Comparison • Technology
Native app vs PWA: what to choose for your business
Published
A native app installs from the App Store or Google Play. A PWA installs straight from the browser, with no store involved. Both look like an app on the phone's home screen; they differ in what they can reach on the device, how fast you can update them and what publishing costs.
The differences that matter
Native app vs PWA, on the criteria that decide the choice
| Native app | PWA | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | From the App Store / Google Play | Straight from the browser, with one button |
| Push notifications | Yes, on iOS and Android | Yes on Android; on iOS only after home-screen install |
| Device features | Full access: camera, Bluetooth, NFC, sensors | Partial access: camera, location, files |
| Publishing | Developer account + review for each version | No store, no review |
| Update speed | Hours to days (store review) | Immediate |
When to choose native
- You need reliable push on iOS, for customers who will not install anything manually.
- The app uses the camera heavily, Bluetooth, NFC, or works offline for long stretches.
- Being present in the stores is part of how people look for you.
When to choose a PWA
- You want to test the idea fast, with no developer accounts and no review.
- You ship changes often and do not want to wait for store approval.
- Your audience arrives from a link: a campaign, a QR code on the table, an email signature.
How 4myapp helps
You do not have to choose once and for all. In 4myapp you build the screens once and publish them as a PWA the same day; when you need store presence, you generate the native builds from the same project. The data, users and content stay the same.