Mobile devices have reached total market penetration. A staggering 97% of Americans own a cellphone, and worldwide, there are more mobile devices than people.

But it’s not necessarily the device that offers value to its owner. It’s what’s on our smartphones and tablets that make them worth carrying around: apps.

From time-wasters to mission-critical solutions, apps are the bread and butter of the mobile experience. And every app starts as an idea. It’s through the successful development of that idea that can make an impact on the end user.

What is mobile app development? 

Mobile app development is the start-to-finish process of planning, designing, and building software for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. To us, it’s an opportunity to put proven methodologies and reputable research into practice to build efficient, scalable, and easily usable digital apps. Sometimes it’s a challenge, but one we’re eager to take on.

Conceptually, creating a mobile app isn’t that different from crafting a web app; there’s a feature list to draft, a backend and frontend to develop, and a user interface (UI) for us to obsess over.

Where mobile app development diverges from traditional software (aside from the obvious size and shape of the device) is the extra functionality a mobile device brings. Mobile apps can take advantage of a smartphone’s built-in camera, accelerometer, GPS, and more. By integrating these features into our plans, we can create truly memorable and moving digital experiences.

What are the different types of mobile apps?

To understand the different types of mobile applications, you need to understand the platforms mobile apps run on. Although there are a handful of platforms on the market, the vast majority of smartphones use one of two operating systems:

• iOS – Apple’s mobile platform that runs on iPhones (and only iPhones). There’s also the similar-but-different iPadOS for Apple tablets.

• Android – Google’s take on the mobile device operating system. Unlike iOS, Android can power Google devices and products from other OEMs like Samsung, Sony, and Huawei.

To reach the largest possible audience, most organizations prefer to have mobile apps for Android and iOS. But your ability—and desire—to cater to multiple platforms depends on the type of app you develop.

Put simply, there are four app types to consider: native, cross-platform, hybrid, and progressive web apps (PWAs). We don’t see one type as any better than another; we build them all, basing our choice on each client’s needs, structure, and existing platforms. Here’s a closer look at each option.

Native apps

Native applications are made for a specific platform, with the specific programming tools and languages that work on that platform. For iOS apps, that means writing code in Objective-C or Swift. For Android apps, the most-used languages are Java and Kotlin.

Native apps are fast. They’re secure. And because they can take advantage of native APIs—Application Programming Interfaces specific to the platform they’re built on—they often feel like a default app that shipped with the phone.

However, taking the native app route means essentially creating the same app twice for two different platforms. Sure, you can reuse some assets along the way (especially design elements), but you might be looking at a longer, more costly app development process.

Cross-platform apps

Cross-platform applications throw out the “either-or” approach of native app development. Instead, a cross-platform app begins as a single codebase that you can adapt to run on iOS or Android.

Using a cross-platform app development framework, mobile app developers can write the backend software in their preferred programming language, then compile it into a native application.

Creating a cross-platform app guarantees a shorter lead time, while still allowing for most of the  customizability of a pure native app. If a client ends up needing features available only to pure native apps, we can integrate them into the existing codebase of a cross-platform app with relative ease and efficiency.

Hybrid apps

Like cross-platform apps, hybrid applications allow you to write code once, then reuse it on multiple mobile platforms. That’s because a hybrid app is essentially a web application “disguised” as a mobile app.

Hybrid app development relies on web programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Developers write the base code in one of these familiar languages, then use a native viewer to bring the experience to mobile.

While hybrid apps allow for an efficient rollout to multiple platforms, they don’t always perform as well as native apps and lack some capabilities. That said, if you need a simple mobile experience and have limited resources, a hybrid app might be your best bet.

Progressive web apps

Called PWAs for short, progressive web applications aren’t mobile apps in the truest sense, as they don’t come from the device’s app store. Instead, PWAs are downloaded via a web browser and installed on the home screen (much like shortcuts on a desktop computer).

The biggest benefit of a PWA is that users can enjoy the same experience on web and mobile—there’s no need to build a platform-specific solution.

However, support for native device features is limited, so PWAs aren’t ideal for more complex solutions. Additionally, PWAs aren’t particularly iOS-friendly.

What is the mobile app development process?

Whether we’re creating a native iOS app or a cross-platform solution, the development process is more or less the same. With a clear concept top of mind, our standard procedure looks a little something like this:

• Step 1: Perform market research – First, we’ll identify your competitors, target audience, and unique selling propositions (USPs) through stakeholder interviews and in-depth market studies.

• Step 2: Sketch out the concept – Next, we’ll compile a list of must-have features and manipulate them into a visual representation of the finished product. This blueprint is known as a wireframe.

• Step 3: Write the code – Using the wireframe as a guide, we’ll start bringing the app to life through backend and frontend development.

• Step 4: Test, test, and test again – Once the app is functional, it’s time to stamp out any bugs. Performing usability testing throughout the process, rather than at the end, can help you avoid setbacks.

• Step 5: Launch and monitor – When everything works as intended, you can list your mobile application on the App Store. From there, we’ll roll into a cycle of updates and releases designed to keep your app functioning optimally.

How long does it take to develop a mobile app?

Because of the inherent variety in mobile applications, there’s no set answer to this question. Mobile apps can be as simple as a virtual to-do list or as complex as a digital ecosystem for a large-scale conference. Some apps require months of thorough planning and market research; others are ready for wireframing from day one.

With that said, in our experience, it can take anywhere from 3–6 months to work through the mobile app development process, especially with an obsessive, investigate-every-option process like ours.

It’s also worth noting that mobile app development never truly ends. After rollout, we’ll continue to add features, tweak the user experience, and perform necessary maintenance.

"We’ve been working with Utility for a long time, and we’ve had a positive experience throughout. We have continued the work, both in terms of product maintenance, and adding new features."

Dr. Lee Kaplan

CEO, SirenMD / Head of University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute

What is the best software for mobile app development?

Every developer has their favorite software, and the “best” software for a project depends on the project at hand. Some of our go-to, industry-standard tools for mobile app development include:

• Android Studio – The official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android development. Android Studio comes with a range of tools for testing and debugging.

• Xcode – Apple’s answer to Android Studio; Xcode also includes tools for testing and debugging during iOS development.

• Ionic – An open-source framework made for seamless cross-platform app development.

• Visual Studio Code – A customizable editor developed by Microsoft with a range of community-built extensions to seamlessly support a broad range of development stacks.

• React Native – An open-source development framework maintained by Meta that allows developers to create native apps using JavaScript.

How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?

“It depends” may not be the most satisfying answer, but it’s the correct one. Mobile app development is a highly customizable process that hinges on your needs, and no two projects are ever the same. Your final cost will depend on:

• The number of platforms
• The app’s complexity
• Your design requirements
• Your timeline
• Your third-party integration needs

For a simple mobile app, you could spend as little as $50,000. For a more substantial digital experience, you can expect to invest $250,000 or more. The only way to know for sure is to request a quote.

Undoubtedly, cost should be high on your criteria list when choosing a mobile app development company. But it shouldn’t be your only deciding factor. The you-get-what-you-pay-for rule certainly applies to mobile app development, which is why it’s always worth seeking out an agency that does things right the first time.

Discover the Utility approach to mobile app development

Developing a mobile app from the ground up requires creativity, plenty of time, and upfront investments in specialized knowledge and software. An experienced team of developers can make—or break—your app, sometimes quite literally.

With a forward-looking and fanatical approach to mobile app development, we can help turn an idea into a transformative digital experience, and a possibly-stressful process into a seamless partnership.