Despite differences in approach or design, native apps and Progressive Web Apps allow us to build strong engagement of mobile users, and thus sales. Which one is better for eCommerce?
Let’s look at the most important differences between these two solutions from the business point of view
User acquisition process
Native apps need to be downloaded from a dedicated app marketplace. For users already using the mobile website, it is an additional step in the user journey and a distraction. While visiting AppStore or Google Play the user is exposed to apps of other brands. Usually, eCommerce will pay extra to acquire users to their native app, even if the users are already visiting their website on mobile.
PWAs, with a “Add to homescreen” button, can be saved directly from the mobile web page. It lowers user acquisition costs and shortens the process. What’s more, the linkability of PWAs simplifies the sharing of information and favourite products among the users as the product page from a PWA can be copied as a link and used in any browser.
PWA sites will acquire more users
Progressive Web Apps are also supported by search engines (look at Google Mobile-First Indexing). In contrast to native apps, PWAs are easy to find and install directly from the browser.
Costs of production and maintenance
Native apps are rather expensive to build and maintain. Brands must build separate apps for each and every operating system and then update them regularly. What’s more, it is necessary to pay for access to app marketplaces and use extra promotion on them.
PWAs are built as webpages, and thus the cost of their development is much lower. Updates are done automatically as PWAs are connected to the eCommerce backend. They are independent of operating systems or marketplaces.
Business model
Native apps are covered by a marketplace commission of up to 30%. That’s rather high and businesses that are selling physical goods cannot afford it. Marketplaces also take control over the publishing of the app, which makes it difficult to plan new releases or promotions in the store.
PWAs are free of any commission or control. Online stores publish them by themselves and can freely plan diverse promotions and react to market changes in a short time.
User experience
Native apps often use a lot of storage on mobile and force users to update frequently. Also, native apps’ installation process takes a while and users must wait before diving into the app. These are high entry points for any new apps on the market. What’s more, as they require separate design for mobile, they lower the conversion rate among omnichannel users who move from one device to another.
PWA Features
PWAs are much smaller (Twitters’ PWA is only 0.6 MB in comparison to their 23 MB Android App) thus they are much easier to install. What’s more, installation happens in the background so the user can use the PWA during this process. PWAs have consistent design across all devices and this supports the omnichannel approach.
PWA vs Native App
Although native mobile apps offer a wider spectrum of functionalities for the user, Progressive Web Apps present themselves as the new standard for mobile-first solutions. PWAs are a rapidly developing technology and each day we see new engaging features within.
This standard is already used by major eCommerce and social media players which receive most of their traffic from mobile devices. You can 
If you have some time feel free to check Open Source PWA Framework Vue Storefront we made.
Top comments (3)
I can say as a user, I REALLY don't like stores that try to push me to use a mobile app if i visit them on my phone. It tends to make me bounce fromt the site, let alone not buy the thing i clicked on the ad for.
I'm also very unlikely to do the 'add to homescreen' for any ecommerce site, especially random tshirt stores or whatnot. Also, be really carefull about adding other features like notifications and location services with your pwa, if all you're doing is selling 5 products.
I've clicked on a bunch of ads on facebook, only to go from 'take my money!' to 'why do i need to sign up for a newsletter to see a price?'
Please be careful your user engagement is not preventing people from giving you money!
Agree! First thing is to offer value to the user. PWA is just a tool.
Web Push Notifs are the most overused feature now :(
PWAs are getting there but are not mature enough especially on Safari iOS.
This is a good article that explains the problems.
medium.com/@firt/whats-new-on-ios-...