Want to make a mobile app and not spend all the money in the world? There's a solution

A mobile app for business is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. But the cost of developing native iOS and Android apps often shocks executives: from $50,000 to $200,000 and months of development. Is there an alternative that will deliver quality results without astronomical spending? Yes, and it's called PWA.

What PWA is and why it's a revolution

Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web app that works like a native mobile app. Users install it on their phone from a browser, get an icon on the home screen, push notifications and offline functionality. And it's web-based, which drastically reduces the cost of development.

PWA combines the best of both worlds: the accessibility of web technology and the convenience of mobile apps. It's not a compromise, but a smart solution for businesses that want to be mobile without spending too much.

Why PWA saves you money

One development for all platforms. Instead of creating separate apps for iOS and Android, you get one solution that works everywhere. You save 60-70% of the cost of native development.

Quick Launch. PWA development takes 2-4 months versus 6-12 months for two native applications. Time to market is reduced many times over.

Easy upgrades. Changes are made in a single code and are instantly available to all users. No need to wait for App Store and Google Play validation for each update.

Cheaper support. One team supports one codebase rather than several different projects.

Real-life examples: how PWA works in business

PWA is not a temporary solution, but a full-fledged technology that Twitter, Pinterest, Starbucks and other global brands use. But more importantly, PWA works great for local businesses and startups. Here are a few of our developments that prove it:

Lasèche Fitness Competition (laseche.fr) is a fitness competition platform with an achievement system and social features. The PWA app allows participants to track progress, receive motivational notifications and compete with others. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play, but is developed by PWA.

Radio Player for Dixi Media (radioplayer.md) is a streaming app with 20+ radio stations in Moldova. PWA provides stable playback, work in the background and push notifications of new programmes. Users get the full radio app experience at a significantly lower development cost.

EasyWine Wine Market (easywine.cz) - wine catalogue with purchase and delivery options. The PWA application includes detailed product cards, shopping basket, ordering system and personal cabinet. Users can make purchases as in a regular mobile app, but the business has saved on development costs.

All these projects have been moderated and are available in official app shops, which confirms the quality of PWA technology.

Technical advantages of PWA

Performance. Modern PWAs load in 2-3 seconds and run smoothly thanks to Service Workers technology that caches data locally.

Offline mode. The app continues to work without internet, showing saved content and synchronising when the connection is restored.

Push notifications. Full-fledged notifications, like native apps, to engage users.

Security. Mandatory HTTPS encryption and up-to-date security standards.

Cross-platform. One app works on all devices: iPhone, Android, tablets, desktops - without additional development.

PWA restrictions: what you need to know

PWA is not suitable for all projects. The technology has limitations for applications that require:

• Deep integration with system features (camera, GPS, sensors)
• High-performance gaming or AR/VR
• Complicated work with the device's file system
• Specific iOS features (Face ID, Apple Pay, etc.)

But for 80% of business applications - catalogues, online shops, services, media platforms - PWA is the optimal solution.

When PWA is the right choice

Limited budget. If $100,000+ for mobile development doesn't fit into your budget, but you need a quality solution.

Fast time to market. When it's important to launch before competitors.

Content and service applications. News, catalogues, online shops, social platforms.

Hypothesis testing. Test the demand for a mobile application without large investments.

Mobile apps are no longer the privilege of large companies with million-dollar budgets. PWA opens this opportunity for any business that is ready to act intelligently. The technology is proven by time and global brands, but is accessible to startups and small businesses. For most business needs, it provides 90% of the functionality of native apps at 40% of the development cost.

Instead of putting off a mobile strategy because of the high cost, consider PWA as a smart alternative that will deliver results here and now.