When the concept of progressive web apps (PWAs) was introduced long back, they were considered to be the next big thing in app development. As predicted, they indeed turned out to be a game-changer in the mobile web. PWAs have already captured a lot of attention because of the ease of development and their ability to perform and deliver a native app-like experience. Instead of building a native or web app, businesses are adopting PWAs which are a blend of mobile and web apps.

What is a Progressive Web App or PWA?

Progressive Web Apps are a form of web apps developed using specific technologies and standard patterns, but acquiring features of both native and web apps. To be precise, they are websites but behave like mobile apps. There’s no denying that web apps are more discoverable than native apps; it’s relatively easier and faster to visit a website than to install an application. Native apps, on the other hand, are integrated with a specific operating system that tends to offer a seamless user experience. Once installed, users can access their favourite apps by just tapping on the app icon. A progressive web application leverages the latest technologies to amalgamate the best of both.

How to Find and Install a PWA?

Unlike native apps, PWAs don’t have their own database like Apple Store and Google Play Store for iOS and Android apps, respectively. There isn’t any specific platform or store where only progressive web apps are listed and you can look for the PWA you want to download. One of the ways to discover a PWA is by visiting the site that works as a PWA. If the brand(website) is PWA-enabled, a popup would emerge from the bottom of the screen saying “Add [Brand] to Home Screen.” Twitter, Amazon, and Flipkart are some of the popular brands that use PWA. Visit their website on your smartphone and a popup, as we mentioned, would prompt, clicking on which an app-like icon would be added to your app drawer or home screen. That’s the PWA version of the website that resembles a native app. Speaking of the supported browsers, PWAs support all the major browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge.

What’s “Progressive” in a PWA?

PWA comprises ‘progressive’ app features such as service workers, a web app manifest, and an app shell. A service worker is a script that has access to domain-wide events including network fetches. They help cache entire static resources that reduce requests over a network and significantly improve performance. Service workers make it possible to display data that was cached previously and to notify users that they are not connected to the Internet. It is simply a script that runs in the background to offer support to push notifications and offline web applications. A manifest lets you add a web app to the home screen and adjust to different screen sizes. An application shell is the minimum HTML, CSS, and JavaScript needed to power UI, and ensures reliable and instant information when cached offline.

What’s the need for Progressive Web Apps?

In the case of a native app, a user first needs to locate the app in the app store and then download it in order to access it. A progressive web application eliminates the download and installation task. When a user finds a PWA, it is immediately launched to the user’s device as soon as they allow it to be added to the device. The full-screen browsing experience offered by PWA makes it look and function similar to a native app such that it won’t be easy to tell at first glance whether it’s a native app or a PWA.

Although native apps are the most common form of apps and exhibit better performance, the associated development cost and the storage they consume in a device shifts the focus towards Progressive Web Apps. It encompasses mobile app characteristics but doesn’t involve the complications involved in maintaining a mobile app.

Also Read: Progressive Web Apps- Then, Now and Going Forward

Use Cases

When we talk about mobile app development, native apps strike the mind naturally. Most of the apps installed on a device are usually native apps; the ones downloaded from app stores. They make complete use of the device’s features and OS, and capture higher engagement. A native app is primarily recommended when you expect users to return to the app frequently. Let’s come back to Progressive Web Apps. When should you consider a PWA? To help you choose between a website, PWA, and a native app, you first need to identify your users and user actions. As discussed earlier that a progressive web app is compatible with a majority of browsers, it offers a further enhanced experience whenever the browser is updated with the latest features and APIs. Thus, user experience isn’t compromised in a PWA when compared to a website, however, you will have to facilitate navigation and decide on what functionality to use offline. If your website already offers an app-like interface, a PWA will only make it better. If some certain set of features are required for an operation that is not yet available in a PWA, opting for a native app would be a better option.

You May Like: PWA vs Native: What’s Better?

Features of a PWA

PWAs have certain characteristics that make them unique from traditional websites and apps.

1. Discoverability

Since a progressive web app is mainly a website, it is discoverable in search engines. This is a key benefit over native apps which lag behind websites as far as discoverability is concerned.

2. Responsive and App-like

A PWA offers an app-like interface, be it about the look and feel or the navigation. Built as per the progressive enhancement principles and having cross-browser compatibility, they tend to offer a responsive design and can adjust to any device regardless of the screen size.

3. Connectivity-Independent

One of the best things about Progressive Web Apps is that they can work offline or in areas with poor network connectivity- if the requirement demands them to.

4. Push Notifications

Similar to native apps, PWAs offer the push notifications facility that helps bring users back to the app at regular intervals; driving higher user engagement.

5. Auto-updates

If there is a pending update, a progressive web application is automatically updated whenever it is opened or refreshed, unlike native apps where you have to visit the app store and update the app manually.

6. Secure

PWAs are secured with HTTPS protocol so that the connection between the user, server, and the app remains secure against any malware or third party trying to gain access to the user’s sensitive data.

7. Installable

Having a PWA is similar to launching a native app on your home screen with just an exception that the former doesn’t need to be installed from the app store.

8. Linkable

PWAs are linkable which means they can be easily shared via a URL. They can be linked to an app at a specific URL without requiring any complex installation process or the need for an app store.

Cost of Building a PWA

For mobile app developers, developing PWAs is relatively easier than developing native apps because, in the case of a PWA, developers need to code only once for both the platforms (iOS and Android), whereas for a native app, they will have to code for both the platforms separately from scratch. Hence, a PWA helps cut-down the development cost. Also, the update and maintenance cost is slightly on the higher end in the case of a native app. PWAs can surely prove to be a cost-effective solution for your business.

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