What Are Hybrid Apps? Explained In 200 Words

Like native apps, hybrid apps run on the device.

They are similar to native apps but built with web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. We can also say a hybrid app is a web app, wrapped in a native container.

It’s a union of web and mobile technologies.

To use platform independency and access mobile device’s features, hybrid apps are wrapped in native containers using solutions like Apache Cordova (PhoneGap) or frameworks like Ionic.

It can be installed and downloaded from app stores just like native apps.

This approach to mobile app development has gained significant popularity as it allows developers to build a single code that can be used for multiple platforms.

It runs inside a native container on a mobile device.

Hybrid apps are a good option when you need to target multiple platforms and time and budget are constraints.

Highlights:

• Cross-platform nature of apps
• Saves time and cost
• Faster time-to-market
• Access to native APIs and device’s features
• Supports offline

Limitations:

• Performance issues
• Rely on plugins for native functionalities
• Not a fully native experience

Some examples of hybrid apps are Instagram, Evernote, JustWatch, Twitter, Gmail, and many more.

A Good Read: PWA vs Native App vs Cross Platform vs Hybrid App