Mobile App vs Web App: Which Does Your Business Need?

"We need an app."

I hear this a lot. Sometimes it's the right call. Often it's not. Let me save you some money and explain when you actually need a mobile app vs when a web app (or just a good mobile website) will do.

First: Definitions

Mobile App (Native): Installed from App Store or Play Store. Lives on your phone. Built specifically for iOS/Android.

Web App: Runs in a browser. Works on any device. Can be made to feel app-like (PWA).

Progressive Web App (PWA): A web app that can be "installed" on your phone's home screen, works offline, and sends notifications. Best of both worlds for many use cases.

When You Actually Need a Mobile App

A native mobile app makes sense when:

• Heavy device integration: You need deep access to camera, Bluetooth, GPS tracking, health sensors, or other hardware.
• Offline-first functionality: Users need to work without internet and sync later (field workers, delivery drivers).
• High-performance requirements: Games, video editing, AR experiences, or anything computationally intensive.
• You want App Store presence: Being discoverable in app stores matters for consumer apps.
• Frequent, daily usage: If users will use it multiple times per day, a native app provides better UX.
• Brand differentiation: Sometimes the prestige of "having an app" matters for your market.

When a Web App Is Better

A web app is usually the smarter choice when:

• Budget is limited: Web apps cost 40-60% less to build than native apps.
• You need to reach everyone: No download barrier. Share a link, people use it instantly.
• Content-focused: Blogs, catalogs, booking systems, dashboards, most business tools.
• Rapid iteration: Web apps can be updated instantly. Native apps require store approval (especially iOS).
• Internal business tools: Admin panels, CRMs, inventory systems—don't need app stores.
• B2B products: Business users are fine with web apps. Consumer apps face higher expectations.

The Middle Ground: PWA

Progressive Web Apps give you many mobile app benefits without the cost:

• Install to home screen (looks like an app)
• Works offline (with service workers)
• Push notifications (on Android; limited on iOS)
• Single codebase for all platforms
• No app store fees or approval delays

PWAs work great for: e-commerce stores, booking platforms, content sites, simple utilities, internal tools.

PWAs don't work for: games, heavy camera/sensor use, Bluetooth devices, anything requiring deep OS integration.

Cost Comparison

Native apps also have ongoing costs: Apple Developer Program (3,500 THB/year), Google Play (one-time 875 THB), plus maintenance for two separate codebases.

Thailand-Specific Considerations

LINE integration: If you're building for Thai consumers, LINE is often more important than a standalone app. A LINE Official Account with LIFF (LINE Front-end Framework) can do a lot of what apps do, inside LINE where your customers already are.

Mobile-first web: 70%+ of Thai internet traffic is mobile. A well-built mobile web experience often outperforms a mediocre app.

Data costs: Some users avoid downloading apps to save storage. A lightweight PWA or web app has lower friction.

Decision Framework

Ask yourself:

1. Do users need deep device features (camera processing, Bluetooth, background GPS)?
2. Will users need this offline frequently?
3. Is app store discoverability important for growth?
4. Will users use this daily, multiple times per day?
5. Is my budget above 200k THB?

If you answered "yes" to 3+ questions → consider native app.
If you answered "no" to most → web app or PWA is probably better.

Bottom Line

Most businesses don't need a native app. They need a good mobile experience. That's a different thing.

A fast, well-designed web app that works beautifully on phones will serve 80% of businesses better than a mediocre native app built on a tight budget.

Save the app store dreams for when you've validated the business and have the budget to do it right.