Guide
Web apps vs native apps
You have a working web app. Should you stay on the web, rebuild natively, or take the middle path? Here is an honest look at the tradeoffs · and where KW Native fits.
The short answer
Web apps are cheap, fast to update, and reach anyone with a URL. Native apps win on performance, trust, and access to device features · but rebuilding from scratch is expensive and slow. The middle ground is wrapping your existing web app in a real native shell with Capacitor · you keep one codebase and gain App Store and Google Play distribution, push notifications, biometrics, and deep links.
What is a web app?
A web app runs in the browser. Anyone can open it with a URL · no install, no review process, no store fees. You ship updates instantly. The tradeoff is reach and capability · most users will not bookmark a URL, push notifications are limited on iOS, and you cannot use biometrics, deep links from other apps, or store-grade payments.
What is a native app?
A native app is installed from the App Store or Google Play and runs in its own process. It launches instantly, works offline, gets a home-screen icon, and unlocks the full device · camera, biometrics, background tasks, push, deep links. The downside is cost and time · building two separate native codebases from scratch usually runs £15k to £80k and takes three to six months.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | Web app | Native app |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | URL only · no App Store presence | App Store and Google Play · discoverable |
| Install friction | Open a link | One tap install · home-screen icon |
| Performance | Network-bound · cold loads each visit | Local shell · instant launch · cached assets |
| Native features | Limited (push is partial on iOS · no biometrics) | Push, biometrics, deep links, camera, OAuth |
| Offline | Service worker only · fragile | True offline with Capacitor storage |
| Cost to build | Already built | £15k–£80k from scratch · or £399 with KW Native |
| Time to ship | Live now | 3–6 months from scratch · 10 business days with KW Native |
| Maintenance | One codebase | Three codebases (web · iOS · Android) from scratch · one with Capacitor |
| Trust signal | Lower · feels like a website | Higher · users trust App Store listings |
The middle ground · native app development without the rebuild
You do not have to choose. Capacitor wraps your existing web app in a real native shell · same codebase, real native runtime. You get the App Store and Google Play listings, push notifications, biometrics, and deep links · without rebuilding in Swift and Kotlin. KW Native does this end to end for a one-time fee from £399 and ships in 10 business days. You receive the full GitHub repo on day one.
When to stay web-only
If your audience finds you through search, your product is a one-time visit, or you need to ship daily without going through app review · stay web. Adding a native app should follow demand, not precede it.
When to go native
If your users come back daily, you need push notifications, you want App Store trust, or you need device features (camera, biometrics, offline) · the native shell pays for itself fast. With Capacitor you do not pay the full rebuild cost.
Ship your web app to the App Store and Google Play
One-time fee from £399. Full source code on day one. Published under your own developer accounts.