Which will dominate the future, mini programs or apps? You must understand these interpretations clearly!

Today's article is the author's thoughts on the future development of mini programs and apps. It is more of a reminder to all participants who embrace mini programs that when we decide to participate in this carnival, we must not blindly follow the trend, but look at the future of mini programs and apps more cautiously so that we can better participate in this feast.

What is Native APP?

A native app is a client written entirely in the system language of the mobile device. iPhone and iPad mainly use the Object-C language, and Android mainly uses the Java language. The interface that users see and the interaction they experience are all native. This is the most performant development method, but it is relatively weaker in terms of flexibility.

What is a web app?

Web App, this is opened in the mobile browser , pure HTML+CSS+JS, in fact, it can be simply understood as a page opened in the browser, but it can contain a lot of rich applications, such as accessing GMAIL through the mobile browser. IOS can support creating access shortcuts on the desktop and opening H5 pages through Safari, but Web App’s calls to hardware devices are incapable.

What are WeChat Mini Programs ?

I think it is more appropriate to understand Mini Program as a unique Hybrid App. [HTML5 in mobile devices]. In fact, the WeChat team wrote a container using native code, and then used HTML+CSS+JS to implement the user interface and interaction. The shortcomings of Web App can be solved to a certain extent in this way (using a native container can help expose low-level interfaces, such as local storage or microphone control). At the same time, this method is more flexible than native Java or Object-C development.

This is the first time that the author has given such a detailed definition of App, WebApp, and Mini Program. After reading it, you may have a clearer understanding of these three application forms. Next, the author will elaborate on the respective advantages and disadvantages of mini programs and apps from several other aspects, as well as how we should view the relationship between the two in the future.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mini programs compared to APPs?

As we all know, Apps are developed based on the two major ecosystems, Android and IOS, while Mini Programs are developed based on the WeChat ecosystem. WeChat, like other Apps, is an operating system-level application, but WeChat is the App with the largest traffic entrance in the mobile Internet . In terms of hierarchical relationship, Mini Programs can only be regarded as a small application in the WeChat App.

Therefore, it is technically impossible for WeChat mini programs to be as smooth as apps, because mini programs have to use an extra layer of calculation to achieve the same function, which will inevitably reduce efficiency from a computing perspective, whether in terms of processor, memory or power consumption.

Native apps are more powerful than WeChat mini-programs in terms of personalized functions and interaction methods, underlying performance optimization for the operating system, and support for offline data. Therefore, it is impossible for large-scale games , Meitu XiuXiu , and Amap apps to be implemented through WeChat mini-programs. As the name suggests, WeChat Mini Programs are more suitable for "mini programs" that are used infrequently, have relatively few functions, and have content and service attributes.

Mini Programs are different from Apps. They are not suitable for carrying heavy demands. The small font size of Mini Programs, to some extent, indicates that they cannot be large in size and can only be used as a small practical tool .

A 100KB applet carries far fewer roles than a 100MB app. Mini programs are more suitable for applications that are used less frequently, have relatively few functions, and have content and service attributes, such as checking traffic violations and paying fines. This is why the WeChat team mentioned in the development specifications that "services cannot involve games, live broadcasts , etc." This is due to the existing technical framework and more considerations of ecological value.

3. In terms of openness, mini programs are not as good as apps

As we all know, App is an application developed based on the large ecosystem of Android and IOS. Except for the development that needs to follow the ecosystem, operation and promotion can follow the startup 's own ideas (Apple is relatively strict). Mini Program is an application developed based on the WeChat ecosystem, and the development language is the unique Hybrid App (HTML5). In short, WeChat Mini Program is an application based on WeChat. After development, it can only be used in WeChat and cannot be used outside.

As mobile phone performance continues to improve and Web technology evolves at an ever-faster pace, the closed nature of WeChat Mini Programs means that it will take more time to observe to what extent this technology can challenge the status of Apps.

The relationship between WeChat mini-programs and apps is like the relationship between PC software and browser websites in the past. When the Internet was just emerging, PC software and various websites flourished, representing the two ecosystems of the PC era, one dominated by operating systems and the other dominated by PC browsers.

Long before the mini program, there were miniature mini programs in China. At that time, the mini program was more described by industry insiders as "light applications". Domestic Internet giants, such as Baidu Light Application, UC Browser, QQ Browser, etc. have all tried it.

Baidu's light applications are an ecosystem centered on search, and UC's light applications are an ecosystem centered on browsers. Both are plug-in ideas for Web Apps, but in the end, they failed to lead the entire ecosystem because the platforms did not have high-frequency usage and stickiness.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of apps

When mobile Internet was just emerging, App was indeed the most important application carrier. Its advantages were: more effective use of hardware resources. Based on system-level API, App could produce software and services with performance, design, effect and fluency far exceeding that of Mini Programs. Provide the best quality user interface that can better interact with the underlying mobile hardware and provide a better user experience.

But if we want to really operate an App well, the project operating costs are indeed not low. An App application requires two sets of technical teams for Android and IOS, and the application upload process is cumbersome and takes a long time. In addition, an App application also requires excellent product managers and market operations personnel, as well as increasingly high promotion costs. These are the important reasons why it has become increasingly difficult for Apps to survive.

Another important dilemma of App is that it is suitable for applications that focus on demand and interaction. To achieve these two points, the development cost and operation cost are bound to be not low. However, for general light demands, this is undoubtedly spending asymmetric money to do something of unequal value, which results in a situation where there is a lot of noise but little rain, and the investment is not appreciated.

6. Advantages and disadvantages of mini programs

Mini Programs are a new form of application that emerged in the development of the WeChat ecosystem. The small size of Mini Programs, to some extent, indicates that they will not be very large in size, but they can meet some service needs with relatively simple functions and interactions. At the same time, they solve many long-standing problems of Apps, such as multi-platform adaptation, multi- application market distribution, and high development costs.

The opposite of small is big. The disadvantage of mini programs is that they cannot provide heavy services with relatively complex functions and relatively cumbersome interactions. This also limits the application scope of mini program development. At the same time, the gameplay and rules must be subject to WeChat.

However, from the perspective of application ecology, the emergence of mini programs has just formed a complementarity between heavy demands and light demands in the entire application ecology. Different demands can be achieved through different application forms. We no longer need to blindly cater to the market and develop an unrealistic App. This is a very good thing for traditional companies and entrepreneurs.

In the future, it may be possible that for a new application, users will first go to WeChat to search whether there is a mini program. If so, they will try the mini program first. If not, they will download the App.

7. Impact of Mini Program Ecosystem on APP

• Impact on entrepreneurial choices

In the past, when people started an Internet business , they had to build a website; when starting a mobile Internet business, they had to make an app; a few years ago, when starting a business, everyone had to create their own media , and now, when starting a business, the first thing they might want to do is to create a mini-program. In the future, there will be more people making mini-programs and fewer people making apps. This is bound to be a new trend in future entrepreneurship.

• Impact on talent structure

The emergence of apps has triggered a learning craze among a large number of Android and IOS development programmers. The emergence of self-media has driven a large number of media people to start their own self-media businesses. The emergence of WeChat mini-programs is bound to trigger a learning craze for front-end HTML5.

• Impact on the distribution market

In the App era, the cost of promotion and distribution accounts for a large part of the App's operating costs. With the launch of mini-programs, the application market is no longer the only distribution channel , and WeChat distribution is bound to become the next distribution boom.

8. The dominance of mini programs and apps depends on user acceptance

For users, they don’t care whether they are using a mini program or an app. They care more about which method is easier to operate, which application method takes up less mobile phone memory, which applications they prefer to open in WeChat, and which applications they prefer to open on the mobile phone desktop .

This requires participants to consider from a product perspective which functions are more suitable for innovation on mini programs, and which functions still need to rely on apps to meet their needs.

From another perspective, the degree of optimization of the mini program by the WeChat team determines whether the mini program can be comparable to the app in the future. If the mini program finally defined by the WeChat team meets the psychological expectations of users, solves many shortcomings of the app, and makes the majority of users more willing to use the mini program instead of the app, thereby winning the reputation of users, then the road to replacing the mini program will not be too far away.

Therefore, whether the WeChat team can work with participants to create a mini-program ecosystem that meets user psychological expectations is the key to determining the dominant position of mini-programs and apps in the future market.

9. The dominance of mini programs and apps depends on whether WeChat can maximize its advantageous resources

Before mini programs, many browsers have tried to launch "light applications", that is, Web Apps based on HTML5, but none of them have been successful. One of the important reasons is that "light applications" are not attractive enough to developers and the enthusiasm of participants is not high, resulting in not enough developers participating in the development of "light applications", which eventually forms a vicious circle.

Compared with previous "light applications", WeChat mini programs have more conditions to stimulate the enthusiasm and enthusiasm of participants.

First of all, WeChat has the best user conditions in the country. It is a platform with 846 million active users, gathering almost all the people in China. The average number of opening times and usage time are unsurpassed.

Today, WeChat is not only China's largest social networking platform, but also China's largest media aggregation platform. These are platform advantages that are beyond the reach of all competitors and difficult to surpass.

Secondly, the development trajectory of WeChat over the years is that the first step is to attract all users, the second step is to attract all content distribution, and the third step is to attract all services. With such a near-perfect ecosystem, it is hard to imagine any reason for participants to refuse to participate.

Therefore, if the WeChat team can fully combine user advantages, content advantages and user stickiness, participants' enthusiasm for embracing mini programs will surely increase, and mini programs will at least be on par with apps, if not slightly better.

10. Whether mini programs can challenge apps depends on their openness

App is a relatively mature application form that has been developed for 6 years, while Mini Program is a new thing that has just been born. App has been finalized, but Mini Program has more innovative thinking compared to previous H5 applications or light applications.

WeChat Mini Programs are not the previous H5 applications, but local applications embedded in WeChat. They appear to be not installed, but in fact they will be "localized" in WeChat after users add them. The user experience will be above the Web App and below the native App.

More importantly, WeChat is more attractive to users and developers than any other browser or even all major browsers combined. Users can complete many tasks such as socializing, reading, consumption, and payment on WeChat. Developers will actively participate in development in this ecosystem for the sake of users, ultimately forming a virtuous positive cycle.

So WeChat has made innovations in both thinking and technology, how will it evolve in the future? There is no clear answer to this question yet. At least, WeChat mini-programs are not open enough at present. There will be many variables in the future. What interfaces will the WeChat team open in the future and how will it evolve in the future? We need to give the WeChat team more time to improve and upgrade. The degree of openness of the WeChat team to the mini-programs determines the time process for it to impact or even replace the App.

Some pertinent advice for newcomers

Many developers believe that the spring of H5 has arrived, so is the winter of App far away?

Mantoujun would like to remind everyone here that WeChat itself is also an App application. If the App disappears, will WeChat also disappear with it? Furthermore, the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google are supported by the apps that are active on them. The author can draw this conclusion: as long as iOS and Android are not dead, the future mobile platforms are bound to present a two-legged or even diversified situation.

As new entrants, we should not only not abandon the App, but also not bet everything on Mini Programs. The author believes that while mobile phones are still an essential tool for us, apps built on the operating system will still dominate the mobile phone desktop for a long time, and mini-programs built on the WeChat App may face the emergence of more similar mini-program ecosystems.

Having said that, we have to admit that we can seize the dividends from mini programs, but there are definitely more people who want to seize this dividend than you think.

Faced with a large number of entrants, we should consider more about how to make choices, how to advance and retreat freely, and how to be targeted when the craze comes. Only in this way can we make ourselves invincible. Otherwise, you may not be able to seize the bonus and even lose your last bit of position.

What do you think about the future of APP and mini programs? Will the emergence of mini programs really accelerate the demise of APPs?

Mobile application product promotion service: APP promotion service Qinggua Media information flow

The author of this article @呆盟说 is compiled and published by (Qinggua Media). Please indicate the author information and source when reprinting!