Progressive Web Apps See a Resurgence in 2025 with Improved Browser Support

Progressive Web Apps See a Resurgence in 2025 with Improved Browser Support

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are staging a powerful comeback in 2025. Once considered a futuristic but niche solution, PWAs are now becoming a core part of web development strategy, particularly for businesses in e-commerce, SaaS, and publishing. The revival is fueled by enhanced browser capabilities, stronger offline support, and improved installation flows—especially in Google Chrome 120, which introduces smarter PWA prompts and better native integration.

Let’s explore what’s fueling the renewed interest in PWAs, the technical advancements enabling them, and why they’re gaining traction with developers and product teams alike.

What Are PWAs?

A Progressive Web App is a type of web application that combines the reach of the web with the functionality of a native app. PWAs can be installed on a user’s device, work offline, send push notifications, and even access hardware features—without being published through traditional app stores.

Key characteristics of a PWA include:

• Installability (via browser prompt)
• Offline access (via service workers)
• Push notifications
• Responsive design
• Fast loading and performance

These features make PWAs a powerful tool for creating engaging user experiences on both desktop and mobile devices.

Why PWAs Are Making a Comeback in 2025

PWAs have been around since 2015 but saw limited mainstream adoption due to inconsistent browser support and lack of visibility. That narrative is quickly changing.

✅ 1. Chrome 120 Enhances Installability

Google Chrome 120 introduces smarter, more visible installation prompts. These prompts now appear more contextually—for example, after repeated site visits or interactions—leading to higher PWA install rates.

The experience feels less intrusive and more aligned with native app onboarding flows, especially on Android devices.

✅ 2. Improved Offline Capabilities

Modern service workers and caching strategies have made offline support more reliable. Chrome, Safari, and Edge now provide better debugging tools and more granular cache control APIs, allowing developers to offer seamless offline experiences even in data-heavy applications.

This is particularly useful for:

• E-commerce platforms with browsing and cart support offline
• Content-based apps like news sites and blogs
• Productivity tools that save data locally when offline

✅ 3. Push Notification Reliability

Push notifications have matured across all major browsers, including Android and desktop Chrome. In 2025, push APIs are more secure, better timed, and less spammy, enabling re-engagement features that rival native apps.

Businesses are leveraging this for:

• Abandoned cart reminders
• Content alerts
• Transactional updates

All without building separate native mobile apps.

PWAs in E-Commerce: A Growing Trend

E-commerce companies are among the biggest beneficiaries of the PWA resurgence. Major players and startups alike are turning to PWAs to reduce their dependency on app stores and offer a fast, app-like experience directly through the browser.

Benefits for E-Commerce:

• Faster checkout experiences
• Offline product browsing
• Home screen access without App Store friction
• Higher conversion rates in low-connectivity regions

Case studies show that PWA-driven e-commerce sites load 2–3x faster and see increased user retention compared to traditional responsive websites.

Key Features Driving PWA Success in 2025

Combined, these create a user experience that’s indistinguishable from native apps—without the overhead.

Improved Framework and Tooling Support

In 2025, building PWAs is easier than ever thanks to updated support from modern JavaScript frameworks:

• Next.js offers built-in PWA plugins with caching strategies.
• Angular continues to maintain strong service worker integration.
• Vue 3 with Vite supports quick scaffolding and PWA manifest generation.

Tools like Workbox and PWABuilder further simplify the configuration process, even for developers unfamiliar with service workers or web manifests.

The Business Case for PWAs

With app store saturation and increasing acquisition costs, PWAs provide a cost-effective and discoverable alternative to traditional apps. Businesses can:

• Avoid app store submission delays and fees
• Reach users directly through the web
• Ship updates instantly, without requiring user action

For startups, this lowers the barrier to entry for offering mobile-first experiences. For enterprises, PWAs streamline omnichannel strategies and improve global reach—especially in developing regions with limited internet access.

Challenges Still Remain

Despite the progress, PWAs are not without limitations:

• iOS still restricts background functionality and notifications
• Some users may not be familiar with installing web apps
• Deep hardware access is still better via native apps

However, the gap between web and native is shrinking with each browser release—and most limitations are now edge cases rather than deal-breakers.

Conclusion

The resurgence of Progressive Web Apps in 2025 is a reflection of the broader shift toward performance-driven, installable web experiences. With improved support across browsers, smarter install prompts in Chrome 120, and better developer tooling, PWAs are proving themselves as a viable alternative to native apps.