This document compares native mobile applications to HTML5 mobile web applications. Native apps provide an excellent user experience and full control of device capabilities, but have higher development costs. HTML5 apps have no development costs but provide an average to good user experience with limited access to device features. Native apps are best for graphics-heavy apps and full usage of device APIs, while HTML5 apps allow for continuous updates and a single codebase across all platforms.

1. Mobility Platforms Comparison
Programming IDE Cross platform Development tool Distribution
Language deployment cost
Appcelerator Java Script Internal Android, iOS, Blackberry Apache 2.0, Native
SDK Commercial license distribution
also available format of each
platform
MoSync C, C++, Lua Eclipse, VS Android, Java ME, iOS, Free, GPL 2.0 Native
Symbian, WM, BB Distribution
PhoneGap HTML, CSS, JS None iOS, Android, BB, Symbian, MIT License Native
Palm distribution
format of each
platform
RhoMobile Ruby with xCode, iOS, WM 6.x, BB, Symbian, Free under MIT Native
HTML Eclipse, Android license distribution
RhoHub
WorkLight HTML, CSS, JS, Eclipse Android, BB, iOS, WM7 Free Evaluation Native
Native distribution
Language or
Both
TotalCross Java Eclipse Android, BB, iOS, WM7, SDK is open source Native
Symbian distribution
Particle Java, Eclipse Android, BB, iOS, WM7, Free Beta, Native
ActionScript Commercial license distribution
also available
Aqua C, C++, JS VS, xCode, Android, BB, iOS, WM6.x Free and Native
Eclipse Commercial License distribution
JMango Jmango Jmango JaveME, Android, Bada, BB, Free Native
Flash IDE iOS, WP7 Distribution
appMobi HTML5 (JS, Integrated iOS, Android, HTML5 No charge Native
CSS3, HTML5) with WebApps, Hybrid Apps distribution
prefered format of each
IDE platform
Five Spark Web based Web based Android, BB, iOS, WP7, In free beta Mobile Web
point and click app builder with modern browsers

2. Mobile BI Solution Comparison
Features MicroStrategy PushBI RoamBI Qlik Tech
Graphs/Grid Yes Yes Yes Yes
Multiplatform Yes (iOS, BB) Yes Yes (iOS, BB) Yes
Leverage Device capabilities Yes Yes Yes Yes
DB integration Yes Yes Yes Yes
Web Services Yes Yes Yes Yes
SAP Connectivity No Yes Yes Yes
Force.com Connectivity No Yes Yes Yes
Oracle Connectivity No Yes Yes No
IBM cognos Connectivity No No Yes No
MicoroStrategy Connectivity Yes No No No

3. MEAP Comparison
SAP Unwired Kony
Features RhoMobile Platform Antenna Pyxis Mobile Syclo Solutions
Write Once, Deloy
on major platforms Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
MVC Yes MVC Model 2 Unknown Unknown Unknown Yes
Languange Ruby Native Proprietary Proprietary Proprietary Proprietary
Accepted on App
Stores Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Native Code access Yes Yes No No Yes No
Device features
(Barcode/Bluetooth) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HTML 5 Support Yes Yes Yes Unknown Unknown Yes
Hosted Apps Yes No Yes Yes No
Container Model Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SAP Integration No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Web Services
Integration Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DB Integration Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SAP CRM Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Push Notification Yes Yes Yes Yes Unknown Yes
IDE Integration Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sync Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Free for
Cost Free Apps Licensed Licensed Licensed Licensed Licensed

4. Native Vs HTML 5
Factor Native App HTML 5 (Mobile Web App) Remark
User Experience Excellent Average to Good
User Interface Full control on device Limited to browser capability.
capability
App Performance Excellent Will Vary from Good to Bad.
Home Screen Yes Yes, as bookmark widget
Widget
Entry cost $99/$199/$299 etc $0 Annual charges
Revenue Split 70/30 (Apple, Google) 100% of publisher For Paid Apps
Release 1-2 weeks (Approval Continuous
Time)
Micropayments Yes Not good enough
Portability Develop for each Web covers all platforms. There are frameworks where
platforms we develop once and deploy on
multiple platforms for native
apps.
Usage of device All provided APIs are Limited
APIs accessible
Maintenance Difficult to support & User always get latest version.
maintain after app is One Single codebase
downloaded. Multiple
codebases to maintain
Offline Usage Yes Yes, With HTML 5, Google
Gears
Graphics Heavy Very good Not good for heavy graphical
Apps apps.