Enterprise Application vs Web Application: Definition, Working, and Benefits

What’s the difference between enterprise and web application? If you are confused about which type of application is suitable for your business, then you have come to the right place in the quest for your answer.

In this blog post, we will discuss the details of enterprise and web applications. But first, let’s clarify the basics. 

Enterprise Application vs Web Application

Here’s a table comparing Enterprise Applications and Web Applications across various aspects:

Comparison Aspect	Enterprise Application	Web Application
Primary Purpose	Designed to meet the complex needs of an organization.	Aimed at providing web-based services or content to users.
Scope and Scale	Often large-scale and complex, integrating various business processes.	It can be simple for essential apps or complex for rich internet apps.
User Base	Typically used within organizations (employees, management).	Generally available to the public or specific user groups on the internet.
Accessibility	Accessed through internal networks, though some offer remote access.	Generally available to the public or specific user groups on the Internet.
Development Complexity	ERP systems, CRM software, and financial management systems.	Varies, and it can be simple for essential apps or complex for rich internet apps.
Security Concerns	High-level security, handling sensitive corporate data.	Security is crucial, especially for apps handling user data and transactions.
Typical Technologies Used	Regular maintenance updates may require dedicated IT staff.	HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Web Frameworks (React, Angular), Backend Languages.
Deployment Environment	In-house servers, private clouds, or hybrid setups.	Public cloud services, web servers.
Maintenance and Updates	It can be updated and maintained more frequently, often with less complexity.	Typically, it requires a significant investment in development and hardware.
Integration Capabilities	Designed to integrate with other enterprise systems and databases.	Can integrate with various APIs and external databases.
Cost and Investment	Regular updates may require dedicated IT staff.	Lower initial cost; can be scaled based on demand.

The primary choice comes down to “web application vs. enterprise application.”

Enterprise applications are tailored to meet organizations’ broad and specific needs, focusing on integrating various business functions and ensuring data security. On the other hand, web applications are more diverse, designed to be accessible over the Internet and to a widebroaderience. Each serves different purposes and comes with requirements, complexities, and usage contexts.

Web applications are apps you run on a browser with an internet connection but without downloading them from an app store. These apps update automatically and can perform various functions to offer an app-like experience. 

Web apps are stored on servers that users can easily access through URLs. Let’s say you open a Google Doc in the browser. Using the web browser as an interface, you can easily perform all sorts of functions, from creating content to storing and sharing it, similarly to how you can do on any pre-installed native application. 

In contrast, enterprise applications are separate software designed for specific business functions. They are used to moderate mission-critical business management challenges and comprise varied performance parameters and touchpoints to make them appropriate for the business. 

Let us dig deeper into the difference between web applications and enterprise applications. 

Defining software applications 

What do you mean by Web applications? 

Web applications are universal in nature in terms of serving their users. Now, what does that mean? It means that they are used widely as a promising tool for diverse use cases at the commercial and individual levels. A web-based computer program that uses a web browser as an interface to perform one or more functions for its users can be defined as a web-based computer program. 

Web applications are responsive to every operating system and device in the world and can be accessed from anywhere on the Internet; that’s what we can call a true universal nature. 

What is an Enterprise application? 

Enterprise application software is software used to effectively solve a business’s operational problems. In the business realm, various enterprise applications include SAP, a comprehensive ERP application for accounting. A business development department would also need some kind of scalable business intelligence application tools. 

Similarly, every department in the company would need a software solution appropriate for their work to overcome everyday challenges. Additionally, to gain an operational advantage, you can connect every application through an uninterrupted channel for effective communication. 

Enterprise application integration is critical for smooth communication between applications and systems. This enables businesses in every industry vertical to generate real-time data and perform efficiently with a data-driven approach across various platforms.

Working on software application: enterprise vs web 

Enterprise web application 

With the addition of simplified business management solutions, enterprise app technologies are growing. Vendors offer application design and development services for cutting-edge enterprise software apps that come in various packages, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), business web app services, and progressive web apps.

There are various devices and integrated platforms through which you can access a wide range of enterprise applications. These applications can exclusively be used for in-house functionalities and remote accessibility, which can be helpful in the current pandemic. 

Many enterprise companies are shifting their entire infrastructure to the cloud. The cloud is undoubtedly one of the latest technology trends; with its help, you can access not only the system but also its database from anywhere in the world. Many enterprises hire an in-house app development team to build industry-appropriate enterprise applications. 

Web application 

Unlike native apps, web applications work with distributed layers in a client-server architecture. To create a functional network for web applications, only a web server, an application server, and a database are needed. 

The complete working cycle of web applications starts with a user prompt via a web browser or a web interface. The web server then passes on the request to the application server for execution. Accordingly, after querying the database, the application server processes the request and sends it back to the web server. 

Client-side scripts like Javascript, HTML, ASP, and PHP are used to build web applications with browser-appropriate servers. Integrating the code in a web application perfectly will help effectively cater to users’ requests. Additionally, in contrast to static applications, dynamic apps demand server-based processing to perform any function or task for users. 

Benefits: web application vs enterprise application 

Advantages of web applications 

• Cost-effective app experience at the expense of a website
  
• Responsive design with time-saving request execution cycle
  
• Cross-device functionality and seamless application integration
  
• Servers multiple users at a time without technical snags
  
• Secure data centralization with easy backup functionality
  
• Uninterrupted app services across different Operating systems.

Advantages of enterprise applications 

• High Data Capacity and Scalability
  
• Extensive Interoperability
  
• Excellent Configurability
  
• Operation Analytics
  
• Exceptional Identity Management
  
• Disaster Recovery and Redundancy
  
• Assured Privacy and Security

Web application technologies and examples

There are hundreds of web applications in the digital world. Attentive or not, we use at least a couple of web applications in our daily lives. There are two types of web applications. A proportionate mix of client-side coding and server-side coding is also called a web application. 

Client-side coding technology stack

• Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)
  
• HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
  
• Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax)
  
• jQuery
  
• Dojo Toolkit
  
• MooTools

Server-side coding technology stack

• Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)
  
• Active Server Page (ASP)
  
• Zend Framework
  
• Coldfusion
  
• Ruby on Rails
  
• Python
  
• ASP.NET
  
• pearl

Examples of enterprise application

• Customer Relationship Management Software
  

• Salesforce CRM
  
• Freshsales CRM
  
• Hubspot CRM
  
• Project Management applications
  

• Asana
  
• Basecamp
  
• Zoho projects
  
• Trello
  
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  

• Bitrix24
  
• NetSuite
  
• SAP Business
  
• Sage 300cloud
  
• Tally.ERP 9
  
• Dynamics
  
• Treasury Management System (TMS)
  

• SAP for finance
  
• Oracle treasury
  
• Tm5
  
• IBSFINtech
  
• CAPIX
  
• ZenTreasury
  
• Business Intelligence (BI)
  

• Zoho Analytics
  
• SAP Business Intelligence
  
• Jaspersoft
  
• Sisense
  
• MicroStrategy
  
• Business Continuity Planning (BCP)
  

• Microsoft R Server
  
• Nero
  
• Folder Lock
  
• GoodSync
  
• Spanning Backup 

SAP ERP vs Google Docs

Now, let’s compare side by side the two most prominent examples of apps (enterprise vs. web).

Aspect	Enterprise Application (SAP ERP)	Web Application (Google Docs)
Purpose	Comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that integrates various business processes across finance, HR, supply chain, and more.	Online document creation, editing, and collaboration tool designed for individual and small team use.
Scale	Used by large organizations across various departments, with thousands of users accessing it simultaneously.	Scalable from individual users to large teams, but typically serves smaller groups compared to enterprise applications.
Customization	Highly customizable to meet specific business needs, with modules tailored to different industry requirements.	Limited customization; users can set preferences and templates, but core functionality remains the same for all users.
Deployment	Deployed on-premises or in private clouds; requires extensive infrastructure and IT management.	Cloud-based, accessible via any web browser without the need for dedicated IT infrastructure.
Security	Enterprise-grade security with role-based access, data encryption, compliance with industry standards, and rigorous auditing capabilities.	Web-based security features such as HTTPS, two-factor authentication, and Google account protection.
Performance	Optimized for handling complex transactions, large datasets, and concurrent user activities.	Performance is generally good for document-related tasks but can vary with network conditions and number of collaborators.
Complexity	Complex, requiring specialized training for users and administrators; includes a wide range of modules and functionalities.	Simple and intuitive interface designed for ease of use; minimal training required.
Integration	Deep integration with other enterprise systems like CRM, SCM, and custom applications within the organization.	Integrates with other Google Workspace apps and third-party services via APIs, but less extensive integration capabilities compared to ERP systems.
User Interface	Functional and often not very user-friendly; designed to handle complex tasks rather than prioritize user experience.	User-friendly with a focus on simplicity and accessibility; optimized for collaborative use.
Scalability	Scales effectively within large organizations to support growing operations and data volume.	Scalable for use by millions of users worldwide, though primarily designed for smaller-scale collaborative tasks.
Cost	High upfront costs, including licensing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance; often requires dedicated IT staff.	Typically low to no upfront costs; based on subscription or free models with costs tied to premium features or storage needs.
Development Time	Long development and implementation cycles due to the need for customization and integration.	Quick to deploy, with new features rolled out by Google regularly without user intervention.

Summary:

• SAP ERP (Enterprise Application) is designed for large-scale, complex business operations. It offers deep customization, high security, and robust integration with other enterprise systems. However, it is complex, costly, and requires significant resources for deployment and maintenance.
• Google Docs (Web Application) is a cloud-based, user-friendly tool for document creation and collaboration, ideal for individuals and small teams. It offers simplicity, ease of access, and low costs but lacks enterprise applications’ deep customization and integration capabilities like SAP ERP.

Final Verdict – web application vs enterprise application

The purpose of the web applications and enterprise applications intersects at possibly a common point. I say this because both apps are dedicated to serving their users to perform business or commercial functions without facing any complexities. 

The only difference is that enterprise applications are more loaded with user-specific functions than web applications. However, both enterprise web apps consist of server architecture and complex networks to deliver services constantly. As enterprise apps deal with more tasks at a time, they incorporate more technical attributes to simplify complex business management activities. 

After reading this article, I’m sure you would have got a complete picture of enterprise application vs web application. Now, you are armed to make an informed decision to pick the kind of applications that meet the business requirements of your company. However, if you have any queries or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.