Native application

A native application is a mobile application developed specifically for the operating systems used on smartphones and tablets.

Native applications are programs designed to work on the various operating systems currently used by tablets and smartphones (such as Apple's iOS or Google's Android, among the most well known).

These native programs are installed locally on mobile devices or tablets and rely on the devices' capabilities and operating system to function.

Native applications usually correspond to practical programs like the camera, clock, GPS, Bluetooth, call or messaging modules, address book, or biometric authentication.

Many other frequently used mobile apps have also benefited from native development, such as Messenger, WhatsApp, and Snapchat.

Since these native-format applications are designed specifically for the operating system that they’ll be used on, they’re more stable and provide a better user experience.

They adapt perfectly to the operating system and allow for easy interaction with the device's various functions.

Native applications have the advantage of being able to work without an internet connection for most of them. Some also allow you to download content for offline use.

All these native programs can be downloaded from application platforms like the App Store or Play Store and are installed directly on the device.

Native development is different from web or hybrid application development.

Web applications are accessible through a URL, essentially being a website designed specifically for mobile use. They’re therefore not installed on the device and are only accessible online.

Note that a web application is different from a responsive website, which can be accessed from both a mobile device and a PC.

As for hybrid apps, they combine the two processes (web and native). They’re developed in a native environment but are powered by the website of the company that created them.

Native applications have many advantages over web applications. However, they require longer and more complex development, which leads to an increase in creation costs.