Progressive Web Applications versus Native Applications: Which is the Better Choice for Your Business?

In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses must make critical decisions when it comes to their mobile strategy. One of the most common dilemmas is whether to invest in a native application or a progressive web application (PWA). Both options have their unique strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two often depends on factors such as the company’s budget, target audience, long-term goals, and specific business needs.

Native applications have long been the standard for delivering a rich mobile experience. However, progressive web applications have emerged as a viable alternative, offering many of the same benefits but with fewer costs and development challenges. Understanding the differences between these two types of applications is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives.

In this article, we will compare progressive web applications and native applications, examining their respective advantages and disadvantages. We will also take a closer look at a travel booking platform that replaced its native application with a progressive web application. This switch helped the company eliminate app store fees, increase accessibility, and achieve a 50 percent increase in new bookings from mobile users, along with a reduction in operational costs.

What Are Native Applications?

Native applications are software applications specifically designed to run on mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets. These applications are built using platform-specific programming languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. Native apps are downloaded and installed through app stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play and can access a wide range of device features, including the camera, GPS, push notifications, and more.

Key Features of Native Applications:

• Deep Integration with Device Features: Native apps have full access to the device's hardware, such as the camera, accelerometer, geolocation, and notifications.

• Optimized Performance: Because they are designed specifically for a particular operating system, native apps can offer smooth, high-performance experiences, even when handling complex tasks like gaming or augmented reality.

• App Store Distribution: Native apps are listed on app stores, which can increase their discoverability and provide an additional marketing channel.

• Offline Functionality: Native apps can work seamlessly without an internet connection, as much of their functionality and data can be stored on the device itself.

What Are Progressive Web Applications?

Progressive web applications are web-based applications that function like native apps, providing similar experiences but without requiring users to download or install the app from an app store. Instead, PWAs are accessed through a web browser, and users can choose to add them to their home screen for easy access. PWAs are built using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and they are designed to be responsive, fast, and reliable across all devices.

Key Features of Progressive Web Applications:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: PWAs work on any device that has a modern web browser, whether it is a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.

• Offline Access: PWAs can cache content and work offline or in low-connectivity environments, thanks to service workers.

• No App Store Required: Users can access PWAs directly from a web browser, eliminating the need to download and install the app from an app store.

• Automatic Updates: PWAs are always up-to-date because updates happen automatically on the server-side without requiring users to manually download them.

Comparing Progressive Web Applications and Native Applications

To determine which option is best for your business, let’s compare progressive web applications and native applications across several key factors:

1. Performance

Native Applications:
Native applications tend to perform better than web-based solutions because they are built specifically for a particular platform and can take full advantage of the device's hardware and operating system. This allows for faster load times, smoother animations, and better responsiveness, particularly for resource-intensive applications like games or apps that require extensive use of device features.

Progressive Web Applications:
While PWAs have made significant strides in performance, they still rely on a web browser, which can result in slightly slower load times compared to native apps. However, PWAs use service workers to cache assets, allowing for faster load times on repeat visits and improved performance even on slower networks. For most business applications, PWAs offer more than adequate performance, but they may not be the best choice for high-performance tasks.

Conclusion: Native apps are the better choice if your app requires complex, high-performance features such as gaming, augmented reality, or heavy reliance on device hardware. However, for most standard business use cases, PWAs offer competitive performance, particularly for e-commerce, booking platforms, and content delivery.

2. Development and Maintenance Costs

Native Applications:
Native apps are more expensive to develop and maintain because they require separate codebases for different platforms (iOS and Android). Each version of the app must be developed independently, and businesses need to maintain separate teams or invest in tools to manage updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements for each platform. This increases both the initial development cost and the ongoing maintenance expenses.

Progressive Web Applications:
One of the most significant advantages of PWAs is the cost savings associated with their development. PWAs only require a single codebase that works across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This not only reduces the time and cost of development but also simplifies maintenance, as updates are deployed on the server-side and reflected for all users instantly.

Conclusion: If you are looking to reduce costs and streamline development, PWAs offer a clear advantage. Native apps are often necessary for complex applications that rely heavily on device features, but for most business use cases, PWAs are a more cost-effective solution.

3. User Experience and Features

Native Applications:
Native apps provide a more immersive user experience because they are designed to integrate deeply with the device’s hardware and operating system. This allows for smoother performance, access to advanced device features, and the ability to work offline. Additionally, native apps offer push notifications, which are a key tool for engaging users and driving repeat visits.

Progressive Web Applications:
PWAs provide a consistent user experience across all platforms and devices, ensuring that users enjoy the same interface whether they are on mobile or desktop. PWAs support features like push notifications and offline access, but they do not have the same level of access to device hardware as native apps. However, for many business applications, the functionality offered by PWAs is more than sufficient, especially when it comes to content delivery, e-commerce, and customer service applications.

Conclusion: Native apps are the best choice if your app relies on advanced hardware features like the camera, GPS, or motion sensors. However, for most use cases, PWAs offer a seamless and efficient user experience, particularly for businesses focused on delivering content, booking services, or managing transactions.

4. Discoverability and Accessibility

Native Applications:
Native apps are distributed through app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store, which can offer discoverability benefits. However, the process of getting an app approved and listed in an app store can be time-consuming and restrictive. Additionally, app store fees, which often range from 15 percent to 30 percent of revenue for in-app purchases, can significantly cut into profits.

Progressive Web Applications:
PWAs bypass app stores entirely, allowing users to access the app directly from a web browser. This reduces friction for users, as they do not need to go through the process of downloading and installing the app. PWAs can also be easily shared via URLs and can be indexed by search engines, helping improve search engine optimization (SEO) and making them easier to find.

Conclusion: If your goal is to maximize accessibility and minimize barriers to entry, PWAs are the better option. Native apps may provide more visibility within app stores, but PWAs eliminate the hassle of app store approvals and fees while improving accessibility.

5. App Store Fees and Revenue Sharing

Native Applications:
One of the biggest downsides to native apps is the revenue-sharing model imposed by app stores. Platforms like Appleand Google take a percentage of all in-app purchases and subscriptions, which can significantly reduce a business’s profit margins. Additionally, businesses must navigate the complex rules and regulations of app stores, which can restrict how certain features or services are implemented.

Progressive Web Applications:
PWAs are not subject to app store fees or revenue sharing. This means that businesses have full control over their revenue streams and do not need to share a percentage of their earnings with third-party platforms. This is particularly advantageous for businesses that rely on in-app purchases or subscription models.

Conclusion: If avoiding app store fees and restrictions is a priority for your business, PWAs provide a more flexible and cost-effective alternative.

Real-World Use Case: A Travel Booking Platform’s Transition to a Progressive Web Application

To illustrate the benefits of progressive web applications, let’s look at the example of a travel booking platform that successfully replaced its native application with a PWA.

The Challenge:

The travel booking platform was facing several challenges with its native app:

• High development and maintenance costs: The company had to maintain separate versions of its app for iOS and Android, which increased development time and required ongoing maintenance.

• App store fees: The company was losing a significant portion of its revenue to app store fees on in-app transactions.

• Limited accessibility: The app required users to download it from the app store, which created friction and limited its reach to potential customers.

The Solution: Adopting a Progressive Web Application

To overcome these challenges, the company decided to transition to a PWA. The PWA provided the following benefits:

• Elimination of app store fees: By bypassing app stores, the company was able to keep more of its revenue.

• Increased accessibility: Users could access the PWA directly from their browser, reducing the barriers to entry and increasing the number of mobile users.

• Lower development costs: With a single codebase for all platforms, the company reduced its development and maintenance expenses.

The Results:

After switching to a progressive web application, the company saw significant improvements:

• 50 percent increase in new bookings from mobile users: The ease of access and faster load times drove more users to complete their bookings on mobile devices.

• Reduction in operational costs: The company saved money on app store fees and reduced its development costs by maintaining a single codebase.

• Higher user satisfaction: Users enjoyed a seamless experience across devices, leading to higher engagement and repeat bookings.

Conclusion: Which Is the Better Choice for Your Business?

When deciding between native applications and progressive web applications, the right choice depends on your business’s goals, budget, and target audience. Native apps offer high performance and deep integration with device features, making them the best choice for applications that require complex interactions, gaming, or extensive use of device hardware.

However, for many businesses—especially those in e-commerce, booking services, and content delivery—progressive web applications offer a more cost-effective, accessible, and scalable solution. With lower development costs, no app store fees, and cross-platform compatibility, PWAs can deliver a seamless user experience while maximizing your business’s reach and profitability.

As seen in the case of the travel booking platform, switching to a PWA resulted in a 50 percent increase in new bookings from mobile users and significant reductions in operational costs. For businesses looking to streamline their mobile strategy and reach more users, progressive web applications are an excellent choice.