Difference between a canvas app and model driven apps. Explore their unique characteristics with Course Elevates expert insights. Below is the difference between Canvas app and Model driven apps.
| Canvas App | Model Driven App |
|---|---|
| You get a blank screen, you can add components on the screen to build your UI and of course you get a lot of choices for the backend (database) as well | Most of the components in the app are based on the data you choose. This data is stored in dataverse. |
| You have complete UI Control | You can do very limited amount of UI customization |
| You can choose Microsoft Dataverse (formerly CDS) and many other data sources as backend using connectors. | Only Dataverse can be used as backend |
| This is not responsive. You can create app in either portrait or landscape mode. | This is responsive. Unlike Canvas app, this will render itself to match the device resolution. |
| Migration becomes difficult between different environments as in case of different database other than dataverse. | Migration is easy as it has only Data verse as backend. |
| The time for completion of app is mostly depends on the complexity of the project | The app can be created rapidly. |
| Manipulation of the control can be done via Microsoft Power Fx expressions. | No need to write code for the app components. |
| Version Control is supported | Version control is not supported. Once you create, it can only be modified by the subsequent changes/deployments. |
Here are practical examples of where you will decide where to use which app.
Canvas App Example:
Let’s say you work for a retail company that wants to create a mobile app for its sales representatives. The app needs to allow sales reps to quickly enter customer orders, view product details, and track inventory. In this scenario, a Canvas App would be suitable.
You could build a Canvas App that provides a user-friendly interface for sales reps to input orders, access product catalogs, and check inventory levels. It allows for more customization in terms of design and user experience. You can design the app to meet specific requirements and workflows of your sales team.
Model-Driven App Example:
Imagine you are part of a customer relationship management (CRM) team in a financial institution. Your team needs a centralized system to manage customer interactions, track leads, and monitor sales performance. A Model-Driven App would be a good choice here.
You can create a Model-Driven App that integrates with your CRM system. This makes it ideal for managing customer relationships, sales pipelines, and performance analytics.
In summary, Your choice depends on the specific needs of your application and the users who will be using it.