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What is a Web-Based Application?
A web-based application is a program that runs in the user’s web browser. These applications can be accessed by any device with a web browser and have a client-server architecture that enables the app to run over a network connection.
Essentially, a user can connect to a web server to access the app rather than having to download and install it directly to their device. Popular examples of web applications include X, Facebook, and TikTok.
Key Takeaways
- Web-based applications are programs that run in the user’s web browser.
- These apps have a client-server architecture.
- Examples of web-based applications include X, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Other types of apps include native apps, hybrid apps, and progressive web apps.
- Many companies use web apps because they’re easily accessible and cost-effective.
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How a Web-Based Application Works
Web-based applications have a client-server architecture. The client is the device or application that requests information from the web server. In this case, the client is the user’s web browser.
A company stores an app on a web server which users can access via a web browser. The web server contains the app and all of its underlying data. Whenever a user visits a web app, they send a request to the web server via their browser.
A web server receives the request and then delivers it to an application server that pulls the requested information from a database. This information is passed back to the web server, which will then display the content in the user’s browser.
All of this is made possible via backend scripts in programming languages, including
JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and Python, which offer a medium for exchanging messages.
It’s worth noting that client-side scripting runs on the user’s device, enabling the user to interact with the app, including clicking buttons and requesting information, while server-side scripting runs on the company’s backend server, retrieving data when it is requested by the client.
Types of Web-Based Application
Web apps come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of the main types of web-based apps you’re likely to encounter online include:
Functions of Web-Based Applications
Different types of web applications offer different functions.
Some of the most common functions web apps can perform are listed below:
Web-Based Apps vs. Native Apps vs. Hybrid Apps & Progressive Web Apps
Web-based apps, native apps, hybrid apps, and progressive web apps are terms that are often bundled together. We’ve broken down the differences between each of these below.
Web-Based Application Examples
Many of the most popular services in the world are web apps. Some top web app examples include:
- X
- Gmail
- YouTube
- Google Docs
- Microsoft 365
- Airbnb
- DoorDash
- Spotify
- Trello
- ChatGPT
- Netflix
- PayPal
- Canva
- Perplexity AI
- Gemini
Web-Based Application Alternatives
Alternatives to web-based applications include native apps, hybrid apps, and mobile apps.
These are summarized briefly below:
Native apps
Platform-specific apps that can be downloaded and installed on a user’s device.
Native mobile apps
These are platform-specific apps that are designed for mobile devices.
Hybrid apps
These apps can also be downloaded and installed to a user’s device, which combines elements of web apps and native apps together.
Web-Based Application Pros and Cons
There are many different pros and cons when using web-based applications.
Some of these are as follows:
- Users can access web apps via any device with a web browser, including smartphones, laptops, and desktops
- Developing a web application is a cost-effective option
- Web app development is quick because a developer only needs to build one app rather than native apps for multiple platforms
- Users don’t need to download and install web apps
- Highly-scalable as data can be stored in the cloud and upscaled as needed
- Content can easily be customized to the type of device the user is accessing the app from
- Easy to maintain
- Require users to be connected to the Internet
- Typically have less functionality than native apps
- Offer less robust performance than native apps, which makes them less suited to apps that require high performance
- Vulnerable to cyberattacks if they aren’t monitored and kept up to date with security measures such as a cloud-based web application firewall
The Bottom Line
Some of the biggest apps in the world are web-based applications, and for good reason. They are easily accessible and relatively cheap to develop. While they’re not a fit for every scenario, particularly for apps like video games that require high performance, they still offer support for a wide range of use cases.
