Progressive Web Apps vs Native Apps in 2022 Pros And Cons
Tags: pwa, appdevelopment, html, android
Published: 2022-06-17 11:46:00


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Recently, we've seen many changes in the versatile mobile application industry. And this time, the difference is coming as Progressive Web Apps (or PWAs). 
 
[PWAs join the usefulness of a Native applicatio](https://medium.com/quokkalabs135/how-to-turn-your-website-into-progressive-web-app-pwa-59702c353816)n with the openness of a site. 
 
This viewpoint makes PWAs a novel expansion to the adaptable mobile app market.
 
With the rise in the popularity of PWAs, companies are now getting their hands on them.  They use this to situate themselves as an early adopter of the innovation.  Usually, they look out and begin offering PWA development services.
 
Thus, this blog post will take you on a beautiful journey of how PWAs change how [users interact with web apps](https://quokkalabs.com/web-application-development). Also, what are the differences between PWAs and Native Apps and their pros and cons?

Let's begin!!
 
## **What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?**
 
PWA is a web-based programming application. PWA chips away at the programming level and browsers. And for that reason, it can work at any stage, no matter the working framework and operating system you use. 
 
PWA approaches customers like a standard site yet gives app-like capacities. It gets viewed as a mix of "site" and "native application." 
 
Isn’t that awesome? No need to wait, right?
 
Clients/users will peruse Progressive Web App on their program with a URL very much as they do any site. But, after they land on the PWA, they use "application" on their browser and program. Thus, no need to download and install it on your device/gadget.

## **What is a Native App?**
 
Native applications were there from the start of the cell phones two decades back. A native application gets fabricated for the working framework it runs on. The two most well-known systems currently are iOS and Android.
 
Moreover, it gets downloaded through app stores to use on smartphone hardware. It provides and gives an exciting client and user experience. 
 
A native application is local to the working framework or the system it is on. The application gets worked with one OS.  As a primary concern for the best similarity and execution results.

## **Pros and Cons of PWAs & Native Apps**
 
First, look at the pros and cons of PWA and native apps.
 
## **Pros of Progressive Web Apps**

- **Independent Platform:** PWAs are from an internet browser. You don't need to submit your application to the app store. PWAs can run on any gadget - iOS or Android or others.
  
- **App-like performance:** Users are generally irritated while getting to locales from their mobiles. It is because of temperamental and slow execution. But, PWAs can convey a quick and smooth experience like any native application.
  
- **Lower development costs:** PWAs developed only once to fit on various gadgets. It saves organizations a lot of cash and time efforts.
  
- **No download or installation:** This is one of the most conspicuous advantages of PWAs. Clients have to tap it on their home screen, and they can get to it.
  
- **Offline mode:** PWAs can work without an Internet connection with the help of service workers. After a user visits a PWA webpage, the individual can return and interface with it. No need for an internet connection for this.
  
- **Memory storage:** PWAs use a little lump of information and data on gadgets. Since users or clients don't need to install PWAs, it saves them a great deal of memory storage.
  
- **Engaging:** With PWAs, you can send pop-up messages and notifications to clients to get more data.
  
- **Shareable:** You can share the PWA’s unique URL with others via social media platforms.

- **Up-to-date data:** The Service Worker update process keeps a PWA site’s content up to date on time.

### **Cons of PWAs**

- Limited hardware access: PWAs have restricted hardware and software features access.

- Lack of support:  PWA is still in upgrading, so it may be not supported by every platform.

### **Native Apps**

#### **Pros of Native Apps**

- Performance and Execution: Applications have to get created using the gadget's native language.  It offers high speed and streamlined execution.  During Development Process, we have also to consider memory and power use.

- Look and feel: Native applications offer the best UI/UX experience.  From engaging designs, activities, smooth looking over, robust gesture control, etc.

- Personalization: Native applications permit you to gather information to customize the client experience. Another training is that the application can make proposals because of past buys. It makes the client feels more associated with the application/brand.

- Data protection and security: These applications use the gadget's usefulness and assets.  Data Information security is very much kept up with.

- Hardware access: Native applications offer simple connections with hardware viewpoints. They give quicker admittance to work in gadget highlights like GPS, Contact, and Media.

#### **Cons of Native Apps**

- **Learning cost:** You'll have to learn many languages to foster a native application. Such as Java and Kotlin for Android, Swift or Objective-C for iOS, and C# for Windows.

- **Long installation:** Users have to download the application from a particular app Store. Contingent upon the web connection, the download might be lengthy.

- **Development cost and time:** Native Apps had to be developed separately for Android and ios and next, the assets to keep up with and update them. It requires a lot of time and a budget plan.

## Detailed Comparison between PWAs & Native Apps

There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s focus on the most important parameters:
 
### **Development cost**

Development of PWA is less expensive as compared to Native Apps. They are more responsive and work across various gadgets, platforms, and web browsers.
For a native application, an organization would have to develop and edit twice - one for iOS and one for Android. 
Native apps had extra features and highlights, which cost more time and money.

### **Performance and Execution**

Since more users are much more satisfied with the performance of PWAs as they perform better.
The entire experience gets depicted as a light version of the native application.
PWA occupies less space and is more open to energy consumption. From our experience. But Native Apps improve the assets of all platforms for a better experience

### **Features**

Native apps to be more integrated inside the system and framework. PWAs are excellent- dependable, and more secure. 
Native apps can progress functionalities such as geofencing and integration with third-party apps. 
In ideal circumstances, PWA can perform like native applications
 
For example,- pop-ups, discourse unions, etc., are adequate to take care of most clients and users.

### **Security**

The security area is where PWA loses, yet not by a considerable gap. Native apps are usually better at security since they better admit to hardware parts. They carry out extra safety layers.
 
_Example-_ Two-Factor Authentication. 
 
An application must pass the app store's security prerequisites to get distributed. PWA has an alternate way to deal with security. All secure communication through server and client gets encoded with HTTPS.

## **Examples of PWAs & Native Apps**

**Twitter Lite:**
Before Twitter launched its PWA,  others social networks failed to get their own. Twitter Lite changed Twitter's standing on mobile. And the PWA creates more than ten million message pop-ups daily.
 
**Pinterest:**
Pinterest began its new portable web insight from the beginning as a PWA in the worldwide market. This results in an increase of 1% of their mobile user's conversion.
This happens because of terrible showing on mobile. They understand that the fantastic chance to develop further was colossal.  
Pinterest revamped the universal web utilizing PWA innovation, which prompted positive outcomes. Time spent is up by 40%, contrasted with the past portable web. Client-created promotion income depends on 45%, and center commitment is up 60%. Amazing!!
 
**Forbes:**
It is notable that 53% of mobile site users will leave a page that takes more than three seconds to load. Yet, Forbes' past portable site's stacking time can arrive at 6 seconds. 
With the help of PWA, it has a 12% increment in its readership.

## **Which one is better - PWAs or Native Apps?**

### **Progressive Web App**

**Platform availability**

Being a cross-plafrom app, it supports pretty much every accessible platform.

**Low development cost**

PWA saves you the development cost in many stages. As PWA, only need one single codebase for all upheld working.

**Boost brand awareness**

PWAs take up much less information stockpiling on gadgets. So this is the best option for clients to add to their home screen. 
SMEs can use their [potential pWA benefit](https://quokkalabs.blogspot.com/2022/03/benefits-of-progressive-web-apps-pwas.html) by putting their image on a client's gadget screen.
Often, clients would stick to the only PWA after they're confident the site has all they need. So organizations can expect a higher engagement rate for PWAs.

**Seamless and consistent operation**

Everything, including application refreshes and updates, is better with PWA. It guarantees the client will have the best insight. 
PWA establishments take less time, and each update happens behind the scenes. Service workers assume the top part in reserving content from the server.

### **Native Apps**

A rise in popularity in PWAs doesn't mean that Native Apps are useless. There are many aspects in which native apps perform better
As native applications are a demonstrated strategy for programming conveyance, there are many. 
Here are the advantages that native applications have over PWAs:

**Execution and features**

Most Brands doesn't prefer PWAs on Operating System other than iOS and Android.
Native applications can use a more significant amount of the system assets.  So there are many games that use native and perform better. With Native APIs, developers can have more space to move in.

**Brand credibility**

For brands, you need to construct brand validity. Native apps are an excellent method for this to gain recognition.
Over 97% of mobile advertisers said that users' experiences influence their reliability.
With the above information, I hope now you are sure to choose which one is a superior choice for your business. 
Not every business’s needs are identical; we try to map the best solution for our client's business goals. [Let’s connect](https://quokkalabs.com/contact-us) and build something valuable!! 
Kindly drop your feedback in the comment section.