--- title: "What Is a Native App? Definition and Examples | RentAnOTT" description: "A native app is built specifically for one operating system using its own tools. See why streaming apps favor native playback and how it compares with web apps." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/native-app" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/native-app.md" category: "Devices" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is a native app? A native app is an application built specifically for one operating system, such as iOS, Android or tvOS, using that platform's own programming languages and tools, and installed from its app store. It has direct access to the device's video player, DRM, storage and notifications. ## Native, web and hybrid - Native: written for one platform; best performance and full access to device features - Web app: runs in a browser; one codebase, nothing to install, limited device access - Hybrid: a web app wrapped in a native shell; shared code, uneven performance - Cross-platform frameworks: one codebase compiled to several platforms, with native modules where needed ## Why streaming favors native - Playback: the platform's own player gives the fastest start and smoothest adaptation - DRM: hardware-level protection, needed for HD and 4K licensed content - Offline viewing: secure downloads rely on native storage and DRM - Background audio, picture-in-picture and casting - Push notifications and deep links - In-app purchase through the store's billing - Home-screen integration on televisions: continue watching and recommendations ## The cost of native Each platform is a separate app with its own code, release cycle and store review. A service on iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung and LG maintains six. Platforms change every year, so the work never ends. This is the main reason services use a platform that supplies its apps: the vendor spreads that maintenance across all its customers. ## Where web is the right answer The website remains essential: it is where people arrive from search and marketing, where sign-up avoids store commission, and where viewers on computers watch. Samsung and LG television apps are web technology by design. The usual mix is native on mobile and Apple and Android televisions, and web elsewhere. ## Native app on RentAnOTT RentAnOTT apps are priced per platform per month: Android $149, iOS $169, both for $299, Android TV with Fire TV $149, and Apple TV, Samsung and LG $149 each, with store submission included. [See app pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing). ## Related terms - [OTT app](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/ott-app) — An OTT app is the application through which viewers watch a streaming service on a phone, tablet, television or browser. It handles browsing, sign-in, payment and playback, and is published under the service's own brand. - [Cross-platform streaming](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/cross-platform-streaming) — Cross-platform streaming is offering one streaming service across many kinds of device, such as web browsers, phones, tablets, smart TVs and streaming boxes, so that a viewer can sign in anywhere with the same account and carry on where they left off. - [App store submission](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/app-store-submission) — App store submission is the process of preparing a streaming app, sending it to a store such as Apple's App Store, Google Play, the Amazon Appstore or a smart TV store for review, and publishing it once approved. - [Offline viewing](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/offline-viewing) — Offline viewing is a feature of a streaming app that lets a viewer download a title to their phone or tablet and watch it later without an internet connection. The download stays encrypted and playable only inside the app. - [In-app purchase](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/in-app-purchase) — An in-app purchase (IAP) is a payment made inside a mobile or TV app using the app store's own billing system, such as Apple's App Store or Google Play. The store collects the money, keeps a commission and pays the rest to the app's publisher. - [Smart TV app](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/smart-tv-app) — A smart TV app is an application built to run on a television's operating system or on a streaming device attached to it, and installed from that platform's app store. For a streaming service it is the way viewers watch on the big screen. - [Push notification](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/push-notification) — A push notification is a short message that an app sends to a user's phone, tablet or browser, appearing on the lock screen or in the notification tray even when the app is not open. Streaming services use them to bring viewers back to watch. - [OTT app builder](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/ott-app-builder) — An OTT app builder is a tool for designing and configuring a branded streaming app without writing code. You choose the logo, colors, navigation and home page layout, and the platform applies them to ready-made apps for mobile, television and the web. ## Further reading - [OTT app builder](https://www.rentanott.com/tools/ott-app-builder) - [Offline video in streaming apps](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/offline-videos-streaming-app-guide) - [White-label streaming platform buyer's guide](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/white-label-streaming-platform) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is a native app better than a web app for streaming? On phones and televisions, generally yes, because of playback quality, DRM and downloads. On computers the web is the norm. ### Can I launch with a website only? Yes. Many services begin with a responsive website and add native apps once there is an audience to justify them. ### Are apps built with cross-platform frameworks native? They are installed and distributed like native apps and can call native components. For video, the player and DRM underneath should still be the platform's own. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt