Key takeaways
- Web apps run in the browser on any device — fastest and cheapest to launch and update.
- PWAs are web apps that install like apps and work offline — a strong middle ground.
- Native mobile apps make sense when you need deep device features, heavy offline use or app-store presence.
“Should we build an app?” usually means “we want customers to use our product on their phones”. That doesn’t always require a native app. Here’s how to choose what to build first.
The options#
| Web app | PWA | Cross-platform native (React Native, Flutter) | Fully native (Swift, Kotlin) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | All browsers | All browsers + installable | iOS + Android from one codebase | One platform per codebase |
| Cost to build | Lowest | Low | Medium | Highest |
| Updates | Instant | Instant | App store review (with some over-the-air options) | App store review |
| Discoverability | Search engines | Search engines | App stores | App stores |
| Device features | Many | Many + offline, push | Nearly all | All |
| Performance | Good | Good | Very good | Best |
Start with web (or PWA) when…#
- You’re validating an idea or building an MVP — see MVP guide.
- Users also work on desktops (B2B tools, dashboards, admin panels).
- You need SEO to acquire users.
- You want to ship updates daily without app review.
- Budget is limited.
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Go native when…#
- The product depends on Bluetooth, background location, health data, advanced camera/AR or heavy offline use.
- Users expect to find you in app stores (consumer apps).
- Performance-intensive experiences: games, video editing.
- You need deep platform integrations (widgets, wearables, CarPlay).
The PWA middle ground#
PWAs install to the home screen, open full-screen, work offline and support push notifications (including on iOS 16.4+ for installed PWAs). This website is itself an installable PWA with an app-style mobile UI. See progressive web apps.
A common path#
- Launch a responsive web app or PWA.
- Grow users and learn which features matter on mobile.
- Build native apps (often React Native, sharing knowledge with a React web app) when there’s clear demand.
Web app vs mobile app FAQ#
Can a PWA be published on the Play Store?#
Yes, via Trusted Web Activities. The Apple App Store generally requires a native wrapper with app-like functionality.
Is React Native good enough?#
For most business apps, yes. Many large companies use it in production.
Can you build both web and mobile?#
Yes — I plan products so the web app and API can support mobile apps later. Share your idea.