Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web applications that deliver a user experience similar to native apps — but through the browser. They are designed to be fast, reliable, installable, and responsive across devices. PWAs can work offline, offer push notifications, and feel like an app once installed. For many use cases, they represent a smart and cost-effective solution. But over the years, many of our clients have asked us: are there things PWAs can’t do compared to native apps? This article is our response, written to help you — our clients — understand the limitations, trade-offs, and best use cases of PWAs.
At Arpacore, we help clients weigh all options before investing in app development. By reading this article, you'll learn the main limitations of PWAs and when to consider native apps instead. Understanding this will empower you to make better strategic decisions, save resources, and build a solution that fits both your business needs and your users’ expectations.
One of the most important differences between PWAs and native apps is their access to device features. Native apps, written for Android or iOS, have direct access to nearly every sensor, API, and low-level system call. PWAs, on the other hand, operate inside the browser sandbox, which limits what they can do. Here are some examples:
For any application that needs to interact deeply with the hardware or sensors of the phone, a native or hybrid app is generally required.
Even if a feature works perfectly on Android via Chrome, it may not be available or work correctly on iOS. Apple has historically been slower to support PWA standards, and Safari lacks key functionality:
This inconsistency leads to frustration, especially if your audience is split across platforms. If a large part of your user base is on iPhone or iPad, you’ll likely want to consider building a native app to ensure a uniform experience.
App stores remain the primary distribution channel for consumer apps. Being in the App Store or Google Play means better visibility, trust, install friction, and monetization potential. PWAs are not automatically available in app stores — unless they are wrapped inside a native container or deployed using Trusted Web Activities (TWA) on Android.
For example, users cannot easily "search and install" a PWA from the App Store unless you've taken extra steps (and often submitted a native shell). If app store presence is critical for marketing or visibility, a native app is a safer choice.
Modern apps often need to run background tasks — think messaging apps fetching new messages, photo apps uploading files in the background, or calendar apps syncing upcoming events. PWAs are limited in this area:
If your application needs to perform recurring or scheduled tasks, or interact with server-side events without user input, a PWA may not be sufficient.
Monetizing PWAs can be tricky. Native apps benefit from seamless, integrated in-app purchases (IAPs), subscription flows, and billing systems provided by the app stores. PWAs must rely on web-based payment flows, which have a few problems:
For companies relying on microtransactions, subscription management, or native IAP flows, building a native experience makes monetization simpler and smoother.
Offline capabilities are one of the touted benefits of PWAs, but they come with hard limits. Browsers enforce quota caps for IndexedDB and Cache Storage, which PWAs rely on to function offline. Depending on the platform and browser, limits range between 50MB and 100MB — and sometimes even less if disk space is tight.
In contrast, native apps can store gigabytes of data. For example, a video editing app or map navigation tool requires storing large assets locally, which PWAs can’t support efficiently. If your app is data-heavy and needs reliable offline access, native is the way to go.
At Arpacore, we always look at use cases before recommending a technical solution. PWAs are great — but not for every scenario. Avoid using a PWA if:
So, what’s the right path for your project? At Arpacore, we evaluate based on user needs, business goals, timelines, and budgets. PWAs are a great fit when:
But if your product roadmap involves complex device features, high-performance demands, or app store visibility, a native app (or a hybrid approach like React Native, Flutter, or Capacitor) may be the better investment.
Progressive Web Apps are powerful, accessible, and capable tools — but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial to making the right call for your business. Our goal as a software development agency is not to push one technology over another, but to help you build what works best.
If you’re still unsure whether to build a PWA or a native app — or whether your product could benefit from both — our team at Arpacore is here to guide you. We can analyze your requirements, design the right architecture, and deliver a high-quality solution tailored to your needs.