Think about how often you use apps like Instagram or Starbucks—both are known for their smooth, fast experiences. But did you know that while one is a native app, the other is a progressive web app (PWA)?
Businesses face this same choice when deciding how to build their app. It’s not just about having an app—it’s about choosing the right kind of app for your audience and goals.
If you’ve been researching whether to go with a native app or a PWA, you’re likely trying to figure out which one fits your project. In this article, we’ll break down the differences, weigh the pros and cons, explore the challenges, and help you decide when to choose a native app or a PWA for your business in 2024.
Let’s start with the basics—understanding what a Progressive Web App (PWA) and Native Apps are and why they are gaining popularity among businesses today.
What is a Progressive Web App?
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) combine the convenience of web applications with the functionality of native mobile apps. Users can engage with a PWA quickly via a URL, which simplifies access and reduces installation barriers. PWAs are particularly valuable for businesses that want to reach users with slower internet or older devices while keeping development costs low. For examples:
- Spotify developed its PWA to improve accessibility and performance for users on low-end devices. This allowed Spotify to expand its reach, especially in regions with limited connectivity or older devices.
- Starbucks launched a PWA to enhance the online ordering experience, especially in regions with slow networks. Their PWA is designed to work efficiently even in areas with limited internet access, enabling users to browse the menu, customize orders, and add items to their cart while offline.
- Forbes transformed its mobile experience with a PWA, resulting in faster load times and increased engagement, particularly in regions with less reliable mobile networks.
These companies demonstrate how PWAs help businesses expand their user base while saving on development.
What Is a Native App?
Native apps are built for a specific operating system, using platform-specific programming languages. This allows them to fully utilize the device’s hardware, resulting in smoother performance and richer functionality. Native apps are downloaded from app stores and work directly with the device, offering faster interactions and deeper hardware integration.
For example:
- Instagram uses the device’s camera and leverages processing capabilities to offer high-quality image capture and editing features.
- Airbnb integrates with GPS to help users find accommodations based on their location. Airbnb also uses notifications to alert users about reservation updates and special offers.
- WhatsApp utilizes native functions to provide encrypted messaging, efficient notifications, and integration with contact lists.
Despite the superior performance, native app development is more costly and time-consuming, requiring separate versions for each platform. This also leads to complex maintenance as updates must be managed individually for iOS and Android.
Now that we’ve explored what native apps and progressive web apps (PWAs) are, it’s time to weigh their advantages and challenges. Understanding the pros and cons of each approach will help you determine which one is best suited to your business needs.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Before deciding whether to adopt Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), it is essential to understand their advantages and limitations. PWAs have been growing in popularity due to their flexibility and ease of deployment. However, they also have certain drawbacks that must be considered compared to native apps.
Pros of PWAs
Universal Compatibility
PWAs work across all devices with a web browser, eliminating the need for separate versions for different operating systems. This allows businesses to reach a larger audience without the need for platform-specific development.
Lower Development Costs
Developers can create PWAs using familiar web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This eliminates any requirement to hire separate development teams for different platforms. As a result, businesses save both time and money in the development process. PWAs are particularly beneficial for startups or small companies that need cost-effective solutions.
Better Visibility
PWAs are indexed by search engines, which helps them rank in search results and attract organic traffic. Unlike native apps that are only available in app stores, PWAs can be found through a simple web search. This increased visibility can lead to greater user engagement and higher conversion rates.
No Installation Required
Users can access PWAs directly through their browser without installing them from an app store. This reduces the friction typically associated with app adoption and allows users to engage with the app instantly. PWAs also enable users to save the app to their home screen for easy access, offering an app-like experience without the installation hassle.
Immediate Updates
Developers can push updates to PWAs without requiring users to download new versions. The app automatically refreshes the next time the user opens it in the browser. This ensures that users have every access to the latest features and fixes without the delay of waiting for app store approval.
Discover how top brands like Twitter, Starbucks, and Pinterest achieved success with PWAs in our blog, “Successful Examples of Progressive Web Apps.”
Pros and Cons of Native Apps
Native apps are built for a platform, allowing them to deliver superior performance and access to advanced device features. However, this specificity can also introduce complexity and increased maintenance efforts.
Pros of Native Apps
Superior Performance
Native apps fully tap into the device’s hardware, enabling faster and smoother performance. Because developers build them using platform-specific languages, native apps are optimized for the device’s processors. This results in quick load times and better responsiveness, especially when dealing with resource-heavy tasks like gaming or video processing.
Full Access to Device Features
Native apps can leverage a device’s capabilities to create rich user experiences. This makes them ideal for real-time navigation, photo editing, or fitness tracking apps.
Enhanced Security
Native apps often provide stronger security measures. They can incorporate advanced encryption, secure local data storage, and biometric authentication like Face ID or fingerprint scanning. These features make native apps more suitable for industries where security is of primary importance, such as banking and healthcare. Apps like Venmo and Zocdoc take full advantage of these security layers to protect sensitive data.
Push Notifications
Native apps can send rich, interactive push notifications directly to users’ devices. These notifications can include images, buttons, and real-time updates, which keep users engaged and encourage them to revisit the app. For businesses, this feature is crucial for driving user retention and promoting timely actions, such as reminders for sales or essential messages.
You can’t fully weigh the pros and cons without knowing the real challenges that come with each platform.
Challenges of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Native Apps
While both PWAs and native apps offer compelling benefits, they also come with specific challenges that can affect their suitability for certain projects. Here’s a look at the key challenges associated with each platform:
Challenges of PWAs
- Limited Hardware Integration
PWAs still have limited access to some advanced device-specific features like NFC, Bluetooth, and certain camera functionalities. This can make them less effective for apps that require deep hardware integration. - Higher Battery Consumption
Since PWAs run within a web browser and rely on web technologies, they can be less efficient in managing system resources, leading to higher battery consumption during resource-intensive tasks.
Challenges of Native Apps
- Higher Development Costs
Native apps require building separate versions for different platforms (iOS, Android), which increases both the development time and cost. This is less ideal for businesses with limited budgets or those looking to launch quickly. - Complex Maintenance and Updates
Each native app platform requires its own maintenance and updates, which must pass through app store approval processes. This can delay the release of critical updates or new features, adding complexity to post-launch support.
Codewave eliminates these challenges by offering comprehensive development solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you’re leaning towards a PWA or a native app, our team ensures your project overcomes these challenges efficiently, delivering high-quality apps that meet your timeline, budget, and functionality requirements.
With the challenges of both native apps and PWAs in mind, it’s important to consider the key factors that impact the development process. These considerations will help you weigh the technical and strategic aspects that influence the success of your app project.
Key Development Considerations for Native and Progressive Web Apps
When comparing native vs progressive web apps (PWAs), businesses must carefully evaluate various factors that play a role in the final choice. These considerations will impact the time it takes to bring the app to market, development costs, security measures, and how it performs offline.
Here’s a closer look at the significant development aspects:
1. Development Languages
PWAs use common web languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. This allows developers to create one app that works on all platforms. It’s simpler and faster since there’s only one codebase to manage.
Native apps, however, are built using platform-specific languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. These languages allow deeper integration with the device’s hardware, leading to better performance, but also require separate development for each platform.
2. Cost and Time to Market
Developing PWAs is quicker and cheaper because they require only one version of the app, regardless of the device. This can save businesses time and money, making PWAs appealing for companies with tighter budgets or short timelines.
Native apps take longer to build because each platform needs its app. This can increase both the cost and the time to market but results in a more polished, high-performance product.
You might be interested in: Factors influencing the cost of mobile app development
3. Deployment and Distribution
PWAs are accessed through a URL, meaning users can open them instantly without downloading anything from an app store. This makes deployment faster and easier.
Native apps are downloadable through app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play. While this provides a trusted platform for users to discover apps, it also adds time for approval and may impose restrictions.
4. Security Features
PWAs secure data using HTTPS, ensuring that information is encrypted during transmission. However, PWAs lack access to more advanced security features like biometric authentication and encrypted local storage, making them less ideal for sensitive applications.
Native apps offer better security because they integrate directly with the device’s features, like fingerprint scanners and Face ID. This makes them more suitable for sensitive data apps, such as financial or healthcare apps.
5. Offline Capabilities
Using service workers, PWAs can function offline by caching certain elements, such as images and text. While this allows for offline functionality, it is generally limited to previously loaded content.
Native apps provide more robust offline capabilities. They can store large amounts of data on the device, making them better suited for tasks that need to be done without internet access, such as viewing media or filling out forms.
After considering the technical aspects of development, it’s equally important to think about how users will interact with your app. Let’s dive into the User Experience and Functionality of both PWAs and native apps to see how each platform delivers in real-world use.
User Experience and Functionality: PWAs vs Native Apps
When comparing native vs progressive web apps (PWAs), user experience and functionality are vital in deciding which is better for your needs. Both options provide unique benefits but differ in how they approach installation, performance, battery consumption, and personalization.
Let’s break down each aspect:
| Criteria: | PWAs | Native Apps |
| Installation Approach | Run directly from a web browser; no need for app store downloads. Accessible via a URL and can be added to the home screen for quick access. | Must be installed from app stores (e.g., Apple’s App Store, Google Play). Once installed, the app icon appears on the home screen, and it feels more integrated. |
| Performance | Limited by the browser’s performance; not optimized for specific device hardware. Suitable for basic tasks but slower for resource-intensive operations. | Optimized for the device’s hardware and operating system, delivering faster performance, especially for gaming or video streaming. |
| Battery Consumption | Drains more battery due to reliance on browser technologies like JavaScript. Less efficient for background tasks (e.g., GPS, notifications). | Optimized for resource management, using less battery during tasks like GPS tracking and notifications. More efficient than PWAs. |
| Functionality | Limited access to device-specific features like Bluetooth, NFC, cameras, and sensors. Modern browsers support some interactions but are not as comprehensive. | Full access to advanced device features like cameras, sensors, NFC, and Bluetooth, allowing for richer functionality (e.g., gaming, multimedia, real-time data tracking). |
| Personalization | Can store some user preferences via the browser but lacks deep access to device settings and data. Limited ability to offer personalized content or notifications. | Offers extensive personalization options based on user behavior, location, and preferences, thanks to deeper access to device data and settings. |
To explore how these features can best serve your audience, talk to Codewave about developing a user-centric mobile app.
Next, it’s important to explore the market trends and adoption rates for both native apps and PWAs. Understanding how these platforms are being utilized across various industries will give you a clearer picture of which option aligns with your business goals and user expectations.
Market Trends and Adoption Rates
The mobile app development industry continues to improve, with both PWAs and native apps playing significant roles in meeting user demands.
In recent years, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) have surged in popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and cross-platform compatibility. By 2030, the global PWA market is projected to reach $9.43 billion, growing at an impressive rate of 31.1% annually. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for faster, more responsive applications, particularly as mobile device usage continues to rise.
Companies like Twitter and Pinterest have seen substantial improvements in engagement and traffic after adopting PWAs, which allow them to bypass app stores and reach a broader audience more easily.
Meanwhile, native apps continue to dominate high-performance sectors like gaming, finance, and healthcare. In 2023, global mobile app consumer spending across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store reached $134.8 billion, with games accounting for 60% of that spending. This highlights the ongoing demand for native apps, particularly in complex, high-performance applications like gaming and finance.
With a clearer understanding of market trends and adoption rates, the next step is to consider the key factors that will help you decide between a PWA and a native app.
PWA or Native App: Which One Should You Choose?
Deciding between a PWA or a native app comes down to your project’s specific goals, audience, and functionality needs. Both offer unique advantages, but the best choice depends on what you want to achieve.
Let’s break it down further by looking at when each option is the better fit.
When to Choose a PWA?
- You Want to Save Time and Money
PWAs are faster and cheaper to build because they use standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you’re on a tight budget or need to launch quickly, a PWA is a great option. - You Need to Reach a Wide Audience
PWAs work on any device with a web browser—smartphones, tablets, or desktops—without the need to develop separate apps for different platforms. This makes it easy to reach users across multiple devices with just one app. - You Want Instant Access and Easy Updates
Users don’t need to download PWAs from an app store—they can access them directly through a browser. Plus, updates happen instantly, so your users always have the latest version without needing to install anything. - You’re Targeting Users in Low Connectivity Areas
PWAs are designed to work well even with slow internet or on older devices. If your audience includes people in areas with poor connectivity, a PWA ensures they still get a smooth experience.
When to Choose a Native App?
- You Need High Performance and Deep Hardware Integration
Native apps are perfect if your app requires deep integration with device hardware like cameras, GPS, or sensors. They offer a seamless, high-performance experience that’s hard to beat. - You Want a Rich User Experience
Native apps deliver a more immersive experience, with better responsiveness and smoother interactions. If you’re building an app where performance is key, like a game or a feature-heavy app, native is the way to go. - You Need Advanced Features
If your app requires advanced features like push notifications, biometric security (e.g., Face ID or fingerprint scanning), or real-time data syncing, native apps have the edge with deeper access to device functionality. - You’re Focusing on User Engagement
Native apps are great for sending rich, interactive push notifications that keep users engaged. If you’re aiming to build a loyal user base and drive frequent app usage, the capabilities of a native app can help you achieve that.
While both PWAs and native apps have their unique strengths, they share a common goal: delivering a great user experience. The key is to weigh your needs carefully and choose the one that aligns best with your business goals.
Conclusion
Choosing between native apps and PWAs comes down to your business needs. PWAs offer affordability and faster development, while native apps deliver superior performance and deeper hardware integration.
Both have their challenges, but Codewave ensures you don’t have to worry about them. Whether you need the power of a native app or the flexibility of a PWA, our team provides expert guidance and development tailored to your goals.
Need a high-performing native app or a flexible PWA? Codewave’s expert team is ready to deliver. We’ll help you choose the best solution and bring your vision to life.Let’s build something great—get in touch with Codewave today!
