Progressive Web Apps
Faster, cheaper, more flexible than native apps.
What are Progressive Web Apps – and why do you need them?
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is essentially a website that feels and functions like an app. It can be **installed** on the cell phone home screen, works **offline** thanks to Service Worker, sends **push notifications**, and loads **lighteningly quickly**. Technically built on HTML, CSS, JavaScript - but with modern best practices such as HTTPS everywhere, secure data transfer, and optimized performance. The big why: A PWA costs less than two separate native apps (iOS + Android), is faster to build, and you have a single codebase instead of two. For companies in Austria and the DACH region, this is often the better choice - especially if you need to iterate quickly or want to save budget. PWAs are ideal for business apps, tools, e-commerce, content apps, and productivity applications. Hardware integration (like augmented reality) is limited - but you get everything else.
What you get
React or Vue Frontend
We build with modern JavaScript frameworks. React for complex, high-performance UIs with a large ecosystem. Vue for faster development and better maintainability. The choice is strategic, not dogmatic.
Offline capability with Service Worker
Your app works without an internet connection. Important data is cached, users can work, and everything synchronizes automatically when reconnected. Perfect for field service, crafts, mobile work.
PWA Installation & Home screen
Users can install the app on their phone like a real app. Quick opening, full screen mode, app icon. The feeling is native, without the app store detour.
Push notifications & Real-time updates
Your app can notify users - even if the browser is not open. WebSockets enable real-time updates without refresh.
Responsive design for all devices
Desktop, tablet, mobile phone – one app for everyone. Tailwind CSS or other modern CSS frameworks for fast, maintainable styling.
Integrations with your backend systems
REST APIs or GraphQL connect the frontend to your servers. Secure authentication, reliable data transfer, monitoring included.
Performance optimization & Monitoring
We build for speed: code splitting, lazy loading, asset optimization. After the launch: monitoring, performance reports, continuous optimization.
Our process
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1. Phase
Strategy & Analysis
Intensive workshops: What should your PWA do? Who uses them? What workflows, data, integrations do you need? Result: A clear concept that addresses your business.
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2. Phase
Conception
Wireframes and user flows: How do users navigate? Which screens do we need? Prototyping with your feedback before we develop – saves time and money.
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3. Phase
Implementation
Agile development in 2-week sprints: frontend with React/Vue, backend integration, offline logic, push notifications. You see ongoing progress, give feedback, we make adjustments.
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4. Phase
Launch & Acceptance
Testing on desktop, tablet, mobile phone. Performance checks, security review, bug fixes. Then the app goes live on your server/cloud with monitoring.
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5. Phase
Support & Support
After launch: monitoring, bug fixes, small features, optimizations based on real user data.
Who is this ideal for?
Companies with field service or mobile teams
Sales, crafts, service technicians need an app that works offline and quickly synchronizes data. A PWA is the perfect, cost-effective solution here.
Startups and fast-growing companies
You need fast iteration, a small budget, and don't want to invest in two separate native apps. PWAs allow you to quickly find market fit.
E-commerce and marketplace operators
A PWA in the browser (no app store required) reaches customers on mobile and desktop with a solution. Fast, installable, offline-browsable.
B2B SaaS and business tools
Tools that your team uses every day - CRM, project management, customer management - work just as well with PWAs as with desktop apps, but are cheaper to build.
How much does it cost?
Simple PWA
20,000-35,000
3-5 screens, basic features
Medium PWA
35,000-70,000
10-20 screens, complex workflows, offline sync
Extensive PWA
70,000+
many features, real-time collaboration, complex logic
Why digitalists?
Project Manager = Developer
Our PMs are developers themselves. They don’t think in terms of features and story points, but “how do we make your business more efficient?” That makes the difference.
Individual concepts
No template solution. We analyze your business, your processes, your users - and build a PWA that suits you specifically.
Everything from a single source
Strategy, design, frontend, backend, deployment, SEO, support – all from us. No coordination chaos with external partners. You have a contact person.
Experience since 2018
We have been building sophisticated web apps for over six years. We know React and Vue inside out, understand offline sync, PWA best practices, and know how modern apps scale.
FAQs
Is a PWA really as good as a native app?
For most business cases: Yes. PWAs are almost as fast, work offline, and have push notifications. The difference: Hardware integration (such as augmented reality) is limited. But for 90% of apps, a PWA is the better choice - cheaper, quicker to build, easier to iterate on.
Can customers use the PWA without downloading?
Exactly. Your PWA loads immediately in the browser. Customers can install them (on home screen), but do not have to. It also works in the browser. This is the big advantage over native apps.
What happens when a customer is offline?
The PWA works. The service worker has cached important data and the user can continue working. Changes are saved locally. When you reconnect, everything synchronizes with your server. This is particularly valuable for field service.
How long do maintenance and updates cost after launch?
PWA updates are available automatically and immediately - no App Store approval required. The maintenance costs are low (500-2,000 EUR/month, depending on the extent of the changes).
