The use of software is a necessity in modern business. Digitization allows the practice of new tools, increases business opportunities and improves collaboration between the company and the customer. The only question is, what kind of app to use? Web app works via browser, using it as runtime environment, desktop – installed, launched and runs locally. But if desktop apps already exist, do developers and consumers get involved by migrating desktop apps to the web? To do this, you need to compare the possibilities of both options.

Web Applications – Features and Opportunities

A web application is a program that can be opened with a browser. The part of the program that is visible and accessible to the user is executed in the main front-end languages ​​and is supported by the three most popular browsers. And to write the server part, any other programming language or framework can be used: Python, PHP, Ruby or Java.

installation, update

Installation and updating of applications occurs without user intervention and is performed by the server part. The result appears immediately after refreshing the page or logging in to the account. For the update to work correctly, you may need to download additional utilities responsible for network interaction.

publish or deploy

The application is hosted on local hardware or on a cloud service, where the software part is updated. In this case the server side is essential even for a simple task as you need physical space to hold the front and back end.

Reliability

The performance of the application depends not only on the software part (design and code) but also on the Internet connection speed provided by the capabilities of the gadget used, as well as the characteristics of the remote server.

availability

Programs are available on any device and anywhere in the world, but only if there is a connection to the global network or the possibility of working offline with subsequent download and update of data.

cross-platform

The application works correctly on the platform of any mobile gadget or stationary desktop because in most cases it does not depend on the technical stuffing and operating shell of the system. Supported by all popular browsers, it is convenient for the user: there is no need to select a viewer for a specific application.

functionality and performance

The performance of the program directly depends on the functionality of the browser and the updates it supports. This imposes some restrictions on operation and may cause inconvenience in use. The problem is solved by updating the application itself according to changes in browser performance.

Security

Application developers are aware of security issues and data breaches. But there are processes that are beyond their control: the security of the browser itself, a secure Internet connection, or the reliability of a cloud service. To maintain a high level of security, developers build authentication methods into the app.

It is possible to migrate the desktop version of the application to the web if the customer’s working conditions require it. This service is provided by companies specializing in this (including Modelogix).

Advantages and possibilities of desktop applications

The main feature of this group of programs is that they work without a network connection. Modern apps still offer to work with the connection, but it is necessary to use different devices, include other users in the project, or update the program without manually reinstalling it. Programs of this type are considered fast, with wide functionality. But it directly depends on the power of the hardware.

working capacity

The main feature is ample opportunities for functionality. You can implement almost any idea. But we should not forget the importance of UX.

Security and Reliability

Developers cannot enhance the security of the browser, and the web application is dependent on its operation. Data security of the desktop version depends only on the owner of the computer or local network.

Mobility

Any operating shell is subject to a stable application, and the native version of the application is suitable for a smartphone. But there must be a connection to the internet to sync the data. In any case, the application works offline, does not stop working, and data is synchronized when connected to the global network.

Display

Desktop programs use the computer’s built-in resources and may work less productively on weaker hardware. But at the same time, you can solve all the problems if you write down the conditions for custom software development work at the very beginning. With proper optimization, such an application will function efficiently.

These are not the features of all programs that are installed on the computer. Work productivity issues are resolved by custom order, taking into account the complexity of the task and the available resources.

select according to conditions

The possibilities for the development of the browser are enormous, its potential is far from being fully realized. Technologies are developing, the IT market is growing, offering more and more new applications – other things being equal, users will choose the Web simply because it is more convenient.

If we talk about solutions for corporate clients, then browser-based applications are indispensable. They are flexible and universal, do not require preliminary preparation of the environment and save the company’s finances, hardware resources and time of employees.

But some developers believe that the prospects are not good. The methodology for creating web programs is not perfect yet, so there are mistakes that have already been made and are likely to be repeated. Therefore, users of browser-based solutions will revert to desktop ones. As long as browser developers use JavaScript extensively, this trend will continue. As long as this programming language is used to solve such problems, it is not possible to predict other trends.

Nevertheless, in each case, the task is solved in its own way, and if you want to transfer a static app to the Web, you can use the services of specialists, for example, Modlogics.