What do native app and web app mean?
A native app is built for a particular platform, such as iOS, using that platform’s tools and interfaces. It is installed on a device and can use capabilities exposed by its operating system. An iPhone app is often distributed through the App Store.
A web app is an interactive service built with web technology and accessed through a URL. A progressive web app, often called a PWA, can also be designed for installation, notifications and offline use. Support and behaviour vary between browsers and devices, so essential capabilities need specific investigation.
Consider how people will find it
A web app can be shared with a link and opened without an initial installation. This can suit a service used occasionally, shared frequently or needed on both phones and computers. Easy access still needs a clear introduction and a well-designed user flow.
An installed app can suit a tool people return to frequently. You still need a plan for how users discover it, understand its value and get started. Being present in an app store does not remove that work.
Investigate the capabilities you depend on
List the capabilities essential to the idea: camera, location, notifications, graphics, connected equipment or background work. Describe how each will be used. Taking a photograph and processing a continuous camera stream are different tasks.
Avoid choosing a platform around broad labels such as “fastest” or “cheapest”. Instead, build a small technical experiment around the most demanding requirement on devices the audience actually uses. That gives you a stronger basis for deciding than a feature checklist alone.
Offline use needs deliberate planning
Both native apps and web apps can be built with features that work offline. Installation does not make that happen automatically. Decide which content stays available, which actions remain possible and what should happen when the connection returns.
If two people edit the same information, the service also needs to handle conflicting changes. A clear message about the missing connection may be sufficient for some services. For others, local storage and synchronisation are central product requirements.
Choose for the first release and what follows
Include testing, updates and operational ownership in the decision. A web app and a native app have different distribution paths, but both need attention as devices, services and user needs change. Supporting more platforms also means checking more experiences.
You do not have to decide the product’s entire future at once. Choose a focused starting point based on the audience and essential requirements. Record why you made that choice and what evidence would justify revisiting it.
Take your idea a step further.
Unsure which format fits your idea? Email hello@rasklabs.no with the audience and essential features. We can discuss a sensible first step.
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