Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are essentially web applications that behave almost like a typical desktop application but the difference is that Rich Internet Application are cross-platform that will run almost anywhere with the help of a site-specific browser (SSB), plugins etc.

In simple words, Rich internet application (RIA) is a web application that behaves like a desktop application. In Rich Internet Applications you will get the best of both the worlds, the interactivity of Desktop applications and the easy accessibility of Web applications.

Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are typically more interactive and responsive when compared to normal web applications and also these Internet Applications will work on smartphones, smartbooks, tablets, netbooks, and PC.