Progressive Web Apps vs. Native Apps: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Fit

So, you are a business/brand owner, chilling at your favorite coffee spot, scrolling through your favorite shopping app, and you notice how effortlessly it loads, even with a weak Wi-Fi signal. At that moment, you wonder how these apps deliver such seamless experiences. 

The answer lies in the technology that powers them, and for businesses like yours, deciding between Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and native apps is quite crucial.

While each offers unique benefits and challenges, it is important to understand which fits your business best.

We at Mavlers have 15+ years of experience in successfully developing 9K+ websites for clients across the world. Our acumen and technical expertise can help you make the right choice.

In this blog, we’ll unravel the key differences, highlight real-world examples, and guide you toward making an informed choice. 

Table of contents

• Understanding the basics of native apps
• Understanding the basics of Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
• PWA vs. Native: A side-by-side comparison 
• How to choose between PWAs and native apps
• Bridging the gap: Web-based apps vs. native apps

On that note, let’s get started!

Understanding the basics of native apps

When you download an app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, you’re interacting with a native app. These apps are built specifically for their platforms—using Swift for iOS or Kotlin for Android—and take full advantage of device capabilities.

Here’s why businesses love native apps:

• Seamless integration: Native apps can tap directly into device hardware like GPS, cameras, and biometrics. This makes them ideal for apps requiring advanced functionalities, like fitness trackers or AR experiences.

• Optimized performance: By being tailored to a specific platform, native apps deliver faster load times, smoother animations, and unparalleled responsiveness.

• Polished user experience: Native apps adhere to platform design guidelines, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user journey.

But native apps come at a cost—literally. Developing separate apps for iOS and Android requires more time, effort, and investment.

Understanding the basics of Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Now, picture this: You’re on a budget airline’s website, and despite being offline mid-flight, you can still check your itinerary. This is the magic of a Progressive Web App (PWA)—a web application that feels like a native app but doesn’t require downloads.

Here’s why PWAs are quite the game-changers:

• Cross-platform compatibility: A single codebase works on any device, from smartphones to desktops.

• Offline access: Thanks to service workers, PWAs can cache data, enabling offline functionality.

• Cost-effective: With no need for separate iOS or Android versions, PWAs reduce development and maintenance costs.

However, PWAs do face limitations in accessing certain device features, such as Bluetooth or advanced camera capabilities, which could restrict their use in specific scenarios.

PWA vs. Native: A side-by-side comparison

So, how do these two stack up against each other? Let’s break it down:

How to choose between PWAs and native apps

Making the right choice boils down to your business goals, target audience, and budget. Here’s a quick guide:

Choose native apps if:

• Your app requires heavy processing, such as gaming or video editing.

• You need advanced hardware integration (e.g., biometrics, AR/VR).

• A highly polished and platform-specific user experience is essential.

Choose PWAs if:

• You’re looking for a cost-effective, cross-platform solution.

• Accessibility and reach are top priorities.

• You need quick deployment and lower maintenance overhead.

Bridging the gap: Web-based apps vs. native apps

For those torn between the two, it’s worth noting that PWAs are an evolution of traditional web-based apps. 

While web-based apps are entirely browser-dependent, PWAs blend the best of both worlds, offering offline functionality, push notifications, and installability without the hassle of app store submissions.

The road ahead

Whether you’re developing a cutting-edge game or a versatile e-commerce platform, choosing native vs. progressive web apps isn’t a technical decision—it’s a strategic one.

Native apps excel in performance and user experience, while PWAs offer unparalleled accessibility and cost-efficiency.

We now suggest reading ~ Are Progressive Web Apps The Evolutionary Next Step Towards Responsive Ones?