PWA: How to Build Mobile Apps Without the App Store
Launch a mobile app in 2 weeks at 1/3 the cost of native development. No app store fees. No approval delays. Here's everything you need to know about PWAs.
"You'll need separate iOS and Android apps."
When an agency says this, your budget doubles instantly.
Why Native App Development Costs So Much
Here's what building a single app actually costs:
| Item | iOS | Android | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development | $25K-50K | $25K-50K | $50K-100K |
| Annual Maintenance | $5K-10K | $5K-10K | $10K-20K |
| Store Commission | 30% | 30% | 30% of revenue |
And that's not all:
- App store review: 1-2 weeks minimum
- Rejection? Fix and resubmit (another 1-2 weeks)
- Every update: Same process repeated
For startups, this is a double burden of time and money.
What Exactly is a PWA?
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is a website that works like an app.
From the user's perspective:
- Add icon to home screen
- Works offline
- Receives push notifications
- Runs in full screen
From the developer's perspective:
- One codebase for iOS, Android, and web
- No app store approval needed
- Updates deploy instantly
- Built with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Build once, run everywhere.
PWA vs Native App: The Numbers
Development Cost
| Item | Native App | PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Development | $50K-100K | $15K-30K |
| Maintenance | 15-20%/year | 10%/year |
| Store Fees | 30% | 0% |
PWAs are 3-4x cheaper to build with 33% lower maintenance costs.
Development Timeline
| Item | Native App | PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Development | 3-6 months | 1-2 months |
| Review | 1-4 weeks | None |
| Updates | Review required | Instant |
User Reach
| Item | Native App | PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Store → Search → Download | Click link → Add to home |
| SEO | Not possible | Full Google indexing |
| Sharing | App store link | Standard URL |
Do PWAs Actually Work?
The numbers speak for themselves.
Spotify
After PWA launch: 73% increase in premium subscriptions.
Forbes
After PWA adoption:
- Engagement up 100%
- Readership up 12%
- Pages per session up 43%
Twitter Lite
After switching to PWA:
- Pages per session up 65%
- Tweets up 75%
- Bounce rate down 20%
2025 Ecommerce
PWA-based ecommerce platforms saw 28% higher organic traffic.
What Can You Build with PWA?
PWAs work great for:
| Service Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Ecommerce | Online stores, marketplaces |
| Content | News, blogs, communities |
| Business Tools | CRM, dashboards, admin panels |
| Booking Systems | Restaurants, clinics, appointments |
| SaaS | B2B software, productivity tools |
What Are PWA's Limitations?
Let's be honest—they exist.
When You Need Native
| Feature | PWA | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Limited | Full support |
| NFC | Limited | Full support |
| AR/VR | No | Full support |
| Background GPS | Limited | Full support |
| Gaming (high-performance) | No | Full support |
If you need deep hardware integration, go native.
For Everything Else, PWA Works
Information delivery, bookings, payments, notifications, offline caching—most business requirements are covered by PWA.
How Big is That 30% App Store Fee?
Let's calculate:
| Monthly Revenue | App Store Fee (30%) | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| $50,000 | $15,000 | $180,000 |
| $100,000 | $30,000 | $360,000 |
With PWA, this cost is $0.
Yes, you'll pay payment processing fees (Stripe's 2.9%, etc.), but that's nothing compared to 30%.
How Fast is the PWA Market Growing?
According to Straits Research:
| Year | PWA Market Size |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.53 billion |
| 2025 | $5.23 billion |
| 2033 | $21.44 billion |
17%+ annual growth rate. PWA is already mainstream.
How Do You Get Started with PWA?
Option 1: No-Code Tools
Bubble, Adalo for quick prototypes. Limited customization though.
Option 2: Build It Yourself
React, Vue, Angular + Service Worker. Requires a dev team.
Option 3: Next.js + Professional Development
DaaSy builds Next.js-based PWAs.
- $2,000/month flat (Beta: $999/month)
- 48-hour average delivery per feature
- 100% code ownership
- Unlimited revisions
Launch a PWA in 2-4 weeks for 1/10 the cost of native app development ($50K+).
Checklist: Is PWA Right for You?
- App store fees are eating into margins
- No budget for separate iOS and Android development
- Fast launch is critical
- SEO (search visibility) matters
- No need for deep hardware integration (AR/VR, Bluetooth)
If you checked 3 or more, PWA is your answer.
The Bottom Line
Native apps are great—when absolutely necessary.
For most business needs, PWA delivers:
- 3-4x lower development cost
- 33% lower maintenance
- $0 app store fees
- 0 days waiting for approval
Launch your mobile app faster and cheaper—without the app store.
Get a PWA consultation at DaaSy.
References
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