PWA vs. Native App: Is Progressive Web App Better Than Native App?

The Definition of Native Mobile Apps

Mobile applications that you download from app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are good examples of native apps. To be more specific, native apps are mobile applications developed and designed specifically for operating systems such as iOS and Android. The process of developing native apps for particular platforms requires the use of different platform-specific languages. For example, while developers use Swift or Objective-C for iOS development, they leverage Java or Kotlin for Android development for the same app.

Native apps require users to install apps from official app stores on their own mobile devices so they can use them as they please. While separated development efforts on each platform may potentially lead to higher development costs and longer time-to-market, native apps offer a comprehensive user experience and are a popular choice for businesses looking for top-quality mobile apps.

The Pros and Cons of a Native Mobile App

Pros of Native Apps

Optimized Performance for Each Platform: By customized to meet the unique requirements of each platform, native apps are able to fully leverage the software capabilities and directly interact with the underlying hardware of the device, such as sensors, cameras, GPS, and processors. This straightforward communication allows native apps to deliver smooth animations and rapid response times, making them the ideal choice for systems where speed and efficiency are paramount.

Enhanced User Experience: Different platforms provide different user interfaces even in the same app. Users on this platform are often only used to using this mobile-specific interface and vice versa. As native apps require developers to design according to each platform’s design guidelines and standards, such as Human Interface Guidelines for iOS and Material Design for Android, users access the exact interface they want, leading to a more intuitive and engaging interaction.

Access to Device Features: Not only does it interact seamlessly with hardware components to provide advanced features like real-time data processing and augmented reality (AR), but native apps also have the ability to integrate with platform-specific APIs to implement biometric authentication and in-app purchases, ultimately delivers mobile apps with rich features and functionality.

Better Security: Before being published, native apps must undergo a thorough process of security checks, compliance assessments, and code reviews to ensure they fully meet security conditions. Leveraging secure storage APIs and encryption protocols provided by the platform helps native apps effectively mitigate cybersecurity risks such as unauthorized access or data suppression.

Cons of Native Apps

Higher Development Costs: While on PWAs, you only need to develop the application once and use a single codebase for every access device; native apps require developers to duplicate such processes and create separate codebases for each platform. This means it costs companies twice as much to invest in resources and recruit developers with specialized expertise and skills.

Longer Development Time: Instead of using the same user interface components, programming languages, and codebase for all platforms, native apps require developers to implement and design separately for each operating system. Separated development efforts obviously lead to longer development time. The process of testing and optimizing compatibility across different OS versions and devices also contributes to extended development durations.

Maintenance Challenges: As new OS updates are introduced, developers must ensure that the existing app remains compatible and bug-free. To complete such tasks, the development team must conduct independent checkups for each platform. Updated app store guidelines, submissions, and reviews from time to time also hinder and add complexity to maintenance processes.

App Store Approval Process: Developing native mobile apps entails navigating approvals from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This process usually takes a certain amount of time for app stores to review and evaluate the application and whether it fully meets legal and quality requirements before publishing it to users. There are many cases where native apps do not ensure platform-specific guidelines and policies, resulting in rejection, delays, or even removal from the app store. This puts businesses in a passive position and somewhat affects product launch plans.

Limited Reach: The limited reach of native apps stems from various factors. As specifically designed to provide a comprehensive user experience, native apps for iOS only attract potential customers on this platform and vice versa. This platform exclusivity creates a barrier for businesses to reach a broader user base. Some other aspects, such as competition within app stores, heavy reliance on App Store Optimization (ASO), and installation challenges due to lack of storage spaces, also contribute to difficulties in reaching new users and target markets.

Examples of Native Apps

• Instagram: Instagram started as a web-based platform allowing users to share photos and connect with socials. By adopting native app development, Instagram improves user experience with a variety of mobile functionality and quickly attracts user attention on iOS and Android.
• Uber: As a platform for booking global rides and local deliveries, Uber revolutionized the transportation industry by creating separate mobile apps for both iOS and Android operating systems, providing users with real-time ride tracking, payment integration, and geolocation services for convenience.
• Facebook: Facebook is one of the most popular social platforms in the world. With the launch of native mobile apps, Facebook expanded its reach, enabling users to enhance their experience with a series of new features only available on iOS and Android.
• Netflix: Like other native apps, Netflix also comes from a subscription-based streaming service on desktop browsers. By introducing native apps with the ability to personalize user experience, Netflix quickly expanded its user base and became the leader in the mobile video streaming industry.