Apps vs Websites

Discussions debate the necessity of native mobile apps versus websites or web apps, questioning why apps are preferred when web versions often suffice and offer better accessibility without installation.

📉 Falling 0.5x Web Development
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#5482
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Keywords

UX HN HTML5 IM WebKit IE WP8 PS postimg.org GPS app apps web web app browser mobile website use web web browser install app

Sample Comments

wizzwizz4 Feb 8, 2023 View on HN

What would an app give you that a website doesn't?

swiley Apr 29, 2021 View on HN

Why bother having apps at all if everything needs to be done with a website?

ant6n Oct 2, 2021 View on HN

To what extend could one use a website instead of an app?

webisbest Dec 14, 2011 View on HN

so many apps do what the web can already do

earth2mars Jun 8, 2021 View on HN

why not create app, at least for android?! web browser experience is not that great on mobile, at least for mobile platform. Do Apple have resource constraint? or is it intentional?

HumblyTossed Jul 26, 2025 View on HN

Most apps today are just wrappers around the web site anyway.

mvdtnz Feb 15, 2024 View on HN

I personally will not use any native app when I can use a web app

Geee May 5, 2015 View on HN

Web apps as 'apps' are more convenient than using them from the browser. Also, you can submit the app on app stores.

ksaj Nov 14, 2022 View on HN

There's a perfect example of why an app might be better than the web page.

gdilla Nov 13, 2012 View on HN

wouldn't have this been better if it was a web app? Then you could service most smartphones, and not require people to get a host app from the store.