Web Apps Vs Progressive Web Apps: Which One to Choose for web development?
- Introduction
In the last two decades, the number of mobile users have been raised distinctly and so is the requirement for better web activities on mobiles. Now, users are using the benefits of mobile phones for all sorts of purposes such as hiring a cab or discovering the nearest shops or restaurants. Apart from all the aforementioned tasks, users still do expect to receive an intimidating experience, i.e. easy to use apps, seamless navigation, etc.
However, the problem is some of the websites cannot give that experience due to a plethora of reasons such as slow loading, indefinite User Interfaces, DNS issues and network connectivity, lack of load balancing, fail to optimize bandwidth usage, etc.
And to evade such web app issues, enterprises are found seeking for reputable PHP development companies who ensure to deliver robust and scalable web applications for their clients. These apps do have the potential to provide a more delightful user experience like none other.
There are a lot of people who aren't familiar with the services a PHP development company provides to their clients, and often they end up choosing the wrong company. So, during the hiring process, look for a company that has development services ranging from PHP web app development to PHP based CMS development, Integration, App Upgrading & Migration, API development, and App Maintenance.
In the same way, using various web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular, React, we can develop PWA(Progressive Web App) that resembles and works the same as mobile applications, except through a browser.
As we all know, today, companies are choosing Progressive Web App development to gain more customers and give an improved user experience. PWAs are way better and robust compared to regular web apps as they have several native app-like features.
As technologies developed, we gained more excellent options to use the web on different devices. Progressive web apps are the better and advanced version of regular web apps.
However, before we implement PWAs, we need to understand the main difference between PWAs and web apps. And to help you out with that issue, we're here with this post, we will explain the difference and understand why PWAs are more reliable than regular web apps.
- What is a Regular Web App?
A web app is a website that is designed in a style that’s content meets all screens regardless of the device it is performed upon. A web app is built utilising the front-end technology stack such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, simultaneously with back-end technologies such as Ruby, PHP, Python, etc. A web app works in a web browser.
These applications can utilise the device features they work on but it is up to web browsers. It implies that these device features could run on the Chrome browser but it might not be convenient on Mozilla Firefox or other browsers. Some successful mobile web apps are Google Sheets, Quora , and Evernote.
Below mentioned are different kinds of web apps:
Dynamic web apps Ecommerce web apps Static web apps Portal web app Single-page apps Progressive Web App Multi-page apps
What Is Progressive Web Application (PWA)?
The progressive web application is not a website but is an application. PWA is a website that seems and responds similarly to a native mobile app. PWA doesn't require individual downloads from the Play Store or App Store, as it can work excellently well in the browser.
PWAs are designed to exterminate different problems that vary from slow networks to limiting data or complete loss of connectivity. To give an appealing, secure and agile user experience, websites that satisfy all the terms of a PWA would usually use the latest web technologies.
Let's take an example of it, social media websites like Gmail or Instagram are one of the PWAs. As you log onto their websites, you meet an in-app like experience giving you all the characteristics that a mobile application would have given.
- Web Apps vs Progressive Web Apps: Which One is the Best for a Web Development Project?
We have already made it clear that a progressive web app is not the same as a regular web app. A PWA is better than regular web apps and the reasons is these aspects:
4.1 Installation
Installation is one of the important differences between a PWA and a web app. One can install a PWA on their devices, whether it is a desktop or mobile. On the other hand, a web app is intended to work through a web browser and can't be installed on a device.
Therefore it is better for users regarding this aspect. By using the benefits of custom web development, companies can build a well-customized PWA with all the important features to give a better impact on their customers.
4.2 Ease of Access
PWAs are not heavy in size as it takes very small space within a few KBs which is contrary to their native counterparts. You can't install a web app but use it within a web browser. After installing a PWA, you can simply access it from the home screen or app gallery where the app icon will arrive similar t0 native apps. Moreover, one can give a PWA through a link to let others use the app. So, it decreases the actions to install the app.
4.3 App-like Experience
Though a progressive web app uses the same technologies as applied by web apps such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. It gives the user expertise of a native app. Moreover, contrary to web apps, a PWA can practice most of the device features such as push notifications, where you can use any web browser.
It provides a unified and seamless experience that changing between a PWA and a native app becomes very difficult.
4.4 Faster User Experience
Progressive web apps can store data that help users with pictures, texts, and other content before the entire app charges altogether. It strikes down the waiting time that increases the retention time and user engagement. It adds worth to your company. So they give a more agile user experience than web apps as well as native apps.
4.5 More user engagement
One of the important advantages of PWAs is that they can utilise push notifications and several other device features that support businesses to improve user engagement.
With the usage of push notifications, companies can tell users about their suggestions, opportunities, and services to maintain them occupied with your name. However, enhancing user engagement with web apps is a piece of cake.
4.6 Real-Time Data Access
One of the other benefits of progressive web apps is that they constantly continue to be updated. And this is due to these applications being updated with time when there are some modifications. A web app is a website itself so it is renewed automatically. Hence, being a superior variant of a web app, a PWA has an advantage.
- Advantages of Developing a Progressive Web App
You will get several advantages if you prefer progressive web app development over web app development. Here is the list of these benefits that you will get with PWA development:
5.1 Cost-effective Development
The expense of developing a progressive web app is much cheaper compared to any native app or web app. There is no requirement for you to waste money on the resignation of applications on an app store as native apps often tend to do.
Also, you require a single app that customers can work on whichever device and platform they like. Several PWA frameworks are ready to create these apps efficiently.
5.2 Easy to find
PWAs operate with web browsers and they are easy to find on search engines that deliver a chance for you to optimize and use search engines. It suggests you can leverage SEO to increase the ranking of PWA and reach more users to increase sales.
5.3 Cross-platform Function
Progressive web apps work cross-platform and cross-browser completely, so every business requires a PWA that will work with every device as well as a web browser. It decreases prices and provides the more prominent potential to companies.
5.4 Offline Usage
Because of the caching, a PWA can collect data on a device that lets users obtain content without having an internet connection. In other words, PWAs can work perfectly offline. This offline functionality attaches value to this app which isn’t possible with regular web apps.
5.5 Security
Rather than accepting custom web development to develop a customized website, you can spend in PWA development that will provide you with a reliable, quick, secure, and user-friendly web solution to increase your revenue. The best feature of PWAs is that they are extremely secure because these apps are accepted through HTTPS.
- Wrap Up
Although both seem pretty similar, progressive web and native apps are best for diverse business circumstances. As mentioned in the post, the big difference rests in the fact that they’re working with different technologies and present different levels of assimilation with hardware components. These differences are the reasons for their adaptability, shareability, promotional characteristics, and other aspects.
With all the points, it is easy to understand them, and now you can choose and even plan your development plan as per your business requirements.