Benefits of Progressive Web Applications (PWA) [Advantages & Disadvantages]
Table Of Contents
A few years ago in the JavaScript ecosystem, the concept of Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) was born. This new development allowed the web to do things that were previously limited to native apps, like working offline, sending push notifications, or being installed to the home screen. These advances have simplified the process of cross-platform development while still allowing for the production of robust apps.
In this article, I’ll explain the difference between Progressive Web Apps and the more traditional native/hybrid apps, before going on to explore the underlying tech that make PWAs possible. The reality is that there are many potential benefits to using PWAs, either as a way to enhance an existing website or app or as a complete cross-platform strategy – it’s not an all-or-nothing commitment.
Progressive Web Apps are comprised of a suite of evolving technologies that expand the boundaries of what constitutes a “web application,” creating the potential for an enhanced user experience. I’ll provide insight into the world of PWAs and unpack the main factors that make the concept exciting and useful, empowering you to determine which techniques may best serve you or your organization.
What Are Progressive Web Apps?
Progressive Web Apps are the latest step in the evolution of “apps” as a whole. Their core ideology is “develop once, use everywhere,” meaning they can be run in-browser as a website or web app, on the desktop, and mobile devices – all driven from a single codebase. These features make PWAs attractive to modern development teams that may be resource-limited or looking to get to market quickly.
Progressive Web Apps are arguably more accessible to users than traditional store-based apps since they can be run directly through a web browser, and then optionally installed to the device from there. This may mean users are more likely to initially try your app since they don’t have to install it on their device right away, and thus not worry about things like permissions and background activity.
Web vs Native vs PWAs
These benefits come with few trade-offs due to the current state of device APIs, when compared against competing architectures:
Native Apps:
