A Guide to the Different Types of Mobile Applications
A Guide to the Different Types of Mobile Applications
There are mobile phone apps everywhere and on every phone because our dependency on mobile phone apps has gone up. There are different types of mobile apps available today, from apps to planning the day to keeping track of our calories. The mobile app ecosystem is so diverse that development and research are still ongoing in it. In the face of ongoing competition in the mobile app sector, e-commerce mobile app development services are still in demand because every business owner wants to launch an e-commerce model for his business. Apart from e-commerce apps, there are numerous apps related to healthcare, banking and insurance, tech, gaming, etc. Let us delve into the world of mobile applications and understand the evolution of different types of mobile apps in recent times.
The Basics of Mobile Applications
A mobile application is created specifically to support a function and fulfill a customer’s need within a mobile phone. A mobile application could function on tablets, feature phones, or even smartphones. The mobile app is used by the user to complete certain actions and get specific results from the process.
The concept of the first mobile app was brought into the world of computing and software in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Towards the first decade of the 2000s, types of mobile apps with examples started taking shape. In 2008, Apple launched its app store for Apple phone and device users. In the same year, Android-powered phones also entered the market by launching the Google Play Store. The mobile app ecosystem expanded quite rapidly, and soon enough, we saw the introduction of app monetization models that can be used to generate revenue from mobile apps.
After the app monetization model that leading mobile operating system companies offered, app development companies created types of mobile apps for business. From free apps to freemium apps and paid apps, we saw every type of app entering the mobile app landscape. Advances in mobile technology, both on the software and hardware fronts, are also responsible for the development of mobile apps and the expansion of their ecosystems. In the next section, you will learn about what are the types of mobile apps and why they are used today.
What Are the Different Types of Mobile Apps?
1. Native Apps
Native mobile apps are mobile app types that are created for a particular mobile operating system. The mobile apps that you find built into a new mobile phone are examples of native apps. The native apps are created using platform-specific development tools and languages. Native apps have high performance and top loading speed.
What native apps offer is their highly optimised performance. Another advantage is also the access to device features which can be useful to mobile phone users. The Native UI features also help in improving the user experience of the whole device. The platform specificity of the native app is not only an advantage but also a disadvantage because you need a separate codebase to create another application for a different Mobile OS.
The message center of a phone and the camera app are all native apps that are usually found pre-installed.
2. Web Apps
Web apps or web applications are lightweight software that can be accessed through your web browser. These apps are accessible on your browser, and you do not have to install them on your mobile phone.
The web apps are lightweight and accessible. These apps can run on different browser versions and offer the same functionality as the full-fledged mobile app. The Web apps do not take up any data space in the mobile phone memory. However, some of the drawbacks are due to mobile application types running on the web. Limited offline functionality and performance hindrances can be some of them.
Google Workspace, Trello, and Asana are some apps that have web application versions.
3. Hybrid Apps
Hybrid types of mobile applications are useful because they combine the best elements of native apps and web apps. The mobile application uses web development language and codes but is contained within a native container for the mobile phone.
Hybrid apps have cross-platform compatibility and access to device features, too. They have a single code base that is functional on different platforms and multiple OS. However, hybrid applications have some drawbacks to mobile phones, too. These apps can show glitches when performing resource-intensive processes.
The apps that run on a hybrid basis are Instagram, Uber, and Gmail, allowing people to access their functions on multiple platforms.
How To Categories Types of Mobile Apps?
1. Social Media Apps
- Overview
Social media apps are the cream of the crop today because they act as contact points and networking platforms for people. These also double up as marketplaces for merchants and brands. Billions of active users and millions of brand pages exist across social media today.
- Key Features
Different types of mobile application with social media functionality have features like photo and status sharing, direct message, video making, editing tools and customization options. The features of social media apps help create virtual profiles and actions for people who register on them.
- Popular Examples
Snapchat, Meta, WhatsApp
2. Productivity Apps
- Overview
Productivity apps are mobile phone applications that help people plan their day and adopt productive habits. Apps of productivity also help complete tasks in the workspace and establish coordination between teammates. These are apps that most professionals and students use.
- Key Features
Calendar planning, event creation, to-do lists, alarms and reminders, and timers are features that are included in productivity apps to help users.
- Popular Examples
Examples of productivity apps are Evernote, Asana, Microsoft Office suite, WPS Office, etc.
3. Lifestyle Apps
- Overview
Lifestyle apps are mobile applications that easily integrate into your lifestyle and help you do your daily actions. Connecting with friends, finding a date, or taking up healthy habits are ways in which these apps influence your lifestyle.
- Key Features
Profile creation and customization, activity tracker, privacy controls, and sharing portals are features that are part of the lifestyle app portfolio.
- Popular Examples
Instagram, Calm, Headspace, and Tinder are examples of popular lifestyle apps.
4. Entertainment and Media Apps
- Overview
Entertainment and Media apps are mobile apps that make entertainment possible on the go. These apps are also streaming apps that can be used to stream shows, game plays, and other multimedia. Entertainment, media, and gaming apps are in demand these days because they are used by a wide range of people.
- Key Features
Key features of Entertainment and Media apps are display for different shows and games, profile creation and parental controls, a watch list, downloading shows to see them later, live streaming award shows and sports events, gaming streams to join, etc.
- Popular Examples
Examples of entertainment and media apps are Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Gaming apps like Candy Crush, PUBG, etc.
5. Educational Apps
- Overview
Edtech is an industry that has grown rapidly during the pandemic, thanks to the need for virtual classes and education. Educational apps are no longer limited to younger age groups and school students. Educational apps have broadened their horizons, and new apps have entered the ecosystem.
- Key Features
The main features of educational apps are the interactive learning content, educational videos, and multi-media interface they offer to students worldwide. Gamification of the user interface or the content flow is also an interesting feature of these apps.
- Popular Examples
There are multiple examples of successful educational apps that have been active for many years now. These applications are Coursera and Khan Academy.
6. Utility Apps
- Overview
Utility apps are mobile apps that help people finish their daily chores. For example, apps that offer task management and note-taking abilities can assist you in your daily chores. Apps that give you information related to day-to-day life or help you complete ordinary tasks online are utility apps.
- Key Features
Utility apps have a simplified interface that can be used by anyone and has multiple features. It has a simple navigation and menu bar. Such apps are focused on one or two functionalities as they are used to complete a set of tasks.
- Popular Examples
Apps that help you calculate, weather apps, and the flashlight of your phone are examples of utility apps.
7. Health and Fitness Apps
- Overview
Health and fitness apps are in great demand due to the public’s health consciousness. With healthcare costs rising, people want to take care of their health and vitality at home. Healthcare and fitness apps that help you stay fit during a busy day are very popular these days.
- Key Features
Fitness apps these days have the option to be paired with wearable devices, tracking the steps you take, showing your water intake, and offering you options of workouts you can do for targeted results.
- Popular Examples
Nike training club, Cult. Fit and Strava are apps that focus on the health and fitness of users.
8. Business and Finance Apps
- Overview
Business and finance apps have a wide scope, as they can be integrated with banking, stock trading, expense tracking, and even insurance claims. Business and finance apps are used for financial management and business insights. People who want to manage their wealth from their mobile phones use such apps.
- Key Features
The business and finance apps need to be very secure and safe to use. Such apps offer profile creation and customization features. They also offer multiple-factor authentication features and a locker to keep important documents hidden. These apps also show you business trends and finance news.
- Popular Examples
Quickbooks and Expensify are examples of Business and finance apps that are very popular worldwide.
How To Choosing the Right Types of Mobile Apps For Business?
If you want to reach a wide audience and make money through your idea, creating a mobile application and launching it in the market can be fruitful. However, when starting the mobile app development process, try to study the competition of your niche and also identify the target audience. Consider the needs and demands of the target audience and what new you can offer them through the mobile application. Once you are sure about the target audience and the purpose of the application, allocate a tentative budget and start investing in development.
If you have a limited budget for mobile app development, start developing a web version and then see the response of the audience before creating a dedicated, native version of it. Once you are sure about your target audience and user base, you can launch both native and web versions for higher accessibility and reach.
There are a plethora of mobile apps and web apps to be explored by users in today’s scenario. The audience keeps expecting more from mobile apps, so if you are planning to launch a mobile app, any day is a good day. The e-commerce sector is a promising sector to enter with mobile e-commerce development company. However, when entering the mobile app ecosystem, beware of the competition and enter with a strategy to tackle it.