It’s the first question every client asks us: “do I need an app on the App Store, or is a website app enough?”
The honest answer is: for most small businesses, a web app is the right call. Here’s how to decide.
What is a web app?
A web app is software that runs in the browser. Think of tools like Google Docs or Canva. No install, no app store, works on any device with a browser.
For a business, that means a booking system, a customer portal, a loyalty programme or an order page that lives at a web address and feels like an app when you use it.
What is a native app?
A native app is installed on the phone from the App Store or Google Play. It can use the camera, send push notifications and work offline.
That extra power comes at a cost: you typically need separate builds for iPhone and Android, and you’re tied to store approval and updates.
How to decide: the quick test
Ask yourself these three questions:
- Do customers need offline access? Yes means native. No means web app.
- Do you need push notifications? Native does this best. Web apps can do it, but with more limits.
- Do you need it fast and affordable? Web app wins every time. You can launch in weeks, not months.
If you answered “no” to the first two, you want a web app. Most local businesses, cafes, salons, trades and retailers fall into this camp.
The cost difference
This is where it gets decisive. A web app typically costs half to a third of a native app. Updates are instant, there’s no app store cut, and customers never have to “install” anything to use it.
For most Scottish small businesses, spending £5,000 to £20,000 extra on native builds is money that doesn’t pay back.
Can you start with a web app and upgrade later?
Yes. That’s the smart path. Launch a web app to prove the idea, then invest in a native version when you’ve got traction and revenue to justify it. We build both, so it’s one conversation when you’re ready.
Still not sure? That’s fine. Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll recommend the right build, at no cost. That’s what the free 24-hour quote is for.