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Native apps are applications developed specifically for a particular operating system (like iOS or Android) using platform-specific programming languages and tools.
Why It Matters
- Offers faster performance and smoother user experiences.
- Enables full access to device features (camera, GPS, biometrics).
- Provides better security and stability than hybrid apps.
- Allows platform-specific design, improving usability.
- Often rated higher in app stores due to seamless performance.
Use This Term When...
- You're choosing between native, hybrid, or cross-platform development.
- You're prioritising speed, performance, or device integration.
- You're planning a mobile app launch for either Android or iOS.
- You're budgeting for platform-specific development.
- You're comparing user engagement across different build types.
Real-World Example
We developed Native Apps for one of our projects to achieve top-tier performance and deep integration with device-specific features like GPS and push notifications. This approach provided better reliability and responsiveness.
Founder Insight
Founders sometimes choose cross-platform to save time — but for performance-critical apps, native can be the smarter long-term investment.
Key Metrics / Concepts
- App Performance Score – Speed, responsiveness, and load times.
- Crash Rate – Frequency of unexpected app failures.
- User Retention Rate – How well the app keeps users over time.
- App Store Ratings – Average user rating in iOS and Android stores.
- Battery Consumption – How efficiently the app uses device resources.
Tools & Technologies
- Xcode – Used for building native iOS apps with Swift or Objective-C.
- Android Studio – Official IDE for native Android development.
- Swift / Kotlin – Preferred languages for native iOS and Android development respectively.
What’s Next / Future Trends
Native apps are embracing AI, AR, and voice tech more deeply thanks to their access to device APIs. Expect even richer offline capabilities and tighter OS-level integration.
Related Terms
Hybrid App – Built with web technologies and wrapped for mobile.
Cross-Platform App – Runs on multiple OSes from one codebase.
App Backend – Server-side logic that powers app features.
Mobile App Development – The full process of building mobile apps.
Device Type – Impacts how native apps are designed and tested.
Helpful Videos / Articles / Pages
Blog: Application Battles: Web, Native and Hybrid
Call to Action
Not sure if native apps are right for your product? Let’s explore what’s best for your goals and get your build strategy on track.