A progressive web app (PWA) is a website built with modern web technologies so that it can behave much like an installed app. For many business needs it offers a simpler path than publishing to the app stores, but it is not always enough.
What a PWA can do
- Be installed to a phone’s home screen and open in its own window.
- Work offline for content and features that have been cached.
- Send push notifications on platforms that support them.
- Access some device features, such as the camera and location, with the user’s permission.
- Update instantly, without users downloading a new version.
Where app-store apps are stronger
- Device integration: deeper access to features such as background tasks, certain sensors and some system integrations.
- Discovery: many users expect to find apps in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Platform behaviour: some capabilities still differ by operating system and browser, particularly on iOS.
Cost and maintenance
A PWA is one codebase that also serves desktop users, and it avoids app store review processes and fees. App-store apps require store accounts, release management, compliance with store policies and, often, separate handling of each platform.
Data and connectivity
Installation size matters where data is expensive. A PWA can be very small and load incrementally, while app-store apps require an initial download and updates.
Questions to decide
- Do users need to find the app in an app store?
- Which device features are essential?
- Will the app be used on desktop computers too?
- How often will it change?
- What can you realistically maintain?
A combined approach
Some organisations start with a PWA to validate the idea and serve users quickly, then move to an app-store app when there is a clear need for deeper integration or store presence. Others publish the same web technology inside a lightweight app wrapper.
Summary
If your users mainly need forms, information, records and notifications, a PWA is often an efficient and capable choice. If the app depends on advanced device features or store visibility, an app-store app is likely to serve you better.
