PWA vs Native Apps: What's Best for Small Businesses?

PWA vs Native: The Smart Choice for Small Businesses

Building a mobile app costs ₹5-50 lakhs for most small businesses. A Progressive Web App (PWA) can deliver 90% of the same experience at a fraction of the cost.

What is a PWA?

A PWA is a website that behaves like a native app. It can:

• Be installed on the home screen
• Work offline
• Send push notifications
• Access device features (camera, GPS, etc.)

When a PWA Makes Sense

• Budget is limited — One codebase works on all devices
• You need quick deployment — No App Store review process
• Content-first apps — News, catalogs, directories, dashboards
• Your audience is on Android — PWA support is excellent on Android/Chrome

When You Need a Native App

• Heavy device integration — Bluetooth, AR, complex gestures
• App Store presence is critical — Some industries require it
• Performance-intensive apps — Games, video editing, 3D rendering

The Cost Difference

My Recommendation

For 80% of small businesses, a PWA is the right choice. It's faster, cheaper, and easier to maintain. Save the native app budget for when your business truly needs it.