Mobile App vs Mobile Website: Which Should Your Business Build First?

"Should we build an app?" is asked 10x more often than needed. 90% of businesses should start with a mobile website, not an app.

When you need an app

• Push notifications are critical to your value prop
• Users interact daily (fitness, banking, social)
• You need native device features (camera, GPS, offline)
• Brand visibility on home screen matters
• You have funding for sustained engagement

When a mobile website suffices

• Users interact weekly or less
• Primary action is information seeking
• SEO traffic is your acquisition channel
• Budget under ₹5 lakh
• You're early stage with unvalidated demand

Cost comparison

Mobile website: ₹40K-₹1.5L Hybrid app (React Native, Flutter): ₹3L-₹15L + ₹30K/month maintenance Native apps (iOS + Android): ₹8L-₹30L + ₹1L/month maintenance

The app store tax

Play Store takes 15-30%, App Store takes 15-30%. For ₹10 lakh monthly revenue through app, you're paying ₹1.5-3L in platform fees you wouldn't pay through a website.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) - the middle ground

PWAs look and feel like apps (installable, offline, notifications) but cost like websites. For 80% of Indian businesses, a great PWA beats a mediocre native app.

Hidden app costs most forget

• App Store developer fees: $99 (iOS) + $25 one-time (Android)
• ASO (app store optimization): ₹30K-₹100K/month
• App reviews processes: weeks of delays
• Platform-specific bugs
• Cross-platform testing
• Rewriting both when you pivot