Which do you prefer: browser or app?

IMAGE: Softpedia

Admittedly, when I first thought about this post, I was operating under the assumption that the majority of people owned a windows PC so it would be just that operating system I would be referring to, but with Chromebooks now utilizing Android apps, this same question can be asked: Browser or App?

IMAGE: ExtremeTech

For starters, let me clarify. Many of our most commonly used programs started on the web; Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, and many others have fully-functioning and well-operating websites that are perfectly suited for personal computer web-browsing. Meanwhile, on our phones and tablets, we use native applications that are custom-built for the best possible experience on those devices; we would never think to use Netflix in the browser on a phone.

With the introduction of Windows 10 and the Microsoft store, as well as the incorporation of Android apps on Chromebooks, the lines in the sand are washing away. Big names such as Facebook and Twitter now have apps that can be used on a PC natively; they can even utilize the notification center for "push" notifications much like a mobile app. However, most people use computers for web browsing only, particularly Chromebooks, which leads to the question:

Browser or App?

Obviously, on a mobile device, applications rule. When it comes to personal computing, the answer is not so clear. Many people utilize computers exclusively for web browsing so the first action someone would take is open the browser; why would someone bother opening an app when they are already in the browser? Additionally, the idea of an app on a computer is still an oddity for anyone that grew up with any operating system prior to Windows 10.

IMAGE: Techverse

However, as someone that uses the native apps, the experience is quite excellent. Much like I have done with win32 apps since I have started using computers, I pin the apps to the task-bar for easy access which I can open at any time. As mentioned, I also get all of my notifications as I would a mobile device; it is as convenient as a phone. As bare as the app store can appear, many of the big names are there with some very adequately built apps.

Unfortunately, the experience currently can be a bit inconvenient if you like to multitask. At times, I like to have several tabs open for ease of use so that I can jump around my tasks. With independent apps, it can be a tad more difficult to jump from app to app. With the upcoming tabs feature built into Windows, the experience will only get better.

There are certainly pros and cons to using browsers versus native apps, but the main experience comes down preference. Do you enjoy the experience of applications on a PC, or do you prefer to live in the browser? Which would you rather use: browser or app?