A progressive web app, or PWA for short, is a website that works and feels like an app. You open it in the browser, but you can also add it to your phone's home screen. After that it launches full screen, without an address bar, just like a regular app.
The big advantage: you build it once and it works on iPhone, Android, tablet and computer. You don't need the App Store or Google Play, and updates are visible to everyone straight away. In this article you'll learn what a PWA can do, where its limits are and when it's a smart choice for your business.
What exactly is a PWA?
A PWA is built with standard web technology, but has a few extra parts that turn it into an app.
- A manifest: a small file with the app's name, icon and colours. That lets the phone put it on the home screen.
- A service worker: a bit of code that runs in the background. It can store pages and data, so the app loads quickly and sometimes works without internet too.
- HTTPS: a secure connection, which is required for a PWA.
For the user it feels like a regular app. There's an icon, the app opens full screen and it responds quickly. The difference is that it wasn't installed through an app store.
The benefits of a progressive web app
- One codebase for all devices. That saves on build and maintenance costs.
- No approval from Apple or Google needed. You decide when something goes live.
- Updates take effect immediately. Users don't have to download anything.
- Findable on Google, because it's also simply a website. A native app isn't.
- Sharing works with a link. Someone sends you a URL and you're in straight away.
- Low barrier. You can use the app without installing it, and installing takes a few seconds.
These benefits matter most for smaller businesses. Building and maintaining two separate apps is expensive, and every update has to pass the app stores' review. With a PWA you have one product that you control yourself.
What can't a PWA do, or do less well?
A PWA isn't the best choice for everything. Be honest about the limits, so you're not caught out later.
- On iPhone, installing is less obvious. Users have to choose 'Add to Home Screen' via the share button. You often need to explain that to them.
- Push notifications on iPhone only work if the PWA is on the home screen and on a recent version of iOS. On Android they work more broadly.
- Some phone features can't be reached, or only partly, such as certain sensors, Bluetooth devices or deep integration with other apps.
- You're not in the App Store. If your customers search there, you miss out on that visibility.
- Heavy applications such as 3D games or video editing run better as a native app.
Browsers and operating systems regularly change what a PWA is allowed to do. So check at the start which features currently work on your users' devices.
PWA or native app: which suits you?
A native app is an app built specifically for iOS or Android and distributed through the app stores. Which route you choose depends on what your app needs to do.
A PWA is a good fit if:
- You mainly display data and use forms, such as booking, ordering, scheduling or a customer portal.
- Your users come in through your website and you don't need an app store.
- You want to go live quickly and on a limited budget.
- You want to update the app often.
A native app is a better fit if:
- You make deep use of the phone, such as Bluetooth, background location or heavy graphics.
- Visibility in the App Store and Google Play matters for your marketing.
- Push notifications on iPhone need to work for everyone, even without installing to the home screen.
Still unsure? Also read native app or web app. There we go deeper into the trade-off.
Examples of a PWA for small businesses
- A customer portal where customers see their appointments, documents and invoices.
- An ordering app for a restaurant or takeaway, without platform commission.
- A job sheet app for engineers that keeps working when the signal is poor.
- A student area for a driving school or training provider.
- An internal tool for scheduling or stock that staff use on their own phones.
Many of these are, at their core, a web application. Turning one into a PWA makes it feel like a real app to the user. Want to know first what an app costs in general? Read having an app built.
What to look for when having a PWA built
- Speed. A PWA should respond instantly. Keep an eye on the Core Web Vitals, such as an LCP under 2.5 seconds.
- A design that works well on every screen size, with buttons big enough for thumbs.
- Clear instructions on installing, especially for iPhone users.
- What needs to work offline. Not everything has to, but choose deliberately what does.
- Accessibility. Since 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act applies to part of digital services. Even if it isn't mandatory for you, an accessible app helps everyone.
Having a PWA built by Violexa
At Violexa we build websites and apps, and a PWA is often the smartest way to get an app without two separate apps for iOS and Android. Violexa is a small studio led by founder Hisham, based in Amsterdam, working for businesses across the Netherlands.
One example from our work is the ordering platform for Apple Mix Fried Chicken in Den Helder: a custom online ordering environment with a menu in 18 categories, dietary labels and a basket with delivery charges. A custom website or web application starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT) per project. Larger projects get a fixed price upfront, in writing.
Want to know whether a PWA suits your idea? Request a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or on site, we discuss what your app needs to do. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a progressive web app?
A progressive web app is a website that works like an app. You can add it to your phone's home screen, it opens full screen and it can sometimes work without internet. You don't need the App Store or Google Play for it.
Does a PWA work on an iPhone?
Yes. Open the PWA in Safari and choose 'Add to Home Screen' via the share button. On iPhone, push notifications only work if the PWA is on the home screen and the iOS version is recent enough.
Is a PWA cheaper than a native app?
Usually, yes, because you build one app for all devices instead of separate apps for iOS and Android. Maintenance and updates are simpler too, because you don't have to go through the app stores.
Can a PWA be listed in the App Store?
Not directly. A PWA is installed through the browser. It's technically possible to wrap a PWA for the app stores, but then their rules and approval process apply.
