Let’s start with a quick explanation of both these terms before moving on to the main distinctions between them. So, what exactly is a Progressive Web App (PWA) and why should you be concerned?
Progressive web apps (PWAs), in a nutshell, are a new Google technology. To put it another way, Google PWA applications have combined the best of native mobile and online technology. Progressive web applications look and function like regular websites, but they offer a mobile app experience that is nearly identical to that of a native app. Push alerts, offline work, and screen-responsive websites are all available to users. Even if you don’t have a native app but still want to target mobile consumers, it doesn’t matter whether they have a bad or non-existent Internet connection.
Table of Contents
PWA vs Native Apps
1. App Creation
Native Apps
Two teams, one for each system, are required to create a single native mobile app for Android and iOS. Even if both systems’ apps are built at the same time, ensuring that both apps have the same functionality would take a considerable time. All of this indicates that developing an app will take a long time and cost a lot of money.
PWA
A PWA is still a website that loads faster. To design a progressive web app, you just need one team of web developers. They’ll deal with service personnel, the Lighthouse, and other issues. As a consequence, you’ll be able to launch your product considerably more quickly.
Because you’re developing a website, store validation isn’t necessary. You don’t have to submit or wait for your app to get authorized in any store. The PWA is ready to use after it has been developed and published on the web.
2. App Distribution
Native Apps
On the market, there are millions of different apps. It should have at least one quality from the following if your want your app to be located with ease resulting in more downloads.
- Unique and useful- Users would deliberately search for this software since it is really beneficial.
- Advertised- The users would easily discover the app.
Of course, any company with an app wants to increase its consumer base. With so many firms and so many options available to customers, competition is fiercer than it has ever been.
PWA
The distribution procedure for PWA software is unique. A user does not need to be aware that you are using a PWA because it is a website. They’ll be searching for a product or service on Google and come across your progressive website, which will prompt the user to bookmark it.
3. Installation
Native Apps
An average user will need to do the following to download your mobile app:
- Among the millions of apps, locate your program and download and install it (waiting patiently if the connection is slow, or the app is big).
- They’ll be able to open and use it instantly.
PWA
A user can install a PWA by following these easy instructions.
- Locate and open your PWA-site using Google; when the pop-up prompt displays, select “Add to the home screen.”
- In certain situations, both Android and iOS users will need to use the browser menu’s “Add to home screen” option.
- Now the app is installed and ready to use. The primary distinction between a progressive web app and a native app is that PWAs may now be installed on desktop computers as well.
Conclusion
As you can see PWAs differ from native apps in a variety of ways. Although it seems like PWA is the winner, it is not. There can be situations where using the traditional native app method makes more sense than using PWAs. It all comes to the requirements you have.
More Resources:
- What makes a perfect Progressive Web Application?
- Significant Businesses that make use of Progressive Web Apps
