What is the difference between PWA and native mobile app?
Quick Answer
PWAs are web apps that work like native apps—installable, work offline, send push notifications. Native apps offer better performance, full device access, and app store distribution. Choose PWA for content-focused apps with limited budget; choose native for performance-critical apps requiring deep device integration.
Detailed Answer
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PWA | Native App |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | From browser | App Store |
| Offline Support | Yes (Service Workers) | Yes |
| Push Notifications | Yes (limited iOS) | Full support |
| Device Access | Limited | Full |
| Performance | Good | Best |
| Updates | Instant | Store review |
| Development Cost | Lower | Higher |
When to Choose PWA
- Content-first apps (news, blogs, catalogs)
- E-commerce (product browsing, checkout)
- Limited budget (50-70% cheaper than native)
- Rapid deployment needed
- SEO important
When to Choose Native
- Performance-critical (games, video editing)
- Heavy device integration (fitness, IoT)
- Monetization via app stores
- Complex animations (smooth 60fps required)
- Background tasks (music, navigation)
Cost Comparison
| Approach | Development | Maintenance/Year |
|---|---|---|
| PWA only | $20,000-50,000 | $5,000-15,000 |
| Native (both) | $60,000-150,000 | $15,000-40,000 |
| PWA + Native shell | $30,000-70,000 | $8,000-20,000 |
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