Why Choose a Progressive Web App? Are They Better Than Native App?

1.         Why Choose a  Progressive Web  App? Are They  Better Than Native  Apps?                           

2.       In a few years, Progressive Web Applications (or PWA) have invaded the mobile                           market. A progressive web app (or PWA) is a web application developed with web                             development languages ​​(HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript) and executed from a web browser. Its operation is intended to be very close to what a classic application                                                 could offer (downloaded from a store). We tell you more in this article about                             reasons to use progressive web apps, their advantages, disadvantages and what                       differences to make with a native application.    Characteristics of a ​Progressive Web Application  ● It is a mobile optimized website designed to look like a native app  ● It runs from a web browser and loaded features are cached for future offline                             use without going through an application store  ● It uses Services Workers – scripts that work in parallel with the web page –                               to use certain features of the device (GPS, camera, etc.)  ● This new web standard is supported by Google        1 

3.         Why Choose Progressive Web Apps?  PWAs are presented by Google as “Websites that take all the right vitamins” or  supercharged websites that have certain advantages.    Instant Deployment  Just like a website (since the PWA is a website), you only need to update the server                                   to deploy the PWA. In addition, PWAs can be added to the PlayStore in beta version                                 (and therefore visible and findable via a search).    Quick Access  Like a standard website, there is no need to download the entire app. It can also be                                   added on the home (even if the manipulation is not as easy as for a native                                 application) to be accessible as a native application. Finally, it can be viewed offline.    SEO  As PWAs are websites, they therefore benefit from the same possibilities of                         referencing on search engines (and it seems that Google would even highlight PWA                           sites).    The Mobile-like Effect  The application tends to resemble a native application as much as possible: icon on                             the home, design, features, etc.      2 

4.     The Dis-Advantages of Progressive Web Apps  Limited Functionality  Access to the functionalities of the device remains limited to a subset. For example,                             features are not available, such as:    ● Bluetooth  ● push on iOS  ● innovative features (Machine Learning, Augmented Reality)  ● The background features  ● Extensions (Siri, widget, quick action, watch, etc.)    Incomplete Support  Progressive web applications (PWAs) are generally usable on most modern                     browsers, but older versions are not. In addition, the features available are not the                             same from one browser to another: the features will be broader on Chrome, for                             example (the technology being carried by Google).    UX and UI Imitation  When developing a native application, the guidelines given are precise and frame                         the interface for optimized mobile reading. The web has a wider and less framed                             field of possibilities, which generates possible errors for PWAs, such as ergonomics                         not always adapted to mobile (buttons too small, different look depending on the                           phone, etc.).    Web Technologies  The application is developed in Javascript, which brings its advantages but also its                           disadvantages. The JavaScript language being more permissive and less robust, it   3 

5.       can be a source of bugs. The JavaScript ecosystem is also very volatile and requires                               high maintenance to keep the use of functional and maintained libraries.      The Absence of the App Store  On the Apple side, it will, therefore, be impossible to have your PWA listed in the                                 App Store. Indeed, the Apple brand has a very strict policy: PWAs are not                             applications but websites, therefore have nothing to do on the App Store.    Should we Favour PWAs over Native Applications?  PWAs promise a unique and faster development than for mobile applications based                         on web technologies. On paper, the promise seems attractive, but in practice, the                           heterogeneity of Android web browsers multiplies the differences from one version                       to another, just like ​native applications​. Web technologies are also very permissive and not always easy to stabilize.                            In addition, one of the strong points of PWAs is the speed of deployment, the                               download as you use it, as well as the ease of reference. These three points allow a                                   strong acquisition. However, mobile applications are not left out since they now                         offer similar features.    Although they tend to look like native applications, PWAs still suffer from a limited                             and very web-oriented user experience (scroll, click-effect). “Push” functions (such                     as Bluetooth, Geofencing, integration with Google Fit / Apple Health, etc.) are still                           not accessible today for PWAs, especially on iOS.      4 

6.       A bit complicated to say that you should favour native apps or PWAs because they                               simply meet a different need and can even be complementary. In fact, some               applications build bridges between the PWA and the native application.                What Technology to Choose for Progressive Web Apps?  The choice between PWA and native application depends mainly on expected and                         future functionalities. The PWA is not intended to replace the native application but                           will come in addition to it.    In fact, the use of a native application will be recommended if your application                             requires:    ● The use of native phone features such as (among others) pushes, Bluetooth,                         geofencing, Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, widgets, quick-actions.  ● Communication with other applications such as Google Fit / Apple Health,                       Calendar, Home Kit, Apple Music, increased user experience  ● A design that fully exploits native designs and animations    We hope that you now see a little more clearly about the possibilities of Progressive                               Web Apps. If you have an application project and want more information about the                             technologies and possibilities, ​contact us​!                5 

7.                 Thank You!          ​info@itoneclick.com  (+91) 98254-86321   ​www.oneclickitsolution.com  ​https://www.facebook.com/oneclickconsultancy/  ​https://twitter.com/​OneClickIT  ​www.linkedin.com/company/one-click-it-consultancy/  6