Table of Contents
Native mobile app development differs from the common websites available in the mobile version. Basically, native mobile app development entails building the mobile app from scratch making it available to download and use only for a single operational system like iOS, Android, Microsoft, etc.
Eventually, as the native mobile application is designed for a certain OS and set of devices, it is built using a specific programming language we will discuss later in this article. To compare, cross-platform app development – apps that are built for both iOS and Android platforms – entails using JavaScript and React Native framework, meaning this type of mobile app is built using no native programming languages peculiar for native apps.
There are programming languages and their frameworks created specifically for building native mobile apps from A to Z. For example, to build an Android-based solution, engineers use Java or Kotlin. If you need to develop an app for iOS-based devices, then Swift and Objective-C are to choose from.
A significant difference between a native app and cross-platform apps (available on multiple platforms) is that the native one is capable of delivering an exceptionally great user experience. And that is clear, as when people use a particular kind of device with particular operating systems, they are going to get used to its work and specifics.
Therefore, native mobile apps for such operating systems consider these specifics during development in order to perform stability and provide them with a smooth user experience each time they use the app. And it is related to app functions as well as design. The native mobile applications also have the most suitable design for the platform and OS they are available on.
Overall, it is vital to understand that native apps are absolutely not similar to mobile-based web apps. Native mobile apps are accessible only from mobile devices, and you cannot open them in any browser. Each user can download it from a certain marketplace according to the platform it was designed for.
And now we would like to take a closer look at the native approach for the two major mobile platforms – iOS and Android.
iOS native mobile app development
iOS mobile app development differs from other operating systems by its high code security that makes the source code closed for platforms and accessible only for Apple devices that support iOS. Therefore, to develop a native mobile application for iOS, software engineers have to write the code on an Apple device – iMac to get access to the source code and build a highly functional solution.
iOS-based mobile solutions are integrated with numerous additional tools and frameworks for executing particular functions. These tools and services like iOS SDK or XCode are available only for iOS app development.
In addition, the iOS platform has lots of available integration with third-party vendors to provide a secure development process and launch the native iOS apps that will be accepted by the marketplace due to their security policy.
Apple`s App Store acceptance may become a quite challenging procedure as it entails many details and rules which are rather strict and cannot be avoided in any way.
Android native mobile app development
The set of programming languages for Android mobile app development is a bit wider, including Java, C++, and Kotlin. Android development also uses additional tools and services provided by Google. Among them, we can mention Firebase and Android SDK. These are official additions that make the Android mobile app development process smooth.
Additionally, Android apps are commonly integrated with numerous third-party vendors that allow writing code for this type of native mobile app on different operating systems.
All Android mobile solutions are placed in the Google marketplace, where users can easily download them for free or for a certain charge. However, to make your native apps available in the Play Market, it has to go through Google Play submission corresponding to their policy and security measures.
Benefits of native apps
Native mobile app development is highlighted among other types of development for mobile devices by its advantages. Therefore, we collected the top benefits that app owners, users, and the development teams receive when selecting native mobile app development.
Drawbacks of native mobile app development
The cost of the native app development
This is a common issue related to native mobile app development. Custom software development is always costly and requires much investment during development as well as after the solution launch.
Once you have released the software product, you are responsible for monitoring its performance and considering the feedback of users to upgrade the functionality.
In addition, the cost of the entire development process will even increase if you want to build the mobile app for several platforms, or it is titled a cross-platform development, meaning available on different operating systems.
Setting up the app on the device may take some time
Compared to web-based mobile apps, native apps take more time to download and install on the devices. The bigger it weighs, the longer users will need to wait.
So a certain percentage of your target audience may skip your solution in the marketplace and just don’t see it due to the rare visit to these marketplaces. That is why your native mobile app will also require some marketing activities to promote to your potential users.
No development flexibility
When you hire a development team to build a native mobile application, it is pivotal to understand that the team is capable and responsible for developing an app for a single platform. It means that if you need to build an app for several platforms separately, you need to hire two independent software teams who will work directly for a particular operating system.
The same code will not fit various platforms and OSs which also leads to higher costs of the development in case you require the app to be accessible on different platforms.
Time-consuming development
Due to the extensive range of requirements that developers need to consider submitting the app, the process takes longer than commonly.
Each platform has code and developing specifics, and all of them are pivotal to building and releasing highly functional and operating mobile applications that will provide users value and advantage when using.
Native apps require frequent opgrades
Literally, all possible types of software products and solutions require rather frequent updates. The regularity of functionality reviews and upgrading depends on users’ feedback and the relevance of technologies and options due to market trends, demands, and expectations.
Despite the native mobile app development providing fewer bugs overall, this type of mobile solution is more complicated to upgrade. If you add a new function to native app development or change the existing one, you need to get through marketplace submission one more time, as new options don’t exclude the probability of breaking the rules and security policy.
Altamira experience and services
We are proficient in the specifics of native mobile app development, as our team has really scalable experience in building native mobile apps for different platforms. We have built numerous mobile solutions for different business industries and purposes.
Therefore, we would like to share with you several of our successful cases of native mobile app development. Some of them were built for a single operating system, while some are accessible on two different platforms – iOS and Android.
More often our clients select an exactly native mobile app development instead of cross-platform mobile development, due to the countless benefits like fewer bugs, responsive design, and better overall app performance.
INCINQ – unique dating app
INCINQ is the native mobile dating application available for iOS devices. The concept of this mobile solution is unique and unlike the competitors. It connects people based only on their preferences, interests, hobbies, and so on., meaning no photos or videos, just blind communication and meeting.
The connection process is executed thanks to a specifically developed matching algorithm that is capable of finding your soulmate among countless use profiles. We have also come creatively to the creation of the app design, making it attractive and corresponding to the iOS platform criteria.
Bestyn – business app
Bestyn is a native mobile application available on iOS and Android operating systems. This solution is tasked with supporting and uniting local businesses of different specifics. It combines the products and services of different companies within a certain area.
Users can create their personal accounts, make online orders, get special offers and discounts, receive personalized recommendations for goods, etc.
How to hire native mobile app developers?
And finally, we would like to provide with you a short guide on how and where to hire reliable native mobile app developers. There are two basic types of cooperation with native mobile app developers – in-house team and outsourcing team.
Pros and cons of the in-house development team
Having inner software developers is convenient as you can easily hire the developers you require, manage the development process, assign tasks and follow their execution, communicate with the team wherever you need, and so on.
However, once the native development is launched, the need for the entire team decreases, but you still need to provide all developers with payroll despite the scope of work being little. This leads to wasting your budget on the employees who are not constantly occupied on the project.
Moreover, you are responsible for everything that happens on the project like low-quality specialists, poor project management, and so on.
Pros and cons of the outsourcing team model
Software outsourcing can also be divided into two types – team augmentation or the outsourcing development team.
Team augmentation can suit your case if you already have an inner development team, but their expertise and quantity are not enough to finish the solution successfully.
Your software supplier provides you with the lacking engineers who will leave your inner team as soon as the mobile app is released.
Outsourcing development team entails building your solution from scratch to release by the remote developers provided by our software vendor. The whole development process is set up and managed by the outsourcing development team.
Nevertheless, the team promises to keep you informed about the progress of the development and alert you about any changes in your project.
At Altamira, we have created countless outsourcing teams and provided team augmentation services numerous times for our clients.
To define what type of cooperation suits you best, we hold a free consultation with the decision-makers within your company to specify your goals and business requirements for the future or current native mobile application.
Where to find and hire native mobile app developers?
And the last question, you may wonder about – where to find reliable software suppliers for your native mobile app development? The answer is pretty simple.
Start from the referral contact available on the websites of software vendors whose services include software outsourcing. You can boldly connect with their previous clients and ask about the cooperation in detail.
The next credible source of information is Clutch. Clutch publishes only checked and real reviews about the cooperation between businesses and software suppliers.
The clients themselves write these reviews, so it is impossible to fake them if the results of the partnership were unsatisfied. Basically, you can select software partners from any location you prefer, as some of them may have offices in your country.
However, we also recommend considering the quality of their previous solutions, technical education, and hourly rates. For instance, Eastern European native mobile app developers offer the most responsible rates providing high-quality code writing and scalable technical expertise and are aware of tech trends and innovations.
FAQ
To sum up
Taking everything into account, the process of hiring a reliable native mobile app developer is not challenging or costly if you start your search from suitable resources.
Foremost, when looking for a software vendor to supply your project with native mobile app developers, explore their website to check technology, industry expertise, and range of services as well.
We also recommend checking the case study block to see similar solutions and also looking at the designs their team performs to decide whether their approach suits your app idea.
If you still have unanswered questions related to native mobile app developers, feel free to contact us to discuss them more as our team has extensive experience in building native mobile applications, so we will definitely find the solution to your concerns.
