
We’re excited to hear your project.
Let’s collaborate!
In other words, in the "progressive web apps vs native apps" competition PWAs make an alternative, not a replacement for native apps.
For native apps are here to stay and still offer plenty of advantages themselves, too, (while progressive web apps do have their own limitations to consider, as well) for companies and developers not to give them up anytime soon.
And here are just some of the key reasons why they continue to steal the spotlight. Reasons that might help you find your own answer to the “PWA or native app?” question:
As PWAs exploit some of the native apps' drawbacks, so do the latter turn some of their “rivals'” limitations into their own strong points.
For instance:
Now, let's dig out other strong reasons for... going native:
As previously mentioned: with the web browser acting as an intermediary, progressive web apps can't compete with their native “rivals” in terms of performance.
As opposed to PWAs, native apps are installed on the devices that they run on.
Therefore, not only that their code practically “lives” there, but it's platform-bound. Written with the requirements of that specific mobile operating system in mind.
The “Near Field Communication” support is vital for certain businesses. So, do consider this native apps' advantage (or this PWAS' shortcoming, depending on how you want to put it) before you give a final answer to your “progressive web apps vs native apps” dilemma.
If it's of critical importance for you that your customers should be able to pay for your services with their phones, then you need to go native. There's no way around this!
PWAS can't yet interact with the NFC chip enabling this type of payment.
All the app stores' “bureaucracy” might be discouraging enough, yet there are good intentions — resulting in a quality guarantee — behind all those steps to take:
filling out forms, reading specific forums, following strict app development guidelines, waiting for your app's review process to be carried out etc., etc.
Instead of seeing them strictly as... highly restrictive, take them as multiple filters that clear your app of any malicious code.
As for PWAS, just think about it:
The easier it is for anyone to access your app by just visiting the web page hosting it, the easier it is for a hacker, as well, to exploit the vulnerabilities of that connection.
And this is no exaggeration, especially if it's a retail app that you're planning to develop.
Just give it a moment of thought:
GEO-fencing will enable you (your marketing team) to define virtual “boundaries” in the real world; once a customer's mobile device enters or exits that defined area, a push notification gets triggered.
A powerful functionality to ponder on when you're facing a “progressive web apps vs native apps” decision-making challenge. A smart functionality that native apps can easily exploit, while PWAs can't.
And this is one of the major advantages of native apps over progressive web apps!
They interact with the mobile devices that they're installed on, meaning that they use their smart features to their full potential. Features such as:
Take for instance this highly frequent scenario:
A user tries to set up his/her account within your app and he's given the option to enter his Facebook login details
It's the perfect example of native apps interacting with one another. And this is but just one example of inter-app communication that helps users save valuable time.
“ The one that best serves your needs.”
So, get them clearly defined first things first:
Also, when trying to pick your winner in the “progressive web apps vs native apps” contest, consider the expected future advancements, as well:
That being said: the choice is yours to make! I've only pointed out the main criteria and the key benefits/limitations for you to weigh and to compare, so you can make a fully informed decision.
We’re excited to hear your project.
Let’s collaborate!