Is a PWA an app or a website?
It sits in between. Technically it is a website and opens in the browser, but it can be added to the home screen and behave like an app in its own window.
We explain in plain terms what a Progressive Web App is, how it differs from a native app and which businesses it makes sense for – without overblown promises.
Updated: June 2026
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is a modern web technology: it opens in the browser like an ordinary website but can behave like an installable app. People open it from a link in the browser and, if they wish, add it to the home screen to use it like a standalone app. This guide explains what a PWA is, how it works and where it differs from a native app.
A PWA is a website built with web standards that delivers an app-like experience. Technically it rests on three building blocks: a description file that defines the app's name and icon, a background service layer that handles caching, and a secure connection. Together these let the browser recognise the website as an installable app and offer to add it to the home screen. For the user the result is simple: an experience reached through a single address that is fast and feels like an app.
When someone opens a PWA for the first time, the browser registers the background service layer. This layer caches the page's core files and previously seen content on the device. As a result, the page loads much faster on the second visit, and when the connection is weak or drops, the cached content can still be shown. When the page is added to the home screen, it opens in its own window without an address bar, bringing it visually closer to a native app.
Thanks to caching, content that has already been opened can be shown even when the connection is weak or drops.
Because the core files are stored on the device, the page opens noticeably faster on repeat visits.
It opens via a single link and can be added to the home screen – ready to use with no download or store approval step.
The main difference lies in distribution and technology. A native app is built separately for each platform and downloaded from the App Store or Google Play; a PWA comes from a single web codebase, opens directly via a link and needs no store approval. For access to device features such as the camera, notifications or location, a native app is still deeper and more consistent; a PWA reaches some of these features, but the limits vary by platform. If you want to compare the app approaches of iOS and Android in more detail, see our iOS vs Android guide.
A PWA's clearest strength is easy reach: people get to the content through a single link without a download step, which lowers the barrier at first contact. Because a single codebase runs on all devices, maintenance and updates happen in one place; a new version goes live immediately without waiting for store approval. Caching makes repeat visits fast, and basic use can continue even on a weak connection. With no store commission or approval process, distribution becomes simpler too.
A PWA is not the right choice for every scenario. It may not access some advanced device features – such as certain background processes or hardware access – as fully as a native app, and this behaviour varies by operating system. Because it does not appear in the store showcase, it also cannot rely on people's habit of searching for apps there. Support for notifications and adding to the home screen can differ between platforms. The decision should therefore be based on whether the expected use runs into these limits.
A PWA is a good choice when fast access to content and a single experience across a wide range of devices matter most: campaign pages, catalogue- and content-heavy sites, frequently updated services and brands that want to lower the download barrier. Conversely, if intensive hardware access, advanced offline features or store visibility are critical, a native app may fit better. To weigh mobile app options and the development process as a whole, our mobile app development guide is a good first step.
This guide explains what a PWA is and how it works; its purpose is to inform. If you want a PWA developed for your business, see our PWA service page for how that is planned and delivered. There the topic is not the definition of a PWA, but how we can build a PWA for you.
It sits in between. Technically it is a website and opens in the browser, but it can be added to the home screen and behave like an app in its own window.
No. A PWA opens directly via a link and is added to the home screen if the user wishes; no store approval or download step is required.
For previously visited content, largely yes. The service layer caches the core files and seen content, so they can be shown when the connection drops; entirely new content still needs a connection.
It depends on the expected use. If fast access and broad device support are your priority, a PWA fits; if deep hardware access or store visibility is critical, a native app is usually more suitable.
We will assess whether a PWA or a native app suits your business better, based on your goals.
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