One of the most frequent questions we get on a first call with a new client is simple: I want an app, but I'm not sure whether a browser one or an installable one is better.
The right answer depends on a few key factors. Let's go through each scenario.
When to choose a web app
Web apps are the right fit when:
- Users are distributed — they work from different offices, from home, from their phones
- You want automatic updates without anyone having to install anything
- Data needs to be synced between multiple users in real time
- Initial budget is smaller — a web MVP is faster to build
When to choose a desktop app
Desktop is still the champion at:
- Performance — local processing for large files, heavy calculations
- Guaranteed offline operation
- Access to USB devices, scanners, label printers
- Maximum data security (data stays local)
Hybrid is often the answer
In reality, many projects benefit from a web app for daily users + a desktop tool for power operators. The cost is similar to a single complex app, but usability is much better.
If you're not sure, send us a short summary of your scenario and we'll honestly tell you which path makes the most sense for you.