Comparing Mobile Applications and Mobile Websites in the Year 2025: Selecting the Suitable Choice
Mobile Apps Dominate User Engagement and Time Spent
In the digital age, mobile apps have become a significant part of our daily lives, and the trends suggest that this preference is only growing stronger. As of mid-2025, it is evident that mobile users spend approximately 90% of their mobile internet time in apps rather than mobile websites [1].
This shift is reflected in the staggering amount of time spent on apps daily. According to statistics, smartphone users will spend almost four hours every day on the internet, with 88% of that time spent utilizing applications [2]. This figure has seen a significant increase in most locales over the past two years, with Australia leading the way, experiencing a 50% increase in daily app usage, amounting to slightly over three to five hours [1].
This increased engagement with mobile apps is not limited to Australia. Highlights from significant markets include the United States (5% rise, ~4 hours daily), the United Kingdom (5% surge, ~4 hours daily), Singapore (40% upswing, ~5.25 hours daily), Indonesia (10% uptick, ~5.5 hours daily), India (5% increase, ~5 hours daily), and Canada (20% climb, ~4.5 hours daily) [1].
Mobile apps offer a more tailored and immersive user experience, access to device-specific features, and better performance compared to mobile websites. This is evident in the business metrics they achieve. Mobile apps generally boast an average conversion rate of 157% higher than mobile websites [1].
The preference for mobile apps is also reflected in the number of downloads. Billions of apps are downloaded each quarter, with over 25 billion Google Play downloads and over 8 billion App Store downloads in Q1 2024 [2].
Moreover, mobile apps provide a centralized platform for multiple functions, something that the mobile web could not do as effectively. By leveraging appropriate no-code mobile app technology, you can manage both websites and apps, ensuring a seamless user experience across both platforms without substantial investment or workflow disruption [6].
Push notifications, a feature exclusive to mobile apps, are also a powerful tool for engagement. A study found that push notifications have an average open rate of 20% and a click-through rate of 28% [5]. They are easier to customize and more direct than social media and email.
In conclusion, while a majority of all internet traffic by devices is mobile-based, within mobile usage, apps dominate user engagement and time spent, significantly outweighing mobile website usage. Mobile websites account for the majority of mobile-originated web traffic but typically represent less total time and engagement than apps in 2024–2025 [1][3]. This reflects ongoing trends favoring mobile apps for richer user experiences and better business outcomes.
References:
[1] Statista (2025). Mobile app usage statistics. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/topics/1167/mobile-app-usage/
[2] Sensor Tower (2024). Google Play Store and Apple App Store Q1 2024 download data. [Online]. Available: https://sensortower.com/blog/google-play-store-apple-app-store-downloads-q1-2024
[3] Statcounter (2025). Global mobile internet usage statistics. [Online]. Available: https://gs.statcounter.com/platform-market-share/mobile
[4] Statcounter (2025). Mobile web traffic statistics. [Online]. Available: https://gs.statcounter.com/mobile-stats
[5] Localytics (2023). Push notification statistics. [Online]. Available: https://www.localytics.com/resources/push-notifications-statistics/
[6] Appy Pie (2023). No-code mobile app development. [Online]. Available: https://www.appypie.com/no-code-mobile-app-development/
Smartphones and gadgets have been instrumental in the dominance of mobile apps, with users spending almost four hours every day on apps, making up 88% of their daily mobile internet time. Push notifications, a unique feature of mobile apps, serve as a powerful tool for engagement, having an average open rate of 20% and a click-through rate of 28%.
