The verdict in three sentences
For an SME, the choice hinges on capabilities and distribution: a PWA covers 80-90 % of needs for 25,000 to 50,000 EUR, while a native iOS + Android app targets heavy hardware access and store visibility for 60,000 to 120,000 EUR. Native adds two codebases, the 99 EUR/year Apple fee, the 25 EUR Google fee and review delays on every release. Decide by use case, not by trend: if you need neither advanced sensors nor store discovery, the PWA wins.
The real cost of each option
| Line item | PWA | Native iOS + Android |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build 2026 | 25,000 - 50,000 EUR | 60,000 - 120,000 EUR |
| Codebases | 1 | 2 (or 1 via React Native) |
| Apple developer account | — | 99 EUR/year |
| Google Play account | — | 25 EUR (one-off) |
| Store review | None | 1 to 7 days/release |
| Updates | Instant | Submission per release |
| Average timeline | 3 - 6 months | 5 - 9 months |
| Maintenance/year | 5,000 - 10,000 EUR | 12,000 - 24,000 EUR |
Note: React Native or Flutter cut native down to a near-single codebase, bringing the build toward 45,000-80,000 EUR, a solid compromise when hardware matters but budget is tight.
Decision table by use case
| Business need | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Field app, technicians, offline | PWA | URL/QR distribution, instant updates |
| Simple push notifications | PWA | Web Push covers iOS 16.4+ and Android |
| Barcode / QR scan | PWA | Web camera is enough |
| Bluetooth, advanced NFC, sensors | Native / RN | Full hardware access |
| Consumer app, store visibility | Native | App Store/Play discovery |
| In-app payment (digital goods) | Native | Store constraints |
| Tight budget, short timeline | PWA | Half the price, 3-6 months |
| Game, AR, heavy 3D | Native | Graphics performance |
Mini case study
Karim, manager of a real estate agency in Casablanca (12 agents). He is torn between a native app for his agents and a PWA. His needs: offline listing consultation during visits, photos, new-property notifications. No advanced sensors, no in-app sales.
Native iOS + Android quote: 85,000 EUR + 99 EUR/year + review delays. PWA quote: 34,000 EUR, distributed to agents by a simple link. The PWA covers 100 % of his needs. Saving: 51,000 EUR on the build, plus same-evening updates without a store round-trip. Tool ROI (time saved on visits) reached in 7 months.
FAQ
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Does an SME really need a native app?
Rarely. Native is justified for heavy hardware access (NFC, sensors, AR), consumer App Store visibility or in-app digital purchases. For an internal or B2B tool, a PWA almost always suffices.
Does React Native reduce native cost?
Yes: a single codebase for iOS and Android brings the build toward 45,000-80,000 EUR instead of 60,000-120,000, while keeping near-full hardware access. It is the middle-ground compromise.
What do the stores really cost?
Apple charges 99 EUR/year, Google 25 EUR once. Commissions (15-30 %) only apply to digital-goods sales, not to business apps or physical e-commerce.
How long to go live?
A PWA ships in 3-6 months, a native app in 5-9 months including store review round-trips. For a fast launch, the PWA has a clear edge.
Can we start with a PWA then move to native?
Yes, a healthy path: validate usage and market with a PWA, then invest in native only if a hardware or store need genuinely justifies it.
Let's scope your project. Describe your users (clients or field), hardware needs and budget, and we will arbitrate PWA (25-50k EUR) or native (60-120k EUR) with clear pricing. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
