Progressive Web Apps: The Future of Web and Mobile Convergence

We live in a world where people expect apps to be swift, responsive, and readily available. They want them to function offline, update themselves quietly in the background, and deliver seamless performance whether they’re on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. There's a particular expectation of efficiency, and let's face it, we’ve become spoiled by it—myself included. Enter Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

For the past decade, native apps have been the staple of our digital experience, especially when it comes to mobile. But they come with their own baggage: larger download sizes, separate app store listings, and the constant chase of new updates. As the founder of 1985, an outsourced software dev company, I see the challenges startups and enterprises face daily when trying to create and manage apps for multiple platforms. Progressive Web Apps offer a solution that’s much simpler—and, frankly, brilliant.

This post isn't about why PWAs are just another shiny object. It's about why they may represent the future of how web and mobile interact. A convergence that merges the open flexibility of the web with the experience-rich interface of native apps.

The PWA Promise: Bridging Web and Mobile

When it comes to the convergence of web and mobile, PWAs are leading the charge. Imagine being able to build an application that works seamlessly across platforms without the hassle of multiple codebases or app store approvals. Sounds utopian, doesn’t it? Progressive Web Apps bring this vision to life.

PWAs are websites that act like apps. They can be installed on your device, run offline, send push notifications, and even access hardware features that are usually reserved for native apps. In other words, they’re the best of both worlds. They run on a browser but don’t feel like they’re confined to it. Instead, they offer experiences that were once exclusive to native applications—at a fraction of the development effort and cost.

Consider this: Twitter, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, reported a 75% increase in tweets sent from their PWA compared to their previous mobile web experience. Pinterest also saw significant improvements in engagement—a 60% increase in core interactions after launching their PWA. These aren’t small numbers; they reflect massive shifts in how people use and interact with applications. People want speed, reliability, and ease. PWAs deliver.

Let’s delve a bit deeper into what makes PWAs a serious contender for the future.

Faster and More Lightweight

One of the biggest advantages of PWAs is that they’re typically much lighter than their native app counterparts. A native app often requires tens or even hundreds of megabytes for the initial download, plus additional storage for data. PWAs, by contrast, start as a few kilobytes and grow as users engage with them.

This lightweight nature isn’t just convenient—it’s crucial. Consider users in regions where internet bandwidth is limited or expensive. It’s here that PWAs become a lifesaver. They can deliver a near-native experience without asking users to waste precious data on hefty downloads. For example, the AliExpress PWA is just 10% of the size of its Android app, yet it saw a 104% increase in conversion rates compared to their previous mobile web version.

Plus, PWAs are inherently faster. Built on modern web technologies like service workers and caching strategies, they load faster, provide an instant experience, and continue to function effectively offline. By using smart pre-fetching techniques and staying lightweight, PWAs can create a more pleasant user experience even when networks are slow.

This is why a company like Forbes, which traditionally lagged behind on mobile speed, revamped its mobile site as a PWA and saw load times plummet to just 0.8 seconds. For many businesses, this isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a matter of survival.

Eliminating Barriers with App Stores

If you've ever attempted to publish a native app, you understand the frustration. Every app update must pass through app store reviews, which can often take days or weeks. Changes and features get delayed, and any mishap can mean having your app rejected or pulled. It's a scenario we developers know all too well. The gatekeeping of app stores can be frustratingly limiting.

PWAs eliminate this issue. They don’t require app store approval. This means faster releases, quicker iterations, and the ability to update without jumping through hoops. You control your deployment schedule, not Apple or Google.

I think about the example of Uber. Their PWA takes just 50 KB to load and works even on 2G networks. It’s ideal for people who need a ride, don’t want to wait for an app store download, or simply don’t have enough space left on their phones. Uber’s PWA bypasses the limitations of app stores and still delivers the same utility—arguably even more conveniently.

User Re-engagement: Notifications without Commitment

Native apps have long had an advantage with push notifications. They have been a powerful tool for driving user engagement and re-engagement. This is where PWAs really shine—they now have the ability to do the same.

By implementing service workers, PWAs can send push notifications just like native apps. This is a game-changer for marketing teams. Imagine being able to reach users who have added your PWA to their home screen without convincing them to download a full-fledged app.

Starbucks, for instance, built a PWA for ordering. It’s fast, works offline, and lets users place orders ahead of time—similar to their native app. Starbucks can still send out promotions, remind users to grab a coffee, and ultimately keep their brand in users’ minds—all without the user feeling overwhelmed by notifications. This opens the door for all sorts of creative re-engagement strategies that were previously off-limits to the mobile web.

Offline Capabilities

Let's talk about something that’s often overlooked: offline access. Traditional websites simply fail when there’s no connectivity. No content, no function. We all know how frustrating it is to be in an area with limited coverage and see a blank screen with the words: "You are offline." Enter PWAs and their offline capabilities.

Through service workers and local storage, PWAs can cache essential files and keep the app usable even when the user loses internet access. Think about reading an article while on a flight, finishing that checklist in a subway tunnel, or even browsing past transactions on an e-commerce site while the Wi-Fi is flaky. The fact that PWAs can do this effortlessly is a huge deal.

A case in point is the Trivago PWA. Trivago’s app allows users to browse hotel deals and make plans even in situations of limited or no connectivity. This type of resiliency, previously the forte of only native apps, is a critical benefit for keeping users engaged, regardless of where they are or what connection they have.

Installation without Hassle

One of the great things about PWAs is that users can add them to their home screens directly from the browser, without visiting an app store. It’s a one-step action, with no need to sift through pages of apps, no searching, no uncertainty about download speed.

This frictionless “install” process is a significant driver for user adoption. Users often face “app fatigue,” where downloading yet another app seems too cumbersome. With a PWA, the experience is lightweight, and the commitment is low. There’s no download from a store; it’s instant.

Spotify offers a PWA option—they call it the “web player.” Users can easily add it to their device home screen. It’s not only convenient but keeps Spotify front-and-center without requiring a heavy native app download. Users get the same high-quality, always-there experience with fewer demands on data or storage.

Platform Agnosticism

Another significant point that’s often understated is the platform-agnostic nature of PWAs. Developing for both Android and iOS can be a major drain on resources. Each platform has its quirks, its requirements, and its limitations—and managing multiple codebases can lead to inflated budgets and prolonged timelines.

PWAs, on the other hand, use a single codebase that works across browsers and devices, cutting down development costs and reducing time-to-market. For companies needing a rapid solution or those without the resources to maintain both Android and iOS versions, PWAs represent a cost-effective, nimble option.

The Future: More than Just Apps

The momentum behind PWAs is growing—and not just because of convenience. Companies like Microsoft and Google are making it easier for developers to turn their PWAs into full-blown apps available through app stores, if desired. In the latest Windows versions, PWAs can be installed as system-level apps, almost blurring the lines completely between what’s a website and what’s a native application.

It's also worth noting that PWAs are great for wearables and IoT devices where lightweight and fast-loading experiences are essential. Developers will increasingly see PWAs as a way to reach not only desktop and mobile users but also a growing array of devices. For instance, it’s no stretch of the imagination to think that smart refrigerators, VR headsets, or even car infotainment systems might benefit from PWAs in the near future.

Challenges: It's Not All Sunshine

Of course, PWAs are not without challenges. Notably, there are still limitations in the support of some native features across platforms—iOS, in particular, has been slower to adopt some of the features that make PWAs powerful. Apple has steadily improved support, but it’s been a gradual process, and some aspects like full access to hardware are still restricted compared to Android.

Additionally, PWAs don’t yet have the same brand presence as native apps. Users still tend to equate an app downloaded from the App Store or Play Store as being more trustworthy than a web-based application. This perception may change with time, but it’s an area of friction.

Who Should Consider PWAs?

Companies that want to break free from the hassle of app stores, reduce development costs, and offer users a fast and engaging experience should look at PWAs. They're ideal for businesses that see a lot of traffic on mobile web, need to maintain budget efficiency, or want to broaden their audience without compromising on quality.

At 1985, we’ve seen a shift in the type of projects our clients ask for. Instead of investing in separate native apps for every possible platform, many are opting for PWAs to leverage the convergence of web and mobile. The trend is clear: businesses want to offer rich user experiences without excessive development costs and ongoing maintenance overhead.

The Verdict: A Progressive Future

To conclude, PWAs offer a glimpse into a future where the boundary between the web and mobile apps becomes blurred to the point of nonexistence. They take what’s best about the web—reach, speed, and cost-effectiveness—and combine it with what’s best about native apps—engagement, functionality, and user experience.

They’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are still reasons to develop native apps, particularly for businesses needing complex interactions or extensive hardware access. But for many organizations, PWAs represent a fantastic middle-ground that combines reach, capability, and cost-effectiveness.

As the tools and support for PWAs continue to evolve, I believe we’re going to see more companies make this shift. The speed of delivery, the cost savings, and the superior user experience are simply too compelling to ignore. PWAs are not just an incremental step in the evolution of the web—they’re a giant leap toward true convergence.