Glossary / Native app
What is a native app?
A native app is an app built specifically for one platform, such as iOS or Android, using that platform's own languages and interface components, and installed from its app store.
iPhone apps are typically written in Swift and Android apps in Kotlin. Because they use the platform's own building blocks, they feel at home on the device and get full access to its hardware and features.
The cost is effort: two platforms usually means two codebases, two sets of skills, and app store review for every update.
Between native and web sit cross-platform and hybrid approaches. Frameworks like React Native share code across platforms, while tools like Capacitor wrap a web app in a native shell.
Questions
Do I need a native app?
Not always. If your app is mostly forms, lists and dashboards, a web app or a wrapped web app can do the job. Native makes sense for heavy graphics, deep device features or the smoothest feel.
What does a native app cost to build?
It varies widely with features and who builds it. Building for both iOS and Android natively usually costs more than one web app, because the work is largely done twice.