Are you moving to build a progressive web app like Spotify, Starbucks, or Twitter and having trouble deciding on a PWA framework? — If so, you’ve come to the correct place!
Although it took some time for the concept to gain hold, when Google started promoting progressive web app frameworks (PWA), the industry took notice.
Enterprises adopting PWA frameworks observed an 80% increase in mobile sessions, a 134% rise in page views, and a 137% boost in overall engagement.
With the current acceptance rate, beginners like yourself should need assistance locating a solid basis for building your websites.
As a result, I believe it is vital to present you with a thorough, best-of-breed list that will make the entire framework selection process much easier.
Let’s get started, shall we?
What are PWAs?
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are websites that act like mobile apps, offering a seamless and fast user experience. They work on any device and browser, even offline.
PWAs use modern web technologies to provide features like push notifications, responsiveness, and smooth performance.
They eliminate the need for app store downloads, making them accessible with just a web link.
PWAs have an average load time that is 2.75 seconds. This is nearly 8 times quicker than the traditional mobile homepage.
Some notable examples of PWAs are:
Global Market of PWAs
Progressive online Apps (PWAs) have dominated the mobile and online app development world.
The PWA market is predicted to develop at a 34% CAGR from USD 1100 million in 2019 to USD 7600 million by 2026. In an October 2020 study of European and North American e-commerce decision-makers, 9% claimed their companies expected to invest in progressive web apps (PWA) in 2021. Out of which, 8% of the organizations were already doing so.
Here is the PWA market size over the years:
PWA Trends Unveiled
The soaring popularity of PWAs is attributed to their capability to fulfill mobile web requirements, saving over 33% in app creation and upkeep costs.
Numerous brands have reaped benefits from PWAs, boasting features like lightweight designs, rapid page loads, and seamless transitions:
- Mobify experienced a 20% upswing in mobile sales and profits.
- Lancome achieved an 8% recovery rate in abandoned carts, courtesy of PWA-triggered push alerts.
- After transforming its mobile platform into a PWA, Pinterest witnessed a remarkable 60% surge in user interaction.
The surge in PWA acclaim has led to the emergence of various frameworks for enterprises venturing into PWA development.
What are PWA Frameworks?
Progressive Web App (PWA) frameworks are sets of tools, libraries, and pre-built components that simplify and streamline the development of PWAs.
These frameworks provide developers with a structured approach to building PWAs, offering ready-made solutions for common PWA features and functionality.
By leveraging PWA frameworks, developers like you can save time and effort by avoiding the need to build everything from scratch.
These frameworks often include features like service workers, offline caching, push notifications, and responsive design, enabling you to create robust and engaging PWAs more efficiently.
Advantages of Using PWA Frameworks
Here are some advantages of using the PWA framework for development:
- Rapid Development: PWA frameworks provide pre-built components, accelerating and simplifying the development process with ready-to-use elements.
- Enhanced Performance: Incorporate optimization for better loading speeds, smooth navigation, and offline functionality, improving user experience.
- Community Support: Active developer communities contribute to framework improvement and provide valuable resources and support.
- Future-proofing: By adopting PWA frameworks, developers ensure PWAs remain up-to-date with evolving web technologies and industry standards.
- Cross-platform Compatibility: Enable creation of PWAs for diverse platforms and devices, ensuring a consistent user experience through responsive design.
The Key Features of PAW Frameworks
Here are some key features and aspects associated with building PWAs:
- Service Workers: PWAs use service workers to enable offline functionality, background sync, and push notifications. Service workers are JavaScript files that run in the background, allowing the application to work offline.
- App Shell Architecture: PWAs often adopt the app shell architecture, where the basic UI structure (shell) is loaded initially and cached, allowing for faster subsequent loads.
- Web App Manifest: The web app manifest is a JSON file that provides metadata about the PWA, such as its name, icon, and theme colors. It allows users to install the PWA on their device’s home screen.
- Offline Support: PWAs can work offline or in low-network conditions because of the use of service workers and caching strategies. This is a crucial feature for providing a reliable user experience.
- Push Notifications: Service workers enable push notifications, allowing the PWA to send updates or alerts to users even when the app is not open.
- Offline Data Storage: Local storage, IndexedDB, or other mechanisms are used for storing data locally on the user’s device, allowing the PWA to function without an internet connection.
- Dynamic Content Updates: Service workers enable the dynamic updating of content in the background, ensuring that users always have access to the latest online information.
When building PWAs, developers often use web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Tools like Workbox are commonly employed to simplify the implementation of service workers and caching strategies. Remember that the PWA landscape is dynamic, and new tools and techniques may emerge over time.
Top 10 PWA Frameworks to Build Progressive Web Apps in 2024
If you want to build a Progressive Web App (PWA), you must choose the right framework. It’s similar to selecting the greatest ingredients while preparing your favorite recipe.
The most common frameworks developers use are React, Angular, Vue.js, and Ionic.
We will briefly explain to help you choose which progressive web app framework is ideal for you.
1. React
Facebook created React in 2013 to be a front-end, freely available library. In comparison to other frameworks, it has a large development community.
React is extremely adaptable, renders quickly, and is error-free. This is why React is so popular among progressive web app development businesses.
It also provides some wonderful features, such as baking up and documentation, and it has worked on major projects such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
It is basically based on JavaScript and uses JSX to link HTML structures elegantly.
According to a 2023 study, 40.2% of respondents utilize React.js.
It supports app scalability, allows for reusable UI components, and can create single-page and multipage PWA apps for every platform and device.
Pros
- Simplified Learning: React employs straightforward syntaxes with a focus on HTML skills.
- Robust Server-Side Rendering: Offers reliable support for server-side rendering, crucial for crafting interactive and engaging PWAs.
- Enhanced Flexibility: Provides greater flexibility in the development process.
- High Performance: Ranks among the top performers, utilizing virtual DOM and various rendering optimizations.
- Open-Source and Popular: A widely-used, open-source library with continuous contributions from a vast global community of React developers.
Cons
- JSX Understanding Required: Requires an understanding of JSX for easier HTML integration.
- Documentation Limitations: Faces challenges in terms of comprehensive documentation.
- Limited SEO-Friendliness: Falls short in terms of SEO friendliness.
2. AngularJS
Angular, supported by Google, is a versatile development platform for mobile, web, and desktop apps, using TypeScript, CSS, and HTML.
Angular offers a structured framework in PWA development, enhancing user experience and performance.
You can leverage Angular’s features like component-based architecture, data binding, and dependency injection for modular and maintainable code.
Angular’s CLI streamlines PWA development with scaffolding tools.
Service Workers, a feature in Angular, simplifies the setup for caching and offline functionality, managing tasks like intercepting network requests and providing offline support.
Pros
- Structured and comprehensive methodology.
- Thriving and engaged community of developers.
- Robust infrastructure tailored for large-scale projects.
- Extensive repository of third-party extensions for diverse functionality.
- Prioritizes speed and security, featuring a distinctive ‘ahead-of-time compiler’ concept.
- Incorporates dependency injection for enhanced code efficiency and modularity.
- Fully modular elements for flexibility.
Cons
- Requires a grasp of TypeScript for effective use.
- Steep learning curve.
- Not particularly SEO-friendly.
3. Vue.js
VueJS and React contain many similarities at their core since they both employ Virtual DOM as a lightweight and efficient approximation of the original DOM.
Vue accepts and improves on existing web technologies like HTML and CSS, while React takes a more advanced approach that largely employs JavaScript.
It’s also because of this that front-end beginners may find it easier to pick up and create PWA in Vue, making the Vue learning curve less daunting for newcomers.
Pros
- Highly accessible for learning purposes.
- Well-documented for ease of understanding.
- Optimal results are achievable when paired with JSX and Typescript.
- Supports animations.
- Improved rendering performance attributed to Virtual DOM.
Cons
- Excessive flexibility may lead to numerous reported and unresolved integration issues in larger projects.
- Limited by a small development team.
4. Ionic
Ionic is a well-known open-source framework that enables the creation of cross-platform mobile apps using familiar web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
It supports the development of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) with a native feel across iOS and Android.
Ionic offers a vast library of pre-built components, simplifying the development process and improving app aesthetics.
It provides Capacitor, a robust runtime that grants PWAs access to native device features, ensuring seamless integration with capabilities like the camera and geolocation.
This can allow you to craft PWAs indistinguishable from native apps, delivering an enriched user experience.
Pros
- Unified Codebase: Write code once and deploy across multiple platforms, saving development time.
- Rich UI Components: Access a vast library of pre-built UI components for appealing and interactive PWAs.
- Access to Native Functionality: Utilize Ionic’s Capacitor plugin ecosystem to access native device features.
- Performance Optimization: Built on Angular, Ionic enables performance optimizations for faster and smoother PWAs.
Cons
- Limited Native Functionality: Some platform-specific capabilities may not be readily available.
- Learning Curve: Requires learning Ionic’s development tools and concepts, especially for those new to Ionic or Angular.
- No Hot Reload: Development lacks hot reloading, relying on live reloading, potentially slowing down development.
5. Polymer
Polymer, a JavaScript library from Google, streamlines the creation of reusable web components.
It adheres to web component standards, empowering developers to construct modular PWAs for easy sharing and reuse.
The library offers Polymer Elements, a set of pre-built UI components facilitating the development of PWAs with uniform and visually pleasing interfaces.
Polymer’s support for a declarative syntax simplifies component behavior definition and data binding, enhancing your efficiency in creating compelling web applications.
Pros
- Supports routing, responsive design, and data-tier layouts.
- Large collection of components compatible across different browsers.
- User-friendly and easy-to-understand API.
- Includes embedded tools, eliminating the need for separate debugging tools.
- Well-documented for easy reference.
Cons
- Lack of Authorized IDE: No official integrated development environment (IDE).
- Limited Server-Side Rendering: Results in lower SEO-friendliness, increased HTTP requests, and longer reloading times.
6. Magento PWA Studio
PWA Studio, crafted by Magento for e-commerce, furnishes a toolkit to construct top-notch Progressive Web Apps.
Tailored for seamless shopping, it merges web and mobile app strengths.
The suite includes Peregrine, a library for responsive PWAs, and Venia, a reference storefront.
PWA Studio can empower you to forge high-performance PWAs with superb user experiences, offering scalability tailored for e-commerce success.
Pros
- Tailored for eCommerce, ideal for online businesses.
- Highly customizable and scalable to suit business needs.
- Utilizes modern technologies like React and Redux for speed and user experience.
- Comprehensive tools for PWA development, including theming and localization support.
Cons
- Requires Magento expertise for full utilization.
- Best suited for eCommerce, less ideal for non-commerce sites.
- Limited support and documentation compared to alternative PWA frameworks.
7. ScandiPWA
ScandiPWA, based on the Magento PWA Studio, facilitates Progressive Web App (PWA) development on the Magento eCommerce platform.
Built using React, it’s an advanced frontend framework for Magento 2.
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is a leading eCommerce platform renowned for open-source technology, offering control over appearance and functionality without compromising the shopping experience.
Magento provides marketing tools, SEO features, and efficient catalog management.
ScandiPWA preserves 95% of Magento’s features, enhancing the user experience and enabling flexible customization.
You can benefit from file overrides for theme development and application plugins for creating reusable extensions, empowering efficient PWA development.
Pros
- Efficiency and Workload Reduction: Maximizing efficiency utilizes Magento’s infrastructure for easier PWA development.
- Complete Tool Set: It is built on Magento and offers an extensive toolset for robust functionality.
Cons
- Community Management Issues: Faces challenges with over 479 GitHub issues and a limited number of active contributors.
- Natural Limitations: Tied to Magento’s infrastructure, suitable for template PWAs but may lack efficiency for custom solutions.
8. Svelte
Svelte has garnered attention for its innovative PWA development approach.
Diverging from traditional frameworks, it prioritizes compile time over a virtual DOM, resulting in highly optimized and efficient applications.
Its simplicity and proficiency in generating lightweight, fast-loading PWAs contribute to its ascent in the PWA development landscape.
Pros
- Optimized Performance: Svelte’s compile-time approach ensures highly optimized and performant applications.
- Simplicity: The simplicity of writing code accelerates development and aids in creating lightweight PWAs.
- Fast Loading: PWAs built with Svelte exhibit faster loading times than many other frameworks.
Cons
- As a relatively newer framework, Svelte may have a smaller community and fewer resources than established frameworks.
- While streamlining the coding process, Svelte may lack the extensive tooling and libraries in more mature frameworks.
9. Preact
Preact is a flexible, results-oriented alternative to React suitable for PWA development because it is light, quick, and should meet most of your needs.
The reason it’s so fantastic and well-recommended within the PWA community because it’s completely usable with React.
Switching from React to Preact is as easy as adding the layer of preact-compare to your current code.
Pros
- Lightweight and Swift
- Utilizes the same ES6 API as React, ensuring smooth interoperability.
- Preact CLI simplifies PWA development and delivers excellent performance.
- Includes built-in server-side rendering, routing, and additional add-ons.
Cons
- ‘Innovations’ in Preact may be numerous.
- Requires preact-compact for the utilization of React components or packages.
10. PWA Builder
PWA Builder is a community-driven, open-source platform founded by Microsoft for progressive web app (PWA) development.
It equips developers like you with tools like an app manifest editor, icon generator, and service worker generator to facilitate creation and publishing of high-quality PWAs.
Supporting various frameworks, including React, Angular, and Vue.js, PWA Builder is versatile with any web technology.
The platform offers compatibility and accessibility testing, easing submission to the Microsoft Store and Google Play.
Pros
- User-Friendly: Easy to use, especially for beginners new to Progressive Web App development.
- Template Variety: Provides a selection of templates and themes for diverse design choices.
- Optimized PWAs: Generates PWAs optimized for performance, speed, and overall user experience.
- Standards Compliance: Ensures PWAs align with various web app standards and guidelines.
- Additional Add-ons: Offers add-ons like splash screens to enhance the user experience.
Cons
- Limited Customization: May restrict customization options, posing a drawback for developers seeking more flexibility.
- Feature Lag: May lack access to the latest features and functionalities compared to some other frameworks.
- Scalability Challenges: Generated PWAs may face scalability limitations, making them less suitable for larger projects than full-fledged frameworks.
These ten PWA frameworks offer various strengths and advantages for building progressive web apps across domains and use cases. Depending on your project requirements and preferences, you can select the most suitable framework to accelerate your PWA development process.
Are you in the dark about the latest trends in cross-platform app frameworks? Don’t worry; our cross-platform app framework guide will prepare you for success!
The Costs of Progressive Web App Frameworks in 2024
Reducing expenses without compromising quality is a goal for every business.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) built with HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript operate seamlessly across platforms, eliminating the need for separate versions and significantly saving costs.
Businesses can potentially save up to 75% on development budgets by opting for PWA frameworks over traditional app routes.
Factors Influencing Costs
The cost of building a PWA in 2024 depends on various factors, including:
- App complexity
- Required features
- The chosen technology stack
Popular frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js may impact costs due to their distinct capabilities and learning curves.
Cost Estimates
- Simple PWAs: For a simple PWA with basic functionality, such as a news feed or weather updates, costs may range from $10,000 to $20,000.
- Complex PWAs: More complex PWAs with advanced features like eCommerce integration or user authentication could cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
You should note that these figures are approximations, and actual costs may vary based on individual project requirements.
Ongoing maintenance expenses should be considered, accounting for about 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.
What Role Does PWA Frameworks Play in Web Development?
PWA frameworks are changing how we make websites, letting us create strong, easy-to-use, and fast online apps that combine the best parts of web and mobile experiences.
No matter the internet or device, PWAs give a smooth user experience, making them the future of app development.
With tools and best practices, PWA frameworks help developers reach these goals better.
The role of PWA frameworks in web development encompasses:
- Responsive Design
- Offline Support
- App-like Experience
- Fast Loading
- Push Notifications
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Security
- Installation and Home Screen Access
- SEO and Shareability
- Community and Documentation
How Can You Choose the Right PWA Framework for Your Project?
Choosing the right PWA framework is crucial for developing a high-quality application and reaping the benefits of Progressive Web Apps.
Consider the following factors:
- Performance: Evaluate server-side rendering for optimal app performance. A lightweight framework ensures faster loading times.
- App Size: Select a framework based on the app’s size. Larger apps may require extensive frameworks, while smaller ones benefit from lightweight options.
- Third-party Adaptability: Ensure compatibility with third-party tools as PWA frameworks are evolving. The chosen framework should seamlessly integrate with external libraries.
- Development Time: Consider the learning curve. Opt for frameworks that align with your team’s expertise to minimize development time.
- Support: Choose well-documented frameworks with active online communities for reliable developer support.
- Scalability: Prioritize frameworks that facilitate feature updates and scale with the application’s growth. Ensure compatibility with third-party tools.
- Maintenance: Opt for frameworks that simplify code maintenance, support reusable components, and ease onboarding for new team members.
Selecting the right PWA framework ensures efficient development, scalability, and easy maintenance for your project.
Best Practices for Developing PWAs
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are powerful tools in the digital landscape. To unlock their full potential, adhering to best practices is very important.
So let’s check out the best practices for developing PWAs:
1. Faster Loading Times
Speed is the heartbeat of Progressive Web Apps. By making sure your PWA is quick to load, you’re not just opening a page; you’re opening a gateway to instant information.
Harness service workers will manage network requests and leverage the cache API to store vital assets. This duo works magic, letting your PWA zip along even when the internet is dragging its feet.
2. Accessible on All Devices
PWAs are the chameleons of the app world; they adapt to their environment seamlessly. It’s crucial that your app looks good and works well on any device, from a desktop behemoth to the slimmest smartphone. Responsive design is your toolkit for this task.
Use fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries to ensure your app’s usability isn’t just confined to a single type of device. Your PWA should feel at home on any screen, providing a familiar experience for every user every time.
3. User Engagement
A PWA without user engagement is like a party without guests—quiet and uneventful. Stir the pot by integrating push notifications, but always ask for permission first—no one likes uninvited noise. Make your notifications timely, personal, and actionable.
Use the wisdom from the Google Developers Guide to craft messages that draw users back with the allure of important updates and irresistible offers. It’s about creating a continuous dialogue that keeps your app at the forefront of users’ minds.
Why Adopt PWA Frameworks for Mobile-Focused Development
Progressive Web Applications (PWA) have significantly influenced the development of mobile web apps. They provide an efficient way to build apps combining the best web and mobile app experiences.
A key feature of PWA is its mobile-first design, allowing developers to create web apps that provide a high-quality mobile experience.
This includes functionalities like offline capabilities, background data updates, and installing the web app directly to a mobile device’s home screen.
PWAs are accessible through any web browser and can be developed using existing web development skills, thus removing the need for specialized native app development expertise.
Pwa is also much faster than Native Apps -about 15 times faster.
The diagram below shows a comparison of PWA and Native App.
Role of Testing and Tools in PWA Mobile Development
Effective testing is vital to any app development process, and PWAs are no exception. Tools for testing are integral to developing reliable and robust PWAs.
These tools help ensure the app’s performance, functionality, and user experience meet the desired standards across various mobile devices and browsers.
In addition to testing, PWA development relies heavily on various tools for different development stages.
From service workers who handle offline data access and background updates to manifest files for defining the web app’s appearance when installed, these tools significantly shape the progressive web app’s functionality and user experience.
Libraries and frameworks like React have made building complex and performing PWAs easier because of their reusable components and data management capabilities.
The Future of Mobile Web Apps: Live Updates and PWAs
One of the standout features of PWA is the ability to provide live updates. Unlike traditional mobile apps that require users to download and install updates, PWAs can receive updates directly from the web server.
This allows seamless updates, improving user experience and ensuring users always have the latest and greatest web app version.
With their mobile-first design, comprehensive testing and development tools, and the ability to provide live updates, PWA frameworks are proving to be a game-changer in the world of mobile web app development.
Final Words
PWA Framework is certainly a game changer in web development. It gives a fast, flexible, and customer-friendly experience that can significantly improve your website’s user experience.
PWA apps can function offline, load rapidly, and give a smooth experience comparable to native apps.
It is critical to stay current with the most recent frameworks for PWA development to create a high-quality PWA.
This article discussed some of the best PWA frameworks currently prevalent in the industry and will remain so in 2024. With these tools, you can build a strong progressive web app for your company.
Frequently Asked Questions about PWA Frameworks
1. What are PWA frameworks?
PWA frameworks are libraries and tools that simplify and streamline the development of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
They provide pre-built components, performance enhancements, and structured approaches, making creating PWAs that deliver native-like experiences on the web easier.
2. Why should I use a PWA framework?
There are several reasons why you should consider using a PWA framework for your next project:
- Reduced Development Time and Effort: PWA frameworks offer pre-built components and tools that can significantly reduce the development time and effort required to create PWAs.
- Improved Performance: PWA frameworks often include optimizations for performance and responsiveness, resulting in faster load times and smoother interactions.
- Structured Approach: PWA frameworks provide a clear structure for building PWAs, making them easier to maintain and scale as your project grows.
- Enforced Best Practices: PWA frameworks encourage adherence to PWA best practices, ensuring that your apps are built consistently and reliably.
3. How do PWA frameworks enhance the performance of web applications?
PWA frameworks optimize performance through features like service workers, which enable offline functionality, and by employing techniques like lazy loading and efficient rendering.
This results in faster loading times and smoother user experiences.
4. What should I consider when choosing a PWA framework?
There are several factors to consider when choosing a PWA framework for your project:
- Project Complexity: Consider the scale and features needed for your PWA.
- Team Expertise: Evaluate your team’s familiarity with different frameworks and languages.
- Performance Requirements: Prioritize frameworks that excel in performance optimization.
- Community Support: A strong community can provide valuable resources and assistance.
- Project-specific Needs: Assess any unique requirements or constraints of your project.
5. Which programming languages are commonly used in PWA frameworks?
PWA frameworks often leverage web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Some frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js also use TypeScript for enhanced development capabilities.
6. Are there any alternatives to PWA frameworks?
Yes, there are a few alternatives to PWA frameworks, including:
- Custom Development: You can develop PWAs without a framework by using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, this can be more challenging and time-consuming.
- Progressive Enhancement: You can gradually use progressive enhancement techniques to add PWA features to a web app. This can be a good option for existing web apps you want to convert into PWAs.
7. Are there specific frameworks for e-commerce PWAs?
Yes, there are frameworks like PWA Studio for Magento and ScandiPWA tailored specifically for e-commerce PWAs.
These frameworks provide tools and features optimized for creating robust and scalable e-commerce applications.
