Most businesses start with “we need a mobile app”. Sometimes that’s right, but the need is often met by a PWA, which goes live in half the time and cost.
What is a PWA?
A site that runs in the browser but installs on the phone like an app. It goes to the home screen, opens full screen, can work offline and needs no store approval.
When do you need a native app?
- If deep hardware access such as camera, Bluetooth or background location is needed
- If being visible in the app stores matters for your brand
- If uninterrupted notifications are a critical function
- If heavy graphics or large offline data are involved
When is a PWA enough?
For bookings, orders, catalogues, field forms and customer portals, a PWA is usually enough. People start using it without going to a store, and updates go live without waiting for review.
The cost difference
A native app means two platforms, store accounts, release processes and version management. A PWA means one codebase and direct publishing. The difference shows up both in the first cost and in the maintenance.
The right question is not “should it be an app”, but “where and in which moment will the user open this”.
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