Xamarin:

Xamarin is a software company based in San Francisco. It provides commercial software development tools that allow a user to develop applications for Android, iOS, and Windows using C# language and the .NET framework. Xamarin is built on the .NET Framework. It allows one to create apps that easily run across multiple platforms.

Xamarin is a Cross-Platform Technology that makes it possible to build Native Mobile Apps for Android, IOS, and Windows Phone Using C# and a Shared Codebase. Xamarin allows development teams to build Mobile Applications Using the Skills they already have, and spend less time writing code for Each Platform. To know Why we need Xamarin, let's have a look at different types of Apps.

Types of Mobile Apps:

There are still many misconceptions surrounding app development, especially for mobile. As we move into a mobile-first world, many companies considering mobile apps are facing a common challenge — which should we choose? Three types of Mobile Apps are Available so, should we build a native apps, or Mobile web apps or hybrid app? The answer depends on your company’s priorities and many factors such as:

• » How fast we Need the App?
  » If we can Develop any part of the App in House?
  » What we are trying to Accomplish with the App?
  » Our Budget for App Development.
  » What Features we need?
  

Now, we need to decide, what type of Apps we want to create. Do we create a Native app or Hybrid apps? so, in order to decide, let's take a look at the differences between these apps as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each so we can understand which approach will be the right one for our app idea.

Native Apps:

Native apps can only run on one platform because they've been specifically written for that app, whether it's an IOS app written in Objective-C or an Android app written in Java. Being Written Specifically for that platform has its advantages: the code is Optimized for the Operating system, it can run natively on the Device without compiling or a Web Wrapper. It has direct access to device features and its gives users the most Native-feeling user Interface (UI).

• Advantages:
  The Advantages of Choosing a Native app is that it is the fastest and most reliable when it comes to user experience. Native apps can also interact with all of the device's Operating system features, such as the Microphone, Camera, Contacts lists, etc. However, a Bigger budget is Required if we want to build our App for multiple Platforms such as iPhone and Android and to keep our Native app Updated.
  
  Disadvantages:
  Native Apps tend to be a more Expensive proposition to the developer. This is Especially the case for developers who would like their app to be compatible with multiple mobile devices and platforms. Users of Difference Mobile devices may be using different versions of the app, which makes it difficult for the developer to maintain and offer support.

Web Apps:

Web apps are Not Real Applications, they are Websites but look and feel like Native Applications but they are not implemented as such. they are run by Browser and typically written in HTML5. Users first access them as they would access any web page: they navigate to special URL and then have the Option of Installing them on their home screen by creating a Bookmark to that page.

• Advantages:
  The Advantages of Choosing a Web app is that, If our start up is on Budget and doesn't require complex functionalities or access to Operating System features. Then Building a Web app can be the Least Expensive Option.
  
  Disadvantages:
  The Web apps can be slower, less intuitive, and inaccessible through app stores. Additionally, Our users won't have our Web app's icon automatically downloaded to their home screens. so they won't be constantly reminded to use our app.

Hybrid Apps:

A hybrid app combines Elements of Both Native and Web Applications. Hybrid Apps can be Distributed Through the App stores just like a Native App. and they can incorporate Operating System features. Lile a Web app, Hybrid apps can also use cross-compatible web technologies.

• Advantages:
  Hybrid Apps are Typically easier and Faster to Develop those Native apps. They also require Less Maintenance. On the Other Hand, the Speed of Hybrid app will depend completely on the Speed of the User's browser. This mean Hybrid Apps will almost never run as fast as a Native apps runs.
  
  Disadvantages:
  One of the biggest flaws of hybrid apps is that they fail to present a complete native-like feel. And if users do not get an impeccable first experience, their likelihood of trying the app again falls down drastically. As compared to native apps, Hybrid apps are generally slower. Because of this, you are not able to have meaningful as well as smooth transitions.

So Which One is Better?

In order to make the right choice, it's Important to Understand the Differences between each Option and so we can head in the right direction. Native, Mobile web, and Hybrid Applications each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and our Final Decision will depend almost entirely on Our Start-up’s needs.

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