In many (mostly iOS/Android) native apps, when you press a link, it opens within an embedded browser within the app. However, some apps don't do this and instead open directly within the operating system's default browser.
Almost always, desktop native apps seem to open links in the OS browser.
When should you choose to use one method over the other?
Example of Instagram's in-app browser:
Meta's decision to open links in an embedded browser is because of their global feature link feature that allows you to save links you click on, as well as view your overall link history. They likely do that as Instagram is also seen as a commerce platform. They want you to stay in the app.
My initial thought is to say that it depends on the experience you want to provide and the type of content that would link out to (or in).
Do you want to "control" the user's experience within the app? An in-app browser gives you the control to ensure that you're preventing users from navigating to websites outside of your app. (However, the case for Instagram, it also gives you the option to view the page with the native browser).
Are you collecting personal data? I would suggest opening up in a native browser as there's more security built in.
And, in terms of preference, would having to load the native browser hinder the experience, or do you want to create one that is more fluid?
In app browsers generally provide worse UX than the user's system browser. This is for many reasons, including:
In many cases, companies utilize in-app browsers to track users and keep them from leaving their app/platform. Those reasons give to a bad UX, but are influences on why one would chosoe to implement an in-app browser.
Some UX driven reasons for implementing an in app browser:
In any case, you should how users will be using your app, and if adding an additional step to accessing within their native browser will cause friction for the regular usage of your application.
Source: Digital Markets Act - Interventions - In-App Browsers (Open Web Advocacy, 2024)
