Single Page Application (SPA) vs Multiple Pages Application (MPA): what to choose in 2022?
Read this blog to understand the difference between Single Page Vs. Multiple Pages Applications, the benefits of each design pattern, & to decide which one to prefer in 2022.
Introduction
Desktop applications are losing their charm by the day. Web applications are preferred over desktop applications, thanks to their convenience, accessible updates, & multi-device usability. In this blog, we compare the two design patterns of web applications, namely, Single page & Multiple page applications.
What are web applications?
It is essential to understand what Desktop Applications are before understanding Web Applications. A Desktop Application is a computer program installed on the Desktop/Laptop & doesn’t require an internet connection. A Website Application needs an internet connection or some network to function. Unlike a desktop application, a web application does not require any hardware specifications; almost anyone with access to a web browser can use a web application.
Single Page Application (SPA)
A Single Page Application is a web application that loads from on a single web page. All of the user interactions or interfaces on a single-page application are loaded using one screen; these applications are called Single Page Applications.
The app data is downloaded by the browser when a user first visits a single-page application. In SPAs, it is possible to browse the app’s different parts or segments without any hassle & without reloading the page every time. All the primary or essential content of the app is visible on the same page; it saves the user’s time.
Examples: We have been using many single-page applications without ever realizing what they are called. Some of the popular single-page applications are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Gmail, Google Maps, Evernote, etc.
Benefits of SPA
Single Page Applications offer many advantages & hence are preferred as a design pattern over Multiple Page Applications. Some of the key benefits of Single Page Application are:
1. Speed
Single-page applications are faster to load & do not require any page reloading. The design of these applications have a single page & all the data are loaded only once.
2. Performance
In SPAs, all the resources load in a single session & only necessary data changes as the users interact with the application. Such functionality increases the web app performance significantly.
3. Offline work
Single-page applications offer the privilege of working offline. The local data is cached efficiently in these applications to allow users to work offline. During the offline mode, the cached information is stored securely & is synchronised after connecting with the internet again.
4. Linear view - user friendly
In SPAs, all of the information is readily available just by scrolling up and down. This linear view is more user-friendly than the multiple pages or tabs providing the information.
5. Easily used for mobile applications
The backend code of the single-page application is reusable in any mobile development. Hence, a SPA can be utilized as a base for marketing a smartphone app.
6. Easier & Faster Development
In a SPA, a developer has to develop or test only a few elements of the app & these same elements are reusable. This simpler & streamlined process makes app development a lot easier & faster.
Shortcomings of SPA
1. Security
Many developers have stated that the SPAs are not so immune when it comes to protecting sensitive data from hacking. If developers are less careful about the exposure of sensitive data loaded on the main page, it can leak & can be seen by all the users.
2. Not SEO friendly
It is tough to optimize data when there are no different URLs for each tab or section of information. Even if the user is accessing additional data every time, the URL doesn’t change much. It becomes complicated for the search bots to scan the data & hence these applications are difficult to optimize.
3. Browsing history is not comprehensive
The browsing history of SPA takes the user directly to the previous page & not to the last state of the app. This method of recording or restoring browser history is not very comprehensive.
4. Longer downloading time
As mentioned earlier, all the data of the Single Page App loads one time. These web platforms are complicated, huge & have poor optimization & hence the browsers take longer to load the content or download the app.
Multiple Page Application (MPA)
We are sure you have come across at least one application of this nature while browsing the web. Do not believe us? Think about all the apps of the E-commerce sites, where you might have spent a reasonable amount of time browsing. All those online shopping apps like Amazon or eBay are classic examples of MPA or Multiple Page Applications. In addition to these, all the blogs, directories, and forums are also MPAs.
Typically, any web application that consists of many pages- refreshing every time the data changes- is called a Multiple Page Application.
Benefits of MPA
1. Better SEO Optimization
SEO optimization is one of the essential tools of marketing. Many marketing experts prefer MPAs over SPAs because of the ease of SEO management. The multiple pages provided in the MPAs provide different URLs for each section - it allows ranking of varied keywords on each page.
2. No limits on Scalability
Multiple Page Applications allow the users to add pages for the newer, updated data. This limitless addition allows limitless scalability & the users can add as much data as they want.
3. Scope to receive insights from Google Analytics
MPAs allow the users to get insights on every page of the application. One can leverage all the analytics of Google to gain insights about - which page, in particular, is performing better.
4. Provide a visual map to the users
Even if the data for your site is enormous - segmenting it under different pages is possible without any chaos on the Multiple Page Application. This aspect of MPA gives a visual map to the user, making it easier to navigate from one section to another.
Shortcomings of MPA
1. Less Speed
Every time a user accesses the information on these apps, the data keeps reloading. This reloading takes time & makes the application slower.
2. Longer Development time
With so many pages having colossal information, it is an arduous task to develop MPA. The developer has to code these apps from scratch & the backend-frontend separation is also more complicated in MPAs. All of these difficulties cause delays in app development.
Which one to choose?
If you are not sure which one to choose between, a Single Page Application & a Multiple Page Application, try answering the following questions:
What is your business need?
Does your business require SEO?
Do you require your data to be updated every now & then?
Do you want a faster web application?
Do you want to load vast chunks of data on your web application?
We are sure, when you compare your answers to these questions, with the pros & cons of each type of web application - the choice of the web application will be easier.
Alternatively, you can always reach out to Carnera and we can lend you an ear to then come back with what we believe might be best for you. Reach out below!
- Written by Nick AJ
Nick is an industry veteran and the CEO at Carnera. He comes in with expertise in Customer Success, and Team Management and has worked with companies like Macy’s, Nike, and Western Union to help them grow and succeed in their multi-year IT initiatives.
