The App Overload: Why I Resist Downloading Apps

I find myself increasingly frustrated with the push towards app usage over web services. Companies are relentless in their attempts to steer users away from web versions, often through intrusive pop-ups and banners urging app downloads. This trend is not just limited to social media but extends to basic services like parking and utilities, where sometimes the app is the only access point.

I value the control browsers offer, allowing me to customize my experience with user scripts and ad-blockers. Apps, on the other hand, often employ dark patterns to trap users in their ecosystems, prioritizing user retention over experience. Most apps are essentially just interfaces for text and media, fetching data from APIs without offering significant advantages over web versions.

The quality of these apps often leaves much to be desired. Many suffer from performance issues, such as the early Flutter apps on iOS, which had noticeable UI stutters. These subtle imperfections can ruin the user experience, as our brains are adept at detecting timing discrepancies.

This push towards apps is part of a larger 'enshittification loop,' where web versions are deliberately degraded to funnel users into apps. Once inside, users are exposed to ads and tracking without the protection of browser extensions. This strategy is driven by metrics that reward app downloads over web engagement, despite the negative impact on user experience.

Ultimately, the browser is being relegated to a mere marketing tool for app stores, a shift that is both effective and disheartening.