People carry their smartphones with them everywhere (even to the loo!). With the technological advancement of Wi-Fi, 4G internet and hotspot facility you can use your smartphone 24X7.
Web designers have to design web pages that are accessible from smartphones. Yet another option that you have is to make a native mobile app that users can easily download from your app store.
You might have heard the terms – native apps and progressive web app several times.
Now, what are native apps?
A software framework designed with the help of JavaScript code to build mobile applications and with a native look. They are built in a way that you have to install them directly on your smartphone or tablet. The apps that you usually download from the Google Play or the App Store.
What are Progressive Web Apps?
Progressive Web Apps are commonly referred to as PWA. They are a combination of mobile apps and mobile websites. It is an application where all the resources-CSS, HTML, JavaScript, documents, images, etc. are located in the browser and can be used even if you are offline.
They run faster than websites and other normal web apps. They happen to safer as you don’t have to share any personal details or login but can access them through a website. They are designed under many safety protocols. You can share these websites as a URL.
Discussed here are a few differences between the progressive web apps and native apps:
Offline access
You can acquire information about any business without even getting connected to the internet through mobile apps. You can get the same information through Progressive Web Apps as they use cache data to function offline.
PWAs use JavaScript files called Service Workers to run offline. However, only a few parts of the app are accessible when offline. All the elements that don’t comprise under the natural part of the page’s cache system are likely to be unavailable when offline.
Native apps are obvious winners in this regard but you cannot completely ignore the distinct feature of partial user access when offline offered by PWAs.
Security
Irrespective of the type of application you use security is a must. Native app functions on multi-factor authentication for the user as well as app owner. It also uses certificate pinning which is absent in PWAs.
PWAs are comparatively more secured as they function only on HTTPS. HTTPS allows for browser-to-server encryption. This is why most of the apps that you download from the Apple Store or Google Play are trustworthy and you don’t experience any security issues.
Cross-platform availability
Native apps design apps separately for both Android users and iOS users. They simply don’t have to be concerned about the cross-platform compatibility. On the contrary, the PWA app depends on the user browser before they get completely displayed on the screen.
While designing an app with native apps, the developer can create a brilliant user interface since it is designed for a specific user. However, when it comes to PWAs a single app can be used for Android as well as iOS. You tend to save resources, time and money.
Push Notifications
Research says, “A push notification increases the probability of your device being installed or viewed.” This is one of the key reasons, why businesses invest in building mobile apps. The mobile app also helps businesses to create high engagement content.
You can use Service Workers to enable push notifications in PWAs. But, they are unavailable for iOS. Native apps excel in this attribute of push notifications.
Searchability
You can search for native apps either in search engines or app stores. But, you cannot index pages in the app. To do so, you need ASO- App Store Optimization but you need to use a couple of tactics for the same.
You ought to search for the keywords that your potential consumers use to search for you. The inclusion of the same keywords in your app description or title can be profitable. You can also write an effective headline, quirky description to boost web traffic.
Remember, to make optimal use of the categorization feature to increase your app recognition among your target audience.
On the contrary, PWA is a replica of any website which means you will get an outcome like a normal search result. You can top the search results by doing the SEO correctly and taking all the necessary measures. If you follow the SEO steps correctly, you can also get links to relevant pages within the app.
Conclusion
Apart from these, several other aspects differentiate them. It is an endless debate. But, if you have to choose one consider your business needs and based on them pick one.
As per your business needs, weigh the pros and cons of both these apps and choose one that suits your needs.