The competition between PWA and native applications is slightly uneven, because they are two different technologies. Even if we try to explain in simple terms that PWA is a technology that adjusts to all devices and works with all operating systems, while native apps – in order to give the same effect – must be created twice: separately for each system (iOS and Android), it becomes clear the absolute winner is PWA. But we all know the devil is in the detail…
PWA are progressive internet apps, or websites with additional functions, which make them look and work the same on various systems and various screens – systems treat them as native system applications. The user is unable to tell the difference (it is technically a web application). The website you are now using is a PWA. You can add contentic.io to your desktop. We highly recommend it☺
A native app, on the other hand, is created for a specific platform, that is for iOS (in Swift or Objective-C) or Android (Java). What’s important and different from PWA, is that a native app can fully communicate with the device on which it’s going to be opened.
PWA and native apps are comparable, because PWA was designed as a “native like experience”, which means it should work like a native application. And so we can investigate their usability, speed, opening time, offline mode and several other functions.
Before we get to a detailed comparison, it is worth explaining the controversies around PWA and Apple. This turbulent story is slowly getting closer to a happy ending.
As PWA started to draw companies’ attention and was celebrating its first successes, Apple saw it as problematic for the simple reason that with the fast development of PWA, App Store wouldn’t have any reason to exist. Initially, PWA worked on iOS in such a way that many solutions on the websites were available, but the maximum capabilities of PWA were not available (e.g. no implementation of Service Worker API in Safari browser or no Web App Manifest files). PWA has had some fat years and is still on top. Under such circumstances, Apple had to be reasonable. First, they pulled in their horns by making more functions available, and currently we can see a growth in aggressive removal from iOS App Store apps which were built with the use of commercialized iOS application templates. Apple is also cleaning App Store from applications thought to be copies, clones, false, abandoned or incompatible with 64 bits. Experts believe this step means that Apple has begun to promote PWA technology creation and is following its expanding concept. There are also experts who claim that Apple has never been against PWA…
| Option | PWA | Native app |
| Creation and availability on various platforms | Once created for all platforms | Created separately for iOS and separately for Android |
| Registration | NA | Registration required in Google stores or on App Store |
| Access | You can add it to your desktop already during your first visit on the website | You must go to a given platform’s store, register on the first visit, search for the app, wait till it’s downloaded – here you might need good quality internet access or, if there is too little space on your smartphone, to remove something to continue, accept agreements. |
| Changes and updates | Take place in real time. Right after update they are available to users on each platform. | A native app error requires making corrections on two platforms, which usually means engaging two programmers, who must find the problem, fix it, and then send a compilation to Apple and Google. Here you need to wait for the companies to go through the compilations and make them available on their stores for customers to be able to download the update after being notified that it’s available. |
| Speed | Reliable speed thanks to Java scripts, working independently from the main Internet thread and internet connection quality. | Opening speed depends on Internet quality and the weight of file that need to download before the user can see them. |
| Offline access | You can use PWA even when there’s no Internet connection whatsoever. It can still send background updates and user notifications. | Full functionality requires access to the Internet. |
| Native app flexibility | Looks and works like native app. Conventionally allows to manage consumer data, online orders and loyalty program. | Full flexibility and access to all smartphone functions. |
| Security | PWA is more and more often programmed in safe HTTPS environment. When using a progressive app, consumers have a guaranteed secure connection. If a user saves a shortcut to the website on the main screen, he or she gets full native functionality of the application, including push notifications. | Full security guaranteed. |
Apart from many advantages, which make PWA an outright winner, we must not forget that with the rankings and comments on AppStore and Google Play, native apps are a proof of application quality for potential users. Being available on AppStore means the product had to meet a number of specific conditions. With the security they provide, this means a lot for sectors such as banking or finances.
So if a project has to use more advanced smartphone functions, it is still advisable to invest in native apps… Which does not mean, obviously, that you can’t implement PWA and have both technologies simultaneously.
Kategorie: Bez kategorii, school of contentic