Progressive Web App Development
RaftLabs develops progressive web applications for teams that need URL distribution plus installation, offline behaviour, background updates, or web push where browsers support them. The first release defines which screens and tasks work offline, how cached versions update, and where browser and platform limits still require a native app.
The problem
Does "works offline" mean different things to product, design, and engineering?
Is a second native codebase being proposed before anyone proves the workflow needs native capability?
Short answer
Progressive web app development adds installation, offline behaviour, background updates, and supported web push to a browser-delivered product. RaftLabs defines the cache, synchronization, update, and device-support boundaries around one workflow. A focused PWA starts at $15,000 and usually takes 8 to 14 weeks.
A page can load from cache and still fail the moment a user submits a form, opens an uncached record, or returns after the application version changes. Calling that offline support pushes the hard decisions into production.
Name the tasks that work without a network and the point where the product must stop, queue, or explain itself. Then the cache, local data, synchronization, and update path can serve a promise users can understand.
First-release planning
These are RaftLabs planning figures, not a promise that one web build replaces every native use case. Browser support, storage eviction, background limits, notification delivery, and operating-system policy remain external constraints that the scope must name.
Choose a normal web app if installation and offline work add little value, or native mobile when device capability defines the product.
The product has one core web workflow and a clear install or offline use case.
Target browsers and devices can be prioritized rather than treated as identical.
Product owners can decide conflict, stale-data, storage, and update behaviour.
Focused scope
| Progressive web app | Native mobile app | |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | URL first, installation where supported | App-store package and review |
| Codebase | Shared with the web application | Platform or cross-platform mobile runtime |
| Offline | Defined within browser storage and lifecycle | Broader local and background capability |
| Device access | Available web APIs and permissions | Richer platform SDK access |
| Starting price | $15K for focused PWA | Scoped against mobile platform needs |
Use web application development for a normal browser product without a material install or offline requirement. Use mobile app development when sensors, background tasks, stores, or native interaction are central.
Delivery
Four steps turn app-like language into explicit browser behaviour.
Name the core workflow, target browsers, install path, offline tasks, notification need, and reason a normal web app is insufficient. Record unsupported devices and states.
Choose assets and records available offline, synchronization and conflict behaviour, version activation, storage limits, and fallbacks. Review user messages for every boundary.
Implement the workflow, manifest, service worker, install prompts, and supported push. Exercise first visit, return, offline, reconnection, eviction, update, and permission failures.
Deploy through the normal web pipeline, verify install and recovery paths, and leave browser support, telemetry, runbooks, and known limits. Track real failures before widening offline scope.
Scope and price
Begin with one workflow and an explicit install, offline, update, and browser-support boundary.
A focused first release usually takes 8 to 14 weeks. Synchronization, roles, payments, media, and broad device support move the estimate.
Hosting, push providers, analytics, and other third-party charges remain separate unless included in the proposal.
Offline behaviour is written down
The scope names which tasks work disconnected, what becomes stale, how changes queue, how conflicts resolve, and when the product must stop.
Browser limits stay visible
The support matrix and fallbacks are acceptance criteria; RaftLabs does not promise identical install, push, or background behaviour everywhere.
Related application paths
Web application development
Build a browser product without adding installation and offline complexity that the workflow does not need. It keeps delivery simpler.
Mobile app development
Use native platform capability, stores, sensors, and background execution when browser limits block the product.
Desktop app development
Choose an installed desktop runtime for local files, peripherals, enterprise distribution, or sustained background work.
Stay on topic
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Read moreA progressive web app is a web application enhanced with a manifest, service worker, install experience, caching, and other supported browser capabilities. It still ships from a URL and follows web security boundaries. Installation, push, background work, storage, and device APIs vary by browser and operating system, so support must be stated explicitly.
A PWA fits when fast distribution, one web codebase, linkability, and selected offline or install behaviour matter more than deep device access and platform-specific UX. Native apps fit sustained background work, richer sensors, Bluetooth, strict app-store distribution, or platform capabilities the required browsers do not support reliably.
It can support a defined offline boundary, but 'fully offline' is not a useful scope. Static screens, previously fetched records, queued forms, and selected workflows can work without a network. Authentication expiry, new data, payments, large media, conflicts, storage eviction, and server-side decisions still need explicit fallback and recovery behaviour.
No. Web push support and user experience vary by browser and operating system, and platform rules can change. Some environments require installation before permission can be requested. RaftLabs tests the agreed support matrix and provides fallbacks, but does not promise identical push behaviour or delivery across every browser, device, or vendor service.
A focused PWA with one workflow, manifest, installation, offline boundary, and supported push starts at $15,000 and usually takes 8 to 14 weeks. Complex synchronization, several roles, migration from fragile frontend architecture, payments, media, or broad device support increase scope. Hosting and third-party notification services remain separate unless included.
Work with us
We will define what works offline, how updates activate, which devices matter, and whether a PWA or native app fits.