Things Schools Should Actually Teach | The Difference Between a Website, an Application (App), and a Platform
Many people use the terms “website,” “app,” and “platform” interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing. Understanding these differences helps you navigate technology better, know where your data is going, and avoid tech confusion. This post will explain the difference between a website, an app, and a platform.
What is a Website?
A website is any place on the internet that you can visit using a browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). The difference between a website, an app, and a platform is not always clear. However, websites:
- Have a unique web address (URL) like www.example.com.
- Can contain text, images, videos, and interactive elements.
- Doesn’t require installation, you just type in the URL and go.
Examples:
- News sites (CNN, BBC)
- Blogs & portfolios
- Company pages
- Wikipedia
Pro Tip: If you can access it without downloading anything, it’s a website.
What is an App?
When determining the difference between a website, an app, and a platform, think about how you access it. For instance, an app (application) is software you install on your device (phone, tablet, or computer).
- Apps are downloaded from an App Store (Google Play, Apple App Store, etc.)
- They can work offline (unlike websites, which need the internet).
- They often store data locally on your device instead of requiring a browser.
Examples:
- Mobile banking apps
- Social media apps (Instagram, TikTok)
- Games (Candy Crush, Fortnite)
Pro Tip: If you have to download it, it’s an app.
Learn more in our article, The Internet Isn’t Just Social Media.
What is a Platform?
Now we are in the final section that will help us understand the difference between a website, an app, and a platform. A platform is a system that allows multiple users to interact, create content, or use services. Platforms can exist as websites, apps, or both.
- Platforms host content and services instead of just displaying information.
- They often involve user accounts, logins, and personalized experiences.
- Many are centralized, meaning a company controls what happens on them.
Examples:
- Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
- E-Commerce Platforms: Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and the Hunter Storm Store.
- Streaming Platforms: Netflix, YouTube, Spotify
Pro Tip: If a site or app lets users interact, create, or sell, it’s a platform.
Why Does This Difference Matter?
Security & Privacy
- Websites are usually safer to browse because they don’t require installation.
- Apps can track data and permissions (like your location or contacts).
- Platforms can censor content and control visibility (social media algorithms).
Data Storage & Ownership
- Websites are often public (no login needed).
- Apps store your data on your device.
- Platforms store your data on their servers (and can sell or control access to it).
Functionality
- If a service requires downloads, it’s probably an app.
- If it’s interactive & community-driven, it’s a platform.
- If it’s just displaying content, it’s a website.
- Understanding Online Spaces Helps You Navigate Smarter
Websites, apps, and platforms serve different purposes. Knowing which is which helps you protect your data and privacy.
Next time you download an app or sign up for a platform, check what data they collect and where your information is stored.
If you understand how tech is structured, you can use it more wisely.
Glossary
App Store: A marketplace for downloading apps (Google Play, Apple App Store).
Algorithm: A system that platforms use to decide what content users see.
Centralized: A system controlled by one company, like Facebook or YouTube.
Decentralized: A system that isn’t controlled by one company, like open source blockchain apps.
Interactive Platform: A site or app that allows users to create or engage with content.
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About the Author | Hunter Storm | Technology Executive | Global Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker
CISO | Advisory Board Member | SOC Black Ops Team | Systems Architect | Strategic Policy Advisor | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator | Cyber-Physical-Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert | Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Background
Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Security Operations Center (SOC) Black Ops Team Member; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator, and Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.
Drawing on decades of experience in global Fortune 100 enterprises, including Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and American Express; aerospace and high-tech manufacturing leaders such as Alcoa and Special Devices (SDI) / Daicel Safety Systems (DSS); and leading technology services firms such as CompuCom, she guides organizations through complex technical, strategic, and operational challenges.
Hunter Storm combines technical mastery with real-world operational resilience in high-stakes environments.
Global Expert and Subject Matter Expert (SME) | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Strategic Intelligence
A recognized subject matter expert (SME) with top-tier expert networks including GLG (Top 1%), AlphaSights, and Third Bridge, Hunter Storm advises Board Members, CEOs, CTOs, CISOs, Founders, and Senior Executives across technology, finance, and consulting sectors. Her insights have shaped policy, strategy, and high-risk decision-making at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and human-technical threat surfaces.
Projects | Research and Development (R&D) | Frameworks
Hunter Storm is the creator of The Storm Project: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence, the largest AI research initiative in history.
She is the originator of the Hacking Humans: Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering, a foundational framework in psychological operations (PsyOps) and biohacking, adopted by governments, enterprises, and global security communities.
Hunter Storm also pioneered the first global forensic mapping of digital repression architecture, suppression, and censorship through her project Discrimination by Design: First Global Forensic Mapping of Digital Repression Architecture, monitoring platform accountability and digital suppression worldwide.
Achievements and Awards
Hunter Storm is a Mensa member and recipient of the Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her enduring influence on AI, cybersecurity, quantum, technology, strategy, and global security.
Hunter Storm | The Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Hunter Storm is known for solving problems most won’t touch. She combines technical mastery, operational agility, and strategic foresight to protect critical assets and shape the future at the intersection of technology, strategy, and high-risk decision-making.
Hunter Storm reframes human-technical threat surfaces to expose vulnerabilities others miss, delivering the ultimate asymmetric advantage.
Discover Hunter Storm’s full About the Author biography and career highlights.
Securing the Future | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum computing, innovation, risk management, hybrid threats, security. Hunter Storm (“The Fourth Option”) is here. Let’s get to work.
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