Best Progressive Web Apps that Work Like a Charm

Before we tell you about the best progressive web apps let’s first understand what exactly are Progressive Web Apps. PWAS or Progressive Web Apps are apps developed using standard patterns and specific technologies that allow them to take advantage of native apps and web apps.

Native apps in general are not as easily discoverable as web apps because it’s way easier to visit a website rather than to install an app. On the flipside, native applications are better integrated and therefore provide a more seamless experience to the users. Another benefit of native apps is that they could be used offline as well.

PWAs give developers the option to create web apps that have the advantages of native apps and this is not a new concept. Responsive designs and Progressive Enhancements have allowed developers to make more mobile-friendly apps and the best progressive web apps currently on the market are truly amazing.

When can an app be considered a PWA?

An app can only be considered a PWA if it meets certain requirements or features like synchronization, offline access, and the ability to send out push notifications. As mentioned earlier, PWAs are developed using multiple technologies.

In order to be identified as a PWA, a web app should be secure, linkable, installable, discoverable, responsively designed, re-engageable, and progressively enhanced. Therefore, some of the best progressive web apps like Ali Express, Trivago, and Twitter Lite spend millions of dollars in research and finding pain points.

How important is browser support?

PWAs use various technologies and don’t rely on a single API to provide the users with the best possible web experience and to achieve that, service worker support is critical. The advancement in technology has ensured that all major browsers support service workers both on smartphones and desktops.

Are PWA apps the solution you are looking for?

PWA apps can be a boon for many and if done write you can expect faster loading times due to caching which loads super quick especially if you have visited the site once. The chance to re-engage with users through the use of push notifications. As most PWAs apps automatically run in full-screen mode, the user experience is better and this leads to repeat visitors.

What are the Best Progressive Web Apps currently in the market?

After going through the basics of PWA apps we are sure that you must be curious about the best progressive web apps out there so let’s jump straight into it.

Spotify

One of the biggest streaming apps currently out there. The goal behind its PWA launch was to get new users for the free version of the app who might upgrade to the premium version after experiencing the features of the app. As per some reports, after the PWA deployment monthly active users of the website rose significantly and it also had a great impact on the branding of the company due to the increase in users and this gets Spotify the top spot on PWA Apps List.

AliExpress

Considered by some as the biggest rival to Amazon, the company was unable to get much traction for its native app. However, after it launched its new progressive web app, it became popular very soon, thanks to the installation-free experience that is similar to desktop even when used on phones.

BMW

BMW developed a PWA app so it could deliver lots of content to its huge fan following but in a clutter-free and classy way. They deliver content in such a way that you will keep on scrolling and their tagline of ‘simple navigation & endless content’ holds true as all stories and articles are very well written. The podcasts make the app fun as well as information and this is why the app gets a place on our PWA apps list.

One of the coolest apps around now, it had a rocky start and users were not a big fan of the early iterations of the app on both iOS and Android. However, the Pinterest engineering team was not disheartened and developed a PWA version from the ground up. Their efforts paid off and the PWA version became an instant hit.

Trivago

Another great company on the PWA Apps List is Trivago. The company philosophy behind making their own PWA app was that if the app uses very little data then customers would be attracted to their platform. With features like an offline mode, push notifications, and the ability to add to the home screen, Trivago saw promising results and as per some accounts, their user engagement rose by 150%.

As there are several PWAs in the market currently it is difficult to identify the best progressive web apps, you should consider our list as a starting point and try to discover some remarkable PWAs.

Best Progressive Web Apps that Work Like a Charm