Progressive web app development company for apps without the app store.
Hoop Interactive builds progressive web apps that install from the browser, load instantly, keep working offline and send push notifications, from one Next.js codebase that also ranks on Google. And we'll tell you honestly when a native app is the better choice.
PWA, native app, or responsive website?
The decision factors we walk every client through before recommending a progressive web app. Need the full app store experience? See our mobile app development service.
| Decision factor | Responsive website | Progressive web app | Native or Flutter app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install on home screen | No | Yes, from the browser | Yes, via app stores |
| Works offline | No | Yes, for planned features | Yes |
| Push notifications | No | Yes (iOS once installed) | Yes |
| Found on Google | Yes | Yes | Only the store listing |
| Deep device access | Limited | Partial, varies by browser | Full |
| Updates | Instant | Instant, no store review | Store review for each release |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Low to medium, one codebase | Highest |
What a PWA can and can't do on each platform.
Most PWA pages skip this part. iOS and Android support differs, and your feature list should account for it. Browser support changes often — we check current support for every feature during discovery.
| Capability | Android & desktop Chrome/Edge | iPhone & iPad (Safari) |
|---|---|---|
| Install to home screen | Yes — install prompt in the browser | Yes — manually via Share → Add to Home Screen |
| Push notifications | Yes | Partial — iOS 16.4+, only once installed |
| Offline use | Yes | Yes — plan for smaller storage limits |
| Background sync | Yes | No — we sync when the app reopens |
| Camera & location | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth & NFC | Partial — Chrome on Android | No |
| App store listing | Yes — Google Play and Microsoft Store packaging | Partial — needs a native wrapper and Apple review |
Progressive web apps we build.
Progressive web app development services for new products and for websites ready to become apps.
Custom PWA development
New progressive web applications built on Next.js, from design to launch.
Website to PWA conversion
Add install, offline and push to your existing site, fixing speed along the way.
Ecommerce PWAs
Headless storefronts on Shopify or Magento with app-like speed and checkout.
SaaS & dashboard PWAs
Installable dashboards and portals your users open like desktop apps.
Offline-first field apps
Job lists, forms and photos that work on site with no signal, then sync.
Push & engagement
Web push notifications, badges and re-engagement flows that respect users.
App store packaging
Google Play and Microsoft Store packages, and native wrappers when worth it.
PWA audit
Installability, caching, offline and performance review with a fix list.
What makes a web app a progressive web app.
A PWA is a normal web app plus a few carefully designed layers. Getting these right is the whole job.
Next.js
React
TypeScript
LighthouseFast web platforms on the same stack.
BeesApp's fragile PHP, Django and Vue.js system was rebuilt on Next.js — the same foundation we use for progressive web apps.
NEXT.JS · WEB + MOBILE · RETAIL TECH
74% faster load after rebuilding on Next.js
A Next.js web front end, FastAPI back end and Flutter app, built for speed and reliability.
Read the case studyHow we differ from a typical PWA development company.
Many PWA vendors promise "native-like everything". Here's what you actually get from us.
| What matters | Typical PWA vendor | Hoop Interactive |
|---|---|---|
| Advice | A PWA for every project. | PWA, Flutter app or website, whichever fits. |
| iOS limits | Glossed over. | Listed up front and designed around. |
| Offline | "Works offline" as a slogan. | Offline scope agreed feature by feature. |
| SEO | Client-side app Google struggles to read. | Server-rendered Next.js pages that rank. |
| Push | Permission popup on first visit. | Asked at the right moment, with segmentation. |
| Growth | Handover at launch. | SEO and marketing from the same team. |
How we build your progressive web app.
Offline and platform decisions are made first, so there are no surprises late in the build.
Discovery & platform check
Features mapped against iOS and Android support, and a clear PWA-or-native recommendation.
Week 1 · Capability map & quoteOffline & data design
What must work offline, what can wait, and how conflicts are handled.
Week 1–2 · Caching & offline planUX & UI design
Mobile-first screens, install prompt, offline states and notification flows.
Weeks 2–4 · Clickable prototypeBuild
Next.js app, service worker, offline storage, push and integrations in sprints.
Weeks 4–12 · Installable staging appDevice testing & launch
Testing on real iPhones and Android phones, offline scenarios, then launch.
Final sprint · Live PWA & store packagesGrow
Install and retention tracking, push campaigns, SEO and ongoing improvements.
After launch · Monthly engagement reportProgressive web app development cost and timelines.
Fixed quotes after a free discovery call. Prices are in USD and exclude hosting, push service and app store fees, which are billed to your own accounts.
- Investment
- from $5,000
- Timeline
- 2–4 weeks
- Build
- Manifest & install prompt
- Included
- Service worker, offline page
- Support
- Push notifications setup
- Investment
- from $15,000
- Timeline
- 8–14 weeks
- Build
- UX/UI, Next.js app & back end
- Included
- Offline-first data & sync
- Support
- Real-device testing
- Investment
- from $22,000
- Timeline
- 10–16 weeks
- Build
- Everything in Custom PWA
- Included
- Google Play & Microsoft Store
- Support
- iOS wrapper assessment
Where PWAs make the most sense.
Businesses that need app-like engagement without native app costs.
Ecommerce & retail
Fast, installable storefronts with push for offers and orders.
Restaurants & food
Menus, ordering and loyalty without forcing an app download.
Field & service teams
Job apps that keep working on site without signal.
Media & publishers
Offline reading and push for new content.
SaaS products
Installable dashboards that feel like desktop apps.
Startups testing demand
One codebase across devices before investing in native.
Explore more Software Development services.
PWA development pairs naturally with these services from Hoop Interactive.
Web Application Development
The broader practice this service sits under.
ExploreMobile Apps
When native device access is the priority.
ExploreFull Stack Development
The API and data layer behind every PWA.
ExploreReact.js Development
The front-end framework every PWA is built on.
ExploreHeadless Commerce
The architecture ecommerce PWAs run on.
ExploreMagento Development
A common back office behind ecommerce PWAs.
ExploreWebsite Development
When a PWA is more than the project needs.
ExploreApp Store Optimization
For the stores a PWA can still be packaged into.
ExploreProgressive web app development questions
About our progressive web app development services. Ask us anything else.
Upgrading an existing website or web app to a PWA starts from $5,000. A custom PWA built from scratch starts from $15,000, and a PWA packaged for the app stores from $22,000. You get a fixed quote after a free discovery call.
Choose a PWA when reach, SEO, fast updates and one codebase matter most, and your features are standard: content, shopping, forms, dashboards and notifications. Choose a native or Flutter app when you need deep device features, heavy background work, or a strong App Store presence.
Yes, with limits. iPhone users install a PWA from Safari using Share and Add to Home Screen, and since iOS 16.4 installed web apps can receive push notifications. Some capabilities, such as background sync and Bluetooth, are not available in Safari, so we design around them.
A PWA can be listed on Google Play and the Microsoft Store using standard packaging. The Apple App Store requires a native wrapper that adds real app value and passes Apple's review, so we only recommend that route when it is worth it.
Yes, for the parts you plan for. A service worker caches the app shell and key data so users can open the app, read saved content and queue actions offline, which sync when they reconnect.
Yes, when built properly. Unlike native apps, PWA pages can be indexed by Google. We use server-side rendering with Next.js so content is visible to search engines and pages pass Core Web Vitals.
Usually, yes. We add a web app manifest, a service worker, an offline experience and install prompts, and fix performance issues along the way. Older sites may need some refactoring first, which we assess in a short audit.
Converting an existing site usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. A custom PWA takes 8 to 14 weeks depending on features, offline requirements and integrations.
Yes. We build headless storefronts that connect a fast PWA front end to Shopify or Magento, so shoppers get app-like speed while your team keeps the same back office.