PWA (Progressive Web App)
A PWA (progressive web app) is a web app enhanced so it can be added to a phone's home screen, send notifications, and work partly offline — getting some of a native app's convenience without an app store.
Why does a PWA matter to your business?
A PWA can be a middle path: cheaper and faster than a native app, but more app-like than a plain website. It skips app-store review and per-platform builds while still offering an icon on the home screen and some offline use. It cannot match native for heavy hardware access.
At Nabee, a PWA is recommended when reach and cost matter more than squeezing out maximum device performance. Scoping weighs it against a native build so you commit to the right approach rather than switching expensively later.
A concrete example
A tool that people want quick access to but that does not need precise hardware timing — unlike Metro X, which is native for exactly that reason — can often be delivered as a PWA at lower cost while still feeling installed.
Related terms
Common questions
- Is a PWA as good as a native app?
- For many uses, yes and cheaper. But when a product needs precise hardware access or offline power, native still wins. Scoping decides.
- Do PWAs work offline?
- They can work partly offline for cached content, though not always as fully as a native app.
- Do PWAs need an app store?
- No. Users add them straight from the browser, which avoids store review and fees.