---
title: "What is a PWA? Meaning and how it works | Sweet Lava"
description: "A PWA installs on the home screen, works offline and sends notifications, with no app store in between. See when it beats a native app."
url: https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/pwa/
lang: en
alternate_pl: https://sweetlava.eu/pl/slownik/pwa/
---

Technology 

# What is PWA (progressive web app)?

A PWA is a website that behaves like a mobile app: it can be installed on the phone's home screen, works offline and sends notifications – without going through the App Store or Google Play.

PWAs use modern browser capabilities to blur the line between site and app: a home-screen icon, full-screen operation, caching that allows offline work.

For many companies a PWA is the golden mean: costs close to a website (one codebase instead of separate iOS/Android apps) with an app-like experience. It excels in product catalogues, internal tools and services where the barrier is users' reluctance to install yet another app.

**Limitations:** PWAs have weaker access to system features (especially on iOS) and less presence in app stores. We advise honestly: sometimes a PWA is enough, sometimes you need the full app.

## Related services

- [ Custom website design & development → ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/services/websites/)
- [ Mobile & desktop app development → ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/services/mobile-apps/)

## Related terms

- [Frontend](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/frontend/)
- [Responsive design & mobile-first](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/responsive-web-design/)

## Planning a mobile app?

Design and code grow in one team. Scope, timeline and quote within a few days.

[ Get in touch ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/contact/?source=glossary-pwa)