PWA vs Mobile App: Why Smart Malaysian Businesses Are Ditching App Stores in 2025

# PWA vs Mobile App: Why Smart Malaysian Businesses Are Ditching App Stores in 2025

"We need a mobile app."

I hear this from Malaysian business owners every week. My response is always the same: "Are you sure? Because there's a better option you probably haven't considered."

That option is a Progressive Web App (PWA). And in 2025, it's becoming the obvious choice for businesses that want mobile presence without the mobile app headaches.

The Mobile App Problem Nobody Talks About

Here's the brutal truth about mobile apps:

The numbers are grim: - Average app loses 77% of users within 3 days of download

• 25% of apps are used only once, then abandoned
• Average cost to acquire one app user: RM15-50
• iOS App Store rejection rate: 40% on first submission
• Average time to approval: 1-2 weeks (if accepted)

And the costs? A basic native app for BOTH iOS and Android:

• Development: RM50,000-150,000
• Annual maintenance: RM15,000-30,000
• App store fees: RM400/year (Apple) + RM100/year (Google)
• Updates for new OS versions: ongoing cost

For most Malaysian SMEs, this is a massive investment for an app that 77% of users will abandon within 3 days.

Enter Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

A PWA is a website that behaves like a mobile app. Users can:

• Install it on their home screen (no app store needed)
• Use it offline
• Receive push notifications
• Access device features (camera, GPS, etc.)

But here's the kicker: it's built once and works everywhere - iOS, Android, desktop, any browser.

Real results from global brands: - Starbucks PWA: 2x increase in daily active users

• Pinterest: 60% increase in engagement, 44% increase in ad revenue
• Trivago: 150% increase in user engagement
• Alibaba: 76% increase in conversions
• Forbes: 43% increase in sessions, 100% increase in engagement

PWA vs Native App: The Real Comparison

Let's compare apples to apples for a Malaysian F&B business wanting mobile ordering:

Cost Comparison

Native Mobile App: - iOS development: RM40,000

• Android development: RM40,000
• Backend API: RM20,000
• Testing & deployment: RM10,000
• Total: RM110,000
• Timeline: 4-6 months

Progressive Web App: - Full PWA development: RM25,000-40,000

• Same backend serves web & mobile
• Single codebase for all platforms
• Total: RM25,000-40,000
• Timeline: 6-10 weeks

Savings: 60-75%

User Acquisition

Native App: - User must find your app in store

• Download 50-100MB app
• Wait for installation
• Grant permissions
• Create account
• Finally... they can order

PWA: - User visits your website

• Sees "Add to Home Screen" prompt
• One tap to install (under 1MB)
• Immediately ready to use
• No app store, no friction

Result: 50% higher conversion from visitor to user

The Offline Advantage

Both PWAs and native apps can work offline. But here's where PWAs shine for Malaysian businesses:

Your customer is in a basement food court with poor signal. With a PWA:

• Menu loads instantly from cache
• They can browse, add to cart
• Order queues and syncs when connection returns

Same experience as a native app, fraction of the cost.

When Native Apps Still Make Sense

I'm not saying native apps are dead. They're still the right choice for:

1. Heavy device integration

• Fitness apps needing health sensors
• AR/VR experiences
• Complex camera/video processing

2. Gaming

• High-performance graphics
• Complex animations
• Game center integration

3. Enterprise with specific requirements

• MDM (Mobile Device Management) needed
• Specific security certifications
• Integration with enterprise app ecosystems

4. Apps where users spend hours daily

• Social media platforms
• Entertainment/streaming
• Dating apps

For 80% of Malaysian SME use cases? PWA is the smarter choice.

PWA Success Stories in Malaysia

Case 1: Restaurant Chain (6 outlets)

Before: Spent RM80,000 on native apps. 2,000 downloads, 200 active users.

After: Rebuilt as PWA for RM30,000. 8,000 installations, 1,500 active users.

Result: 7.5x more users at 37% of the cost.

Case 2: Service Business (Home cleaning)

Before: No app, all bookings via WhatsApp (manual process).

After: PWA with booking system. Customers install on home screen.

Result: 60% of bookings now self-service, saving 15 hours/week in admin.

Case 3: E-commerce (Fashion)

Before: Mobile website with 2.3% conversion rate.

After: PWA with offline browsing, push notifications.

Result: 4.8% conversion rate, 35% increase in repeat purchases.

The Technical Bits (Simplified)

For the curious, here's what makes a website a PWA:

1. Service Worker

A script that runs in the background, enabling:

• Offline functionality
• Background sync
• Push notifications

2. Web App Manifest

A JSON file that tells browsers:

• App name and icon
• How to display (fullscreen, standalone)
• Theme colors

3. HTTPS

Security is mandatory. All PWAs must be served over HTTPS.

4. Responsive Design

Must work on all screen sizes, from phone to desktop.

The good news: any competent web developer can build a PWA. No need for specialized iOS/Android developers.

PWA Limitations to Know

Being honest about what PWAs can't do (yet):

iOS limitations: - No push notifications on iOS until iOS 16.4 (now supported!)

• Limited background processing
• Storage limits (less generous than Android)

General limitations: - No access to contacts, SMS

• Limited Bluetooth support
• No integration with other apps (can't share TO your PWA)
• No presence in app stores (can be listed in some, but not standard)

For most business applications, these limitations don't matter.

Is Your Business PWA-Ready?

Answer these questions:

1. Is your main goal transactions or engagement?

- Transactions (ordering, booking, purchasing) → PWA perfect

- Deep engagement (social, gaming) → Consider native

1. What's your budget?

- Under RM50,000 → PWA is your only realistic option

- RM50,000-150,000 → PWA gives you more features for the money

- RM150,000+ → Native might make sense if requirements demand it

1. How tech-savvy is your audience?

- General Malaysian consumers → PWA (easier installation)

- Tech enthusiasts → Either works

- Enterprise users → Consider their IT policies

1. How often will you update?

- Frequent updates → PWA (instant deployment, no app store review)

- Stable, rarely changes → Either works

Making the Move to PWA

If you have an existing website, converting to PWA is often straightforward:

Basic PWA upgrade (existing website): - Add service worker for offline capability

• Create web app manifest
• Optimize for mobile
• Cost: RM5,000-15,000
• Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Full PWA with advanced features: - Custom offline experience

• Push notifications
• Advanced caching strategies
• Background sync
• Cost: RM25,000-50,000
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks

Complete rebuild as PWA: - Modern tech stack (Next.js, etc.)

• Full mobile-app experience
• Integration with existing systems
• Cost: RM40,000-80,000
• Timeline: 8-12 weeks

The 2025 Verdict

The app store era peaked years ago. Users are tired of downloading apps they'll use twice. Businesses are tired of paying RM100,000+ for apps with 200 active users.

PWAs offer a middle path: the experience of a mobile app, the accessibility of a website, at a fraction of the cost.

For Malaysian SMEs in 2025, the question isn't "Should we build an app?" It's "Do we really need the app store, or will a PWA do everything we need at 70% less cost?"

Most of the time, the answer is clear.

Considering mobile presence for your business? Let's discuss whether a PWA fits your needs - often it's the smartest investment you can make.