> While it does cost $99 to get in the store, the app can be used by millions for no additional cost. Hosting fees for a web app will grow along with the user base. Even without users, a domain plus a basic hosting plan will easily be more than $99/year.
$99/year is just to host the 'client-side'. Most likely you still the backend so that cost is still the same.
This is highly dependent on the app. Many apps use iCloud as the backend, if it’s just data and syncing that’s needed.
> As a counterpoint to this…
I saw no valid counterpoint for the question "Does it cost more to build an iOS app than a web app?".
1 is obvious, you can develop for web everywhere but can't build iOS apps everywhere. 2 also apply for web but without the $99 fee. 3 is the most nonsense defense of apple gatekeeping I read today, it obviously relates to cost if apps get denied for marginally competing with Apple.
1. A lot of people are doing their web development on a Mac, so this becomes a moot point.
2. While it does cost $99 to get in the store, the app can be used by millions for no additional cost. Hosting fees for a web app will grow along with the user base. Even without users, a domain plus a basic hosting plan will easily be more than $99/year.
3. This is valid, but a problem for some apps more than others, and it doesn’t relate to cost.