PWA vs Native Apps: Which to Choose in 2022?

Native apps provide an excellent end-user experience — better mobile UX and more functionality — but Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) allow you to launch quicker, keep expenses under control, and reach consumers across many platforms. So PWA or native; which would a better fit for your mobile app development strategy? Should you create a progressive web app or remain with a native app?

Let’s understand the difference between PWA and native app to determine which is best for your company’s growth and which your consumers prefer in 2022.

What are native apps?

Native apps are applications written in a specific programming language for a single piece of software. This allows them to improve the app’s performance on a particular operating system while also taking advantage of the system’s tools and frameworks.

Native mobile apps are designed to work best on Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android platforms. As a result, a native app may take advantage of all of a device’s features. A native mobile app must be downloaded from an app store before being used.

What are Progressive Web Applications?

A PWA is a website that replicates the functionality of a native mobile application. PWAs, made with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular, React, and other web technologies, have a similar appearance and feel to mobile apps but are accessed through a browser.

PWAs are designed and created like a website yet provide an app-like experience. Users may also display them on their home screens as apps without installing them.

Modern JavaScript frameworks are used to create PWAs, which are aimed to provide a near-native experience.

Progressive Web Apps vs. Native apps: Comparison

Let us see the difference between the PWA and native apps.

PWA vs. native apps for Businesses

Time to market

PWAs may be the ideal solution for you if you’re still in the early stages and want to ship rapidly. For the launch of Android and iOS apps, the native method necessitates the use of specialized development teams.

On the other hand, PWAs are easier to create and deploy because they are simply websites. It may be swiftly designed and released to obtain crucial market and user information.

Development Costs

Native apps are expensive to develop since you must construct both versions independently if you want true native capabilities. Building PWAs, on the other hand, is more straightforward and less expensive because it is a simple web app that functions as an app on any mobile device, regardless of platform.

Cross-platform Availability

You can not focus on a single platform and create a native app for just Android or iOS if you want to reach a larger audience or if your audience is split.

To reach your consumers and provide a better experience on mobile devices, you’ll have to create and build applications individually for both platforms, which will take more time and resources.

Progressive web apps are responsive, making it easier to communicate with users regardless of their platform.

PWA vs. native apps for End users

Users are critical to your company’s success and expansion. So, before deciding whether to utilize a progressive web application or a native app, consider the advantages and disadvantages from the user’s perspective.

So, let’s see how progressive web app vs mobile app compare from the perspective of the end-user:

Installation & Download

Simple processes and convenience of use are popular among mobile users. Not everyone wants to download an app merely for information or a one-time usage; most people want a solution they can use on the road.

In this situation, there is an advantage of PWAs over native apps. Unlike native mobile applications, a user does not need to install a PWA to obtain information, engage with a company, or make transactions.

Performance

PWA vs native performance?

Progressive web apps are faster to load, but they require a third-party browser to function. A native app, on the other hand, once installed, becomes an integral component of the smartphone. It can make greater use of hardware and device features than PWAs.

Offline availability

By delivering pieces of the web app simultaneously, PWAs may offer offline capability. PWAs have limits if the user requests information that isn’t part of the natural caching mechanism.

Native apps, on the other hand, do far better in this regard. Even if the user is not connected to the internet 24 hours a day, a native app will provide a consistent experience.

Which is better: a Progressive Web App (PWA) or a Native App?

Making a decision about mobile app development for your startup or business should not be hurried. Before developing a native app or a progressive web app, you should examine all of the advantages and downsides.

If your consumers are data-conscious and value their time, a progressive web app is the way to go because it does not require downloads. However, if you have complex functionality and want to be in the app store for brand credibility, you should consider developing a native app.

For a well-informed understanding of which app would be a suitable fit and perform better for your project, it’s advisable to hire a proven mobile app development company. The experts will help guide you through the entire process keeping in mind your specific needs.