Native mobile application development refers to creating an app specifically for a given mobile operating system, such as iOS or Android, using programming languages native to that OS. This approach delivers the most seamless user experience, better performance, and access to device capabilities. However, it requires more resources and skill sets than cross-platform development tools, which can save time but may impact user experience. Developing native apps using tools like XCode for iOS and Android Studio for Android provides a superior product with advantages such as performance, user experience, and access to device features. A mobile database is also crucial in ensuring data consistency and availability across the app ecosystem, with options like Couchbase providing built-in sync capabilities for native development tools.