Web App vs Mobile App: Which Should Your Business Build First?

When businesses decide to build custom software, one of the first decisions is platform choice. Should you build a web application, a mobile app, or both? The answer depends on your users, budget, and business goals.

This guide compares both options across the factors that matter most, helping you make an informed decision.

Quick Comparison

Web App Advantages:

• Lower development cost
• Faster time to market
• Universal reach across all devices
• SEO-friendly discoverability
• Instant updates without approval
• Single codebase for maintenance

Mobile App Advantages:

• Excellent offline access
• Full device feature access
• App Store discoverability
• Higher engagement via push notifications
• Native performance

Web Applications: Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Universal Access Web apps work on any device with a browser—phones, tablets, laptops, desktops. One URL serves all users regardless of their operating system.

Faster Development With a single codebase, web apps typically require 30-50% less development time than building native apps for multiple platforms.

Instant Updates Changes go live immediately. No waiting for app store approvals or hoping users update their apps.

SEO Benefits Web content is indexable by search engines, providing organic discoverability that native apps simply can't match.

Lower Barrier to Entry Users don't need to download anything. Share a link, and they're using your software immediately.

Limitations

Limited Device Access Web apps have restricted access to device features like cameras, GPS, push notifications, and biometric authentication (though this gap is closing).

Internet Dependency Most web apps require an active internet connection, limiting offline functionality.

Performance Native apps generally offer smoother performance for graphics-intensive or complex interactions.

No App Store Presence You miss out on app store discoverability and the legitimacy that comes with a published app.

Mobile Apps: Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Native Performance Mobile apps deliver the smoothest user experience with 60fps animations and native gesture handling.

Full Device Access Camera, GPS, contacts, biometrics, push notifications—native apps have unrestricted access to device capabilities.

Offline Functionality Mobile apps can work without internet connectivity, syncing data when connection is restored.

App Store Presence Being listed in the App Store or Google Play provides legitimacy and another discovery channel.

User Engagement Push notifications and home screen presence keep your app top-of-mind for users.

Limitations

Higher Development Cost Building for iOS and Android often requires separate codebases or cross-platform frameworks, increasing cost and complexity.

Store Approval Updates must go through Apple and Google review processes, which can take days and sometimes result in rejections.

Download Friction Users must actively download your app, creating a barrier to initial adoption.

Maintenance Overhead Supporting multiple OS versions and devices requires ongoing testing and updates.

Progressive Web Apps: A Middle Ground

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) combine web and mobile benefits:

• Installable - Add to home screen like native apps
• Offline capable - Work without internet using service workers
• Push notifications - Available on Android (limited on iOS)
• Fast - Cached content loads instantly

When PWAs Work Well

• Content-focused applications
• E-commerce sites
• Internal business tools
• Applications where app store presence isn't critical

When Native Apps Are Better

• Heavy use of device features (camera, sensors)
• Graphics-intensive applications
• iOS push notification requirements
• App Store discoverability is important

Decision Framework

Choose Web App First When:

1. Broad reach is priority - You need to serve users across all devices quickly
2. Budget is limited - Web development typically costs 30-50% less
3. Content is the focus - Blogs, dashboards, documentation, admin panels
4. SEO matters - Organic search is an important acquisition channel
5. B2B application - Business users typically work from desktops
6. Rapid iteration - You need to deploy updates frequently

Choose Mobile App First When:

1. Offline use is critical - Field workers, travel applications
2. Device features needed - Camera, GPS, biometrics are core to the experience
3. Consumer-focused - Target users expect app store presence
4. High engagement required - Push notifications drive key workflows
5. Performance is paramount - Games, real-time collaboration, complex interactions
6. You have the budget - Mobile development requires larger investment

Cost Comparison (Australian Market)

Web Application

• Simple: $20,000 - $50,000
• Medium: $50,000 - $120,000
• Complex: $120,000 - $300,000

Native Mobile App (Single Platform)

• Simple: $30,000 - $70,000
• Medium: $70,000 - $180,000
• Complex: $180,000 - $400,000

Cross-Platform Mobile (React Native)

• Simple: $25,000 - $60,000
• Medium: $60,000 - $150,000
• Complex: $150,000 - $350,000

Ongoing Maintenance Costs

Web App: 10-15% of initial development annually

Mobile App: 15-25% of initial development annually (OS updates, store compliance)

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: B2B SaaS Dashboard

Recommendation: Web app first

A business analytics dashboard needs to serve users on various devices, integrates with multiple data sources, and requires frequent updates. SEO helps with discoverability, and desktop users are the primary audience.

Scenario 2: Field Service Application

Recommendation: Mobile app first

Technicians need offline access, GPS tracking, photo capture, and push notifications. The app must work in areas with poor connectivity.

Scenario 3: E-commerce Store

Recommendation: Web app, then consider PWA or mobile

Start with a responsive web store for universal access and SEO. Add PWA features for repeat customers. Consider native app only if your customer base is highly engaged and would download an app.

Scenario 4: On-Demand Service (like Uber)

Recommendation: Mobile apps are essential

Real-time GPS, push notifications, and seamless payments require native capabilities. Both customer and provider apps needed.

Starting with Web, Expanding to Mobile

Many successful products follow this path:

1. Launch web MVP - Validate your idea with minimal investment
2. Grow user base - Use SEO and lower friction to acquire users
3. Identify mobile needs - Learn which features truly require native capabilities
4. Build mobile when justified - User demand and budget align

This approach reduces risk and lets real user behaviour guide your platform decisions.

Key Takeaways

1. Web apps offer broader reach at lower cost and faster development
2. Mobile apps excel when offline access, device features, or performance are critical
3. PWAs provide a middle ground for many use cases
4. Budget 30-50% more for mobile compared to equivalent web applications
5. Consider starting with web and expanding to mobile based on validated demand

Unsure which platform suits your project? Get in touch for a free consultation where we'll help you evaluate the right approach for your specific needs.