Why PWAs Are More Relevant Than Ever
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) bridge the gap between websites and native mobile apps. They are installable, work offline, send push notifications, and load instantly — all without app store distribution costs or update approval delays.
The Three Core Technologies
- Service Workers: JavaScript files that run in the background, intercepting network requests and serving cached responses when offline.
- Web App Manifest: A JSON file that defines how the app appears when installed — icon, name, splash screen, and display mode.
- HTTPS: Required for all PWA features. Secure connections are enforced before service workers activate.
// Cache-first service worker strategy
self.addEventListener("fetch", event => {
event.respondWith(
caches.match(event.request).then(cached => {
return cached || fetch(event.request);
})
);
});PWA vs Native App: When to Choose
Choose PWA when you need rapid deployment, broad reach, and lower development costs. Choose native when you need deep hardware access (camera, Bluetooth, NFC) or app store discoverability.