Introduction
When business start scaling up, having only mobile friendly website is not enough. Big giants are expected to have websites with personalized features, convenient interaction, and faster navigating experience.
The question is: should you build a PWA or native app?
Progressive web app vs native mobile app is not a topic of debate but comprehensive matter for you business.
If you have a progressive web app it will inherit and deliver experience same as app but via web. As for native mobile app, it is built on specific requirements of iOS and Android. They both can be considered as good choice having different approaches for your business.
What Is a Progressive Web App?
A Progressive Web App is an application that operates through web. It is built in such a way that it behaves like an installed app with built-in standard web technologies.
Key benefits of PWA development
- Accessible through a web browser
- Can be installed on supported devices
- Works across multiple platforms from one codebase
- Can provide offline functionality
- Easier web-based distribution
- Can be updated without waiting for users to download a new version
In this manner, progressive web app development becomes attractive deal for business trying to reach broader audience.
What Is a Native Mobile App?
Native Mobile App has two particular operating system based upon which it functions.
For example:
- Android apps can be built using Android-specific technologies.
- iOS apps can be built using Apple’s development tools and frameworks.
Native mobile app development is useful when you need:
- Advanced device integration
- High-performance graphics
- Complex animations
- Extensive background processing
- Platform-specific functionality
- Deep integration with hardware
PWA vs Native Mobile App: At a Glance
|
Factor |
PWA |
Native App |
|
Development
|
Web technologies
|
Platform-specific technologies
|
|
Codebase
|
Generally one codebase |
Separate platform |
|
Installation
|
Web or supported app stores |
Primarily app stores |
|
Discoverability
|
Can be discovered through the web |
Primarily through app stores |
|
Offline capability
|
Possible with service workers |
Strong |
|
Device integration
|
Good, but browser-dependent |
Generally broader |
|
Updates
|
Web-based deployment |
Usually distributed through app updates |
PWA vs Native App: Which Is Better for Performance?
Native app are more on the easy to operate side. It has advantages when app requires good graphics, device integration, and demanding processing.
But it does not proves that PWAs are any slow.
PWAs with great design usually provides app like experience for the following:
- E-commerce
- Booking platforms
- Content platforms
- Customer portals
- Internal business applications
- Service platforms
The right question isn’t simply “Which is faster?”
It is:
“Does our application actually require the performance and device integration that native development provides?”
PWA vs Native Mobile App: Which Costs Less?
The cost of development totally depends on the features, integration, graphics, and complexities of the product.
PWA may make more financial sense when:
- You’re testing a new product idea.
- Your budget is limited.
- Your audience uses different devices.
- Your application is primarily web-based.
- You want to launch quickly.
- Your product doesn’t require extensive hardware access.
Give customers a solid reason to share their details with your company. Extract the customer details through these channels and make use of the same for providing personalized experience.
Conclusion
The decision of PWA vs native mobile app should be entirely based on the requirement of your business and not on the notion of most trending technologies.
The best choice is what has better deliverables as per the requirement of your customers without costing much in terms of development and maintenance.
Evaluate the requirements of your users, then business goal, features and lastly technology.
