PWAs vs. Native Apps: What Should Businesses Choose in 2025?

Introduction

In 2025, businesses looking to expand their mobile presence are faced with a critical decision Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) or Native Apps? Both offer compelling benefits, but the choice depends on your business goals, target audience, budget, and scalability requirements.

With mobile traffic accounting for over 60% of global internet usage and rising demand for responsive, engaging experiences, choosing the right type of app is no longer optional its strategic. In this blog, well break down the key differences, pros and cons, use cases, and future trends to help businesses make an informed decision between PWAs and native apps.

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

A Progressive Web App is a web application that behaves like a native app. Built using standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, PWAs run in the browser but offer features like:

• Offline functionality

• Push notifications

• Home screen installation

• Fast loading times

• Access to some native device features

PWAs are designed to be platform-independent, making them highly cost-effective for businesses aiming for cross-platform reach.

What is a Native App?

Native apps are built specifically for a platform for example, Swift/Kotlin for iOS and Android, respectively. They are installed via app stores like Google Play or Apple App Store and offer full access to device capabilities like:

• GPS

• Camera

• Sensors

• Offline data storage

• Complex animations and transitions

Native apps are known for high performance and deep system integration, making them ideal for businesses requiring robust functionality.

PWAs vs. Native Apps: A Feature Comparison

Pros and Cons of PWAs

Advantages of PWAs

• Cost-Effective: One codebase works across all platforms.

• Fast Deployment: No app store delays or approvals.

• SEO-Friendly: Google indexes PWAs like websites.

• Lower Storage Needs: Doesnt require much device space.

• Easier Maintenance: Update once, apply everywhere.

Limitations of PWAs

• Limited Device Access: No access to advanced features like Bluetooth, background sync (on iOS).

• Lack of Visibility in App Stores: Unless packaged as a Trusted Web Activity (TWA).

• Lower Performance: Heavily depends on browser capabilities.

Pros and Cons of Native Apps

Advantages of Native Apps

• Best Performance: Optimized for platform-level execution.

• Full Hardware Access: Camera, sensors, AR, biometric authentication.

• Richer UX: Better animations, smoother transitions.

• Monetization: Easier to implement in-app purchases and subscriptions.

• Brand Presence: Visible in app stores and gets more trust.

Limitations of Native Apps

• Higher Development Cost: Separate codebases increase workload.

• Longer Time-to-Market: Approval cycles and testing slow down deployment.

• Maintenance Overhead: Bug fixes and updates require separate processes for each platform.

Key Use Cases: Which App Type Fits Your Business?

Choose PWA if:

• Youre a startup or SME with a limited budget.

• You want to quickly launch an MVP.

• Your target users are web-first and mobile users.

• You want a search-friendly app with fast loading.

• Youre in news, content, or e-commerce sectors.

Choose Native App if:

• You need advanced features (AR, IoT, biometric).

• Your app requires intense animations or gaming.

• You rely on push notifications for engagement.

• You want to build brand credibility through app stores.

• Youre targeting high-performance or enterprise-level apps.

What Do Industry Trends Say in 2025?

1. Googles push for Web Vitals continues to improve PWA performance metrics, making them faster and more reliable.

2. Apple has slowly opened up more PWA capabilities on Safari, but still lacks full parity with Android.

3. Hybrid models (e.g., wrapping PWAs in native shells using Capacitor or TWA) are gaining popularity.

4. Enterprises are using PWAs for internal tools, while keeping native apps for customer-facing products.

5. App fatigue is real many users prefer web-based interactions over downloading multiple apps.

SEO Benefits: PWAs Win Here

One of the biggest advantages of PWAs is SEO discoverability. Since they are essentially websites, Google can index and rank them, allowing businesses to gain organic visibility through search. This is impossible with native apps which live behind app store walls.

For businesses focused on digital marketing, inbound leads, and organic traffic, PWAs offer a clear edge.

Performance & UX: Native Still Dominates

When it comes to UI responsiveness, complex gestures, AR, or gaming, native apps still outperform PWAs. In 2025, frameworks like SwiftUI, Jetpack Compose, and React Native offer native-level performance with great flexibility.

If your apps user experience is central to your business, a native app is worth the investment.

Cost Factor: PWAs are Budget-Friendly

For startups and mid-sized companies, cost is a major deciding factor. A PWA can cost 50-70% less than building two separate native apps.

However, consider long-term costs if you anticipate needing push notifications, in-app purchases, or access to native APIs, native apps will pay off in user retention and engagement.

Final Verdict: What Should You Choose?

The decision between PWAs and native apps in 2025 boils down to your:

• Business Goals

• Budget

• Target Audience

• Required Features

• Time-to-Market

Go with PWAs if you need quick deployment, SEO visibility, and cross-platform reach on a budget.
Go with Native Apps if you need high performance, app store presence, advanced features, and deep engagement.

Conclusion

In a world where users expect seamless, fast, and personalized digital experiences, both PWAs and native apps have their place. At EitBiz, we help businesses choose the right approach based on their needs, goals, and technical feasibility.

If youre still unsure about the best route for your app idea, our team of experienced app developers can guide you through a personalized mobile strategy that balances cost, speed, and performance.