- Web apps = reach & speed. Open instantly in a browser, great for discovery (SEO), cheaper to build/iterate, one codebase for all devices.
- Mobile apps = depth & monetization. Live on the home screen, faster UI, richer device features (push, offline, camera/NFC), higher engagement and conversions.
Key Stats (2025 snapshot)
- ~60–65% of global web traffic is on mobile.
- Users spend more total time in apps than mobile web, but discover new services mostly via web/search.
- Android leads in global share; iOS users typically spend more per person.
- PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) keep growing fast: one codebase, app-like features, instant updates.
Users: Reach vs. Engagement
- Web wins for reach and first-time visits (no install, share a link).
- Apps win for retention & repeat use (push notifications, home-screen icon, smoother UX).
- Younger users (Gen Z/Millennials) are more app-centric; older users stick to web for casual tasks.
- Work hours: desktop/web still strong; evenings/commute: mobile/app usage spikes.
Business View
- Cost & speed: Web (and PWAs) are usually faster/cheaper to launch and update.
- Revenue: Apps have strong in-app purchase/subscription flows and better conversion; web avoids app-store fees and is strong for content/SEO.
- Distribution: Web is open (no gatekeepers); apps benefit from stores (but must pass reviews and share revenue).
Tech View
- Web/PWA: One codebase, instant deploys, offline caching, web push, works on any device. Limited background tasks & some hardware features.
- Native app: Best performance (animations, AR/3D), full hardware access (Bluetooth/NFC/biometrics), robust offline, but separate iOS/Android builds (unless using cross-platform like Flutter/React Native).
Quick Decision Matrix
| Goal / Constraint | Choose Web / PWA | Choose Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Launch fast with limited budget | ✅ One codebase, instant updates | – |
| SEO & discovery matter | ✅ Indexed by search, shareable links | – |
| Deep engagement & re-engagement | ➖ (web push helps, but weaker) | ✅ Push, home-screen, higher retention |
| Heavy device features (NFC, BT, AR) | ➖ Partial/limited | ✅ Full native access |
| Offline-first & background tasks | ➖ Basic via service workers | ✅ Strong support |
| Monetize in-app (IAP/subscriptions) | ➖ Custom checkout, no store rails | ✅ Mature, familiar flows |
| One codebase for all | ✅ Web/PWA | ➕ Flutter / React Native (near-one codebase) |
Recommended Strategy (what most teams do)
- Start Web/PWA for reach, SEO, and speed to market.
- Add Mobile App once you see strong repeat usage or need deeper features (push, offline, advanced device APIs).
- Use Flutter or React Native if you want one codebase across iOS/Android (and even desktop/web in some cases).
- Keep analytics consistent across web/app; design a smooth web→app upgrade path for power users.
Southeast Asia & Cambodia Notes
- Mobile-first usage is strong; Android dominates device share.
- Payments: support local gateways (e.g., ABA/KHQR) and cash-friendly flows; web checkout + app subscriptions can co-exist.
- Connectivity: prioritize offline-friendly designs (cache, low-data images) on both web (PWA) and apps.
2026–2028 Outlook
- PWAs keep gaining native-like powers and enterprise adoption.
- Cross-platform (Flutter/React Native, Kotlin Multiplatform) narrows performance gaps.
- App-store rules loosen slightly in some regions, but native app UX remains the gold standard for heavy use.
- Users won’t care “web vs app” — they’ll expect fast, seamless experiences everywhere.
Mini-FAQ (copy-ready)
Q1: If I can only build one, which first?
Web/PWA. Lowest friction, fastest to validate, drives SEO and sharing. Add mobile apps once you have traction or need native features.
Q2: Will a PWA replace my native app?
Not always. PWAs cover many use cases well, but intense performance, deep hardware, or heavy offline workflows still favor native.
Q3: Do I need both?
For consumer products at scale: Yes, eventually. Web for reach + app for retention is the winning combo.
Q4: What about costs?
Typically: Web < Cross-platform < Two native apps. PWAs minimize maintenance; cross-platform cuts mobile costs vs two separate native builds.
Q5: How do I decide now?
List your must-have features (offline, push, NFC, AR), time-to-market, budget, and growth channel (SEO vs stores). Choose the row that fits in the matrix above.
One-Page Takeaway (use as sidebar)
- Start Web/PWA → validate + acquire users
- Scale with Mobile App → retain + monetize
- Optimize together → shared backend, shared design system, consistent analytics