Mobile App vs. Web App: Which Should You Use?

Here is the good news: you do not have to choose. SemaQuote works seamlessly on both your phone and your computer, and everything stays in sync. Create a quote on your phone at a job site, then polish it on your laptop at home. It all flows together.

That said, each platform has its strengths. Understanding when to reach for your phone versus your computer helps you work faster and more efficiently.

This guide breaks down the differences and helps you make the right choice for every task.

The Quick Answer

Use the mobile app when:

• You are away from your desk (job sites, client meetings, supply runs)
• You need to capture information quickly
• You want to dictate a quote using voice input
• You need instant alerts about client activity

Use the web app when:

• You are doing detailed work that benefits from a larger screen
• You need to configure settings, integrations, or branding
• You are running reports or analyzing your business
• You are managing multiple items in bulk

Both apps sync in real time. Changes you make on one platform appear instantly on the other.

Feature Comparison

Here is a side-by-side look at what is available on each platform:

Let's dig into what each of these means in practice.

Features Only on Mobile

These capabilities are exclusive to the SemaQuote mobile app:

Voice Input

This is the standout feature for tradespeople. Instead of pecking at a small keyboard with dirty hands, you tap the microphone and speak naturally: "Quote for John Smith, fence repair, four hours of labor at 75 dollars per hour, plus materials..."

The app transcribes your words, extracts the details, and builds a structured quote. You can review, edit, and send, all in less time than it would take to type half of it manually.

Why mobile only? Most computer users prefer typing on a full keyboard. Voice input shines when you are standing in someone's backyard without access to a desk.

Learn more: Create quotes hands-free with voice input

Push Notifications

Your phone buzzes. A client just approved your quote. You smile, knowing you have work lined up.

Push notifications bring important updates directly to your lock screen: quote views, approvals, payments, overdue invoices, and upcoming job reminders. You stay informed without constantly checking the app.

The web app cannot send push notifications to your device. You will see notification history when you log in, but you will not get real-time alerts.

Learn more: Set up push notifications

Biometric Lock

Add Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint protection to the app. Even if someone picks up your unlocked phone, they cannot access your business data without your face or fingerprint.

This relies on your phone's security hardware, which is why it is mobile-only.

Learn more: Protect your app with biometric lock

Offline Access

Lost signal on a remote job site? The mobile app lets you view recently accessed quotes, invoices, and client information even without an internet connection. Any changes you make offline sync automatically when you reconnect.

The web app requires a constant internet connection to function.

On-the-Go Convenience

The mobile interface is optimized for quick glances and fast actions. Pull up a client's address between jobs. Check if a quote was approved while waiting in line at the supply house. Send a quick invoice reminder from the truck.

You can do these things on the web too, but the mobile app is designed for speed when you only have a few seconds.

Features Only on Web

These capabilities are exclusive to the SemaQuote web app:

Full Reports and Analytics

Want to know your quote-to-close rate? How much revenue you generated last quarter? Which services are most profitable?

The web app provides comprehensive reports with charts, filters, and drill-down capabilities. The mobile app shows a simplified dashboard, but the web is where you do serious analysis.

User Management

If you have employees or partners who need access to your SemaQuote account, you manage them through the web app. Add new users, assign roles, and control exactly what each person can see and do.

Integrations

Connect SemaQuote with your accounting software, calendar apps, payment processors, and other tools. All integration configuration happens in the web app settings.

Bulk Operations

Need to send payment reminders to 15 clients at once? Want to mark multiple jobs as complete? Bulk operations let you select multiple items and act on them together. This is a huge time-saver when managing a busy business.

Data Export

Download your quotes, invoices, clients, and financial data in spreadsheet format. Useful for tax preparation, sharing with your accountant, or migrating to other systems.

Advanced Branding

Upload your logo, customize invoice templates, adjust colors, and fine-tune how your documents look to clients. The mobile app displays your branding, but editing happens on the web.

Learn more: Set up your branding

Complete Settings

Every configuration option lives in the web app: tax rates, payment terms, email templates, default values, and more. The mobile app has essential settings for day-to-day use, but the web offers the complete picture.

Learn more: Configure your company profile

Features on Both Platforms

Most of your daily work can happen anywhere:

Creating and Managing Quotes

Build quotes with line items, descriptions, and pricing on either device. The mobile app is faster for simple quotes (especially with voice input), while the web app is better for complex quotes with many items.

Learn more: Create a quote

Creating and Managing Invoices

Generate invoices from approved quotes or create them from scratch. View payment status and send reminders whether you are at your desk or on the road.

Client Management

Add new clients, update contact information, and view their history. The mobile app makes it easy to add someone while you are meeting them face-to-face.

Learn more: Add a client

Job Scheduling

Schedule jobs, set reminders, and track your upcoming work. The mobile app is handy for checking your schedule on the go, while the web provides a better calendar view.

Dashboard

See a summary of your business: recent quotes, unpaid invoices, upcoming jobs. Both platforms show this overview, though the web version has more detail.

Sending Documents

Email quotes and invoices to clients from either platform. The experience is nearly identical.

Real-World Scenarios

Not sure which to use? Here are common situations and our recommendations:

Meeting a customer at their home to discuss a project Use the mobile app. Create a voice quote while you walk through the space, add a new client on the spot, and send the quote before you leave the driveway.

End of the week, time to invoice completed jobs Use the web app. Review all your completed work on a large screen, generate invoices in bulk, and double-check details without squinting.

Quick check: did that client pay? Either works. The mobile app is faster if you just need a yes or no. The web shows more context if you need details.

First-time setup for your business Use the web app. Configure your company profile, upload your logo, set tax rates, and customize templates. This is easier with a keyboard and large screen.

Following up on a quote from your truck Use the mobile app. Send a quick reminder or check if the client viewed your quote, all without pulling out a laptop.

Running monthly reports for your accountant Use the web app. Access detailed analytics, filter by date range, and export the data you need.

Creating a detailed quote with 20 line items Use the web app. The larger screen and full keyboard make managing complex quotes much easier.

Creating a quick 2-line quote Use the mobile app. Voice input captures this in seconds.

How Syncing Works

Everything in SemaQuote syncs automatically across platforms:

• Create a quote on your phone, and it appears on your computer instantly
• Edit client details on the web, and changes show up in the mobile app
• Mark an invoice paid on either device, and both update immediately

The only exception is offline mode on mobile. If you make changes without an internet connection, they sync the next time you go online. In rare cases of conflicting changes, the most recent edit wins.

You never need to manually sync, export, or transfer data between platforms. It just works.

Getting Started

If you are new to SemaQuote, here is the recommended approach:

1. Start with the web app to set up your company profile, branding, and settings. A larger screen makes initial configuration easier.

2. Download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. Sign in with the same account.

3. Use both depending on where you are and what you are doing. Most SemaQuote users switch between mobile and web multiple times per day.

You do not need to pick one platform and stick with it. The whole point is flexibility: use whichever tool makes sense in the moment.

Summary

The mobile app excels at quick tasks, voice input, and staying connected while you are on the move. The web app is better for detailed configuration, comprehensive reports, and managing complex documents.

Together, they give you complete control over your business from anywhere. Your desk, your truck, a client's kitchen, a coffee shop: wherever you are, SemaQuote is there with you.

What's Next?

• Install the mobile app: Get SemaQuote on your phone.
• Try voice input: Create quotes by speaking.
• Explore the dashboard: See your business at a glance.
• Configure your settings: Set up your company profile.