If you use services like social media or online banking, you probably have the apps for those services downloaded to your phone. Even though you can log in to, say, Facebook in a browser (like Chrome or Firefox) and avoid cluttering up your phone, many use the app for easy access. But are there other advantages to using apps rather than websites?
There are plenty of cases where certain functionalities are only available on the website, like making big changes to your account details. But overall, apps are the better choice. Here’s why.
Why mobile apps are often better than websites
1. Mobile apps load content faster than websites
Mobile apps work faster because they are already downloaded to your device and don’t have to load everything from servers. This means a better user experience.
2. Mobile apps offer functionality when you’re offline
Visiting websites requires internet access, and in most cases you’ll need the internet to use mobile apps too. The good thing, though, is that some apps can offer limited functionality without an internet connection. For example, the Netflix and YouTube apps let you watch content when you don’t have an internet connection, as long as you’ve downloaded the content in advance onto the app when the internet is available.
3. Certain apps offer functions that websites don’t
On some mobile apps, you can perform functions that websites can’t. One major example is the TikTok app, which allows you to record videos—a defining feature of TikTok, in fact—whereas its website does not.
4. Mobile apps are designed for your screen
The mobile app will almost certainly give you a better experience on your phone. Granted, many websites are designed to be displayed well on mobile devices these days. However, they usually do not have the same interface as their app versions. Do a quick test and see for yourself. Open up the YouTube app on your phone and the YouTube website in a browser. Can you spot the differences? Mobile apps generally offer a more intuitive user interface.
5. You can get helpful notifications through mobile apps
Food-delivery and ride-hailing apps are just two examples where getting notifications is helpful and more readily available if you use apps. Other examples are weather alerts sent by weather apps or breaking news from news apps, if that’s the type of thing you’re into.
6. Mobile apps are just as secure
It’s hard to generalize about whether apps or websites offer greater security. Security issues often stem from server (“backend”) vulnerabilities, as in the cases of data breaches, rather than browsers or apps.
But mobile apps have an edge in a few ways. Apps have to go through rigorous checks of Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store before becoming available for download, which offers a high level of security—as long as you’re careful not to download a fake app by mistake.
That said, most websites use HTTPS for security. But you could visit a fake website by mistake. If you already have the legitimate app of a service installed on your phone, you can avoid the risk of visiting the wrong website.
Many common online attacks are designed for the web browser experience. For instance, the browser-in-the-browser attack and various forms of scareware attempt to deceive people while they’re using browsers. These are rarely relevant for the use of apps.
All in all, what’s really important when it comes to security is that you keep your apps and operating system up to date to ensure vulnerabilities are patched; use a strong password, ideally with two-factor authentication; and consider additional protection by using a VPN. These safeguards apply whether you’re using an app or a website.
FAQ: About apps vs. websites
Are apps more profitable than websites?
It’s hard to say whether a business can make more money through an app or a website, as profitability depends on a lot of factors, like target audience, business model, and the product you’re trying to sell. Apps often have higher engagement rates and can be monetized through in-app purchases, advertising, and subscriptions. Websites offer broader accessibility and may have lower development costs.
Why are app sizes constantly increasing?
App developers need to constantly improve their apps to keep up with the competition by offering more features and functionality. This requires more coding and resources to be integrated in the app, leading to an increase in app sizes. Also, as devices have become more powerful to handle high-quality media, app developers are able to incorporate more visuals, animations, and video playback in the apps. This can significantly increase the size of an app.
Is it easier to make an app or website?
Generally speaking, it’s easier to make a website than an app. Websites can be designed to work on a wide range of devices, while apps are built using programming languages specific to each platform. Also, web development has been around for a longer time than app development. This means there are more developers and resources available for making a website than an app.
What is the biggest app in the world right now?
As of 2023, the biggest app in the world is Whatsapp, which has over 2 billion active users. TikTok had the most downloads in the previous year, numbering about 670 million.
FAQs
Mobile apps work faster because they are already downloaded to your device and don't have to load everything from servers. This means a better user experience.
What is more secure, a website or an app? ›
The truth is that both are generally secure, but the true test lies in the user. Careless use of either a web browser or a mobile app can make you an easier target for scammers, while diligently sticking to traditional protocols can make both options safe.
Do people use apps or websites more? ›
People Spend 90% of their Mobile Time Using Apps (and Other Key Statistics) We'll start by sharing some of the most interesting and useful statistics on mobile apps vs mobile websites. If we look at the average time spent on apps, they are the clear winner over mobile websites.
Why are apps faster than websites? ›
Why are apps faster than websites? Apps usually store their data locally on mobile devices, unlike websites that generally use web servers. For this reason, data retrieval happens swiftly in mobile apps.
Do I need an app if I have a website? ›
Most companies need a website and maybe want an app. However, this isn't always the case. If you're looking for mobile friendliness, it doesn't get better than a well-designed mobile app. Sure, websites can be designed for mobile devices, but the user will have to open their browser and head to that website every time.
What are the disadvantages of apps? ›
- Disadvantages: Not Everyone Can Use Them. ...
- Hard to Create. ...
- Have to Pay to Make the App Available. ...
- Security. ...
- Frequent Updates Are Required. ...
- Support. ...
- Need Both a Website and an App. ...
- Advantages: Ease of Communication.
- 1. Facebook. Facebook is probably the worst app for privacy, as it tracks you across all its apps and websites. ...
- Messenger. Facebook Messenger is also one of the worst apps for privacy , as it does not use end-to-end encryption. ...
- Weather apps. ...
- Words with Friends and other mobile multiplayer games. ...
- The next app you download.
Kyle Marchini, senior analyst in fraud management with research-based advisory firm Javelin Strategy & Research: “I give bank apps on mobile devices the edge when it comes to safety,” Marchini says. With computers, he says, it is easier to inadvertently download malware from hackers.
What is the safest type of website? ›
A secure website's URL should begin with “https” rather than “http”. The “s” at the end of “http” stands for secure and is using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection.
How many people use apps instead of websites? ›
According to eMarketer, smartphone users spent about 4 hours on the internet per day in 2020. 88% of that time is spent using apps, vs websites. Experts suggest that this is due to the better user experience offered by a mobile app, tailored specifically for mobile devices.
With users embracing apps to streamline calendars and grocery lists, catch snippets of entertainment while on-the-go and to make banking more convenient, the report found that 85 percent of mobile users prefer apps over mobile sites.
Do millennials prefer apps or websites? ›
Mobile Apps vs.
Especially Millennials embrace in-app shopping: 61% of Millennials say they download retail apps and 58% of millennials mentioned that they preferred purchasing through apps. Next to Millennials, Facebook shows that Moms and Multiculturals are also responsible for most of the revenue within apps.
Does too many apps slow down? ›
You have too many apps
Holding on to apps that you aren't using or no longer need can take up valuable storage space and slow down your phone. Even when you delete them, remnants of their data might continue to lurk on your device if you don't take the proper steps.
What are the disadvantages of apps compared with websites for mobile users? ›
The time and cost required to develop a mobile-responsive website are less than that of an app. The cost of customer and tech support for a dedicated native app is more expensive than that of a mobile site.
Why is mobile better than website? ›
A mobile application provides more information about the user compared to web-based services. It also enables direct messaging to users through push or in-app notifications, targeted advertising, data collection, and analysis, and much more based on the user's profile.
Is it safer to use an app or a browser for banking? ›
Are banking apps safer than Internet banking? Banking apps can be safer than using an online banking portal due to biometric-enabled login options for your phone and the app itself. Your face, your fingerprint and your phone are a lot harder to hack than your username and password.
How secure is an app? ›
Apps don't always adequately secure or encrypt the information they send and receive. Some apps contain malware that can infect your device. Apps may be accessing personal or confidential information on your device as part of the permissions you granted when you downloaded it.
Which is more secure app? ›
Overall, Signal is likely the most secure messaging app in 2023, considering the strength of its security features, the power of its end-to-end encryption protocol, and its open-source code base.
What is a website that is not secure? ›
A website that is not secure means that the connection between the website and your web browser is not encrypted. This means that any information you enter on the website, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information, could potentially be intercepted by a third party.
