Apps vs Web Apps
What each project type is, how it runs, and how to choose.
| App | Web App | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | iPhone, Android (and the web via Expo) | Any modern browser |
| Built with | Expo SDK 54, React Native | React 19, Tailwind CSS |
| Preview | Live iPhone or Android frame (instant) | Browser frame at desktop, tablet and phone widths |
| Saves data in | The device (AsyncStorage) | The browser (localStorage) |
| Export | Expo project (npx expo start) | Vite project (npm run dev) |
Choose an App when…
- People will use it on their phone, often on the go: trackers, timers, games, personal tools.
- You want it to feel native: tab bars, big touch targets, phone-sized layouts.
Choose a Web App when…
- It's used at a desk or shared by link: dashboards, CRMs, booking and admin tools, internal tools.
- You want it to work on any device without installing anything.
What's in the code
Both kinds are a single App.tsx file so the AI can keep the whole project in view.
- Apps can use React Native,
@expo/vector-icons, safe-area helpers and AsyncStorage. - Web Apps can use React and
lucide-reacticons, with all styling in Tailwind classes.
Navigation between screens is done with state inside the file, so it works the same in the preview and after export.
Can I switch types later?
Not in place. Start a new project of the other type and describe it again; paste key details from the old chat.
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