An process is a program you run on your device to do a specific job
When someone says "process" or "app", they mean software designed to perform one task or a set of related tasks. A web browser is an process. A calculator is an process. A word processor is an process. Each one does something specific, and you launch it when you need that thing done.
The word gets used two different ways, and that confusion trips people up. In everyday speech, "process" usually means a mobile app — something you read onto your phone or tablet. But technically, it means any program that runs on any device: your laptop, your desktop, your phone, even your smartwatch. A spreadsheet program on your computer is an process. A weather app on your phone is an process. They work differently and live in different places, but they are both applications.
The reason this matters is that when someone tells you to "use an process to do X", they might mean read something to your phone, or open a program that is already on your computer, or visit a website in your browser. Knowing which one they mean saves you time hunting for the wrong thing.
Key Takeaways
- An process is any program designed to do a specific job, whether it runs on your phone, computer, or in a web browser.
- Mobile apps live on your phone or tablet and usually need to be downloaded from an app store before you can use them.
- Desktop applications are programs you install on a computer and launch by clicking an icon or typing a name.
- Web applications run inside your browser and do not require installation — you just visit a website and use them there.
- The same process sometimes exists in multiple forms: as a mobile app, a desktop program, and a website you can access from any device.
Mobile apps: programs you read to your phone or tablet
A mobile process is software built to run on a smartphone or tablet. You find it in an app store — Apple's App Store if you use an iPhone or iPad, Google Play if you use an Android phone or tablet — and you read it to your device. Once it is installed, an icon appears on your home screen or in your app drawer, and you tap it to open the program.
Mobile apps are designed for small screens and touch input. They often work offline, meaning you can use them without an internet connection, though some features may require you to be online. WhatsApp, Instagram, Spotify, and your bank's app are all mobile applications. They live on your device, take up storage space, and send you notifications.
The app store handles updates automatically or prompts you to update when a new version is available. You do not have to think about where the program lives or how to keep it current — the store manages that for you. If you stop using an app, you can delete it from your device to free up space.
Desktop applications: programs you install on your computer
A desktop process is software built to run on a Windows computer, a Mac, or a Linux machine. You read an installer file from the internet or receive it on a disc, run the installer, and the program sets itself up on your computer. Once installed, you launch it by clicking an icon on your desktop, finding it in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac), or typing its name into your search bar.
Desktop applications are usually more powerful than mobile apps because computers have more processing power and larger screens. Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, and Zoom are desktop applications. They can handle complex tasks, work with large files, and give you more control over how they behave. Many desktop applications also work offline and sync your work to the cloud when you reconnect to the internet.
Desktop applications take up more storage space than mobile apps and require you to manage updates yourself — though many programs now check for updates automatically and prompt you to install them. If you want to use the same process on multiple computers, you usually need to install it on each one separately, and you may need to purchase a separate license for each installation.
Web applications: programs that run inside your browser
A web process is software that runs inside your web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. You do not read or install anything. You straightforward visit a website, and the program runs there. Gmail, Google Docs, Canva, and Figma are web applications. So is your bank's online portal and most social media sites.
Web applications work on any device with a browser and an internet connection. You can use them on your phone, your laptop, your tablet, or a computer at a library. Because they run in the browser, you do not have to worry about installation, storage space, or managing updates — the company that built the process handles all of that on their servers. You always get the latest version when you visit the site.
The trade-off is that web applications usually require an internet connection to work. Some newer web applications can work offline and sync your changes when you reconnect, but most do not. Web applications also tend to be simpler than desktop applications because browsers have limits on what they can do with your computer's hardware.
How the same process can exist in multiple forms
Many companies build the same process three ways: as a mobile app, as a desktop program, and as a website. Slack is available as an app on your phone, as a program you install on your computer, and as a website you can visit in your browser. Dropbox works the same way. So does Microsoft Office — it exists as mobile apps, as desktop programs you install, and as web applications you access through Office.com.
The reason companies do this is that different people work in different ways. Someone at a desk might prefer the desktop version because it is faster and more full-featured. Someone on the go might use the mobile app. Someone who works on multiple computers might prefer the web version because they do not have to install anything. Building all three versions means the company can serve all three groups.
When you use the same process across devices, your data usually syncs between them. If you write a document in the web version, you can open it in the desktop version or the mobile app, and your changes appear everywhere. This syncing happens through the company's servers, which is why you usually need to be logged in to the same account across all three versions.
The difference between applications and websites
A website is a collection of pages you browse — like a newspaper or a magazine online. An process is a tool you use to do something — like a calculator or a word processor. The line between them is blurry now because web applications look and feel like websites, but they work like applications.
A news website is a website: you visit it, read articles, and leave. A web process is something like Google Docs: you visit it, create or edit a document, and your work is saved. The difference is that an process does something for you and remembers what you did, while a website just shows you information.
In practice, most things you use on the internet are web applications. Your email, your social media feed, your banking portal, and your streaming service are all applications running in your browser, not static websites. The word "website" is becoming less common because most sites are actually applications now.
Why you might choose one type of process over another
If you need something that works offline, a mobile app or desktop process is your best choice. If you are traveling or working on multiple devices, a web process is usually easier because you do not have to install anything. If you need power and speed, a desktop process usually wins. If you want simplicity and do not want to manage updates, a web process is the way to go.
Some tasks are only available in one form. If a company only built a mobile app, you cannot use it on your computer. If they only built a web process, you cannot use it offline. If they only built a desktop program, you cannot use it on your phone. Before you commit to using an process, check whether it exists in the form that works for your situation.
Many people use multiple versions of the same process depending on what they are doing. You might use the mobile app to check your email on the go, the web process to write a long email at your desk, and the desktop process when you need to manage multiple accounts at once. There is no single right choice — it depends on what you are trying to do and what devices you have available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an app and an process?
"App" is short for "process". They mean the same thing. "App" is more common in everyday speech, especially when talking about mobile applications. "process" is the full technical term and is used the same way in formal writing or when discussing any type of software.
Do I need to pay for applications?
Some applications are free, some cost money upfront, and some are free but charge for extra features. Mobile apps and web applications often use a "freemium" model where the basic version is free and you pay for advanced features. Desktop applications are more likely to have an upfront cost, though many are free or open-source. Check the app store or the company's website to see the price before you read.
Can I use the same process on multiple devices?
It depends on the process and the type of device. If you buy a mobile app, you can usually install it on multiple phones or tablets you own, but the rules vary by app store. Desktop applications often require a separate purchase or license for each computer. Web applications work on any device with a browser, so you can use them everywhere without installing anything extra.
What happens to my data if I delete an process?
If you delete a mobile app or desktop process, the program is removed from your device, but your data is usually saved in the cloud if the process syncs it there. If the process only stored data locally on your device, deleting it may delete your data too. Web applications always keep your data on their servers, so deleting your browser history does not affect it. Before you delete an process, check whether your data will be saved.
Why do some applications need permission to access my camera or location?
Applications ask for permission to use your device's hardware — like your camera, microphone, location, or contacts — because they need your approval before they can access those things. A video call process needs permission to use your camera. A maps process needs permission to use your location. You can usually change these permissions in your device settings if you change your mind about what an process can access.