Building a mobile app is often expensive: separate apps for Android and iOS, publishing to the stores, a review with every update. For many businesses there's a simpler option — a PWA (Progressive Web App).
What is a PWA?
A PWA is a website that can be added to the phone's home screen as an icon and, when opened, runs full-screen without browser bars, just like a normal app. Users "install" it from the browser with one tap, without visiting any app store.
How do you install one?
- Android (Chrome): open the site → menu (⋮) → "Install app" or "Add to Home screen". Sometimes the site offers to install itself.
- iPhone (Safari): open the site → the "Share" button → "Add to Home Screen".
- Computer (Chrome, Edge): click the install icon at the right of the address bar — the site becomes a program that opens in its own window.
The advantages
- One project, every device. The same site works on a computer, Android and iPhone.
- Instant updates. As soon as the site is updated, every user sees the new version — no waiting for a store review.
- Push notifications. With the user's permission you can send order status updates, new offers or reminders (on iPhone too, for PWAs added to the home screen).
- Speed. The files it needs are stored on the device, so it opens faster the next time, and even on a weak connection the main part can still show.
- Takes no space. Installing takes no more than a few megabytes — users won't give up because their storage is full.
The limitations
Some special device features (for example, complex background processes or deep access to certain sensors) are only possible in traditional apps. Being found through search in the App Store and Google Play also takes extra steps: for Android, a PWA can be "packaged" and published on Google Play, while the App Store has its own requirements.
PWA or a traditional app?
| PWA | Traditional app | |
|---|---|---|
| Development cost | An add-on to your site | Separate for each platform |
| Updates | Instant | After the store review |
| Installation | From the browser, one tap | From the store |
| Device capabilities | The essentials | Full |
Who is it for?
For businesses with a client account, a booking system, an online menu, a loyalty programme, a news site or an internal staff panel, a PWA is often the best-value choice. If you already have a website, turning it into a PWA costs many times less than building a new app.
Our own client account works as a PWA too — try it yourself by opening it on your phone and choosing "Add to Home Screen". If you'd like the same for your site, write to us.
