Differences between PWA and native apps, which is more cost-effective? What is the difference between a native app and a PWA? There are several key differences between a native app and a PWA. Perhaps the most notable difference is that a native app is typically installed directly onto a user’s device, while a PWA is…
In an era deeply entrenched in digital interactions, the importance of an efficient mobile presence for businesses cannot be overemphasised. The competing priorities of providing a seamless user experience, optimising for speed, and accommodating differing device capabilities have led to a significant discussion in the app development world: Progressive Web Apps (PWA) versus Native Apps. This debate draws a line between two major strategies for app development, each comprising its unique strengths and challenges.
Native Apps are specific to a given mobile platform (Android or iOS) using the development tools and language that the respective platform supports (e.g., Swift, Kotlin). They offer remarkable performance and take full advantage of all the device features – push notifications, GPS, etc. On the contrary, Progressive Web Apps are an emerging technology that converges the best of web and mobile applications. They are created using standard web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but behave like a native app.
The tech industry has been consistently fragmented over the choice between these two app development platforms. A Statista report showed that as of the first quarter of 2021, there were over 3.48 million apps available on Google Play Store and more than 2.22 million apps on Apple’s App Store. These figures highlight the preference for native apps for offering a richer, more personalised experience. However, with PWAs gaining prominence for their cost-effectiveness, offline capabilities, and ease of updates, its proponents argue that they are the apps of the future.
As they say, the devil is in the detail. Diving deeper into this discussion offers a broad spectrum of perspectives. What works for one company may not be relevant for another, based on several factors like their audience, business objectives, budgetary constraints, or even the nature of services/products they offer. The comparison extends beyond just the technical aspects, delving into factors like the app discoverability, cost of user acquisition and retention, speed and performance, security measures, and even the cross-platform compatibility.
The rising trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) workplaces and the global proliferation of smartphone users (estimated to reach 7.1 billion by 2021 according to Statista) warrant businesses to make mindful decisions about their mobile presence. An in-depth understanding of both PWA and Native Apps would serve as a cornerstone for making this vital choice.
Feel free to dive deeper into this topic in the PWA vs Native Apps section of our blog, where we delve into these technologies’ intricate details. You may also explore our wider range of topics in the broader blog section. We welcome your queries and would be happy to guide you in your digital journey. Please do contact Chester Apps for any further discussions or clarifications you might require.