Like desktop software, mobile apps are designed using a wide range of programming languages and frameworks. While the most popular operating systems, iOS and Android, have done an excellent job of standardizing the types of mobile app development available to programmers, apps can still vary. Here are some mobile app types:
Native apps
These are apps created for a specific platform (iOS or Android) using the software development tools and languages supported by those operating systems. iOS uses Xcode and Objective-C, whereas Android uses Eclipse and Java. Developers often prefer native apps because of their ability to utilize a device’s full potential. With smart home devices becoming more common, developers are creating unique applications that integrate things like wearables, Internet of Things sensors and smart screens for personalized experiences. Of course, development for each platform is a costly and time-consuming process that doesn’t work for all businesses.

HTML5 apps
Based on the near-universal standards of web technologies – HTML5, JavaScript and CSS – this type of mobile app takes a write-once-run-anywhere approach to mobile development. Apps developed in this framework are compatible with many platforms and require only minimal changes to ensure complete functionality on each operating system. HTML5 apps can still send desktop notifications and trigger interactions through email and other avenues. Don’t discount web apps’ usability, but keep in mind that consumers are more likely to use a native app. A study from Oracle found that millennials spend 90% of their mobile time in apps and 10% in web browsers.

Hybrid apps
These apps entail the creation of a container developed in the native system that makes it possible to embed an HTML5 app within it. This allows apps to make use of the diverse and unique elements of each native system. Before creating your own branded app, consider utilizing existing apps for greater impact. For example, by using mobile-focused marketing on services such as Yelp, Facebook and Google Maps, you can drive traffic to both your website and brick-and-mortar location.

Software development kits
Mobile app development requires access to software development kits (SDKs) that provide a simulated mobile environment for programmers to design and test code.
However, creating an app does not require full use of these kits. For example, developers can create mobile games using Unity and then use the Android SDK to ensure its deliverability on mobile devices. Developing apps for iOS requires a paid iOS developer license, whereas the Android SDK is freely available to users.
iOS and Android have similar mobile market shares (47% and 52% respectively), but developing for Apple is somewhat easier in that you don’t need to worry about a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. Whichever operating system you choose, however, there are barriers to entry.