Most mobile build decisions get made backwards, starting from a technology preference and working toward a justification. The useful order is the reverse: describe precisely what the app must do on the device, then pick the approach that supports it.

The majority of business apps — bookings, catalogues, dashboards, service requests, loyalty — are principally an interface over an API. They read and write data, and they need to feel fast and look right.

A minority genuinely need what only native gives: sustained camera or sensor access, background processing, tight platform integration, or performance in graphics and real-time interaction.

Native means separate iOS and Android codebases. Best performance, full access to every platform capability, and the highest ongoing cost because every feature is built and maintained twice.

Cross-platform means one codebase compiled to both stores. Near-native performance for typical business interfaces, roughly one build effort instead of two, and occasional friction when you need something platform-specific.

A progressive web app means no app store at all. It installs from the browser, updates instantly without review, and works well for content and transactional experiences — but it cannot reach the deeper device features and it has no store presence to be discovered through.