PWA to Native App:
A Guide for Banking and Fintech
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer a compelling solution for businesses, combining the ease of web applications with the functionality of native apps. However, for sectors like banking and fintech, where robust security and regulatory compliance are paramount, distributing applications through the App Store and Google Play often necessitates a native app approach. This guide explores the process of converting a PWA into a native app, focusing on key considerations for banking and fintech companies.
Converting a PWA to a Native App: A Practical Approach
Transforming a PWA into a native app involves more than simply packaging it for mobile platforms. It requires a strategic approach that addresses the unique requirements of each app store:
Evaluate and Adapt:
- Google Play Store: Leverage Trusted Web Activities (TWA) for streamlined deployment.
- App Store: Adhere to strict Apple guidelines and consider using tools like Capacitor or Cordova to wrap the PWA as a native application.
Integrate Native Features: Enhance user experience by incorporating native functionalities such as biometric authentication, push notifications, and secure offline storage.
Ensure Open Banking API Compatibility: Seamlessly integrate Open Banking APIs to facilitate secure data exchange, enable real-time transactions, and enhance customer experience.
Optimize for Performance: Prioritize optimal loading times, smooth performance, and a seamless user interface to meet the stringent performance standards of both app stores.
Submit and Monitor: Submit the app for review and closely monitor its performance. Regularly update the app to address user feedback, incorporate new features, and maintain compliance with evolving store policies.
Using Native Wrappers to Convert PWAs to Native Apps
For banking and fintech firms, listing apps on app stores builds trust and expands market reach. Creating fully native apps from scratch requires major resources. A practical alternative is to wrap an existing PWA in a native shell using native wrappers. This allows app store distribution without rebuilding the core application.
Why Choose Native Wrappers?
Native wrappers show a PWA in a native WebView. This setup lets you use device features, such as push notifications and biometric authentication like Touch or Face ID. This method meets app store guidelines while reusing the PWA’s logic, avoiding separate codebases for iOS and Android.
Business Benefits
- Save 60-70% compared to full native app development by using an existing PWA.
- Reach the market in 2 to 4 weeks, much faster than the 3 to 6 months needed for native apps.
- Maintain one PWA codebase, with updates reflected in both web and app store versions.
- Distribute through app stores for credibility. This gives you marketing flexibility. Also, test user acquisition with web-based campaigns.
Team and Timeline
Converting a PWA to a native app with wrappers needs a small team, usually:
- An iOS developer for Apple’s ecosystem and store requirements.
- An Android developer for Google Play compatibility.
- A web developer to add features like push notifications.
- Optionally, a DevOps engineer for deployment and a project manager for app store submissions.
With an optimized PWA, this process takes 2 to 4 weeks, ensuring quick deployment without sacrificing quality.
Proven Success
WislaCode Solutions used this method for a fintech client’s credit application. We built a PWA and wrapped it for iOS and Android, allowing app store distribution with one codebase.
This approach provides a cost-effective way to achieve a native app presence while keeping the efficiency of a PWA.
The WislaCode team is ready to transform PWAs into native apps for App Store and Google Play with attention to user experience and compliance.
Leveraging Open Banking APIs for Enhanced Functionality
Open Banking APIs provide a crucial foundation for building secure and feature-rich financial applications. By integrating these APIs, you can:
- Enhance Security: Leverage the robust security protocols built into Open Banking APIs to protect user data and prevent fraud.
- Improve Customer Experience: Enable seamless account management, facilitate real-time payments, and offer a consolidated view of customer finances.
- Streamline Development: Utilize pre-built API solutions to accelerate development timelines and reduce development costs.
Navigating Open Banking Regulations
Compliance with relevant regulations is crucial for any financial application. Key considerations include:
- Data Privacy: Adhere to stringent data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA by ensuring transparency, obtaining user consent, and implementing robust data security measures.
- Security Standards: Implement strong security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and encryption, to protect sensitive user data.
- Regulatory Updates: Stay informed about the latest regulatory changes to ensure ongoing compliance and avoid potential penalties.
Choosing the Right Partner for App Development
Selecting the right development partner is critical for the success of your project. Partner with a company like WislaCode Solutions that:
- Possesses Expertise: Offers in-depth expertise in developing PWAs, and native apps, and integrating Open Banking APIs.
- Prioritizes Security: Implements robust security measures to protect user data and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Focuses on User Experience: Delivers user-centric solutions that are intuitive, engaging, and easy to use.
- Provides End-to-End Support: Guides you through the entire development process, from initial concept to app store submission and ongoing maintenance.
Turning a PWA into a native app for the App Store and Google Play takes careful planning. It also needs technical skills and a focus on user experience and compliance. Use Open Banking APIs, follow best practices, and work with a trusted development team. This way, you can navigate this process successfully. This will help you deliver a secure, feature-rich, and user-friendly application that meets your customers’ evolving needs.
For banks and fintech firms, moving from a PWA to a native app is mainly about security and compliance. PWAs are useful for quick launches and broad reach, but native apps inspire more trust and are better suited for handling sensitive financial data.
Native apps also allow the use of features like biometric authentication and secure data storage. Publishing in official app stores increases trust and visibility, which is especially important in financial services.
Switching from a PWA to a native app involves several technical steps:
- Meeting app store requirements, especially around security and privacy.
- Adding native features such as push notifications, biometrics, and secure offline storage, which often need extra development or special tools.
- Optimising performance to ensure the app runs smoothly and loads quickly.
- Keeping the app updated to address user feedback and changes in app store policies.
Each of these steps needs careful attention and experience.
Open Banking APIs are central to modern financial apps. With a native app, it is easier to store tokens securely and use encryption for data transfer.
The user experience also improves. Notifications are delivered more quickly, and biometric security is easier to implement. Meeting security and data protection standards is often simpler in a native app than in a PWA.
Native apps offer more control over security and compliance:
- You can use device-level encryption, secure key storage, and multi-factor authentication.
- It is easier to meet data protection requirements and keep audit trails.
- Updates through app stores help you fix security issues and stay compliant with new standards.
Regular checks and monitoring are important to keep data safe.
Native apps usually provide a better user experience, which is important for banking and fintech.
- They load faster, run more smoothly, and work reliably offline.
- Native apps can use device features like Face ID or fingerprint sensors.
- The experience is more consistent across devices, while PWAs can be limited by browser capabilities.
This has a direct effect on user satisfaction and trust.
Choosing the right partner is key to a successful transition. Look for a company with experience in both PWA and native app development, as well as knowledge of Open Banking APIs and financial regulations.
A good partner will focus on security and guide you through every stage, from planning to launch and ongoing support. It is also important that the team can deliver user-friendly and modern solutions that meet your customers’ needs.