Why PWA?

What is a progressive web app (PWA). A PWA is essentially an app that lives outside of the app store. Now you may be asking why anyone would want to put an app outside of the app store. There are many reasons.

1. App-like wayPWA's have the exact same feel as a native app. They behave the same and look the same. The icon will be on your home screen just as it is with native apps.

2. No updates required because PWA's live on the web there is no need for annoying updates. They update automatically without the user knowing.

3. Low data usage for user PWAs apps have shown a decrease in 50% or more of data usage compared to traditional native apps.

4. Zero install time The user only needs to add the PWA to their home screen from the website on IOS. On Android it is added automatically. No more searching through the sarturated app store.

A lot of companies are making a push to turn their services or apps into PWA's. This is because they can avoid the 30% apple tax on all in app purchases. Also, the ease of updates and not having to go through Apple's screening process makes business much more efficient and gives user feedback more quickly.

A few companies that have recently developed and launched their PWA's are Twitter, Tinder, Uber, Starbucks, and Google Maps. The image below shows the Tinder native app vs the PWA. These are the only differences visually. Everthing else about the app is the same. And when customers use Tinders premium feature on the PWA, Tinder avoids losing 30% profit to apple (15% if subscription is kept after a year).

PWA's are the future of apps. Customers will know exactly where to get the app they want and not have to deal with the monopoly apple has created. This fosters a more creative and free environment for businesses because they will not have to be at the mercy of apple anymore. It also allows start-up businesses to go through with an idea much more quickly and cheaply using one code base rather than the two used with native apps.