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Unit 3.5

Mobile Apps

IT 204: E-Commerce

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  • ✅ Define and differentiate between the three main types of mobile applications: Native, Web, and Hybrid.
  • ✅ Analyze the pros and cons of each app type to determine the best fit for a given e-commerce scenario.
  • ✅ Explain the role of app stores in the mobile ecosystem.
  • ✅ Describe the current mobile app landscape in Nepal, including key players and market trends.

What is a Mobile App?

Definition: A mobile app is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet computer.

They represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the entire software market, fundamentally changing how businesses and consumers interact.

⚡ For e-commerce, mobile apps are a direct channel to the customer, enabling personalized experiences, push notifications, and streamlined checkout processes.

The Three Core App Architectures

Every mobile application you use falls into one of three categories, each with a different approach to development and functionality.

  1. Native Apps
    Built for a single OS (iOS or Android)
  2. Web Apps
    Websites that look and feel like an app
  3. Hybrid Apps
    A combination of Native and Web technologies

Let's compare them side-by-side.

📊 App Types: At a Glance

Native Apps

  • Platform: iOS or Android specific
  • Performance: ⚡ Highest
  • Device Access: Full (GPS, Camera, etc.)
  • Distribution: App Stores

Web Apps

  • Platform: Cross-platform (Browser)
  • Performance: Lower
  • Device Access: Limited
  • Distribution: Web URL

Hybrid Apps

  • Platform: Cross-platform
  • Performance: Medium
  • Device Access: Good (via plugins)
  • Distribution: App Stores

Interactive: Classify the App

Read each scenario. Click the correct app type. Score 4/4 to win!

Q1: Snapchat was built in Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android separately, giving buttery-smooth AR filters and camera access.

Q2: A startup's product catalogue runs in any browser on a phone — no install needed, but can't access the camera or work offline.

Q3: The Daraz app was built with React Native — one codebase for both iOS and Android, available on both app stores.

Q4: A travel agency's mobile-optimised website auto-adjusts layout on phones. Users bookmark it — nothing is installed.

🔍 Deep Dive: Native Apps

Developed for a specific mobile OS (e.g., Swift/Objective-C for iOS, Kotlin/Java for Android). They are installed directly onto the device.

Pros

  • Best performance & speed
  • Full access to device hardware
  • Richest user experience (UI/UX)
  • Available for offline use

Cons

  • Most expensive to build
  • Separate codebases for each platform
  • Longer development time
  • App store approval process

🔍 Deep Dive: Web Apps

Essentially websites optimized for mobile that mimic app-like functionality. They run in a browser and are not installed on the device.

Pros

  • Single codebase for all platforms
  • Lower development cost
  • No app store submission needed
  • Easy to update and maintain

Cons

  • Requires an internet connection
  • Limited access to device features
  • Slower performance than native
  • Less discoverable (not in app stores)

🔍 Deep Dive: Hybrid Apps

A blend of both worlds. They are built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS) and then wrapped in a native container, allowing them to be installed from an app store.

Pros

  • Single codebase, faster development
  • Cheaper than native apps
  • Can access device features via plugins
  • Distributed via app stores

Cons

  • Performance can be a bottleneck
  • User experience may not feel truly native
  • Dependent on third-party plugins

Interactive: Which App Type Should You Build?

Answer three quick questions to get a recommended architecture for your project.

Answer all three questions to see your recommendation...

🎯 The Role of App Stores

App stores (like Google Play and Apple's App Store) are the primary distribution channels for native and hybrid apps. They are more than just marketplaces.

Key Functions of an App Store:

  • Discovery: A centralized place for users to find apps.
  • Distribution: Handles the download and installation process.
  • Monetization: Manages payments for paid apps and in-app purchases.
  • Security & Quality Control: Apps are reviewed to ensure they meet platform guidelines.

Interactive: App Store Revenue Calculator

App stores take a 30% commission on all paid-app sales and in-app purchases. See what a developer actually earns.

% (default 30%)

Application: The Mobile App Landscape in Nepal 🇳🇵

Nepal's mobile app market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration and digital literacy.

Popular Nepali Apps: Real-World Examples

  • eSewa: Digital Wallet (FinTech)
  • Daraz: E-Commerce Marketplace
  • Hamro Patro: Utility & Content
  • Tootle / Pathao: Ride-Sharing
  • Foodmandu: Food Delivery

These apps solve specific local problems and have become integral to daily life for many Nepalis.

Interactive: Know Your Nepali Apps

Click each app card to reveal its technology type and category. How many did you know?

eSewa
Digital payments & wallet
Hybrid App
React Native codebase on both iOS and Android; deep integration with NRB payment rails.
tap to reveal
Daraz
E-commerce marketplace
Hybrid App
Cross-platform mobile app backed by Alibaba's logistics infrastructure.
tap to reveal
Hamro Patro
Nepali calendar & utilities
Native App
Separate native builds for Android and iOS; one of Nepal's most-downloaded apps.
tap to reveal
Pathao
Ride-sharing & delivery
Hybrid App
Cross-platform with real-time GPS; uses plugins for location and push notifications.
tap to reveal
Foodmandu
Food delivery platform
Hybrid App
Order tracking, push notifications, and payment gateway via a hybrid architecture.
tap to reveal
Khalti
Digital wallet & payments
Hybrid App
FinTech hybrid — also offers a web checkout SDK for merchants who can't build native apps.
tap to reveal

Market Dynamics in Nepal: Challenges & Opportunities

Challenges

  • Lack of highly skilled, senior developers.
  • Limited access to venture capital and funding.
  • Monetization can be difficult outside major urban centers.

Opportunities

  • A large, young, and growing user base.
  • Government support for the tech industry is increasing.
  • Huge potential in sectors like agriculture, education, and healthcare.

Key Takeaways

  • The choice between Native, Web, and Hybrid apps is a critical business decision based on budget, performance needs, and target audience.
  • Native apps offer the best performance and user experience but are the most expensive to develop and maintain.
  • App stores are powerful gatekeepers that control distribution, discovery, and monetization in the mobile ecosystem.
  • The Nepali app market is a vibrant and growing space with unique local challenges and significant opportunities for innovation.

Thank You!

Any questions?

Next Topic: Unit 3: "Case Study: Mobile-First Payments – eSewa & Khalti Infrastructure Choices

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