Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are frequently seen as a solution that strikes a balance between speed and cost of development – factors that are critical for any business.

PWAs are web applications that function like mobile apps — they can be installed on a device, work offline, and send push notifications, all while running in a web browser. This makes them attractive to businesses looking for a fast, budget-friendly development option.

However, despite the promises of convenience and cost savings, PWAs don't always meet expectations. While they can help you quickly launch an app, they may come with performance, functionality, and long-term stability issues that can negatively affect your business. 

In this article, we’ll explain why PWAs may not be the best choice for your business.

Key Takeaways

  • PWAs mimic native apps by offering offline functionality, push notifications, and installation, but they run in a browser.
  • PWAs are generally slower than native apps due to real-time code compilation and browser limitations, leading to poor user experiences.
  • PWAs have limited access to system APIs, making features like NFC, GPS, and Bluetooth less reliable, particularly on iOS.
  • Delaying a switch from a PWA to a native app can increase long-term costs and harm user experience.
  • PWAs may work for simple apps, but businesses with more complex needs should consider native or cross-platform solutions for better long-term results.

PWA Performance

When it comes to performance, PWAs tend to divide opinions. Some argue that they are inherently slower, while others blame poor development practices. Let’s look at what really affects their speed and how this can impact your business.

The main difference in performance between PWAs and native apps is how they process code. Native apps precompile most of their code into machine language, making them run more efficiently and quickly. On the other hand, PWAs compile their code in real-time as they run. Even with optimizations, this process is slower and is further limited by the browser's capabilities.

Additionally, native apps can load user interface (UI) elements on separate threads, making them more responsive to actions and updates. This means that native apps generally offer faster and smoother performance.

For businesses, this difference in performance can have a big impact. Slow apps frustrate users, disrupt business processes, and lower customer satisfaction. A high-performing app is crucial for keeping users engaged, ensuring smooth operations, and staying competitive in the marketplace.

System APIs in PWAs

Initially, PWAs may seem like they offer wide access to system APIs on smartphones. In reality, their access is often more limited compared to native apps, and some features may not be available at all on certain platforms.

For example, if you want to add NFC technology to a corporate PWA for inventory management, iOS users will face problems because PWAs on iOS do not support NFC. This could force your company to buy Android devices just to use the feature.

Native apps, however, can take advantage of GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower signals for accurate location tracking and background monitoring. PWAs offer less precise location tracking and don’t support background tracking, which is vital for logistics apps or services that need real-time updates.

PWAs also struggle with the Web Bluetooth API. When minimized, a PWA becomes inactive, causing any Bluetooth connections to drop. If you’re using a PWA to monitor equipment, this constant reconnection could slow down your operations and raise costs. Also, iOS doesn’t support Bluetooth in PWAs at all, limiting its usability.

Push notifications are another area where PWAs fall short. Starting with iOS 17.4, PWAs in the European Union no longer support push notifications, which means users might miss important updates. This can delay task completion and reduce the efficiency of your business processes.

Long-Term Effects

Even if you’re not immediately concerned about the limitations of PWAs, postponing fixes or upgrades can lead to long-term problems. Delaying these fixes often becomes more expensive over time, both in terms of financial costs and operational disruptions.

Many companies focus on adding new features instead of solving existing performance issues. Over time, this can degrade the app’s overall functionality. As PWAs age, they may become less reliable, causing poor user experiences for both employees and customers. This leads to frustration, lower engagement, and even reduced productivity.

The longer these problems persist, the more difficult and costly they become to fix. If you eventually decide to convert your PWA to a native app, you may face significant redevelopment costs, erasing any initial cost savings.

As your business grows and needs more advanced features, the limitations of PWAs can restrict your ability to adapt. This could degrade the app's functionality and affect business processes. As time goes on, user experience for both clients and employees might continue to suffer.

To Sum Up

Choosing the right technology for your app isn’t just about short-term gains like quick development and lower costs. It’s important to think about the long-term risks and potential limitations. While PWAs might save time and money in the beginning, their drawbacks — such as slower performance and limited access to features — can harm your business in the long run.

There’s also the risk that your PWA may never fully evolve into a native app, or if you choose to switch later, it could end up costing you significantly more.

Some of the often-touted advantages of PWAs, like skipping app store approvals and easier installation, may not be as beneficial as they seem. In B2E (Business-to-Employee) environments, these factors may be less important, and in B2C (Business-to-Consumer), users may prefer native apps, which tend to offer better features and reliability.

That said, PWAs can still be a reasonable option for businesses with simpler apps that don’t require complex integrations. If you’re comfortable with the potential trade-offs in performance and features, a PWA might be sufficient. But if you anticipate needing more advanced capabilities, it’s worth considering native or cross-platform development right from the start.

Overall, the decision between PWAs and native apps should be guided by your business’s current and future needs. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can minimize risks and ensure your project’s long-term success.

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Not sure whether to go with PWA or native/cross-platform app development? Contact us or book a quick call for a free personal consultation, and let us help you choose the perfect solution for your project.

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