PWA vs Native Apps: Complete Comparison

What each one is

A native app is built for a specific platform (iOS or Android) and distributed through app stores. A Progressive Web App lives on the web but behaves like an app — installable, offline-capable, and push-notification-ready.

Both have matured enormously; neither is strictly ‘better’ — they solve different problems.

Cost and speed to market

PWAs typically cost 30–50% less than native and ship from a single codebase that works everywhere. No app store review, no per-store builds.

Native costs more and takes longer, but buys you deeper device integration and store distribution.

Capability and UX

Native apps offer the smoothest performance, best hardware access, and the trust of an app store presence. PWAs are catching up fast — but still lag on things like advanced Bluetooth and background tasks.

For content, commerce, and utility apps, the PWA experience is now nearly indistinguishable.

How to choose

Need hardware, games, or store distribution? Go native. Need broad reach, fast launch, and a tight budget? A PWA is often the smart first step.

Many of our clients launch a PWA first, then go native once the product is validated and funded.