'I need an app'. It's one of the phrases I hear most. And the first question I always ask is: why an app and not a website? Not to be contrarian — but because 90% of the time, what the business actually needs can be solved with a web or PWA at a fraction of the cost of a native app.
The three options: native app, hybrid app and web/PWA
Native app (iOS + Android)
Two independent applications — one in Swift for iOS and one in Kotlin for Android. Maximum performance and full access to device hardware. Also double the work and double the cost.
Cost from: 15,000€
Hybrid app (React Native / Flutter)
A single codebase that compiles for both iOS and Android. Very good performance for most cases. Good hardware access. Significantly lower cost than native.
Cost from: 8,000€
Web / PWA
A web application that works on any device from the browser. A PWA (Progressive Web App) can be installed on mobile like a regular app, works offline and can send push notifications. No App Store or Google Play required.
Cost from: 1,500€
When a native or hybrid app makes sense
- Intensive hardware access: real-time camera processing, NFC payments, high-precision GPS, Bluetooth
- Intensive offline use: fully offline operation with complex data synchronisation
- App Store as an acquisition channel: your strategy includes users discovering you via app stores
- Games or augmented reality applications with extreme graphics performance requirements
When a web or PWA is enough (most cases)
For 90% of local businesses, a web or PWA solves exactly what they need: booking systems, takeaway orders, product catalogues with shopping cart, internal management panels for staff, customer private areas, and push notifications for offers or news.
Frequently asked questions about mobile app vs web application in Granada
How much does it cost to develop a mobile app for a business in Granada?
A native app (iOS + Android separately) starts from €15,000 because it requires two independent codebases. A hybrid app with React Native or Flutter starts from €8,000. A PWA (Progressive Web App) — which runs from the browser, can be installed on a mobile and can send push notifications — starts from €1,500. For most local businesses in Granada, a PWA covers 90 % of the needs at a fraction of the cost of a native app.
What is a PWA and how does it differ from a native app?
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is a web application that behaves like an app: it can be installed on the phone's home screen, works offline with cached content, can send push notifications and loads at native app speed. The main difference from a native app is that it does not go through the App Store or Google Play, eliminating the double development cost (iOS + Android) and Apple or Google's 30 % commission on in-app purchases. For a restaurant with a digital menu or a clinic with online appointments, a PWA is virtually indistinguishable from a native app for the end user.
Does my business really need an app or is a well-built website enough?
For the vast majority of businesses in Granada, a well-optimised website or PWA is sufficient. A native app makes sense when the business depends on specific hardware features (real-time camera processing, NFC, high-precision GPS), needs to function completely offline for long periods, or when the App Store is a customer acquisition channel in the business strategy. If none of these conditions apply, a website or PWA delivers the same result at a fraction of the cost.
How long does it take to develop an app or a PWA?
A PWA with standard features (menu, bookings, notifications) can be ready in 3 to 6 weeks. A simple hybrid app requires 2 to 4 months. A native app with complex features can exceed 6 months of development. The time depends mainly on the complexity of the features and whether there are integrations with external systems (payment gateways, existing management systems, third-party APIs).
A Granada business invested 12,000€ in a native iOS and Android app. Features: bookings, push notifications and a service catalogue. Eight months later, the app had 47 downloads. The problem wasn't the app — it was that customers didn't expect an app for that type of business. Solving it with a website with a booking system would have cost 2,000€ and reached all customers without requiring a download.
Do you need an app or a website? Before budgeting, it's worth analysing carefully. Write to me at pablogomezvillen@gmail.com and tell me what you want to build. I'll give you my honest technical opinion on the most suitable solution for your case — and its real cost.
Cost and timeline comparison: native app vs hybrid vs web/PWA
| Native app | Hybrid app | Web / PWA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost from | €15,000 | €8,000 | €1,500 |
| Development time | 6+ months | 3 – 5 months | 3 – 8 weeks |
| iOS + Android | Two separate projects | One codebase | One codebase |
| App Store / Play Store | Yes (30 % commission) | Yes (30 % commission) | Not required |
| Push notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes (PWA) |
| Offline functionality | Full | Partial | Partial (cache) |
| Hardware access | Full | Good | Limited |
| Best for | Hardware-intensive apps | Complex cross-platform apps | Most local businesses |
