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    Tech Faceoff – Native Apps vs PWAs

    YanisBy Updated:No Comments4 Mins Read

    According to a survey, more than 50% of website traffic comes from mobile users. Any content produced currently is more likely to be consumed via tablets or smartphones than on desktop computers.

    For a business to do well, it needs to have a solid online presence. The statistics present an interesting opportunity for business owners and companies for conquering the digital world by engaging mobile users.

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    The most fundamental element of meeting mobile-user expectations is to have an intuitive web design that is optimized for mobile usage. There are native apps that can be downloaded via the play store and apple store. These apps offer a wide range of features and an excellent user experience overall.

    We see progressive web apps (PWAs) taking the market by storm. PWAs provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to native apps.

    How do the two compare? Which one is better for your business? Here’s all you need to know.

    What Are Progressive Web Apps?

    PWAs are a combination of a standard website and native mobile apps. They are essentially websites that are built with a JavaScript framework and offer app-like functionality. PWAs are built to provide an engaging full-screen user experience without hogging any unnecessary storage space. Some popular examples of progressive web apps are Pinterest, Uber, and AliExpress.

    On the other hand, we have been using native apps since the advent of smartphones. You download these apps from respective app stores (Apple or Play Store). Native Apps are developed differently for each operating system. filmefy Therefore, a Native app for an Android OS is developed specifically for Android phones whereas one that would run on iOS is developed separately.

    Benefits of PWAs

    Many companies are now offering PWAs along with their standard mobile applications. A growing number of consumers want the convenience a PWA offers. What are the motivations behind the shift? Here are some benefits that progressive web apps offer over native apps.

    Development and Cost

    Developing a PWA is significantly easier than building a native app. For native apps, you need to create two different versions so it works on both types of operating systems. A native app created for iOS is developed using Swift and Objective-C programming languages whereas JAVA is used for the Android version.

    The obvious drawback of native apps is that the development process can cost a lot of money. PWAs are technically websites that would work on either operating system. Therefore, they are significantly more affordable to develop than native apps.

    Installation

    Native apps tend to take up precious storage space. Many times, having too many apps on your phone is what is leading it to slow down and lag. Since PWAs are not downloadable, they talk up minimum memory space.

    Discoverability: ASO vs SEO

    App store optimization is the process of improving an app’s ranking in the app store search results. It involves using the right keywords, writing effective meta descriptions, using good pictures as references, etc. This could cost you significant time and money.

    PWAs on the other hand are easier to discover. As they are websites, they can be categorized in search engine results. PWAs tend to have better user engagement which helps them rank higher on search results. thedocweb

    Drawbacks of PWAs

    There is no such thing as a free lunch! Here is a couple of drawback of using PWAs.

    Limited Features and Functionality

    PWAs offer limited features and functionality. As they don’t have seamless integration with the phone’s software like native apps, PWAs lack in some areas. PWAs do not offer cross-app functionality, geofencing, and push notifications (in iOS). Furthermore, native apps can function offline whereas PWAs are reliant on an internet connection.

    Battery Consumption

    PWAs will drain your battery faster as they are using the internet to work. Furthermore, they employ technology that is not developed particularly for a mobile environment. This can lead to battery drainage.

    The Verdict

    There are pros and cons to both technologies. The one that will work better for you depends on your needs. If you have a new business or some money constraints, you can opt for PWA. It will give you simple and basic features to engage users without costing too much.

    However, if you want to establish a brand and offer better features to your consumers, native apps are the better option undoubtedly.

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