Progressive web apps (PWA) and native apps are two ways to deliver mobile shopping experiences. PWAs run through a web browser, while native apps are built for platforms like iOS or Android.
Both options reflect changing shopping habits. Almost six billion people used mobile devices worldwide as of April 2026, representing more than 70% of the global population, according to DataReportal’s Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update. As Shopify store owner Morgan Cros of Original Duckhead notes on an episode of the Shopify Masters podcast: “We used to design from the standpoint of looking from a computer screen, but that’s not how people shop anymore.”
Learn what progressive web apps and native apps are, how they differ, and how to choose the right one for your ecommerce storefront.
What is a progressive web app?
A progressive web app is a website that delivers app-like features—including installability, offline access, and push notifications—without requiring a download from an app store. Customers can open a PWA on sites such as Starbucks, AliExpress, or Pinterest, in a browser, add it to their home screen, receive push notifications, and access some features and functionality even with limited internet connectivity.
A PWA can be installed and work across different devices from a single codebase. It also uses progressive enhancement, meaning it works as a regular website, though a developer can add features like push notifications or offline access.
From a development perspective, PWAs rely on standard web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, plus tools like web app manifests (which tell a device how the app should appear and launch) and service workers, a key feature of PWAs that handle offline access, caching, and background tasks.
What is a native app?
Native apps are software programs built specifically for a single operating system, such as iOS or Android, and are downloaded directly from the App Store or Google Play.
Because they are written in the languages that iOS and Android readily accept, they feel fast and right at home on users’ devices.
A native app can access deeper device and system features. It allows seamless access to a device’s camera, GPS, and facial ID, enabling smooth performance and offline features that web apps can’t match.
Although native apps are faster and more responsive for activities like gaming, they take up storage, consume battery faster, and require users’ permission.
Shopify’s Shop app is a good example of a native app. Because it’s built specifically for iOS and Android, it can support features like real-time delivery notifications, biometric login, and one-tap checkout with more consistent access to device permissions and background activity than a browser-based web app.
Progressive web app vs. native app: 6 key differences
- Installation and discovery
- Platform coverage
- Offline capabilities
- Push notifications
- Device features
- Development costs and maintenance
These key differences distinguish progressive web apps from native apps:
Installation and discovery
Because PWAs are enhanced web pages, customers can access them through URLs, search engines, or links in an email. Sometimes, users can even install PWAs on their home screen, depending on the browser and device.
Native apps require a customer to visit the appropriate app store, install the app, keep it on their device, and accept app updates. Being on an app store can help with app discovery for some brands, but it also adds customer reviews and requires store approval.
Platform coverage
With PWAs, developers can build and maintain a single app that works on both computers and mobile devices, including iOS and Android, because modern browsers support the same core web technologies across platforms. Browser compatibility still matters, especially for features such as push notifications, background sync, and complex offline functionality.
For example, one browser may support push notifications or background sync, while another may limit those features or handle offline storage differently. That can affect how consistently a PWA works across devices.
Native apps are individually tailored to each platform, though. If a business wants full coverage across iOS and Android, the development process involves designing and maintaining a separate app for each platform.
Offline capabilities
PWAs use service workers to cache website data on a device. This allows some offline access, letting users view saved pages, browse previously loaded products, or keep a cart active even if their internet connection drops.
However, a PWA isn't a universal offline solution; performance is still tied to browser storage limits and to how a device manages memory.
In contrast, native apps provide a richer offline experience. They can store significant amounts of data directly on a device and integrate more deeply with an operating system. This makes native development the preferred choice for loyalty apps that reward customers for buying, field sales tools, or any customer experience that requires complex, high-performance functionality without a steady internet signal.
Push notifications
Depending on the browser and device permissions, PWAs can send push notifications. For example, Apple’s developer documentation covers web push for Safari and web apps, which means push notifications aren’t limited to native apps on Apple devices.
Native apps can also send push notifications, but again, they require separate development for compatibility with iOS and Android and installation from an app store.
Device features
PWAs have limited access to some native device features. Although browser APIs—tools that web apps use to access device functions such as location, camera, Bluetooth, storage, or notification—are features increasingly incorporated into web apps, support varies by operating system, browser, and device hardware.
For example, modern browsers can now support features like camera access for scanning QR codes, push notifications, and offline product browsing.
Native apps can use deeper device features, including more advanced camera controls, sensors, Bluetooth, biometrics, and background processes. That makes native app development a better fit when the app experience depends on the entire device, not just a storefront interface.
Development costs and maintenance
Developing and maintaining a progressive web app can cost anywhere from 30% to 70% less than a native app. That’s the big advantage of developing and maintaining just one app.
Native apps usually require more development time because iOS and Android apps have separate app development requirements. App stores also have review processes, policy requirements, and commerce rules, including rules for digital goods and in-app purchases. Bug fixes and maintenance also usually cost more, although cybersecurity fixes tend to cost less than with PWAs.
How to choose between building a PWA and a native app
Deciding on a PWA or a native app depends on the customer experience you want to deliver, the internal development resources available, and the channels where customers already interact with your brand.
When to choose a PWA
A PWA is a good fit when the core customer experience is browsing, searching, learning, adding products to a cart, and checking out. It can also fit when a business wants to maintain a web storefront across multiple platforms.
When to choose a native app
Because they have greater access to your device, native apps are better suited when you need more device features, heavy engagement, or complex offline tools that go beyond basic browsing.
For businesses, the Shopify App Store has various mobile app builders to help with this. Developers can use Shopify’s APIs to sync products, carts, and customer data directly into a custom native experience.
When to use both
PWAs and native apps aren’t mutually exclusive. A business could use PWAs for its mobile storefront and a native app for loyal customers who want saved preferences, notifications, rewards, or app-only account features.
This is where Shopify’s Shop app example is instructive. It didn’t begin as a replacement for every store’s website; it began with a focused customer job—tracking packages—then expanded into product discovery and purchasing. For a smaller business, identify what customers actually need the app to do before deciding whether to build a PWA, a native app, or both.
Progressive web app vs native app FAQ
What is meant by progressive web apps?
Progressive web apps use web technologies to provide features such as installable apps, offline access, and push notifications. They run through a web browser and can serve multiple platforms from a single codebase.
What is an example of a PWA?
A retail storefront that shoppers can open in a browser, add to a home screen, and use with some offline access is an example of a PWA. The exact features depend on the browser, device, and how the development team implements service workers, caching, and the web app manifest.
What is the difference between a native app and a progressive web app?
A native app is built for a specific platform, installed on a device through an app store, and can access deeper native device features. A progressive web app runs in the browser, works across multiple platforms, and provides a similar experience with less platform-specific development.
Can a PWA replace native apps?
If your primary goal is to have a fast web-based storefront with moderate offline features and the widest possible device reach, a PWA can replace native apps. However, native apps remain the better option if you require advanced hardware access, extensive offline functionality, or a formal presence in the app stores.
