A hybrid app is a software application that combines elements of both native apps and web applications. Hybrid apps are essentially web apps that have been put in a native app shell.

Hybrid apps are popular because they allow developers to write code for a mobile app once and still accommodate multiple platforms. Because hybrid apps add an extra layer between the source code and the target platform, they may perform slightly slower than native or web versions of the same app.

• The ability to function whether or not the device is connected.
• Integration with the mobile device’s file system.
• Integration with Web-based services.
• An embedded browser to improve access to dynamic online content.