In short
- A PWA is a web app with extra parts that let it install, open full screen, and work offline.
- One codebase reaches every device with a browser, and updates go live without store review.
- Support is strongest on Android and desktop. iPhone supports PWAs with more limits.
- A PWA fits when the product is mostly forms, lists, and content. Deep device features favor a native app.
Also called: PWA, Installable web app, Web app, Home screen app.
What makes a web app progressive
The term was coined in 2015 by Alex Russell and Frances Berriman to describe websites that use modern browser features to feel like apps. Progressive means the site works in any browser and adds app-like abilities where the browser supports them. Nothing has to be downloaded from a store.
The parts of a progressive web app
- App experienceHome screen icon, full screen, offline
- Service workerCaching, offline pages, push messages
- Web app manifestName, icons, colors, start page
- Responsive site on HTTPSThe foundation everything needs
PWA, native, or cross-platform
A PWA is the lightest of the three ways to put an app on a phone. The full comparison is in native vs cross-platform apps. In short, a PWA trades some device access and store presence for one codebase, instant updates, and no app store fees.
| Factor | PWA | Cross-platform or native app |
|---|---|---|
| Codebase | One, for web, iOS, Android, and desktop | One shared (React Native, Flutter) or two native |
| Install | From the browser, no store needed | From the App Store and Google Play |
| Updates | Live as soon as you deploy | Through store review, with some exceptions |
| Device features | Camera, location, notifications, with limits | Full access to the platform |
| Discovery | Search engines and links | App store search and links |
What works on iPhone and Android
Android and desktop Chrome support PWAs well, including an install prompt. Google Play also accepts PWAs packaged as a Trusted Web Activity, so a PWA can appear in the store.
On iPhone, people install a PWA by opening it in Safari and choosing Add to Home Screen from the share menu. There is no automatic install prompt, so the site has to explain how. Since iOS 16.4 in 2023, web apps added to the home screen can send push notifications. Apple's App Store generally does not accept apps that are only a wrapped website, so a PWA is not a route into it. When a product needs to be in the App Store, Choie builds a real iOS and Android app rather than a wrapper around the site.
Test on real devices
Browser support changes with each iOS and Android release. Before you commit, check the specific features you need on current devices rather than in a desktop browser alone.
When a PWA is the right choice
- The product is mostly screens of data. Booking, dashboards, internal tools, forms, content. A PWA handles these well.
- You want one release for every device. Especially when users split across phones and laptops.
- You need to move fast and change often. Updates go live instantly, without waiting for review.
- People find you through search or links. Web pages are indexed. App store listings are a separate channel.
A native or cross-platform custom mobile app is the better choice when the product depends on background location, Bluetooth, advanced camera work, widgets, or a strong presence in the app stores. Many products start as a web app or PWA and add a store app once usage proves the need.
At Choie, a build can target the web, iOS, or Android, and the choice of platform is settled in the written scope before work starts. Builds start at $19,000.
Common mistakes
- Calling any website a PWA. Without a manifest and a service worker, it is a responsive site, not an installable app.
- Assuming iPhone matches Android. Install flow and some features differ. Plan for the weaker platform.
- Caching too aggressively. A badly configured service worker can keep showing old versions after you deploy.
- Expecting store visibility. A PWA will not appear in Apple's App Store. Plan discovery through search and links.
Common questions
Do progressive web apps work on iPhone?
Yes, with limits. People can add a PWA to the home screen from Safari, it opens full screen, and since iOS 16.4 it can send push notifications. There is no automatic install prompt, and some features available on Android are missing.
Can a PWA be published in the app stores?
Google Play accepts PWAs packaged as a Trusted Web Activity. Apple's App Store generally rejects apps that are only a wrapped website, so reaching iPhone users through the store needs a native or cross-platform app.
Is a PWA cheaper than a native app?
Usually, because one web codebase serves every platform and there is no store release process. The saving shrinks if you later need native features and have to build a store app anyway. When Choie quotes a build, the number of platforms is one of the main things that moves the price, so a first release on the web alone is usually quoted lower.
Do PWAs work offline?
They can. The service worker caches pages and data so parts of the app keep working without a connection. How much works offline depends on how it is built.