An application has never failed to prove its worth throughout- whether it is in terms of business growth, business optimization, or even channel enhancement, etc., the list of benefits never seems to end and this is something that every web app developer is aware of.
But speaking in terms of web apps and cloud apps- things can’t be claimed to be the same. Although both- web apps and cloud apps may sound and appear to be the same, they share their set of individual differences. Let us understand this better-
What is a Web Application?
As the name suggests, web applications are used to surf the internet browser and its architecture is pretty straightforward with a mix of server-side (ASP, PHP, etc.) and client-side scripting (HTML, JavaScript, Adobe Flash). The structure of the client interface and the system are fully dependent on the web server components, which provide essential functional functions. With an internet connection, one can access web apps from anywhere and from any given point in time.
Here’s an example- web services such as WebEx, e-banking, e-commerce and eBay fit into this category since they are entirely web-based and contain few user customization choices.
There is no data on web applications, mostly because it is not always clear if a particular website is a dynamic website or a web app. However, in order to be classified as a PWA, a website must meet the following requirements, the most important of which are-
- It should be delivered through HTTPS.
- Since a web app requires service workers, it may operate online.
- Comply to the web app criteria by having at least the following properties: name, short name, start URL, icon and display mode.
Advantages/Benefits of Web Applications
When it comes to pointing out the advantages or the benefits of web applications, one must acknowledge-
- Web applications are cross-platform friendly. One must not be worried about the OS they’re using
- Web apps can be updated and maintained without requiring the software to be reinstalled on thousands of devices
- Client information is not saved, by any means. As a result, the enterprise’s data servers must obtain and validate the information. Piracy in subscription-based online applications is reduced as a result
- Web applications enable users to utilize them without downloading the software or removing any hard drive capacity constraints
- Web applications do not follow normal operating system protocols and do not require an app store clearance; they can be released in any format you wish
Types of Web Apps
The enormous business IT market for web-based software is already shifting dramatically to cloud computing. The following are their primary classifications of today:
Dynamic web app
Dynamic web applications are client-server solutions that operate in web browsers. A dynamic web app displays different content each time it is viewed. The most often used languages for these web apps are ASP and PHP which allow users to arrange and alter information such as text, photos and videos.
Static web app
This sort of web app is not adaptable and is usually built with CSS and HTML. It simply shows a few things, but it can also carry animated objects such as GIFs, banners, films and so on. Changing the contents of static web apps is particularly challenging since you must first download the HTML code, amend it and then upload it back to the server, which can only be done by site webmasters or the provider. Digital curriculums and professional portfolios are examples of static web applications.
Content management system (CMS) in web apps
These are the ones that have content that is constantly updated. A CMS administrator is the only person permitted to implement upgrades, modifications and updates. For instance- WordPress is a popular online CMS program for creating commercial and personal blogs, news pages and so on.
Web app portal
This refers to web-based apps that let users view and interact with the categories or sections of a home page. These are the same as dynamic web applications and include web browsers, email, chat rooms and forums.
Animated websites
These generally use animation technologies like FLASH and JavaScript as well as other unique designs. Essentially, creative companies and freelancers better showcase their work on these platforms. For producing animated web pages, developers typically employ CSS animations and transitions, WebGL or JavaScript.
E-commerce sites
A more complex web browser requires methods to pay online with credit cards and other means and must enable online shopping features such as online product displays, shopping carts and so on. To gain the greatest results, an e-commerce app must now be optimized for both desktop and mobile browsing.
What Are Cloud Applications?
A cloud-based application functions in the cloud in the same way that a traditional desktop program would. It is a more sophisticated web application that is used to view online material over the internet. It is, however, not fully reliant on a web browser. Developers install a cloud-based operating system and create a cloud-based infrastructure for deployment.
A cloud application development software manages the logic and data storage across two systems: client-side and server-side. Some prefer end-to-end local hardware support, while others prefer remote server assistance.
Some examples of platforms that depend on cloud technology are- Dropbox, Evernote, zoho.com, NetSuite, etc. Other qualifying instances like- Google, Microsoft Hotmail, Yahoo, etc., rely on cloud technology and are available offline if customers set them as so.
Advantages/Benefits of Cloud Apps
In terms of benefits or advantages of cloud app, one must straightaway acknowledge-
- Customers that use cloud apps frequently do not purchase the software but rather pay for the services it offers. As a result, users get instant access to required programs through a cloud server.
- There is little administration work or engagement with service providers while using cloud apps
- Cloud apps are available online and offline
- Cloud service availability and performance can help to simplify work processes and increase profitability
- Cloud solutions enable enterprises to swiftly extend outward in terms of storage, computation, memory, network capacity and so on
- The cloud app’s cost might be based on real program usage
So, Which One’s Better For Business?
To app development companies, the choice between a web app and a cloud app is determined by the business and its requirements. As a company grows and its servers become overburdened. In that situation, it is left with two options: continue to add hardware to satisfy the demands of users and customers, as well as internal needs or migrate to the cloud, pay the subscription costs and be able to scale on demand. Another obvious advantage is that when an app is hosted in the cloud, the risk of downtime scales from small to non-existent.
While certain organizations choose to stick to their own servers, other small businesses prefer carrying on with their web-based apps. The choice is now yours. Projecting a biased opinion based on one side of the story is unjust, therefore, we’ve kept the whole picture out for you to choose from.
