Mobile Apps Versus Web Apps: Which Do You Prefer?
Hey PH community,
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the whole mobile apps versus web apps debate. There are those who love the smooth experience and performance of mobile apps while others appreciate the ease of access and versatility that web apps offer. In your experience, which one really wins out for delivering a great user experience and why?
I would love to hear examples from your work or even personal projects. What are some challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Looking forward to your insights and stories.
Replies
minimalist phone: creating folders
Most of the population is on mobile (mobile first, mobile only)
Me, personally – I am on a desktop most of my time because of the bigger screen and fast writing.
@busmark_w_nika
That’s a great point. The mobile-first shift is real, especially for consumer apps and global audiences. But I totally relate to preferring desktop for productivity. The larger screen and full keyboard still win for anything involving writing or deep work.
I guess the ideal experience really depends on the use case. Curious if you’ve ever worked on a project where you had to choose one over the other. How did you decide?
minimalist phone: creating folders
Honestly, I work (the marketing part) for the product (app) which is only on mobile – but use a desktop most of the time anyway because I am responsible for things that need to be done via PC (video editing, articles, customer support, graphic design).
I think it may depend on my usage habits. For work-related tasks like email and document editing, I prefer using web apps because they offer more screen space for better visibility and control. On the other side, for daily life, such as music apps, banking apps, or messaging, I lean toward mobile apps since they allow me to access them anytime, anywhere.
@focusaur
That makes a lot of sense. Work tasks definitely benefit from the larger screen and more precise control you get with web apps. It is just easier to multitask and manage complex tools.
But for everyday personal use, mobile apps really shine. Being able to check messages, stream music, or handle banking on the go is hard to beat.
Your approach feels like the best of both worlds. Use what fits the context. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Great question! I think it really depends on the use case. Mobile apps shine when it comes to performance, offline access, and deep integration with device features (like push notifications and GPS). But web apps win on accessibility—no downloads, instant updates, and cross-platform compatibility.
@onbing
Thanks for sharing this. I think you summed it up perfectly. Mobile apps really do shine when performance and device features matter, especially for things like GPS or real-time notifications. But web apps definitely win on accessibility and speed to access. No installs, no updates, just open and go.
It really comes down to the core experience you're trying to deliver. Great points.
Sessions
I think this issue exists because there's no clear definition for mobile app or web app. I think the mobile app should be something that fully uses the operating system and handset capabilities or provides ease of use for certain actions. I think the best example is a banking app, I prefer the mobile experience for paying invoices, sending money to other people but for transaction analysis, generating reports, the web experience is the best. On the other hand, I really hate the mobile applications built just to harvest data, for example the courier applications. If you already send a SMS telling me that you will deliver a parcel, add the PIN in it, don't force me to install an app to get the PIN.
In conclusion, the rule should be: web app if there a couple of simple flows (like making appointments) and mobile app for something complex or ease of use (for example gym app, banking).
@ictoba
Really appreciate this breakdown. You nailed the nuance. I agree completely that the best experience often comes from combining both, depending on the task.
The example with banking is spot on. Quick actions like transfers or invoice payments feel natural on mobile, but when it comes to data-heavy tasks like reviewing statements or downloading reports, the web is just better.
And yes, forcing users to install an app for something that could easily be solved in a message or email is such a frustrating trend. It adds friction with no real value.
Your rule makes a lot of sense. Use the web for simple, infrequent interactions and mobile when there is a clear benefit in speed, ease, or access to device features.
Thanks for sharing such a balanced take.
Hmm... I think it depends on the product. If it's something people need to use frequently outside of work, the app would be more advantageous, but if it’s needed on a larger screen, the web would be more suitable.
If both are possible, I think I’d try the web first because there’s a barrier for people when it comes to installing apps.
@kay_arkain
Totally agree. Frequency of use and context really shape what makes sense. If people need quick, repeated access while on the go, an app is usually the better experience. But if the product involves more detailed input or benefits from a larger screen, the web often wins.
And yes, that initial barrier of asking someone to install an app is real. Trying the web version first makes it easier for people to engage without commitment. Smart approach. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Mobile apps beat web apps in speed and UX, using native features like GPS. I built a fitness app with real-time tracking—web can’t touch that. But coding for iOS and Android was brutal; we tested on key devices to manage. Web apps win on reach—no install, works anywhere. My project tool launched fast, though slow networks hurt; we used PWA caching to fix it. Mobile feels smoother, web’s broader. Depends on your need: engagement or access. You?
I prefer mobile app, because it is easy to use. I think I use Web apps only if necessary for work.