The verdict in three sentences
A dual-platform native mobile app is budgeted at EUR 45,000 to 110,000 in 2026, a PWA between EUR 18,000 and 45,000. A PWA ships in 8 to 12 weeks versus 16 to 24 weeks for native, with no store fees or Apple review. Native remains essential for advanced hardware features and rich iOS push notifications.
Native, React Native or PWA: the 2026 comparison
| Criterion | Native (iOS+Android) | React Native | PWA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | EUR 45,000–110,000 | EUR 32,000–75,000 | EUR 18,000–45,000 |
| Timeline | 16–24 weeks | 12–18 weeks | 8–12 weeks |
| Codebase | 2 (duplicated) | 1 shared (-30%) | 1 (web) |
| Store presence | yes | yes | no (web install) |
| Full hardware access | yes | near-full | limited |
| Maintenance/year | 20% of build | 15% | 12% |
React Native shares a single codebase and cuts cost by about 30% versus two fully separate native builds, while keeping store presence.
The hidden costs of mobile
| Item | Native | PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Developer account | USD 99/year | not required |
| Google Play account | USD 25 (one-time) | not required |
| Store review (delay) | 1–7 days per update | instant |
| Annual maintenance | 20% of build | 12% of build |
| User updates | via store | automatic |
Store fees are modest (USD 99/year Apple, USD 25 once for Google), but native's real cost is in 20%/year maintenance and review cycles. A PWA updates instantly, no store involved.
Mini case study
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Karim, head of a B2B services SME in Berlin, wants an app for his field technicians. A native iOS+Android quote comes in at EUR 82,000, a PWA at EUR 34,000. Over 3 years, maintenance included: native = 82,000 + (20% × 82,000 × 3) = EUR 131,200; PWA = 34,000 + (12% × 34,000 × 3) = EUR 46,240. His needs (forms, photos, basic geolocation, light offline mode) are covered by a PWA. He saves about EUR 85,000 over 3 years and launches 3 months earlier.
FAQ
When is native really justified? When you need advanced hardware features (Bluetooth, NFC, sensors), rich iOS push notifications or high graphics performance. Otherwise, a PWA or React Native covers most SME cases.
Does a PWA work offline? Yes, with a service worker: cached data browsing, queued forms, sync on reconnection. Ideal for field technicians.
How much is mobile app maintenance? As a 2026 order of magnitude: 20%/year for native, 15% for React Native, 12% for a PWA, of the initial build cost.
Does React Native really save 30%? Yes versus two separate native builds, thanks to the single codebase. The gap widens further on maintenance and evolutions.
What's the launch timeline? 8 to 12 weeks for a PWA, 12 to 18 for React Native, 16 to 24 for dual-platform native.
Let's scope your project. Describe your mobile use cases (features, offline, hardware) and target budget: within 48 h we'll tell you whether a PWA suffices or native is required, with numbers. 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.
