Do you run a business and would like to mark your presence in the online world? You will certainly need a website for this, thanks to which you will present your brand to potential customers. But what if a simple information page is not enough? Maybe your business requires a more advanced solution to perform more complex tasks. This is when internet applications come into play. The question is, are you sure you need such solutions? If you want to find out which tool will work best for your company, this text helps you choose.
Web app vs website – are they the same?
In the beginning, it is worth considering what actually connects websites and web applications. Both are run in the browser and at first glance, they look very similar. In a large simplification, this is where their key similarity appears, and this is where the differences begin to grow. More separate websites and web apps than connect them, even though the terms are often used interchangeably.
For the user, this difference may not be that important. After all, both solutions look like a website. For a business owner who invests in such a solution, the difference is already colossal.
In this article, we will explain in detail the differences between a web application and a website. You will know what are their most important features.
What is a website?
The user views a logically organized collection of elements that are displayed in a web browser within a given domain. Most often, HTML writes the pages, making it possible for the browser to view documents. Links and navigation usually connect the elements of the page.
A website can serve a variety of purposes. Its main purpose is to present itself on the web and provide information to visitors and potential customers.
What is a web application?
A web application is a program available on any web, the main feature of which is interactivity. This means that in the web application, you can perform various, advanced tasks, such as registration, etc. Users can use various functionalities implemented in Internet applications.
If you want to create web applications, you need two teams for this- front-end and back-end.
Developers usually build the front-end layer of a web application using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript technology, as well as various frameworks, including React, Angular, or Vue.
The back-end layer can be supported, among others, via .NET, PHP, JavaScript, Java, and Python. Depending on the technology used, it may also be necessary to use frameworks such as Django, Laravel, Symfony2, Express, or Spring to create a web application.
Important! Unlike desktop applications, web applications can be used on any platform in the browser window. There is no need to install them on the computer.
Are you looking to develop a web app?
contact usTypes and division of web applications
One of the most frequently cited classifications of web applications divides according to functionality and purpose. We should indicate the following applications, taking their types into account.
- sales – thanks to them, customers can make purchases in an easy and intuitive way,
- educational – thanks to them you can control your learning progress, do exercises and take tests,
- CRM systems – in other words, these are customer relationship management systems. They can be connected with other systems in the company and be used to improve work,
- competitions – their main goal is to promote services and products of a specific brand,
- booking – thanks to them you can make an appointment, make a reservation and make a payment,
- advertisements – they allow you to place sales offers,
- transactional – they allow you to make online payments, they are most often used by banking and auction sites,
- ERP systems – allow you to organize work in a faster and more intuitive way,
- HR applications – they can provide great support, for example, when recruiting new employees.
Advantages of web app
Web applications are becoming more popular and more willingly used by both users and business owners. They are much more functional and useful, unlike websites. We can distinguish the following among the greatest advantages of web applications:
- availability – they are independent of the operating system and the user’s computer settings. All that is needed for their proper operation is a browser,
- security – all information and data are stored on a secure server, so in the event of an application failure, we do not have to worry about losing them,
- speed – through the use of the latest technologies and high-quality code, web applications load much faster than websites,
- work organization – depending on the type of application, it can support work management and the flow of documents and information.
What are the differences between a website and a web application?
At first glance, the website and the application are not very different. Only after delving deeper into their functionality will we be able to notice the differences between them. First of all, a web application is more difficult to design and much more expensive than creating a website. Additionally, each of them has different roles to fulfill.
Knowing the definitions of a website and a web application, we should emphasize some of the most important features that distinguish them from each other.
Web App vs Website – main compare
| Website | Web App |
| The website consists of static text or visual content | The web applications may have dynamic elements |
| HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages are used to create the website | When creating a web application, apart from the “front” layer, also .NET, PHP, Node.js, JSP, Vue.js, and AngularJS are used |
| The website can be integrated with other software | The web application can be integrated with other software |
| The website does not allow large interactions with users | The web application allows you to interact with users and has various functionalities |
| A website generates lower costs when creating it | A web application generates more cost when creating it |
| The websites can be used on computers and mobile devices | Web applications can be used both on a computer and on a mobile device |
Web app vs website – key takeaway
We hope that this text allowed you to learn about the basic differences between a web app and a website. We believe that it will help you choose the right solution for your business. First of all, you should consider what exactly you need and most importantly – what are the expectations of your customers.
At mobitouch, we know how important business development is. If you would like to talk about your idea and receive professional advice from experienced specialists, please contact us. We are sure that with our help you will develop your business and gain new customers besides, we will help dispel doubts about whether a web app vs website.
Web applications we are proud of
Over the past years, we have created many applications for our partners that make life easier for thousands of users. We’ve outlined a few of them below:
ITAKA – for our client from the tourism industry, we have created a fully responsive website that allows advanced searching and booking of accommodation in a selected hotel. The application provides several filters and hints that allow you to include individual user preferences in the search results.
OPENSPORT – for Opensport, we have created an advanced web service (along with a mobile application for iOS and Android platforms), which is ideally suited to the requirements and needs of the company, as well as its clients, both corporate and individual. The CMS system enables the company to have full access to the history of the use of entrance tickets to physical activity points.
PEKAES – a web application designed by us, not only promotes the company’s services and its international network but is also a digital product with a high level of conversion. Most importantly, however, it meets several diverse and advanced user requirements.
If you are looking for a company that can create a web app or website for you, keep in touch with us!
