Native app vs web app: what is the difference?
A native app is software built for a specific platform using that platform's own tools and languages, installed from an app store and run directly on the device. A web app is software that runs inside a web browser, delivered over the internet, with no install required. The core difference is where the app runs and how it reaches the device.
How each one works
A native iOS app is written in Swift or Objective-C, compiled into a binary, and installed through the App Store. It calls the operating system directly, which gives it access to the camera, GPS, notifications, secure storage, and the full set of platform features, and it can run offline. A native app for Android or Windows works the same way with that platform's tools.
A web app is built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and runs in the browser. Users reach it through a URL instead of installing it. It updates the moment you deploy a new version, and the same code serves every device that has a browser. The tradeoff is that a web app works within the browser's limits: less direct hardware access, weaker offline support, and performance bound by the browser engine.
Where each one wins
Native apps win on performance, deep device integration, offline use, and the polished feel users expect from a platform. They are the right choice for apps that lean on hardware, run heavy work, or need to feel like part of the system. The cost is building and maintaining a separate codebase per platform and passing app store review.
Web apps win on reach and speed of iteration. One codebase runs everywhere with a browser, updates ship instantly, and there is no store gatekeeper. They suit content, tools, and products where the browser is a fine home and broad reach matters more than native depth.
Why it matters for iOS
The distinction is sharp on iOS because the App Store rewards genuinely native experiences and may reject submissions that are mostly a website inside a wrapper. If your destination is the App Store and a native feel, a native app is the safer path. AppFlight is built only for native iOS: it generates Swift and SwiftUI rather than wrapping a web page, so the output is a real native app.
FAQ
Is a native app always better than a web app?
No. Native apps give the best performance, device access, and integration with the operating system. Web apps reach any device with a browser and ship updates instantly without store review. The right choice depends on your goals.
Can a web app go on the App Store?
A web app can be wrapped in a native shell, but Apple may reject submissions that are mainly a website in a wrapper with little native functionality. A genuinely native app avoids this risk.
What is a hybrid app?
A hybrid app runs web code inside a native container. It is one codebase across platforms but typically gives up some performance and native feel compared with a fully native app.