“We need an app” is often the first request. But a native app isn't always the best answer. Depending on your users and use cases, a progressive web app (PWA) or a well-built responsive website can be enough, at a much lower cost and with a shorter timeline.
The three options
- Responsive website: adapts to every screen and needs no installation. Ideal to present an offer, sell or inform.
- Progressive web app (PWA): a website that installs on the home screen, can work partly offline and, depending on the browser, send notifications. One code base for every device.
- Native iOS and Android app: full access to the phone (camera, GPS, Bluetooth, biometrics), the best performance and a presence in the stores, but two platforms to publish and maintain.
Choose a PWA or a website if…
- your users mostly come from Google or social media and won't install an app for occasional use;
- you want a single version to maintain;
- your budget and timeline are tight.
Choose native if…
- the app is used every day (field sales, delivery drivers, loyal customers);
- you need the phone's hardware: scanning, continuous location, contactless payment;
- offline work must be reliable over long periods;
- being in the App Store and Google Play is part of your strategy.
Points not to forget
- an interface in Arabic (right to left) and French;
- network and entry-level phones: test on real devices;
- store publishing: developer accounts, review rules, updates;
- notifications: useful in moderation, irritating otherwise;
- one shared API between the website, the app and your back office.
What drives the budget
- the number of platforms: web only, PWA, or iOS and Android;
- offline work and data synchronisation;
- the phone features used: camera, GPS, payment;
- user accounts, roles and the back office;
- integrations with your ERP, your store or internal tools.
Measure after launch
- weekly active users, not just downloads;
- retention: how many come back after 7 and 30 days;
- crashes and load times on real devices;
- store ratings and reviews, read every week.
How we work
We build fast, responsive web applications, native iOS and Android apps, and PWAs with offline support. We start from your use cases, then recommend the simplest solution that meets them. See our web and mobile apps or contact us.
