What’s your take on mobile apps vs. mobile browsers for forums?

[Cedric]

With everyone glued to their phones, do you think having a dedicated mobile app makes a real difference? Or is a solid mobile-friendly website enough to keep your community connected on the go?

Have you tried apps/PWAs for your forum? Did it boost engagement, or do your members tend not to notice?

 

[ruscoe]

Purely my opinion here, but I'm tired of having apps for everything. I use my mobile web browser (I like Brave) as much as I can. For example, I find Amazon's mobile site so good that I've been using it for years without ever installing their app.

I find mobile sites these days provide a pretty consistent and easy experience, while I've run into lots of buggy, half-finished apps that don't.

That said, if you do create an app, focus on a quality user experience over everything.

 

[Mike30]

Based on my own preferences..
I install the less apps as possible on my phone. I can do pretty much everything from a mobile web app.
So, I have no need for another app installed on my phone tracking every single movement.

On top of that, most users (for what I can see) uses multiple forums, so, mobile web app is the way to go. Even though I mostly use my pc to go on forums, mobile web apps are good to check something quickly.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I think mobile apps for forums would be more beneficial.

Responsive themes aren't really that great. Sure, you can use them to post from your forum but they're very basic. It was like developers just wanted to get something made so basic mobile functionality would be possible.

This is why social media does so well, they've realized the need for apps and have tapped into that spectrum.

I have a theory if more forums went for apps, good apps, they'd get more activity.