Tech Glossary
Hybrid App Development
Hybrid app development is a method of building mobile applications that can run on multiple platforms, such as iOS and Android, using a single codebase. Hybrid apps are typically developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and then wrapped in a native container that allows them to be distributed through app stores and access device features like the camera, GPS, and notifications. Frameworks such as React Native, Ionic, and Flutter are commonly used in hybrid app development, enabling developers to create apps that look and feel like native applications while sharing a significant portion of code across platforms.
The main advantage of hybrid app development is its efficiency in terms of development time and cost, as it allows developers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms. This approach is especially beneficial for startups and companies with limited resources, as it reduces the need for separate development teams for each platform. However, hybrid apps may face challenges in terms of performance and access to certain native features, compared to fully native apps. Despite these challenges, hybrid app development continues to be a popular choice for building cross-platform mobile applications, especially for projects that require rapid development and broad reach.