Progressive Web Apps: the app experience without the app-store hassle
A PWA installs to the home screen, works offline and sends notifications — no app store, no dual build, a fraction of the cost. Here's when it's the smart choice.
There's a middle ground between a plain website and a full native app that most businesses have never heard of: the Progressive Web App, or PWA. It can give you most of the app experience without most of the app cost.
What a PWA actually is
It's a website built with extra capabilities so it behaves like an app: it can be installed to the home screen, work offline, load instantly and send push notifications — all from a single build that runs on every device, with no app store in sight.
PWA vs. native app
When a PWA is the smart choice
- Budget matters — one build instead of two native apps plus a website.
- Reach matters — no download barrier; it just works from a link.
- You don't need deep hardware — if you're not doing heavy camera, sensor or offline-first work, a PWA usually covers it.
If you're still weighing formats, start with our do you actually need an app? guide — the PWA is often the answer people didn't know they were looking for.
Could a PWA save you a native build?
We'll tell you honestly whether a PWA does the job for a fraction of native cost — or whether you genuinely need to go native.
See our software services →Frequently asked questions
What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?
A PWA is a website built with extra capabilities so it behaves like an app — it can be installed to the home screen, work offline, load instantly and send push notifications — all from a single build, with no app store required.
Is a PWA as good as a native app?
For most everyday use cases, yes — and much cheaper. Native still wins when you need deep hardware access (advanced camera, sensors, heavy offline). If you don't, a PWA usually delivers the app experience for far less.
Do PWAs work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, on both, from a single build. Support is strong across modern devices; there are minor platform differences, but for typical business apps a PWA reaches everyone without separate iOS and Android builds.
How much cheaper is a PWA than a native app?
Usually considerably, because you build once for all devices instead of two native apps plus a website, and you skip app-store fees and overhead. The exact saving depends on features, but avoiding a dual native build is a big one.