What is the difference between a Progressive Web App and a native app?

A PWA installs from the browser and runs on every device from a single project. A native app is downloaded from the stores and has fuller access to phone features. A PWA generally costs less and updates instantly; a native app offers more on the device itself.

Do Progressive Web Apps work on iPhone?

Yes. On iPhone they install through Safari’s Share menu and run full screen, offline too. Some features are more limited than on Android, and push notifications require the app to be installed: we check this together against what you need.

Can I publish a PWA on the app stores?

In some cases, yes, particularly on Google Play using a dedicated technical wrapper. If being on the stores is an important goal, though, it is usually worth considering proper iOS and Android apps.

How much does a Progressive Web App cost?

It depends on the features, the level of offline capability and the integrations. It generally needs a smaller investment than two separate native apps. After an introductory call you receive a written estimate split into phases.

Can I turn my existing web application into a PWA?

Often, yes. We add the manifest file, the service worker for offline use and notifications, and adapt the interface for phones. First we review the existing code to see how much work is involved.

Progressive Web App (PWA) development

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that behaves like an app: you install it on your phone’s home screen or your computer straight from the browser, it opens full screen, it can work without a connection and it can send notifications. PragaWeb builds custom Progressive Web Apps for companies that want to give customers or staff a mobile tool without going through the App Store and Google Play.

The main advantage is simplicity: one project runs on iPhone, Android and computers, updates reach everyone automatically and users don’t need to search the stores. A link is all it takes.

When a Progressive Web App makes sense

You need a tool for internal staff or B2B customers that can be rolled out quickly to many people.
You want to update the app often, without waiting for store review.
The budget doesn’t justify two separate native apps for iOS and Android.
Users have different devices, including computers and tablets, and you want one consistent experience.
You already have a web application and want to make it installable and usable offline.
You want the app’s content to be findable through search engines too.

PWA or native app: the limits to know

A PWA isn’t the right answer for everything. Access to some phone features, such as Bluetooth, NFC or background tasks, is more limited, especially on iPhone. On iOS, installation happens through Safari’s Share menu, a step users need explaining, and push notifications only work once the app is installed. If you need a store presence or advanced device features, we recommend iOS and Android apps. We’ll tell you plainly in the very first call.

What we build

Home screen installation: your company’s icon, name, colours and splash screen, opening full screen like a traditional app.
Offline mode: key screens and the data you need stay available without signal; anything you enter syncs as soon as the connection returns.
Push notifications: alerts about orders, appointments, deadlines or new documents, on devices and browsers that support them.
Device features: camera for photos and barcode scanning, location and file sharing.
Private area and roles: secure login, with different permissions for customers, agents and internal staff.
Integrations: connection to your management system, CRM or online shop to read and write data in real time.
Desktop version: the same PWA runs on office computers, without building two products.

Typical examples are a customer booking app, a job-report app for technicians, or an installable version of a B2B customer portal.

How we work

Listening: in online calls we learn who will use the PWA, on which devices and in what conditions, such as patchy signal.
Feasibility check: we confirm that every feature you need is supported by your users’ browsers, so there are no surprises later.
Proposal: you get clear timings and costs, split into releasable phases.
Development in short releases: each version can be tried on your phone straight away through a simple link.
Testing on real devices: we check installation, offline mode and notifications on iPhone, Android and computers.
Launch and evolution: we prepare short installation instructions for your users and carry on with support and new features.

Technical choices

A PWA is built on standard web technologies. The web app manifest is the file that tells the phone the app’s name, icon and colours. The service worker is a script that runs in the background and handles offline storage and notifications. For the interface we use popular frameworks such as React or Vue, browser storage for data kept on the device, and the same server technologies as our web applications. Speed and accessibility to WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines are starting requirements; if the PWA also has public pages, we look after indexing with technical SEO.

Timings and costs: what they depend on

Number of screens and features: the main factor, as with any software.
How much offline capability you need: viewing data without signal is simple; editing it offline and resolving conflicts takes more work.
Integrations: how many systems need to exchange data with the PWA and how modern they are.
Starting from scratch or from an existing web application: turning a ready-made web app into a PWA usually takes less time.

Compared with two native apps, a PWA generally needs a smaller investment and a shorter timeline. There are no store account fees either.

Why choose us

One point of contact: a single person supports you from the first call to later updates.
Honest advice: if a PWA isn’t enough, we tell you before we start.
You own the code and data, with nothing tying you to us or to the stores.
Speed and accessibility as standard: the same qualities you’ll find on this website.

Want an installable app without going through the stores? Tell us about your Progressive Web App and we’ll check together whether it’s the right solution.

Progressive Web Apps

In short