PWA (Progressive Web Apps) vs Native Apps: Which is better?

PWA (Progressive Web Apps) vs Native Apps: Which is better?

As we all know the mobile apps have become crucial these days in every business, and we have all heard about native apps, but in this digital era, we are living in an era with two ways of creating apps that is  Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Native Apps. PWAs work as websites but offer an app-like experience, while Native Apps are specifically designed for platforms like iOS or Android. But which one is better between native and PWA apps. However, selecting the right app between PWA and native for your business is quite challenging. But no worries; we are here for you. Whether you want to develop a new app or want to migrate to a new platform this article will help you. This guide covers everything about PWA vs Native apps so you can choose the best type of app for your business. 

What are PWA Apps?

Progressive web apps (PWAs) are websites built with web technologies that provide a native app-like experience, allowing users to install them on their devices and access them like regular apps, even offline. PWAs use web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making them accessible and compatible across a variety of devices and platforms. They offer features such as push notifications, offline access, and a fast, responsive user interface similar to native apps. PWAs can be developed with a single codebase that can be deployed on multiple platforms, saving development time and resources. PWAs can be easily installed on a user's home screen, allowing them to quickly access the app without needing to visit an app store. 

Examples of PWA apps: Pinterest, Starbucks, Twitter, Uber, Forbes, Trivago, Flipkart, Instagram, AliExpress, Lancôme, MakeMyTrip, Spotify, Alibaba, OLX, and Tinder. 

What are Native Apps?

A native app is developed for a specific operating system like iOS or Android. They can be downloaded from app stores such as the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Native apps have access to all the device's features, including the camera, vibration, and GPS resulting in faster performance and a smoother user experience. It can be installed live on your device and displayed as an icon on the mobile's home screen. They are developed using the programming languages and development tools specific to the target operating system like Swift for iOS, Kotlin or Java for Android. 

Examples of native apps: Instagram, Uber, Tesla, Facebook, WhatsApp, Spotify, Pokemon Go, and Twitter. 

Difference between Native apps and PWA apps: Native apps vs PWA apps

Development cost and time

Devloping PWA apps are quite easy and cost effective in comparison of native app. Building a PWA app is less expensive than a native app, and takes short development time. PWAs are built using web technologies that can be easily deployed across multiple platforms and familiar to developers. 

User Experience

If we talk about user experience, then Native apps provide a more refined and sophisticated user experience compared to PWAs. Native apps can use the hardware and software capabilities of the device that provide a smooth and responsive user experience, while, PWAs are limited to the capabilities of the web browser and do not provide the responsiveness as native apps.

Accessibility

Native apps are accessed from a specific platform such as Android or iOS and need to be downloaded and installed to be used whereas PWAs can be accessed from any device with a web browser, meaning they can reach more people.

Maintenance and updates

Maintaining and updating a PWA is generally easier than a native app. For PWAs you can enjoy the updates by access its latest version without needing to download and install anything. On the other hand, native apps need users to download and install updates.

Security

Native apps generally offer a higher level of security due to their ability to leverage OS-level security features and direct access to hardware capabilities, while PWAs, being web apps, rely on browser security and can be more vulnerable to certain attacks. 

Conclusion: Which is better?

The better option between a native app or a PWA app depends on your specific needs. If you have a limited budget and time and want a simple functionality app, then you should go for PWA apps as they offer a faster development cycle and also help to reach out to a wider audience. On the other hand, if your app requires top-notch performance and responsiveness, needs to access device features or hardware, wants more robust security features, and requires a highly customized user experience, native apps are a better fit.

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