Progressive Web Apps vs Native Apps: A Business Owner's Guide
You want a mobile presence. But development is expensive. Do you spend $50k on a native iOS/Android app, or go with a Progressive Web App (PWA) for a fraction of the cost?
This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
What is a Native App?
A native app is built specifically for a mobile operating system (iOS or Android) using languages like Swift or Kotlin (or cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter). You download it from the App Store or Play Store.
Pros:
- Performance: Nothing beats native speed and smoothness.
- Hardware Access: Full access to camera, Bluetooth, GPS, contacts, etc.
- Engagement: Push notifications work reliably on all devices.
- Prestige: Being on the App Store adds credibility.
Cons:
- Cost: You often need two codebases (or a complex cross-platform one).
- Friction: Users have to download and install it.
- Updates: You have to wait for App Store approval to push updates.
What is a PWA?
A Progressive Web App is a website that behaves like an app. You can access it via a URL, but you can also "install" it to your home screen. It works offline and loads instantly.
Pros:
- Cost: One codebase runs everywhere (web, iOS, Android).
- No Install Friction: Users just visit a link. No "Download" required.
- Instant Updates: Push code to your server, and everyone has the new version instantly.
- SEO: Its content can be indexed by Google.
Cons:
- Limited Hardware Access: Can't access Bluetooth or advanced sensors as easily.
- iOS Limitations: Apple restricts some PWA features (like push notifications) compared to Android.
- Performance: Slightly slower than native for heavy graphics/gaming.
The Decision Matrix
Choose Native App if:
- You need high-performance graphics (e.g., a game).
- You rely heavily on device hardware (e.g., AR, Bluetooth integration).
- Push notifications on iOS are critical to your business model.
Choose PWA if:
- You are an e-commerce store, news site, or B2B SaaS.
- You have a limited budget and need to launch fast.
- You want your app to be discoverable via Google Search.
The Hybrid Future
Many companies start with a PWA to validate their idea and build a user base, then launch a native app later for their power users.
At Devstract, we specialize in both. We can build a high-performance PWA today that can be wrapped into a native app tomorrow.
