Progressive Web Apps or PWA, non-progressive web apps, and native apps have become some of the many hot subjects today for most web and technology enthusiasts.
This could be a point of curiosity and wonder for those who consider themselves to be averse to technology. We need to understand how Progressive Web Apps work, how they are different from native apps, and how they are better than non-progressive web apps, with the increasing need for technology and the internet in our lives.
Progressive Web Apps:
It is a kind of software that works much like any other desktop or mobile application. It uses an internet connection and a browser. For example, a Progressive Web App, except that it does not need to be downloaded from the Android or iOS app store, would look and feel like an ordinary application. It is also possible to make the Progressive Web App offline available and also allow its users to download a shortcut to a mobile device’s home screen that will provide direct access to the web app.
Non-Progressive Apps:
Non-progressive web applications are simply regular web apps, as opposed to Progressive Web Apps. Such a web app is essentially a website that, as opposed to websites accessible via desktops alone, would be accessible on all devices, including mobile phones.
Native Apps:
Apart from a Progressive Web App and a non-progressive web app, a native app is the third significant kind of app. A native app is an ordinary app found on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices of that type. During production, these apps are either installed or can be downloaded via a platform like the Google Play Store.
This differs from a Progressive Web App in that it needs to be downloaded onto a mobile phone, while a PWA is designed by a mobile application development company in such a way that it can be used via the browser over the internet.
Difference:
|
PWA |
Non-PWA |
Native Apps |
| Through applications such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, PWA is developed, similar to how a normal website would be developed. | In essence, non-progressive web apps are regular websites that can work on mobile devices. | Software tools that are different from those used for websites and web apps are used to develop native apps. |
| PWA functions much like a website but look and feel like a native app on a mobile device. | Non-PWA also requires a browser and an internet connection to function. | A native app does not require a browser to run. |
| Progressive Web Apps do not require to be downloaded onto a mobile device. | Non-progressive web apps do not require being compatible with other apps on a mobile device. | Native apps are perfectly compatible with all other apps that are made for a mobile device. |
| Progressive Web Apps are designed to function like websites as well as native apps. | Non-PWAs do not have the option for an icon that would look similar to a native app icon. | Native apps require icons to function, as they are meant to be downloaded and stored on a mobile device |
| They will not take up space on the mobile device’s internal or external memory. | Non-progressive web apps only require the use of a mobile device’s memory. | Native apps can only function on a mobile device if there is sufficient internal and external memory space on the device |
