On post-PC platform, Android and iOS, their apps are written on specific language for their specific platform. However, according BII report, Mobile Apps are Winning Now but HTML5 will win the future. Currently, native apps can do a lot more than HTML5 apps. However, HTML5 technology will get better, And HTML5 have a big advantage on Cost and Distribution. Hence, HTML5 will be the future.
HTML5 vs Native Apps
Here summarized the advantages and drawbacks of HTML5 versus native apps.
- Cost
HTML5 apps are cheaper to make because they're cross-platform. If you want to build an app on every platform, you need to build it almost from scratch. With HTML5, you can (mostly) develop once and be up and running on every platform. User experience
In term of "user experience", native should apps win. HTML5 technology still isn't evolved enough, and also native app enable you do more on it.Features
Majority of things work on HTML5, however, there are some things HTML5 cannot right now. For example, browser apps cannot access phone GPS which become an barrier for any apps that relies on loction data to develop on HTML5. However, this should change when HTML5 evolves.Distribution
Right now, people are happy with app store distribution model. However, if there are more open web model which will let more people have distribution. Finally, it will reduce the power of gatekeepers like Apple.Monetization
Native apps hooked into services like iTunes that have your credit card, hence, native apps are much easier to monetize than HTML5.
HTML5 will be feature??
Based on above comparision, it seems like native apps have the edge. But why HTML5 will win the future??
It is because HTML5 has all the hallmarks of a disruptive technology. A technology comes along that is inferior to the incumbent, but is cheaper and has something key the incumbent doesn't have. The newcomer takes the low end of the market. And, over time, the new, cheaper technology gets better and better, and as it does it starts to eat the rest of the market.
This is what HTML5 is, right now. In many perspective, native apps are better at lots of things. However, technology is improving, HTML5 is a cheaper technology than native apps. For several types of apps that represent majority of apps out there, HTML5 is particularly useful:
Media apps: Apps that display text, images and video and monetize through ads and subscriptions can be done more cheaply and effectively through HTML5.
"Access" apps: This is a kinds of apps that just let you access an account with a service, like a bank or a utility, from a mobile device.
Recently, there is another thing that shows HTML5's promise is the increasing numbers of shell apps. There are the apps that have a native "shell", so they can get in app stores. However, the entire functionality is done on HTML5. One of the most promising example shell apps is "Facebook iPad apps".
All that being said, HTML5 will replace native apps, however, it is not going to happen in near future and it will take more time than HTML5 bulls think.