What a PWA is and why teams choose one
A progressive web app is a website engineered to behave like an installed app. Users can add it to their home screen, launch it full-screen without browser chrome, use it offline, and receive push notifications — all from a single codebase that runs anywhere a modern browser does. There's no separate iOS build, Android build, and website to keep in sync.
The big practical wins are reach and speed of iteration. Anyone can use it instantly from a link, updates go live the moment you deploy with no app-store review, and you're not paying to build and maintain three separate front ends.
- Installs to the home screen and launches full-screen
- Works offline and on flaky connections via a service worker
- Push notifications on Android and desktop (and iOS, with limits)
- One codebase across mobile, tablet, and desktop
- Instant updates — deploy and it's live, no store review
- Discoverable and shareable through a plain URL
What makes a web app an actual PWA
The label 'PWA' isn't cosmetic — specific engineering earns it. A service worker caches the app so it loads instantly and works offline. A web app manifest tells the device how to install it and what icon and splash screen to use. It's served over HTTPS. And the interface is built to feel like an app, with app-like navigation rather than page reloads.
We build these properly, so your PWA passes the technical bar, installs cleanly, and holds up offline — not a mobile website with an install prompt bolted on.
- Service worker for offline support and instant loading
- Web app manifest for install, icon, and splash configuration
- App-like navigation and interactions, not page reloads
- Reliable performance on slow and intermittent networks
- Responsive layout tuned for phone, tablet, and desktop
- Tested install and offline flows before launch
More on progressive web apps
Frequently asked questions
Do PWAs work on iPhones?
Yes, PWAs install and run on iOS, and users can add them to the home screen. Apple supports the core features, though some capabilities — certain push-notification and hardware behaviors — are more limited than on Android. We'll be specific about what works on iOS for your particular app so there are no surprises.
Can a PWA go in the App Store or Play Store?
It doesn't need to — users install it straight from the browser. That said, a PWA can be wrapped and submitted to the stores if a store presence matters to you, which is often easier on Google Play than on Apple's App Store. We'll advise whether a store listing is worth it for your goals.
Is a PWA as capable as a native app?
For most apps — content, commerce, booking, dashboards, internal tools — a PWA does everything you need. Native still leads for deep hardware access, certain background tasks, and the most demanding graphics. We're honest about which category your app falls into before you commit.