These days many people talk about the “Cloud” as if it is the only answer. Online apps are a great solution for many users, the fact that online software uptake is growing strongly is demonstrated by the chart below showing that in 2016 for the first time internet usage on mobile and tablets exceeded desktop internet use for the first time, a proxy for whose using what platform, while PC sales are falling.

In reality the “Cloud” is really just where somebody else’s server hosts the software which you link to via the internet. Traditionally, software was hosted on the user’s own computer system, otherwise known as “Desktop” software. Desktop software can also be hosted in the cloud which creates the hybrid platform.

In this article, we compare the two core platforms which are:

• Online – operate online in the office and field.
• Desktop – office use only.

As discussed above there's also the Hybrid platform - desktop in the office, online in the field, which combines advantages of both Online and Desktop, some pundits are of the opinion that hybrid will eventually emerge as the dominant platform.

Comparison of the Online and Desktop.

Feature	Online	Desktop
Internet Connectivity	Typically requires a fast internet connection and good bandwidth, connectivity can be an issue in more remote areas. It is always a good idea to have your internet speed checked before going down the online path.	The application itself doesn’t require a full time internet connection although it may have web links. Internet speed is typically not so critical for intermittent web use by the application or for other web services the business may use.
Processing power	Limited by the online software, internet connection and bandwidth.	Limited only by the hardware specification, capable of higher processing power.
Reliability	Dependent on internet service level reliability which is usually high, loss of service will put the user out of action unless the software has off-line capability. This can be mission critical for some users!	Independent on an internet connection so typically service level is extremely high. That’s not to say system crashes won’t happen, but it’s in the user’s hands, not the telcos!
Portability	Can be used wherever there is an adequate internet service, either by connecting to the internet or via a mobile phone service.	Can be accessed remotely through a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) service, will be some loss of performance as it has to work through the internet. Alternatively, many desktop software providers offer a cloud based hosting service making the desktop software available through any adequate internet service. The hosting cost will be additional to the cost of the software itself but saves the user costs because they no longer need to manage the IT side of operating the application.
Installation	Users can onboard simple apps themselves, more complex software typically requires some online IT input from the software provider.	Out-of-the box software requires installation by the user or their IT consultant. Packaged software sold online typically requires some online IT input from the software provider, usually undertaken online with minimal user involvement.
Hardware	Hardware specification is typically not a critical issue as processing is done in the cloud.	Hardware specification is determined by processing requirements, many applications will operate on entry level hardware, more sophisticated software using a lot of process power will necessitate a higher hardware specification.
Maintenance	The software provider manages the software and database in the cloud meaning a lower IT requirement. However, it will be impossible for all but the smallest users to escape needing some IT support to setup and manage their computer systems.	The user must install and maintain its computer system resulting in a higher IT resource to setup and manage their computer systems than for an online system.
Security	The user is totally dependent on the software provider’s security system, the user will have no control if it is compromised. However, the software provider will usually host the software and data with a reputable data centre service whose security will be very robust.	Many businesses prefer keeping control of their data rather than letting it reside with a 3rd party, this comes with a responsibility to run current anti-virus and backup software.
Features	Online applications typically have fewer features than desktop applications, but make better use of native features in modern smart devices.	Desktop applications typically have more features than online applications. Importantly they have the ability to use “alt-tab” and “right-click” which are amongst the most ubiquitous commands in use.
Cost	The software tends to be cheaper with fewer features than desktop. Online software will incur internet data use charges.	Tends to be more expensive but offer more features than online software. No internet data use charges.
Customisation	While the software will have some built-in capability for customisation given the software is shared on a global basis typically there is no further ability for customisation to any bespoke level.	Because the software is hosted individually in the user’s environment there is potential for customisation to a bespoke level. However, the software provider may be loath to do customisation and then have to maintain multiple variants of the software.
3rd party software integration	Depends on the software provider developing API interfaces, connection speed may be slow.	Depends on the software provider developing API interfaces, connection speed will generally be fast as the software sits on the same system.
Software support	Typically, online or by email services meaning response times can be slow. Usually a pay-for-use service.	Typically operate a help-desk, plus online or email services. Response times usually faster than online. Usually a pay-for-use service.
Software updates	Software updates can be rapidly deployed, typically more regularly than with desktop meaning the users gets the benefit of new features earlier than with desktop. If the online app is browser based the user will get the update as soon as it is released, if the online app is a native app it will need to be downloaded.	Software updates are usually scheduled at regular intervals, day 3, 6 or 12 monthly,. Accordingly, new features typically take longer to get to the user than with online apps. Updates require the software provider to log into the user’s system although this is now usually done seamlessly over the internet.

Conclusion

• Native Apps – the software is developed in a native programming language for a given mobile platform (e.g. iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Blackberry) and downloaded to the device. The biggest advantages of native apps are:

- You can take the app with making usable offline;

- They can more directly use the operating system’s native features.

On the negative side:

- Every mobile platform uses a different native programming language (iOS uses Objective-C or Swift, Android used Java, Windows Mobile uses C#). If the software works with multiple platforms the software developer needs to update their software for each platform every time they release a new version of their app;

- Updates must be downloaded;

- They’re designed for mobile platforms, not for desktop platforms.

• Web Apps – the software operates in the web browser (e.g. Chrome, Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera etc) with the software hosted in the cloud. The biggest advantage of web apps are:

- Typically web apps are written using a single development platform (Javascript, HTML and CSS) meaning there’s no plethora of native languages to deal with to make the software work on all popular mobile device platforms;

- Updates are immediately available to the user, you don’t need to download them from an app store;

- They load in the browser so don’t take up memory or storage on the device;

- Because they work through web browsers they work well on desktop devices;

- It’s easier to send messages to users through the app itself;

- Because they’re written in HTML5 they will work better with other web based technologies such as virtual or augment reality (VR, AR) and IOS.

On the negative side:

- Performance typically won’t be as sharp as with native apps;

- They typically can’t access all of the smart device’s features, although this is becoming less of a problem as new features are added to web browsers;

- The web app will usually be optimised for one or two browsers so may not perform as well for others.