Flash vs HTML5

Published: May 16, 2012 3 min. read
Svitla Team
By Svitla Team
Web Development
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Flash has been a long-standing industry favorite among software developers, but the relatively new HTML5 is gaining popularity for its versatility in the increasingly mobile platform marketplace. So the question needs to be asked: which framework reigns in the programming world?

Flash has built a solid base of developers and users since its release in 1996. According to Adobe, by 2010 Flash was used almost exclusively for integrating graphics and playing audio and video on web pages. Developers have become very familiar with the functionality of Flash, making it ideal for problem solving. With the advent of Flash , even more options have been made available to customize programming. For example, the complexity involved with creating social media networks has made Flash the programming mode of choice.

For users, Flash has also become the plug-in of choice. Adobe states that Flash is installed on as many as 98% of desktop and laptop computers worldwide. However, while Flash continues to be prominently used by desktop operating systems, gaming systems, and most web browsers, Apple has not enabled Flash to run on iOS, thereby limiting the functionality of Flash on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and AppleTV. The constraints of Flash also become more obvious with other mobile platforms. Flash is not being updated as often as HTML5, and there is currently no strategy to advance the use of Flash on mobile applications. Adobe has announced that it will not be issuing Flash support for Android 5.0, RIM or GoogleTV. Mobile browsers and platforms is the niche market where HTML5 will thrive.

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HTML5 will be the language used on Windows 8, Adobe, iOS and most mobile platforms. Many updated browsers have begun to experiment with HTML5, along with some video sites like YouTube, Vimeo and blip.tv. But HTML5 is still very much in its infancy, and there are few experts on this new programming language. HTML5 represents a new direction that requires new skills; there are not many developers who can confidently program using HTML5. The developers at Svitla are quickly gaining proficiency with HTML5 and are currently using it to create digital portfolios for students. They have opted for HTML5 over Flash because of its versatility to go mobile.

Despite the trending toward mobile devices, Flash will always retain its usefulness among developers for its familiarity, and it will remain the standard for traditional stand-alone desktop applications. But when it comes to creating tools for mobile platforms, Flash is limited and HTML5 is the language of choice. The winner? You decide!

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Svitla Team
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FAQ

What are the main differences between Flash and HTML5?

Flash has been the legacy choice for rich media on desktops because it supports great graphics, video, and interactivity, but it cannot work well on mobile platforms, which Apple and others do not support. HTML5 is native to browsers͏, requires no plug-in components, and has good design for usage over mobile devices. While Flash has a huge base of knowledgeable developers readily available, HTML5 is newer, less common expertise, but much more flexible and oriented toward the future of cross-platform development.

Why was Flash replaced by HTML5 for web development?

Flash had plug-ins, it wasn’t widely supported on mobiles, and updates didn’t make it efficient for modern platforms. HTML5 runs right inside browsers, is light, and operates both desktop and mobile systems smoothly without extra installations. As the web transformed into a mobile-first experience, developers and companies embraced HTML5 because of its flexibility, compatibility, and long-term sustainability.

Is HTML5 more secure than Flash?

HTML5 is more secure since it executes natively inside the latest browsers and does not require any third-party plug-ins, as was mostly the case with exploits in Flash. By getting rid of such external dependencies, a lot of the vulnerability issues that used to haunt web applications are eliminated. Continuous updates and extensive support for different platforms also make it a safer choice, along with being a reliable option in terms of web development.

Can I still use Flash content in modern browsers?

No. Modern browsers no longer support Flash content because of security issues and the adoption of open web standards such as HTML5. Some obsolete niche solutions may exist, but for the vast majority, end-users cannot access flash content right inside contemporary web browsers. This, therefore, underscores the move by the industry to embrace newer, secure, and more universally compatible technologies.

What are the advantages of using HTML5 over Flash for interactive web content?

HTML5 is very advantageous for interactive content because, being considered as native browser support, it does not require any plug-in and thus guarantees compatibility among all devices, particularly mobile ones. It has better performance, is secure, and also supports SEO, making the content easily indexable by search engines. In addition, HTML5 continues to change with more features and functionalities; hence, it becomes a solution that will stand the test of time for dynamic web experiences.