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Though, PWA or Progressive Web App is relatively new in the tech world. But there are many big giants, so-called ‘Unicorns’ like Flipkart, Uber, Starbucks, BMW, Pinterest, and so on have already adopted it.

This technology is helping them in various aspects, whether, it is improving conversion rate, engagement,  or to enhance the user experience.

According to an independent survey, Pinterest’s new native-like PWA experience doubles active mobile users and nearly quadruples session duration.

Compared to its previous mobile web version, users are spending 40% more time, generating 44% more revenue, and engaging 60% more.

Comparing old mobile web

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But how much did it cost to develop a progressive web app?

Well, we can’t give, the exact cost of a PWA development, as it highly depends on the requirement & functionality of the web app.

But as per experts, the cost of PWA development typically ranges between $5,000 to $150,000, depending on the complexity of the app.

 

Project Type Price Range (Approx)
Small to Medium-Sized $5000–$15000
Medium to Large-Sized $15000–$150,000

 

Note: This is just an estimated price range. The cost of progressive web app development depends on various factors, Let’s explore them in detail through this blog.

But before we examine the cost of progressive web app development, let’s examine first what progressive web apps are and why they exist.

What is a Progressive Web App?

A progressive web app is a web application that takes advantage of modern web technologies, including service workers, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other APIs. Best of all, it provides a user experience similar to a native mobile application.

In today’s digital world, progressive web apps are becoming increasingly popular. Some of the statistics show users who opt for this solution experience increased engagement, conversion rates, page loading speeds, and more.

Progressive Web App Statistics

Furthermore, compared to a native mobile one, PWAs cost an average of 3-4 times less for development – and in some cases, this figure can reach up to 10 or even 15 times!

Isn’t it incredible?

Progressive Web App Development Cost - iWebServices

Nevertheless, the reason for getting this much popularity lies in its impressive benefits such as:

  • Offline access to resources
  • Push notifications;
  • Geolocation functionality;
  • Responsive design for any device;
  • Easily indexable content; and
  • Accessible on all platforms without additional downloads.

You can find out more about Progressive Web Apps here..

These features make progressive web apps highly attractive for businesses looking to create an effective digital presence. However, this convenience comes at a cost, and this brings us to our next point: how much does progressive web app development actually cost?

How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Progressive Web App?

By developing a Progressive Web App (PWA), businesses can reduce their development costs and deliver their message to prospective customers rapidly, as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs.

With a PWA, the cost of maintenance is significantly lower compared to a typical app, usually about 20–25% of the total development cost. Additionally, businesses can ensure that their investments will result in a cost-effective and versatile solution that delivers the desired outcomes.

Moreover, for small businesses and enterprises alike, reaching out to a Progressive Web App Development Company for such solutions can be a great way to reach customers at an affordable price. But the development cost of a PWA varies from project to project, depending on various factors.

What factors can impact its cost?

Factors Impacting The Progressive Web App Development Cost

Like any other web app development project, PWA development costs fluctuate based on a variety of factors, some of which include:

Complexity of the Project

Complexity of the Project

 

The cost of building an advanced progressive web application can vary highly, depending on the complexity of the app. In other words, the more features and pages it includes, the greater the expense.

If you opt for a React Native PWA, the cost is likely to increase since additional time and resources will need to be spent to ensure the app works across iOS and Android devices. Also, working with databases and incorporating security features such as user authentication and encryption could raise the price further.

To put it simply, the more complex the app and the more advanced features you wish to include, the higher the cost will be.

User Interface/User Requirements

User Interface and Requirements

UI design is an essential facet of a successful Progressive Web App (PWA). After all, it’s how the app looks and feels to users and how they can take advantage of its features. For PWAs, it’s important that the UI design is crafted with speed in mind; loading quickly while seamlessly incorporating numerous features and functionalities. 

But be aware that this advanced design will typically come at an increased cost if your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is more complex with countless features.

When pricing out a PWA development project, you need to consider the user requirements. If a deep, animated, or multi-layered design is required, it will necessarily carry a higher cost due to the time and effort involved in the process.

Location of the Development Team & Expertise Level of Developers

Crafting a Progressive Web App (PWA) may pose a complex task that demands experts’ competence. If you want the best features, performance, and usability of your PWA, it is wise to acquire the services of experienced professionals over inexperienced ones. 

Expert web app developers hold more sets of skills and aptitudes which allow them to make agile and user-friendly applications. But when you’re looking for the best, you have to pay for the best. As their skill set comes with a potentially higher price tag.

Moreover, where your PWA developer is geographically situated, can influence the cost of their services. Developers located in city hubs may have higher rates than those in rural locales due to the variance in living costs.

 

Cost of hiring web developers in different regions. Average Rate
Asia $15 and $50
US and Canada $70 to $150
South America $30 to $60
Europe $50 to $120

Type of Development Solution You Want

When it comes to PWA development, the three common categories you can go with are premade, mixed, and custom-built from scratch. 

While premade PWA theme assists businesses in quickly launching an app without any issues. The only limitation is that sometimes you have to stick to pre-existing functionality and design. 

The mixed solutions involve taking a basic template and customizing it. The idea is to pick a suitable PWA framework and modify it for the envisioned application.

The custom-built solution is often seen as the most expensive option, but it is also the one providing the greatest benefits in the form of tailored solutions that meet the exact requirements of the client. This includes developing an entirely new frontend, an advanced backend, or a combination of both. 

So, whatever, type of development solution you choose to go with will have a large bearing on the overall cost of PWA development.

Time Duration

Time duration is one of the key factors that affect the cost of progressive web app development. The amount of time it takes to develop a progressive web app is directly related to the complexity and purpose of the project. 

Simple projects can be completed in a few weeks, while more complex projects can take several months to complete. Longer projects generally cost more, as additional costs such as development, testing, and debugging can add up quickly.

The Pricing Model You Choose (Hourly Rate, Fixed-price, Mix)

The pricing model you choose greatly influences the cost of PWA development. There are three main pricing models available: hourly rate, fixed-price, and mix pricing model.

Hourly Rate

With the hourly rate model, clients pay developers based on the hours worked rather than on the overall product. This allows for flexibility but does not ensure a fixed amount of work or guarantee specific results.

Fixed-Price

The fixed-price model charges a set fee for the entire project, regardless of how much time is spent working on it. This option gives clients peace of mind that their projects will not exceed a certain budget limit.

Mix

Mix pricing combines aspects from both models—the client pays a fixed amount plus the hours worked by developers. This approach allows them to benefit from flexibility while still having control over their budget.

Hidden Costs of Progressive Web App Development

Developing a Progressive Web App (PWA) may appear an inexpensive way of bringing your product or service to the consumer, but be warned: there are **hidden costs** that could significantly add up over time!

  • Before embarking on your PWA journey, it is essential to ensure that your team consists of experienced professionals who know the ins and outs of their field. This includes hiring developers who are proficient in both web and mobile development, as PWAs require combining the two and come with an increased cost. Make sure your team has the expertise and qualifications to work on this ambitious project.
  • Maintenance costs can add up quickly as PWAs require ongoing optimization and updating to remain competitive. This includes updates to the underlying codebase to keep up with changes to web and mobile platforms and changes in device capabilities. It also includes monitoring and addressing browser compatibility issues that arise due to new versions of web browsers being released. 
  • Talking about security, PWAs also require ongoing security auditing and mitigation to protect users against data breaches and other malicious attacks. This includes keeping up with the latest security protocols, patches, and techniques to secure customers’ data and keep them safe while using the PWA
  • You should also consider the potential hardware upgrades required when developing PWAs. Depending on how complex and dynamic your PWA is, you may need to invest in additional hardware, such as servers and other infrastructure components, for optimal performance.

Here’s a table that breaks down the costs of developing a PWA:

Cost Factor Possible Variables Average Cost
Complexity of the Project Number of features, integrations, customizations, etc. $5,000 – $50,000
User Interface/User Requirements Number of screens, interactivity, animations, personalization, etc. $5,000 – $30,000
Location of the Development Team In-house vs. outsourced, onshore vs. offshore, etc. $25 – $250 per hour
Type of Development Solution You Are Choosing Frameworks, libraries, APIs, hosting, etc. $5,000 – $30,000
Time Duration Number of development hours, project milestones, etc. $10,000 – $100,000
The Pricing Model You Choose Hourly rate, fixed-price, mixed, etc. Varies depending on the model chosen
Hidden Costs of Progressive Web App Development Revisions, testing, deployment, maintenance, support, etc. 10-30% of the project cost

 

Note that the average cost range is based on industry standards and can vary depending on the specific requirements of the project and the development team’s experience level.

What To Consider When Developing Progressive Web Applications?

In 2015, when the term “progressive web app” was first coined, it was a bit of a mystery to developers and marketers. While they knew that mobile apps were increasingly taking on more complex and demanding user experiences, progressive web apps were seen as something new and different.

Now, in 2023, progressive web apps are firmly established as a major category in the mobile app market. They’re not just for high-end or luxury applications anymore—PWAs can be developed by any business or organization that wants to create a better user experience and increase engagement.

The media & entertainment industry vertical segment dominated the progressive web application market in terms of revenue in 2019 with a value of USD 282.2 Million, and it is anticipated to grow even more in the years to come.

Progressive web application market

Image Source

But how do you go about creating a successful PWA? There are several factors to consider when designing and building a progressive web app:

Progressive loading:

Users expect an uninterrupted experience when opening a PWA, so your application should load quickly even on low-powered devices. To achieve this, use efficient CSS and JavaScript coding techniques, as well as caching mechanisms for front-end assets and dynamic content.

Offline support:

Progressive web apps should work offline as much as possible so that users can still access essential functions even if there’s no internet connection available. For example, if a PWA displays content like maps or directions, make sure the data can be cached in the browser’s local storage.

Also, look into technologies like Service Workers which enable background processing while the device is offline.

Responsive design:

Since progressive web apps can run across multiple platforms, they must adjust to each device’s size and resolution automatically. Responsive design helps ensure that all users get the same quality experience regardless of which device or browser they’re using.

Security measures:

Any type of online service needs strong security measures in place to protect both data and user privacy. You must encrypt all traffic between the server and the client using SSL certificates and encryption algorithms like AES.

How Do I Get Started with Progressive Web App Development?

When you’re ready to start creating your progressive web app, make sure you choose an experienced web application development company that you trust. It’s important to research your options and find a progressive web app development company that meets your needs. They should understand your desired features and operations, as well as the design of your user interface. With a good development team on board, you can set the foundation for your progressive web app that will give you the traction you desire.

At iWebServices, we offer transparent pricing for PWA development. You can customize your packages and budgets according to the size and complexity of your project. With our experienced developers, you’ll get the best possible results without compromising on any aspect.

 

Progressive Web App Development - iWebServices

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Tanya

Tanya is a technical project manager with more than 7 years of experience in web and mobile app development. Her experience includes planning, organizing, directing, and controlling projects in order to ensure that the goals and objectives are met. Her experience in the IT industry, as well as her proficiency in various emerging technologies, make her a valuable asset for anyone seeking a tech expert.

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