Difference between Mobile App and Mobile Website

Mobile is the fastest growing online space. The number of people who are browsing the web on mobile have increased by many manifolds. Not just browsing, but app downloads have also been high. To make sense, it is significant to understand the difference between mobile websites that act as a responsive desktop view of the website and the mobile apps.

Nowadays, every mobile app development company is busy with responsive design development of websites and also, in updating the existing sites to become responsive. Mobile sites are just the websites that have been optimized for mobile browsing. It has the following advantages and features.

• Can work on any given mobile platform
• Faster and cheaper to develop than an app
• Can be used immediately when the user access it through a search engine
• The existing content management system is utilized for managing the content editing or addition
• Does not require manual updates
• Phone features like camera et al are not available, unlike in apps
• No other distribution channel is needed
• Requires internet connection

While, mobile sites have become the favorite among the smartphone users, people have also become fond of apps. They offer excellent features, mobility solutions, provide mind-boggling gaming experience and also, an excellent medium to take advantage of ecstatic online shopping. It is a software application written in the native language of a particular platform.

• Requires native app stores for distribution
• Available offline
• Provides excellent user experience and high performance
• Phone feature like camera and gyroscope can be used

The mobile website enjoys, a much greater reach as compared to apps since, it is a cost effective solution. Also, the easy access through the search engine have added to its advantage. The performance gap between the app and mobile website is seen closing with the latest technology advancements.  Thus, there is certainly a place for the apps, but with the above point, it’s up to you to decide which has a better future in the mobile world.