Both have their place. We break down the tradeoffs so you can make an informed decision before spending a dime.
The Short Version
Web apps run in the browser. Users don't install anything; they just go to a URL. Mobile apps are installed from the App Store or Google Play. They run natively on the device and can use features like push notifications, camera, and GPS more easily.
When a Web App Wins
Web apps are cheaper to build and maintain. One codebase works on phones, tablets, and desktops. No App Store approval process. Updates go live instantly. If your users are mostly on desktop or if they use your tool occasionally, a web app is usually the right call.
Good fits: Internal tools, admin dashboards, booking systems where users schedule once and forget, B2B tools where people use them at a desk. We've built plenty of these. They work great.
When a Mobile App Wins
Mobile apps make sense when users need your tool in the field, on the go, or with their phone in hand. Push notifications matter. Offline access matters. Camera or GPS integration is core to the experience. Or you need to be in the App Store for credibility—some businesses expect it.
Good fits: Food ordering (users want to order from their phone while waiting), field service (technicians need it in the truck), fitness or location-based apps. Our Taco Loco project was a mobile app for exactly these reasons—customers order ahead from their phone, get notified when it's ready.
The Hybrid Option
You can do both. A responsive web app for general use, plus a mobile app for the features that need it. It costs more—you're maintaining two interfaces—but for some businesses it's worth it. We've also built Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) that install like an app but are fundamentally web-based. They're a middle ground: one codebase, app-like experience, no App Store. They have limitations (push notifications are trickier, offline is more limited), but for many use cases they work.