If you are a developer pondering choosing between Progressive Web Apps and Native apps, this blog is for you. While PWAs seem simple and cost-effective, those eying a high level of performance consider Native apps. There are many use cases for the two, and they have their share of pros and cons.

In this blog, we take you through all of these and help you decide the best one for you.

What are Progressive Web Apps?

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web apps built using modern technology to provide an app-like experience. They have cross-platform compatibility, are easy to deploy, and don’t require any app download. They offer functionalities like push notifications and offline working, associated with modern apps.

Flipkart, Pinterest, and Twitter Lite are some examples of PWAs. Though they offer functionalities like an app, there are certain limitations when compared to Native Apps.

Pros and Cons of Progressive Web Apps

Pros

• Multi-device accessibility: PWAs are compatible with multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, desktops, etc. 
• Low data consumption: PWAs require less bandwidth than traditional apps. They consume less data and are suitable for proce sensitive markets. 
• Low storage: PWAs require less space due to their smaller size and thus do not consume space on the device.
• No installation: There is no need to install PWAs. Users can visit the website and watch the content they wish. Also, they do not require any manual updates to the website from time to time.
• Secure: PWAs are secure, as the content they transmit is encrypted. 

Cons

• Lesser visibility: Since PWAs do not appear on the App Store and require no download, they have lesser visibility. This limits the number of users on the platform.
• Limited user engagement: Since PWAs have no interactive features, they have limited user engagement compared to native apps.
• Limited features: PWAs do not have access to features such as proximity sensors, Bluetooth, and advanced camera controls.
• Compatibility with old devices: PWAs do not support all old devices and may cause issues with seamless browsing on outdated web browsers.
• Offline functionality: They have limited offline functionality, which prevents offline viewing and downloads. 

What are Native Apps?

Native Apps are apps that are specifically created for a specific platform, like Android or iOS. They are created using programming languages such as JavaScript, Swift, or Kotlin. Users need to download the apps from their device's app store. They have multi-device compatibility and are better in performance than PWAs.

Instagram, Spotify, Amazon, Netflix, and Google Maps are some examples of native apps.

Pros and Cons of Native Apps

Pros

• Excellent performance: Native apps are very responsive and offer high-speed performance. Their design is very specific to the platform they operate on and has many preloaded elements, which makes processing time lesser and optimizes performance.
• Easily accessible: Native apps can be easily downloaded from the respective app stores. They have visibility and can be easily discovered by users.
• Offline functionality: Native apps are designed to function efficiently in offline mode when there is no or limited access to the internet. They offer a seamless shift from offline to online mode that is truly a good experience for the users.
• User experience: The design of the interface in native apps gives users a good experience. They are intuitive and engaging, and are easy to navigate. They are specifically designed to be suitable for the OS they are installed on. 

Cons

• Development time: Native apps take time for development because of the complexities involved. Also, to be compatible with different platforms demands a different development process, which includes a different set of codes. 
• Upgrades: Since the apps are complex, they need constant updates and maintenance. This is not only an expensive process, but also impacts user experience. 
• Storage: Native apps are downloaded on the user’s device and consume significant space. Updates also use up the storage of the user. This is a pain for users with insufficient storage.

 Progressive Web Apps Vs Native Apps

How to Choose between PWAs and Native apps

The choice between Native apps and PWAs boils down to the features that you desire.

• Native apps are suitable when high performance is desired due to advanced graphics and other elements that cannot be handled by a browser.
• When the user interface is simple and does not require periodic updates for its seamless operation, a PWA is the choice.
• Progressive Web Apps are also the best when cost and time are important. If you are on a budget and have a time constraint, then it is a cost-effective solution. 
• PWAs are easily picked up by search engines and are the best choice for businesses dependent on visibility through browser search.
• If superior performance, high user engagement, user experience, and high-level security are your preferences, then Native Apps can do justice.

Conclusion

After careful analysis of the above, it can be observed that factors like budget, timelines, and the project requirements can affect the choice between Progressive Web Apps vs Native apps. Both have their pros and cons and are chosen based on their use cases. 

Native apps are faster, more secure, have monetization options, and have better integrations. Enveu can help build a Native app that can enable your reach across global audiences. Our services help develop apps on multiple platforms, like Android and iOS, offering a consistent cross-platform performance. We offer a customizable user interface, multi-device accessibility, multi-language support, and more. 

With Enveu, you can create your brand identity and engage better with your audience. Connect with us and launch your app today!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Progressive Web Apps vs Native Apps