As the number of mobile users is getting bigger year by year, they are consuming 2 times more content on their mobile phone instead of finding it on their desktops.
There is a concept trending from last few years, of using the responsive website designs for the mobile users, so that users can access the online website in their mobile phones and connect with the businesses using this smart device. Then, comes the native mobile apps, smartphone users can download these applications and keep it in their phones for use.
And now a new entry in this list, Progressive Web App, the midway of the websites and mobile native applications.
First, Let us know What is Progressive Web App?
The PWA is the solution of the mixer of websites and native mobile applications with the addition of features of both the platforms. It is developed using the java scripts, which makes it more flexible during the usage. It shows an icon on the mobile users like native applications and works as the website when users open it for use. Still, the PWA has some limitations in use, particularly for iOS.
Read Native App & Hybrid Mobile App Development
The features which Google’s defines by analyzing the web experiences is, the application is more reliable, fast and more engaging for the smartphone users.
Features of the Progressive Web App:
- Web application manifest
- Uses HTTP’s: which means secured by default
- Cross platforms accessibility
- Fast by design
- More interactive than native apps
- Save time and more storage both
Uses of Native Apps App in Mobile App Development:
In mobile app development, Native app is playing an important role in making a mobile application. Native apps are the path-breaking solutions that consist of apps that are developed specifically for a particular mobile and then installed directly onto the device. These apps need to be downloaded from an app store by the user.
PWA vs Native app:
Let us go insight of the both Progressive Web App and Native app together to see which is better than per the latest internet and smartphone technology aspects and why.
The key differentiators of the PWA vs Native app are:
- Installation
- Cross-Platform Availability
- Offline Usage
- Storage, Data, and Power
- User Updates
- Developer Updates
- Push Notifications
| Key Points | Native App | Progressive Web App |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | A native app is downloaded using the Google Play Store and Apple’s iOS App and after download the application, it shows on your mobile screen in the icon form. After installation, you need to register in the application to use it. | PWA is available in the web form. People can use any business or any niches’ website PWA by finding them in the web browser, which means users don’t need to keep it in their mobile phone to access it anytime, and also it not takes any space of the mobile for use. |
| Cross-Platform Availability | The native apps can be developed for cross platforms and can be downloaded in android and iOS when a developer makes it for that purpose. It takes more effort to develop. | The PWA supports all the platforms and also the web access saves the users time, and also it doesn’t require more efforts of the developers to make it perfect. |
| Offline Usage | Native apps can be used without access to the internet and all the features work well. | PWA apps as works on the web, then only a few services serve offline usage. |
| Storage, Data, and Power | As native applications need to download before using then it must need storage in your phone to download, when you access the applications and keep it minimized it consumes your power and data both. | Progressive Web App doesn’t need storage for access. And ever, it doesn’t consume the data and battery of your smartphone as you use it in your web browser. |
| User Updates | For native apps, you need to perform manual actions to do an update, and it consumes your data and storage both of the device. | On the time of user update, you only need to reload your PWA to see the update. And it displayed them instantly. |
| Developer updates | The developer update of the native apps takes too many efforts to perform. | The PWA updated fast and easy for the developer to give updates. |
| Push Notifications | Native applications are clear leading in this category. The push notifications can be shown to the users to engage them with the business offers. | As the PWA is working on that but still not succeed to show push notifications to the users. |
From the above information, it is clear that PWA vs Native app, PWA wins with the good score. The application is now leading in the market and becoming the favorite of smartphone users.