. Native mobile apps
Native mobile apps are created for specific mobile platforms using platform-centric development tools. For example, mobile apps for Android are created using Kotlin or Java, while Swift is the standard for creating apps for iOS.
Since native apps are platform-specific, they use the platform’s built-in features to the maximum, such as the camera, GPS, and processors. This makes them high-performing and faster.
However, their code is not portable or reusable for other platforms. So, native app development is more resource- and time-intensive.
2. Cross-platform mobile apps
Cross-platform mobile apps are created using just one code, which is deployable on several platforms or operating systems. Unlike native apps, you can target both Android and iOS by writing your code in just one programming language.
This is possible due to cross-platform development frameworks like Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. Cross-platform app development is faster, cheaper, and more flexible as it targets multiple platforms with one codebase.
But cross-platform apps sometimes don’t have the same performance as native apps.
3. Hybrid mobile apps
Here it gets a bit confusing. Hybrid apps lie somewhere in the middle between web and mobile apps. They are web apps in essence, but they are wrapped within a native app, which gives them a native app-like feel.
What does wrap within a native app mean? A hybrid app’s core code is written in web technologies like HTML/CSS and JavaScript, which essentially makes it a web app. However, this web code is then put inside a native container using tools like Flutter, Cordova, and React Native.
These containers have a mini browser without the normal browser interface. So, the app runs your web code inside this browser, but it looks and feels like a native mobile app. This wrapping is what allows hybrid apps to be downloaded from App Store and Google Play, which otherwise don’t host web apps.
Web App vs Mobile App Development: Key Differences
1. Role of Developers
A web app developer, on the other hand, is responsible for making sites functional, responsive, and user-friendly. This work ranges from front end work such as Laravel, Angular, RoR, etc., to the back end of database management and server logic.
An app developer builds mobile apps with a good user interface and excellent user experience. They could specialize in building Android or iOS app development by using cross-platform app development tools such as Flutter or React Native.
The role of this talent is to actually build the tools and features of an app that will eventually be interactive and that users can directly use.
2. Development Languages
Web developers commonly use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML forms the structure and content of web pages, whereas CSS handles the presentation and styling of the web page.
In contrast, JavaScript provides interactivity and dynamic functionality in web application development services that respond to user input, fetch server data, and provide rich user experiences.
Mobile app development has different languages, depending on the platform. The primary languages for iOS app development include Swift and Objective-C. Swift is a new, powerful language introduced by Apple exclusively designed to develop iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tcOS applications.
Older Objective-C is also used in legacy iOS projects. Java and Kotlin are the key languages used for Android development.
The most used development language for Android has long been Java, with Kotlin as its more recent equivalent, promising developers greater productivity and safety features.
3. Updates and Maintenance
With the use of servers, web apps deployed on these servers can be updated seamlessly so that users will access new features and improvements right away. Any change to the application’s codebase or content will immediately be reflected to all users.
This is a good thing because it helps businesses iterate over their web applications, fix bugs, and introduce new features without forcing users to update the app themselves.
Updating mobile apps is a more challenging task because different versions can be available on various devices and can be submitted only after going through the review process by the app stores. When a new version of a mobile app is launched, it needs to be checked for quality and security.
This process may take some time, and the app update may not be instantly available to all users. Furthermore, this fragmentation in a mobile ecosystem calls for various apps to be on various versions among other users, bringing along the complexity of compatibility problems.
4. User Interface (UI) and User Experience
Responsive designs in web app development ensure a great user experience across different screens and devices. Responsive design adapts and changes the content according to the requirements of the viewer’s screen to make it convenient and user-friendly on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
To create a responsive and intuitive interface, web developers must consider different screen resolutions, aspect ratios, and touch interactions. Platform-specific UI/UX considerations in affordable mobile app development need to follow each platform’s guidelines and the users’ expectations for that platform.
iOS and Android have two distinct design principles called human interface guidelines and material design guidelines, which suggest developing interfaces consistent with the native look and feel of that platform.
Thus, developers should consider specific platform navigation patterns, iconography, typography, and animations when trying to provide their users with the most familiar and intuitive experience.
5. Platform and Accessibility
One of the differences between developing web and mobile applications is their considerations on platforms. Web app development services do not require platform independence in the sense that web applications will be accessed with web browsers available on any machine.
Users, for example, can access one web application on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device; no change would be made, however, concerning the specific machines. This is one of the most significant reasons web applications are very attractive to businesses, as they can reach such large audiences.
Mobile app development, on the other hand, requires platform-specific optimization for iOS and Android. Each platform has its own requirements for development and design guidelines, requiring separate development for each forum. If you consult with any mobile app development company, you will realize why separate development is crucial.
Native mobile apps utilize the features of a specific platform so that users are able to achieve a seamless experience with integration. However, additional resources are required for development and maintenance on both platforms.
6. Distribution and Deployment
The immediate availability of web applications through web browsers eliminates the distribution process through application stores. Any user can directly enter the web address of a website in a browser and view the application. This makes the web app highly convenient for a user and eases business entry barriers.
The web app would require constant Internet connectivity to run fully and also may not gain access to device-specific features like push notifications or camera functionality.
On the other hand, the distribution and deployment of the mobile app through app stores, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, are required. An application store is a central point for providing users with a discoverable, downloadable, and updatable list of mobile applications.
Distribution involves:
- Submitting the application to the particular app store
- Complying with their guidelines and policies
- Undergoing a review process before the app is released to the users
Mobile apps also have additional benefits, such as device features such as push notifications, cameras, GPS, and offline capabilities. It enhances the overall user experience.
Web and Mobile App Development Trends in 2025
- AI and Machine Learning Integration
- Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
- Cross-Platform App Development
- AR and VR in Apps
- Low-Code and No-Code Development
- Blockchain Integration
- Voice User Interfaces (VUIs)
- Edge Computing for Faster Apps
- Hyper-Personalization
- 5G Revolutionizing Mobile Apps
Conclusion
Web and mobile app development is evolving in 2025. They are becoming increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation.
Nowadays, custom web app development, which can work on any platform, includes AI personalization and smart features. Mobile app development hones in on each platform’s specifics using advanced machine learning.
The digital world has its intelligent systems, which have started ignoring the usual boundaries of the platforms. With the emergence of automated development tools and AI-based platforms, app creation has become easy for everyone.
Businesses can design sophisticated digital solutions without struggling through technical hurdles. Companies will require new technologies that change interfaces, predict users’ needs, and enhance performance on all devices.
They succeed by means of building flexible, clever solutions that bring AI capabilities into their core and highlight extraordinary user experiences.
The future of app development is not about choosing between web and mobile. It’s about using artificial intelligence to create quicker, smarter digital experiences that transcend users’ ever-changing expectations.
If you need further help, you can contact us at [email protected]. We will schedule a free consultation session to explore how Xavor can assist you in this matter.