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App Development
6 minutes read

Ruby on Rails for Mobile Apps

By Mario Tatis
By Mario Tatis
App Development
6 minutes read

It might not be a known fact, but there are many reasons why companies across several industries choose Ruby on Rails for mobile apps. For many companies, Ruby on Rails is a powerful web application development framework that offers many benefits to developers and, as a result, makes web projects cheaper and faster. Other companies go even further and acknowledge it as a key strategic technology for their business, not just as a crucial component of their web app. 

Whatever the case is, it is essential to keep in mind that a Rails app for mobile devices can also deliver an outstanding performance, a unique User Experience, and most importantly, it can help your business strategically attain its goals. Ruby on Rails can easily become a crucial asset throughout your custom mobile app development process. This holds true for both iOS and Android apps.

Although this robust framework has become popular when it comes to projects that involve developing a web app, its strengths can also come in handy when working on mobile apps. Many companies are unaware of this fact, even though they may benefit significantly from using Ruby on Rails as a critical technology for app development.

You should consider Ruby on Rails if you’re thinking about the right mobile app backend technology for your mobile app development project. A Rails mobile app development approach can benefit your project, helping you save time and money. It will help you hit the market faster and save some money, all while offering your users the features and User Experience they expect.

In this post, we discuss some of the reasons why you should consider a Rails app for your users’ mobile devices. Using it can benefit you both from a technical and a business perspective.

Using Ruby on Rails for Mobile Apps

There is a common misconception that Ruby on Rails can only be used when working on a web app. In reality, a Rails app can work perfectly fine both as a web app or a mobile application. This article on the differences between web and mobile apps will help you understand how these two types of apps differ.

Although it is true that Rails was thought of as a web framework and that, as a result, it is often associated with web technologies, it is also true that it can be used when building mobile apps with outstanding results.

The Power of Ruby on Rails for Mobile Devices

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is a versatile framework used to build both iOS and Android apps that offer the same level of functionality and User Experience that other alternative technologies for mobile devices. This technology goes beyond traditional web and mobile apps and can also be used for hybrid app development

You might be wondering why many mobile projects disregard Ruby on Rails as an alternative. A plausible explanation is that it is often associated with web technologies. Paradoxically, its success with web projects has resulted in its potential for mobile app backend development to be overlooked by most development teams. 

In other words, many people don’t know about the benefits Ruby on Rails offers for mobile apps, probably because it is a powerful web framework. As a result, it is often thought of as exclusively related to web services.

The truth is that, even though it is a web framework, it can also be used to build mobile apps, offering the same benefits it brings when working on a web app. This means that any mobile application can benefit from using Ruby on Rails. At the end of the day, a Rails app is built using a powerful backend technology, whether it is designed for mobile or web.

Ruby on Rails Alternatives for a Mobile Application

When it comes to building a Rails app for mobile, there are two alternatives that you should consider. You might have to choose one of the following:

  1. Native mobile app that uses Ruby on Rails.
  2. Web app that looks look a mobile app and uses Ruby on Rails.

Both are great alternatives, but they will require different resources. It is best if you discuss in detail what each alternative will require based on the goals of your project. Keep in mind that no two projects are the same and that you will probably need to analyze some technical details.

Also, consider that, aside from technical aspects, it is important to understand the market you are targeting. Having a clear idea of your users and their key pain points will help you decide which of these two alternatives is best.

If your team needs help deciding, it is always a good idea to contact an experienced app development company. Although Ruby on Rails is an excellent framework for building mobile apps, it is of no good if you don’t pair it up with the right skills from experienced developers.

Ruby on Rails for Mobile App Development: Key Benefits

Like a Rails web app, mobile apps that use Ruby on Rails offer some powerful benefits. This comes from using the powerful Ruby programming language and the Rails framework with the right expertise from your development team.

These are some benefits you will obtain when building Ruby-based mobile apps:

  • Scalability: be prepared when the moment to grow comes. Users quickly ditch mobile apps that can’t handle requests.
  • Community: your development team will easily be able to find solutions to the challenges they meet. Most likely, someone has already found one.
  • Knowledge sharing: your app development process can be enhanced thanks to the many RoR resources available.
  • Save time and money: because Rails can accelerate how mobile apps are built, you will most likely save important resources.

Building Mobile Apps With Ruby on Rails

Rails web apps are some of the best out there in the market. That’s why many companies choose them over other alternatives. Nonetheless, it is vital to keep in mind that Rails mobile apps are equally good and can be an excellent fit for your business.

Today’s web development market offers many alternatives to build your app. The same is true of mobile apps. Choosing the right technology is a crucial aspect to keep an eye on to guarantee success. Taking care of the many different parts of the backend of your mobile or web app will help you deliver your users the digital product they are looking for. Failing to do so may compromise your app and, even worse, your brand.

Mobile apps tend to be more demanding than other digital products, especially if they are built to function as a native app. Make sure to work out every detail of your Rails app for mobile devices if you want it to succeed. The best way to do so is by finding the right provider of software development solutions that knows how to use Ruby on Rails for mobile apps.

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