A Progressive Web App is a website that behaves like a native app — it works offline, loads fast, and can be installed on a device without going through app stores.
Why It Matters
- Reduces development time and cost by combining web and mobile experiences.
- Increases accessibility with no app store approval or downloads required.
- Boosts engagement through offline functionality and home screen access.
- Improves SEO and discoverability compared to native apps.
- Ideal for rapid deployment and iteration.
Use This Term When...
- You're deciding between a native app and a web-based solution.
- You're targeting users with limited storage or connectivity.
- You're aiming for cross-platform access with one codebase.
- You're prioritising speed, accessibility, and installability.
- You're launching an MVP with broad reach and lower overhead.
Real-World Example
In one of our projects, we built a Progressive Web App to provide users with a fast, app-like experience directly through their browsers. This approach improved accessibility across devices, reduced development costs, and increased user engagement by 30% without requiring App Store downloads.
Founder Insight
PWAs are a smart choice when you want app-like functionality without the app store hassle. They’re fast, lightweight, and great for testing product-market fit.
Key Metrics / Concepts
- Install Rate – Percentage of users who add the PWA to their device.
- Time to Interactive (TTI) – How quickly the app is usable after loading.
- Offline Availability – Whether users can interact with the app without internet.
- Engagement Depth – How frequently users return and interact.
- Push Notification Opt-In – Rate at which users allow updates and alerts.
Tools & Technologies
- Lighthouse – Audits and scores PWA readiness and performance.
- Workbox – Helps implement caching and offline capabilities.
- React + PWA Plugins – Combines a popular frontend framework with PWA functionality.
What’s Next / Future Trends
PWAs are gaining traction as a standard for fast, universal app experiences. Expect better browser support, deeper device integration, and more businesses skipping the app stores entirely.
Related Terms
Mobile App – Traditional downloadable apps compared to PWAs.
Responsive Design – Essential for creating device-flexible PWAs.
Web Accessibility – A key concern when building inclusive PWAs.
Offline Functionality – Core feature of well-designed PWAs.
App Development Roadmap – PWAs can be a milestone before native development.
Helpful Videos / Articles / Pages
Blog: How to Build Your Website
Blog: Building a Cohesive and Visually Appealing Website for Gallery Funaki
Call to Action
Thinking of skipping the app stores and going straight to users? Let’s explore how a Progressive Web App could be the smart move for your launch.