The platforms
This is the “what can we do in an app that we can’t in a website?” matrix — optimized for push, location, and haptics.
Website
Browser site No install
Best reach. Great for content + forms. Limited background / OS integration.
PWA
Installed web app Add to Home Screen
More “app-like.” Offline + some push. Still constrained vs native on iOS.
Native App
iOS / Android App Store
Best for push, geofencing, background behavior, haptics, and hardware access.
Push notifications
Notify users when something happens (alerts, reminders, “back in stock,” etc.).
🔔 Push
Possible, but conditional
PARTIAL
📲 Push
Works when installed
PARTIAL
✅ Push
Reliable OS-level delivery
FULL
Location while app is open
“Show nearest location,” “unlock features in-store,” maps, directions.
📍 Foreground location
Good while page is active
FULL
🧭 Foreground location
Good while open
FULL
🛰️ Foreground location
Best UX + accuracy controls
FULL
Background location + geofencing
“When I arrive at the store, do X” even if the app is closed (the big differentiator).
⛔ Background geofence
Not dependable on web
LIMITED
⚠️ Background geofence
Spotty / platform-limited
PARTIAL
🏁 Background geofence
Enter/exit triggers + rules
FULL
Haptics (a.k.a. “hepatics” 😉)
Little taps and bumps for “success,” “error,” “click,” rhythm games, etc.
🫥 Haptics
Inconsistent / limited
LIMITED
🤏 Haptics
Some devices only
PARTIAL
💥 Haptics
Fine-grained + consistent
FULL
Offline mode & caching
App still works when signal is weak / dead (menus, forms, checklists).
📶 Offline
Limited without PWA patterns
PARTIAL
🗂️ Offline
Strong with service worker
FULL
🧱 Offline
Best control + storage
FULL
Hardware access (Bluetooth, sensors)
Connecting to devices (ex: vape), or reading richer sensor data.
🔌 Hardware
Often blocked / limited
LIMITED
🧪 Hardware
Conditional support
PARTIAL
🧠 Hardware
Best for BLE + sensors
FULL
Home screen presence
Icon on the phone, full-screen, feels like a real product.
🌐 Home screen
Not really “installed”
LIMITED
➕ Home screen
Installable
FULL
📦 Home screen
Full OS presence
FULL
App Store distribution
Searchable listings, reviews, trust factor, paid apps/subscriptions.
🔗 Store listing
No official store entry
LIMITED
🧾 Store listing
Not standard
LIMITED
🏪 Store listing
Full marketplace distribution
FULL