Apps · 2 min read
PWA vs native app: what your business actually needs
What a PWA is, how it differs from a native app and how to decide which suits your business based on features, maintenance cost and app stores.
Published
What is a PWA?
PWA stands for Progressive Web App: a web application the user can add to the home screen and that opens full screen, like an app. It is built once and runs on iPhone, Android and desktop.
On iPhone, PWAs added to the home screen can receive push notifications since iOS 16.4, which removed one of their biggest limitations.
What are the advantages over a native app?
- One codebase for every platform.
- Instant updates, without waiting for app-store review.
- No app-store fees on in-app payments.
- Shared with a link and usable without installing.
When is a native app better?
- When you need deep access to phone hardware, such as some Bluetooth or NFC features that are limited on the web, especially on iPhone.
- When your business depends on being discovered inside the App Store or Google Play.
- When the app is very graphics- or processing-heavy.
What if I want to be in the stores later?
It is not a forever decision. A well-built PWA can be packaged for the stores later, reusing most of the work.
Related service
Apps
Installable apps without an app-store dependency.