When to Choose Progressive Web App (PWA) Over a Mobile App?

Updated 21 Sep 2022
Published 14 Feb 2020
Rahul Mathur 1951 Views
Progressive web development

The dilemma of whether or not to choose Progressive Web Apps (PWA) for your business is inevitable. Therefore, it is advisable to understand what is PWAs so that we can move further on to the  “choosing” part.

The market is loaded with various solutions for mobile application development, yet before thinking about any of them, one should initially pick a worldview. Would it be advisable for one to build up a web application or a local application?

It has gotten a troublesome decision. With an expanding dependence on cell phones and the pervasiveness of application stores, that goes about as a monstrous shopping window, this decision turns out to be much harder.

The line between local and web application development obscures constantly. Web applications consistently get execution and enhancement in features. Mobile application development turns out to be increasingly open with systems like Cordova, React Native, and Flutter.

Moreover, if you have to pick between a mobile application or a dynamic web application, you should peruse this article.

Statistical Facts and Figures:

With the launch of the app store, the application market changed substantially. As per the reports shared by Statista, the total number of application downloads every year has been increasing rapidly. In 2017 the number was 178 billion which is anticipated to grow to 205 billion.

Progressive web application market

Talking about the revenue, In 2016 the total revenue earned from mobile advertising, downloads, and in-app purchases was $88 billion. The number of mobile app downloads worldwide has been increasing constantly from 2016 onward, surpassing 200 billion in 2019

The mobile application has become an important apparatus in each organization’s pack, and there’s a requirement for a mobile application to convey incredible experience and great outcomes.

In the previous barely years, there’s been development help for another kind of application – Progressive Web Apps (PWA).

It consolidates the elements of the mobile application and the availability of a site. Many have addressed if PWA will supplant mobile applications later on.

So let’s explore now what is the difference between PWA and mobile applications, what are their strengths and weaknesses and how to make a choice among them?

From the Developers Viewpoint:

Code writing style:

Mobile applications are composed to run on cell phones, and PWAs are composed to run inside an internet browser.

Mobile applications are created by using programming languages for each platform like Objective C and Swift is used as the programming language for developing iOS applications and Java is used for developing an application for the Android platform. Whereas, PWA utilizes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Progressive Web App Over a Mobile App

Development Cost:

Building a dynamic web application is less expensive than building up a mobile application. On account of the mobile application, you should get familiar with the language and manufacture an adaptation for every platform.

This implies you need two versions for iOS and Android, and the assets to keep up and update every version. Contingent upon the reason and multifaceted nature of the application, this requires a ton of time and cash.

Progressive web application development is quicker to design and renovate. You can have one single codebase for different platforms.

Rather than building up an application from the beginning, you can design your present website with assistance from apparatus like Google’s Lighthouse.

With a responsive plan, you simply need one variant of the application, and it will be displayed in a similar manner on all the devices.

progressive app development services

Disposal of the application:

In the context of the mobile application, different versions for various platforms need to be designed and submit them to various App Stores.

Apple’s App Store and Android’s Play Store are the most well-known. However, there are additionally Amazon’s Appstore and Windows Store, and that’s just the beginning.

With every one of these stores, you should pass certain prerequisites so as to get the application distributed. Now and then you even need to pay an expense to enlist a developer account.

On the contrary, PWA sidesteps the awkward App Store prerequisites. Today, an Internet browser and a URL are required by each and every client.

Numerous PWA features are upheld by well-known internet browsers, for example, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. This makes it simpler for your application to contact an enormous crowd in a brief timeframe.

You can undoubtedly convey your updates without the need to hang tight for endorsement. This makes PWA considerably more helpful for both you and users.

Reach:

Mobile application pages can’t be arranged and recorded in the web crawler. Users can discover your application through the application store or the application store’s site.

There are various components impacting application reach, and you can assist individuals with finding your application quicker with App Store Optimization.

App Store Optimization is the procedure to enhance the application position in-store list items. It includes researching for keywords, composing successful titles and meta descriptions, taking effective screenshots of the application screens, utilizing pertinent arrangements, or connecting with various third-party vendors for download and surveys. However, these add additional time and cost for delivering the application to the market.

Whereas progressive web application works like any site so they can be filed or indexed in search engines.

Contrasted with the ordinary/responsive site page, PWA has expanded execution and commitment, helping in making the ranking of the website better in various search results.

Safety:

Progressive web applications are more secure than ordinary web applications since they need to run under HTTPS. These security codes guarantee that no trades between the customer and the server are altered.

In a protected domain, users can submit personal information and debit/credit card details without any stress of information being pinched

On the contrary, with a mobile application, you have the choice to design the application by using various safety measures. If the application requires login, you can actualize Multi-Factor Authentication.

You can likewise utilize Certificate sticking for considerably progressively secure correspondence. What’s more, clients are bound to confide in an application than a URL, as it is expected to pass the App Store’s security necessities before getting distributed.

how to develop Progressive web Application

From the End-users Viewpoint

Easy download and installation:

It is very difficult to convince a user to complete the installation process and use the application on a regular basis. Various surveys and studies define that a normal mobile user installs zero applications in a month as it requires a dedicated commitment to using the application.

Users need to discover the application in the store and affirm that they need to install it. At last, in the wake of giving the application certain authorizations, they utilize the application perhaps utilize the application at least a few times before uninstalling it.

Whereas, developing a progressive web application requires no App Store or establishment. From the internet browser, users can bookmark and add the application to their home screen with a couple of taps.

The PWA will appear on the home screen, in their application catalog, send notices, and incorporate into framework settings. Also, these applications don’t occupy a lot of space in comparison with that mobile applications. With only a URL, users can use and share the application with their companions.

Performance:

Progressive web application stacks a lot quicker. At the core of any PWA are various services and scripts that run in the background and separate from the website page.

With various services incorporated, offline requests can be managed, prefetch, and store certain assets, and integrate information with a remote server and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

This implies after your application has been added to the home screen, it can stack in a flash and be utilized even if disconnected or in poor system conditions.

On the contrary, progressive web application runs from a program, implying that there will be idleness and more battery utilization contrasted with the mobile application.

The mobile application can integrate with the fundamental working framework. Mobile code is quicker and mobile application is all the more dominant.

Read Also:- Top 10 Web Development Stack trends in 2021 for startups

Picking Progressive Web Application or Mobile Application?

Both the mobile application and the Progressive web application have their qualities and disadvantages. While picking between them, you ought to consider the grounds on which every choice exceeds expectations, and how they fit in with your vision of the application.

Progressive web application development

Select Progressive Web Application if:

  • You’ve quite recently begun and need a basic application for your client. The progressive web application requires no download and lets you associate with the client by means of pop-up messages.
  • You have time and spending limitations. Progressive web application takes less time and cash to create and distribute.
  • You need to improve brand presence and SEO. The progressive web application is like any site and contacts a wide crowd.

Select Mobile Application if:

  • You need to fabricate the validity of the brand. Being distributed on application stores increment dependability and local applications have greater security alternatives.
  • You need to use progressed cell phone features. If geofencing and sensor/discovery are basic to UX or your item requires incredible processing power.

Conclusion:

Mobile application and PWA are two choices to convey a consistent experience for the end-users with various qualities and shortcomings.

Both are digging in for the long haul, and the decision between them ought to be made dependent on the objectives and assets of the project.

Rahul Mathur

Rahul Mathur is the founder and managing director of ARKA Softwares, a company renowned for its outstanding mobile app development and web development solutions. Delivering high-end modern solutions all over the globe, Rahul takes pleasure in sharing his experiences and views on the latest technological trends.

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