Progressive Web App (PWA) vs Native App
PWAs are web applications that work offline and can be installed, while Native Apps are built specifically for iOS/Android. PWAs favor web distribution; Native Apps favor app store discovery and maximum capabilities.
🎯 Quick Answer
Choose PWA if you want easy distribution, no app store approval, instant updates, and one codebase. Choose Native if you need app store presence, maximum performance, all device features, or better monetization options.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Progressive Web App (PWA) | Native App |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Via URL (no install) | App stores only |
| Discoverability | Web search (SEO) | App store search |
| Installation | Optional (add to home) | Required (store download) |
| Updates | Instant (no approval) | Store review required |
| Offline Capability | Yes (service workers) | Yes (native code) |
| Performance | Good (web tech) | Excellent (native) |
| Device Features | Limited (web APIs) | Full access |
| Development Cost | Lower (one codebase) | Higher (per platform) |
| Monetization | Direct (no fees) | 30% app store fee |
| Push Notifications | Yes (web push) | Yes (native) |
| User Trust | Lower (web app) | Higher (store vetted) |
| Cross-Platform | Perfect (web standard) | Requires separate builds |
Pros & Cons
Progressive Web App (PWA)
✓ Pros
- No app store approval needed
- Instant updates (no waiting)
- One codebase for all platforms
- Discoverable via search engines
- Lower development costs
- No 30% app store fees
- Easy to share (just a URL)
- Works on desktop too
- No installation required
- Automatic updates
✗ Cons
- Limited device feature access
- Lower performance than native
- Not in app stores (less discovery)
- iOS has limited PWA support
- No in-app purchase integration
- Limited background processing
- Users may not 'install' it
- Less trusted by some users
Native App
✓ Pros
- App store discovery and trust
- Maximum performance
- Full device feature access
- Better offline capabilities
- In-app purchases built-in
- Better monetization options
- Professional appearance
- Advanced background tasks
- Superior graphics performance
✗ Cons
- 30% app store fees
- Approval process delays
- Update delays (review time)
- Higher development costs
- Separate iOS and Android builds
- Harder to share (must download)
- Installation friction
- Platform-specific code
When to Use Each
Choose Progressive Web App (PWA)
- You want to avoid app store fees
- You need instant updates
- Your budget is limited
- You want easy sharing (URL)
- SEO is important
- You're B2B or enterprise
- You don't need advanced device features
- You want to test before committing to stores
Choose Native App
- You need app store presence
- You're building games or graphics apps
- You need all device features
- You want in-app purchases
- You're B2C consumer app
- Brand credibility is important
- You need maximum performance
- Your competitors are in stores
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both a PWA and Native app?
Yes! The best approach is often to build with Next.js + Capacitor: your app works as a PWA (web) AND can be wrapped as a Native app for the stores. You get both benefits from one codebase.
Do PWAs work on iPhones?
Yes, but with limitations. iOS supports basic PWA features but lacks some capabilities like push notifications and true offline background sync. For full iOS features, wrap your PWA with Capacitor.
Are PWAs slower than native apps?
For most business apps, the difference is negligible. PWAs are fast with modern web tech. Native apps have an edge for graphics-heavy or computation-intensive tasks.
Can PWAs access the camera and other features?
Yes, modern web APIs provide camera, geolocation, sensors, and more. However, native apps still have broader access to device features.
Will users install a PWA?
Installation rates are lower than app store apps because it's less familiar. But PWAs work fine without installation, and you can prompt users to add to home screen.
Which makes more money?
It depends. PWAs avoid 30% app store fees, so you keep more revenue. Native apps may have higher download rates from store discovery. Best of both: Next.js + Capacitor for web AND stores.
Conclusion
For maximum reach and flexibility, use Next.js + Capacitor to build once and deploy as both a PWA and Native app. This gives you web distribution, SEO, instant updates, AND app store presence. Pure PWAs work for web-first businesses; pure Native is best for high-performance consumer apps.
Get the best of both worlds
NextNative builds your app with Next.js + Capacitor: deploy as a PWA and publish to app stores from one codebase.
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Ready to Get Started?
Follow these step-by-step tutorials to build your mobile app
How to Convert Your Next.js App to iOS & Android
30 minutes • beginner
Learn how to transform your Next.js web application into fully functional iOS and Android mobile apps using Capacitor. This guide covers installation, configuration, and deployment to app stores.
How to Add Push Notifications to Your Next.js Mobile App
45 minutes • intermediate
Implement push notifications in your Next.js mobile app using Capacitor's Push Notifications plugin and Firebase Cloud Messaging. Send notifications to iOS and Android users.
How to Add In-App Purchases to Your Next.js App
60 minutes • intermediate
Monetize your Next.js mobile app with in-app purchases and subscriptions using RevenueCat. This guide covers setup, implementation, and testing for both iOS and Android.