What Is a PWA? Progressive Web App Guide
Your users don't want to download every app — the friction in App Store/Play Store is too high. What if your website could work like a mobile app? PWA makes that possible.
What Is a PWA?
A Progressive Web App is a web application built with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS) but behaves like a native app. It can be added to the home screen, works offline, and sends push notifications.
Native App vs PWA
| Criteria | Native App | PWA | |----------|-----------|-----| | Development cost | High (iOS + Android separate) | Low (single codebase) | | App Store required? | Yes | No | | Updates | User must download | Automatic | | Offline | Yes | Yes | | Push notifications | Yes | Yes | | Home screen icon | Yes | Yes | | Device APIs | Full access | Limited access | | SEO | None | Yes | | Discoverability | App Store | Google search |
Core PWA Components
1. Service Worker
A proxy between the browser and network:
- Offline caching
- Background sync
- Push notifications
- Network request management
2. Web App Manifest
Defines the application's metadata:
- App name and icon
- Theme colors
- Screen orientation
- Start URL
- Display mode (fullscreen, standalone)
3. HTTPS
PWAs only work over secure connections.
PWA Success Stories
| Company | Result | |---------|--------| | Twitter Lite | 65% pages increase, 75% tweets increase | | Pinterest | 60% engagement increase, 44% ad revenue | | Starbucks | 2x active user increase | | Alibaba | 76% conversion increase | | Uber | 50KB size, 3s load even on 3G |
PWA Capabilities (2026)
Working:
- Offline functionality
- Push notifications (including iOS)
- Add to home screen
- Background sync
- Camera access
- Geolocation
- File system access
Limited:
- Bluetooth (restricted)
- NFC (restricted)
- Fingerprint/Face ID (Web Authentication API)
When to Choose PWA?
Choose PWA:
- Limited budget (single codebase)
- SEO matters
- Users don't want to download apps
- Fast updates needed
- Wide reach (no App Store limitation)
Choose Native:
- Advanced hardware access needed (AR, Bluetooth)
- Intensive graphics/gaming
- App Store visibility matters
- Very complex offline scenarios
Conclusion
PWA is the best balance between web and native. It offers low cost, wide reach, and native-like experience. In 2026, PWA is the smartest choice over native apps for many businesses.
If you'd like to build a PWA or convert your website to a PWA, get in touch: info@cagribilgehan.com. Check out my projects: cagribilgehan.com