Software development: Native App vs. Progressive Web App
Software development: native app vs. progressive web app
There is now a multitude of options for app development on the market. And that is exactly what often leads to uncertainty as to which type of application is the right one for app programming. Should it be a native app or a progressive web app? We’ll tell you what you need to know about native and progressive web apps to make your decision easier.
In order to draw attention to the differences and the respective advantages of the applications, we must first define what native apps and PWAs actually are.
Native apps are applications that are programmed and installed for a specific target platform. Therefore they only work on one operating system. The app has to be adapted for every other platform. They are considered to be the first user-friendly mobile apps and therefore dominate the app market. Examples of native apps are Skype, Runtastic, or Instagram.
Progressive web app
Progressive web applications (PWAs) are a type of application software delivered over the web using popular web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They should work on all platforms that use a standards-compliant browser and also run on desktop and mobile devices. PWAs are programmed in such a way that they can be made available in a web browser. Successful examples of PWAs are Pinterest, Twitter, or?Trivago.
Advantages of a native app
Distribution
Most mobile users spend their time in apps instead of the web. This makes native apps more popular. In addition, native apps can be installed via the Play Store or the App Store, which gives them a large user base.
Extended functionality
You should prefer developing a native application if your future app is to contain all kinds of functions. If, for example, Bluetooth is to be used to connect devices with one another or the use of indoor geolocation is necessary, native apps are the method of choice because they have a high range of functions that PWAs cannot offer.
Safety
A native app is more secure compared to a PWA. Security is an essential factor when developing an app these days. App stores require all native apps to have adequate security features. Any app that does not meet these guidelines will not be allowed in the app stores.
GEO fence
The function of GEO fencing can be carried out with native apps. In case you’ve never heard of it: Geo-Fence means geographic fence. This means a virtual room from which users can be included or excluded. Geo-fencing is used to determine locations. So that a device can be located, WLAN and cell phone signals are sent out. An example of geo-fencing is the security tags that can be found on products in stores. If a security tag leaves the virtual room, an alarm is triggered. Combined with push notifications, GEO fencing is incredibly powerful for marketing and retail applications.
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Benefits of a PWA
App-like experience
PWAs deliver what is known as an “app-like experience” – with a web browser in full-screen mode, you will not even notice that you are actually working on a website.
Cost of development
The biggest advantage of PWA is that it is easy to develop. Compared to native app development, it is inexpensive, uncomplicated, and fast. It’s also much easier to maintain the website and add support if necessary.
User attention
Since every PWA is inherently a website, it is designed for?search engine optimization. Google prioritizes PWAs over traditional websites or regular mobile applications. Accordingly, users can easily come across it while googling, which significantly increases the visibility of a software product.
Safety
Google requires the use of HTTPS in order to run properly on Chrome. HTTPS is the abbreviation for secure hypertext transmission protocol. It is used for secure communication over a computer network and is widely used on the Internet. A PWA is secure because it works over HTTPS, which enables browser-to-server encryption. This means that the likelihood of attacks on personal data is very low.
Responsive design
Even if PWAs can run on a desktop or laptop without any problems, PWAs are mainly developed with mobile devices in mind. PWAs use the responsive design function that mobile websites also use. Responsive design enables a “write-once-run-anywhere” experience: the browser takes the device and screen size into account and displays content that looks and adapts to each device.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about native and progressive web apps, and there are still enough differences between them. What you should ultimately decide on depends primarily on the purpose for which your app is to be developed.
PWAs are a great choice for businesses on a budget who want to develop a simple consumer or retail app. PWAs are a great solution, especially for small businesses and startups that may not have the time or resources to create a mobile app. A cross-platform app can also reach a large audience.
Large companies, in particular, prefer native apps to reach their mobile audiences. The presence in an app store plays an essential role here. Often these are apps with a subscription model or in-app purchases. The development of native apps is particularly suitable for game applications.
There is now little doubt that PWAs will replace native apps in the future. The low cost and ease of development, implementation, and constant growth of the Internet of Things will continue to influence the spread of this technology.