💡Read More: PWA vs native apps: What is the difference and which one should you choose?

Why PWAs are important for businesses

For businesses, PWAs offer several benefits.

Instead of building separate web and mobile apps, you can develop one PWA that covers both bases, saving time and money. They're also speedy, which means users are more likely to stick around, and searchable through Google—something you don’t get with traditional apps.

Another advantage is that PWAs work even when the internet drops, making them ideal for areas with spotty connections.

Key PWA features

1. Offline access: Thanks to smart caching, users can keep interacting with your app, even without Wi-Fi. That’s a huge perk for e-commerce sites where browsing during downtime is key.
2. Push notifications: PWAs let you send push notifications, just like a regular app. This way, you can keep your audience engaged with updates, promotions, and personalized messages.
3. Cross-platform compatibility: PWAs work across desktop, mobile, and tablets. There's no need for multiple versions—these apps deliver a smooth experience on any device with a modern browser.

The rise of PWAs

Users want smooth, app-like experiences without cluttering their phones with downloads. On the flip side, businesses are looking to cut down on development and maintenance costs. PWAs are able to meet both these needs.

How?

PWAs offer a fast, responsive, and offline-friendly solution that works on any device. Plus, with Google’s focus on mobile-first indexing and performance metrics like Core Web Vitals, they’re becoming a smart choice for companies aiming to boost user experience and search rankings.

Industries like eCommerce, travel, and media are already reaping the benefits, using PWAs to boost engagement, lower bounce rates, and simplify cross-platform development.

As more businesses see the long-term value and scalability, you can expect this trend to only grow stronger.

Cost savings with a single build

Building separate apps for iOS, Android, and web platforms is like paying for three meals when one would’ve been enough. It’s costly and time-consuming.

PWAs, on the other hand, let you build just one app that works on across all platforms. This can slash development costs by as much as 75%. That’s huge, especially for industries like e-commerce. Alibaba, for example, cut costs and (more than) doubled its conversion rates by using a PWA.

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Plus, you can build a PWA for as little as $15,000, which is great news if you're running on a tighter budget.

Faster time-to-market with readymade PWA solutions

When you're under pressure to get an app to market quickly, PWAs are a lifesaver. They come with ready-to-use features like push notifications and offline access, which means less time coding from scratch.

Flipkart Lite is a great example. By using open web APIs, it built a fast, lightweight app that acted like a native one—but with less data and space.

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Ultimately, you can stay ahead of the competition, delivering what your audience needs without dragging out the process. Or inflating your budget.

Improved performance and UX

PWAs are all about speed and seamless interactions, which keep users happy and coming back for more.

Take Pinterest, for instance—it saw a 60% boost in engagement after switching to a PWA. The faster loading times and smooth experience, even on slow networks, made all the difference.

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And with offline access, users stay connected to your app no matter where they are, ensuring a more consistent, reliable experience.

Cross-platform reach with a single codebase

Why juggle multiple versions of an app when one can do it all?

PWAs run smoothly across smartphones, tablets, and desktops with just one codebase. This not only makes updates easier, but it also widens your audience without the headache.

Uber’s PWA is a prime example—it’s fully functional even on 2G networks and takes up less than 50KB of data. That’s efficiency at its best.

Scaling opportunities for large enterprises

For large enterprises, PWAs offer a scalable and efficient solution to manage millions of users.

Lancome, for one, made the switch to a PWA and saw some pretty impressive results: a 17% jump in conversions and a 53% boost in mobile sessions. Plus, its bounce rates dropped.

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What made the difference? The flexibility of PWAs. Lancome could offer a fast, engaging mobile experience to a global audience—all without juggling separate native apps.

What customization options are available?

Customization goes beyond slapping your logo on an app.

The right PWA software should let your developers build unique user experiences that fit both your business model and customer needs. For example, in industries like e-commerce, personalized features—like product recommendations or region-specific pricing—can boost engagement.

Look for platforms offering advanced APIs, flexible service worker scripts, and the ability to customize performance metrics. Plus, those that integrate with third-party tools (analytics, CRM systems) let you enhance functionality over time without redeveloping the entire app.

How user-friendly is it, and how smoothly does it integrate?

While many platforms claim “easy integration,” make sure they actually deliver. Think: offering pre-built plugins or modules that you can embed into your current infrastructure.

For instance, if your business runs on CMS platforms like WordPress or Magento, a PWA solution with direct integration plugins will save you time and effort.

And don’t forget to check how smoothly the PWA integrates with your existing tech stack—whether it’s your CRM, eCommerce platform, or inventory management system. The easier it connects, the faster your team can roll out updates.

Are push notifications, offline mode, and caching supported?

These are the backbone of any good PWA. Push notifications, in particular, drive engagement for industries like retail and media, where timely updates keep users coming back and boost revenue. Make sure your PWA software supports configurable push notifications so you can deliver personalized, targeted messages.

Offline mode and caching are just as critical. The best PWA platforms offer smart caching and background sync, ensuring your app remains functional even without an internet connection. This reduces user frustration and keeps satisfaction high.

While many platforms provide basic offline support, the top options go further by enabling interactions (like adding to a cart) even without a connection. That’s what keeps users happy and coming back.

How does it perform in terms of scalability and efficiency?

As your app grows, so must your PWA platform. For businesses with a global reach, you’ll want a solution that works seamlessly across different network speeds and devices, from top-tier smartphones to budget models.

Look for platforms offering server-side rendering (SSR), load balancing, and strong Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). These tools help with faster load times and can handle traffic surges. Built-in performance testing tools are also a huge bonus, helping you keep your app efficient as your user base expands.

Is the pricing structure aligned with your business model?

Sure, free tiers are appealing, but they often lack the features you need to scale or customize. A tiered pricing model gives you room to grow without hitting roadblocks.

When you’re comparing plans, dig into what’s actually included—API limits, storage, premium support, etc. And watch out for hidden costs that can sneak up on you, like charges for custom features or going over traffic limits.

How robust are the support and resources provided?

Strong support can save your development team a lot of headaches, especially during a launch.

Don’t settle for just basic email or chat options—look for platforms that offer developer resources and active forums. If you’re an enterprise user, having a dedicated account manager or customer success team ensures your app stays optimized and secure as you scale.

Does it meet enterprise requirements for security, support, and performance?

If you’re running a large enterprise, you need to prioritize security and support. Choose a platform that handles data securely, complies with regulations like GDPR, and integrates smoothly with your existing security systems.

Documentation, third-party audits, and certifications are also non-negotiables for enterprises. And dedicated support—think 24/7 access, direct support channels, and managed services—should be a priority.

Lastly, don’t forget about performance. If you’re dealing with sensitive data or financial transactions, advanced security features like SSL encryption and regular vulnerability testing are critical to ensure your platform scales with your needs.

1. Softr

Softr is the top no-code tool for seamless PWA development, providing unmatched versatility and ease of use. No, seriously.

With its easy drag-and-drop interface, anyone—from non-developers to experienced teams—can create fully responsive web applications that feel like native apps. These apps work seamlessly across iOS and Android, meaning no need for separate development. So, a win for businesses of any size.

Softr also scales effortlessly. Whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise, its flexible architecture grows with you. You also get support for features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and security audits for enterprise-level needs.

Another plus? You get a responsive support team (free, with an average two-minute response time) and an active user community that helps users solve problems and share tips. Softr’s dev team frequently rolls out updates based on user feedback, ensuring the platform keeps improving.

Use cases

Perfect for building e-commerce platforms, internal business tools, and customer-facing apps. It's adaptable, which makes it suitable for anyone—small businesses, freelancers, startups, and marketing/product teams—looking for quick, no-hassle app development.

2. Firebase

Google-developed Firebase is a robust platform for building high-performance, dynamic PWAs. Especially when you need real-time data, secure hosting, and scalable solutions. Its backend services are comprehensive, making it a reliable option for devs who want features like real-time data syncing, push notifications, and cloud storage.

3. PWA Builder

Microsoft's PWA Builder turns websites into PWAs with ease. Its user-friendly interface automates essential tasks—like generating web manifests and service workers—making it accessible whether you’re new to PWA development or have some experience.

PWA Builder also integrates with Microsoft Azure and Visual Studio Code, letting you scale up your projects smoothly. Built-in testing and app store packaging features make the platform a smart choice for businesses wanting a quick, cross-platform solution.

4. Workbox

Workbox, from Google, is a powerful PWA tool designed to simplify service worker management and caching for developers.

It automates essential tasks like installing and updating service workers while offering advanced caching techniques like "stale-while-revalidate" and "cache-first." This means faster load times, smooth offline use, and dynamic caching for media-rich apps.

With features like background sync and push notifications, Workbox also keeps users engaged and ensures your app runs smoothly, even when the network’s spotty.

5. Webpack

Webpack is another flexible tool for PWA development, offering advanced service worker automation through the WorkboxWebpackPlugin for efficient offline caching.

It helps speed up performance with code splitting and lazy loading, so only the necessary resources load when needed. Plus, Webpack integrates smoothly with other tools like Gulp, so your devs can easily tweak and customize workflows.