In any market, customers face two big problems. The first is not having enough products or services to choose from. The second is having too many options, which makes it hard to decide. The global mobile app market is a perfect example of the second problem. There are so many apps to pick from that it’s difficult to find one that’s both good and affordable.
To explain the statement, we found some numbers to illustrate the overwhelmed industry of mobile app development. Consider the fact that there are more than 8 million apps out there and in 2023, the industry generated $171 billion. Another important data can be found in analysis about the app usage and downloads, to understand the volume of demand. But I don’t want to provide ready numbers. Instead, let’s do a quick brain exercise: As of now, there are more than 6 billion smartphone users globally, and we all know that every smartphone has multiple applications. Now estimate the huge demand for this type of software.
In this article, we are going to uncover some of the valuable principles to keep in mind while choosing between mobile applications. This can really be helpful because, in times of rapid changes in our preferences shifting from free apps to paid alternatives, everyone needs to be a little tech-savvy to make a good choice, so here are some tips.
1. Is your app authentic?
When it comes to mobile apps, authenticity is crucial. We are not simply referring to apps with attractive designs or impressive features. Rather, we are discussing apps developed by professionals with expertise in their field who take ownership of their products.
There are several categories of mobile apps being demanded, from education to gaming, and every category has its uniqueness. For example, with the growing number of gamers around the globe, it’s not surprising to see various developers trying to push their online products. However, not all apps are created equally, and not all of them provide the same experience which usually comes with authenticity. Take the example of the Ignition poker app by the famous casino platform. It is not merely another ordinary gambling app but a specialized tool developed by a renowned digital casino.
What distinguishes it? Primarily, it is developed by individuals with a profound understanding of poker. They possess in-depth knowledge of the game and player preferences, which they have incorporated into the creation of a superior app. But authenticity extends beyond expertise. It encompasses transparency and reliability. Authentic apps are forthright about their identity and purpose. They provide clear terms of service, responsive customer support, and consistent updates to enhance performance and security.
2. Checking data collection policies
We don’t even have to mention the importance of data because probably many of the users acknowledge it as a fact to always consider. Unfortunately, many of us are cautious when it comes to sending and receiving sensitive data online but we forget that mobile applications may collect tons of data about us once downloaded to our smartphones.
Consider the comparison between ProtonMail and Gmail which are successful companies in their own way, given that they have opposite approaches when it comes to data collection. While ProtonMail prioritizes data privacy by employing end-to-end encryption and refraining from collecting personal information, Gmail collects substantial user data to personalize experiences and deliver targeted advertisements.
To illustrate the scale of data collection, Gmail boasted over 1.8 billion active users in 2021. While smaller, ProtonMail experienced significant growth, surpassing 50 million users in the same year, reflecting a rising demand for privacy-centric services.
So, how can you check an app’s data collection policies? It’s easier than you might think:
- Read the privacy policy. It’s usually long and boring, but it’s important to know what the app does with your information.
- Check what the app can do on your phone. Does a flashlight app really need to see your contacts?
- Look for privacy labels in app stores. Apple, for example, now tells you what information apps collect.
- Use special tools like AppCensus to see how apps handle your privacy.
Remember, the best app for you is one that aligns with your privacy comfort level. Don’t be afraid to delete apps that collect more data than you’re comfortable sharing.
3. Consider the App’s Performance and Updates
When selecting an app, functionality is paramount. An app’s performance can determine whether it becomes a daily tool or is discarded.
Initially, consider speed. In today’s fast-paced environment, delays and crashes are unacceptable. Spotify exemplifies exceptional performance with rapid loading times and reliable operation, even under suboptimal network conditions. As of this year, Spotify boasted more than 600 million active users, a testament to its performance. However, performance encompasses more than speed. Stability and device compatibility are equally important. An effective app functions smoothly without excessive battery consumption or memory usage.
Apps that are often updated show that the developers are taking care of them, fixing problems, and adding new things.WhatsApp has lots of users—almost 3 billion—because it keeps getting better with new security features and other improvements.
It’s tempting to choose an app with a lot of features, but it’s more important that it works well and doesn’t break. An app that runs smoothly gets regular updates, and doesn’t crash is better than one with lots of things but is slow or buggy.
Picking the right app from so many choices is tough. It’s important to look at if the app is real, keeps your information safe, works well, and gets updated. You want to find apps that do what you need, protect your privacy, and are easy to use.