In the hotel app market there are two clear contenders: PWAs or WebApps, and Native Apps. Hoteliers often don’t know the differences, advantages, or drawbacks of each option.
Key differences
Security
- Native Apps — Must pass a review process in the app store before being published.
- WebApps — Require HTTPS connections, maintaining corporate-level security standards.
Installation
- Native Apps — Installed from official stores and consume significant device storage.
- WebApps — Easily installed via browser or QR codes with minimal storage usage; most content resides on the servers.
Speed and user experience
- Native Apps — Typically offer superior speed due to locally stored content.
- WebApps — Well-developed PWAs provide comparable experiences thanks to ServiceWorkers and background caching.
Offline browsing
- Native Apps — Work without an internet connection thanks to content stored on the device.
- WebApps — Cache information locally after the initial installation, enabling offline access. Hoteligy offers an optional local server installation for the hotel’s own Wi-Fi network.
Updates
- Native Apps — Require manual user updates through the app store, potentially causing version fragmentation.
- WebApps — Updated automatically on the server with no manual intervention required.
Shareability
- Native Apps — Cannot easily share individual pieces of content; users must download the full application first.
- WebApps — Provide immediate access to all content via any browser and allow sharing of specific links.
Technical foundation
The fundamental distinction lies in the programming languages: WebApps use traditional web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, CSS), while native apps require platform-specific languages such as Swift for iOS or Java/Kotlin for Android.
Which is better for a hotel?
The answer depends on the context, but for most hotels the WebApp is the most efficient option: it requires no download, updates without guest involvement, works on any device, and its development cost is lower. The native app makes sense as a complement for functionality that requires native hardware access, such as push notifications or door control.
