Progressive Web Apps vs Native Apps: Pros & Cons
The way in which people use apps have significantly evolved. What was once downloading everything via an app store to the expectation that websites will perform like installed applications. Fast and responsive even when signal drops.
Here is all you need to know about both.
This shift is the core of a debate between progressive web apps and native apps. If you are building a digital product, picking between the two is a strategic, not technical, decision as it can affect your budget, users and growth.
What is a Native App?
A native app is built for a specific platform such as iOS or Android and will use that platform’s programming language and tools. Apple devices use Swift or Objective-C. Android uses Kotlin or Java. The end product is an application that is installed directly on the device via the App Store or Google Play.
Because native apps are built for specific operating systems, they tap into the device’s hardware and software features such as camera, notifications, contacts, biometrics and more. They are speedy and polished.
What is a Progressive Web App?
A progressive web application (PWA) is a website that behaves like an app. It is built using standard technology (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) but is designed to deliver app-like experiences to users through a browser.
Progressive web applications can be added to device home screens and work offline using cached data. They can also send push notifications and load quickly, even if the connection is slow. Users don’t access these via app stores but instead through a URL, the same as a website, but the experience offered is more akin to a native app than a traditional website.
Progressive Web Apps and Native Apps Comparison
| Feature | Progressive Web Apps | Native Apps |
| Development Cost | Lower – one codebase for all platforms | Higher – separate builds required for iOS and Android |
| Build Time | Faster to build and publish | Slower – needs app store review |
| Platform Coverage | Works on any device with modern browsers | Must be built separately per platform |
| Performance | Good but limited by browser | Runs directly on the OS for superior experience |
| Device Hardware Access | Limited | Full access to all device features |
| Offline Ability | Basic offline support through caching | Reliable offline |
| Push Notifications | Supported but not reliable | Reliable |
| App Store Download | Not listed on App Store/Google Play | Listed on app stores |
| Search Engine Visibility | Indexed by search engines | Not discoverable |
| Installation | No download needed | Requires download and installation |
| Updates | Instant with no user action needed | Users manually accept updates |
| Sharing | Shareable via links | Requires app store link/direct search |
| iOS Support | Improving but lacks on Android | Full native iOS support |
| Running Costs | Lower | Higher |
| UI/UX Design | Good | Full platform-consistent designs |
| Security | Browser-dependent | App store vetting |
| Graphics-Heavy App Use | Not ideal for games | Best for high-performance apps |
Which One Should You Choose?
It entirely depends on what you are building and who for.
Choosing a progressive web application is for those building content-heavy products. This could include customer accounts, eCommerce platforms or tools where accessibility matters more than hardware integration. Small businesses or startups on lower budgets can benefit from PWAs as they produce good results without the costs that come with native development.
Native apps are for products that rely on hardware features that PWA’s cannot access. This is a particular case for building high-performance apps like games or media tools, or if users expect to find and download your product on an app store.
One thing that is required for either native apps or progressive web applications is hosting. The infrastructure that supports your product needs to be reliable. A progressive web app is only as responsive as the host running it and slow load times can interfere with the development of an app-like experience.
At Westhost, we help businesses build and maintain a strong online presence. From web hosting to technical support, we’re here to help.