Progressive Web Apps: Build Apps That Work Everywhere
Learn what PWAs are, how they work, and how to build one. Covers service workers, manifests, and offline support.
By RiseTop Team · May 2026 · 8 min read
Progressive Web Apps are web applications that look and feel like native apps. They can work offline, be installed on the home screen, and send push notifications.
Three Pillars of PWAs
HTTPS: Required for service workers and security
Web App Manifest: JSON file defining app metadata
Service Worker: JavaScript worker for offline support and caching
PWA vs Native App
Feature
PWA
Native
Distribution
Web (instant)
App store (review)
Offline
Yes
Yes
Hardware access
Limited
Full
Development cost
Lower
Higher
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PWAs access device hardware? +
Yes, through Web APIs like Geolocation, Camera, Bluetooth, USB, and NFC. Some advanced features still require native apps.
Do PWAs work on iOS? +
Yes. Since iOS 16.4, PWAs can be added to home screen and receive push notifications, though support is more limited than Android.
Is a PWA right for my project? +
PWAs are excellent for content apps, e-commerce, tools, and business apps. For graphics-intensive games, native is still better.