Web page, app and PWA: what’s the difference?

Eventer users can choose between three types of interfaces: the web page, the app, and the PWA. Behind these three terms lie distinct experiences. This article explains what each one means in practice, along with their respective advantages and drawbacks.

Web page

The main advantage of a web page is direct access. No installation, no store account, no download. You click a link, it opens.

On desktop, the browser is a familiar, powerful and secure environment — no need to install a program that asks you to restart your computer 😉

On smartphone, a well-designed web page offers a less immersive experience but one that comes close to an app. A few features remain out of reach for the browser, however: push notifications, saving multiple photos/videos at once, full-screen display without an address bar, and sharing from another app. Some features also feel slightly less smooth (more frequent permission requests, less direct access to the system, etc.).

Eventer is accessible as a web page, on both smartphone and desktop. On smartphone, the interface and features are close to those of the app, with the few exceptions mentioned above, but it offers a good alternative for those who prefer not to install an app.

On desktop, the experience is tailored to a large screen and a more comfortable context of use.

App

A mobile app is a program installed on your smartphone, downloaded from the App Store (iPhone) or the Google Play Store (Android). Unlike a web page, it opens full screen, without a browser bar, and has fuller access to the phone’s features.

It is generally the most complete experience on mobile. The often-cited drawback: you have to install it. That means knowing your store password, having space on your phone, and adding an app.

That said, this argument should be put in perspective when it comes to Eventer. The app has been highly optimised and takes up only 740 KB on iPhone and 1.4 MB on Android — compare that with Instagram (around 250 MB, nearly 340 times more) or Facebook (around 300 MB, more than 400 times more). On iPhone, installing Eventer takes less than half a second.

The Eventer app brings what the web page cannot offer on mobile: an immersive experience, notifications, saving multiple photos/videos at once, and sharing from your gallery or another app. The icon makes it easy to find your events again — without having to track down a link or an email.

75% of Eventer users opt for the app, reflecting a preference for a more complete and fluid experience.

PWA

PWA stands for Progressive Web App. It is a concept halfway between a web page and an app: technically it is a web page, but it can be installed on the home screen, open full screen, and receive notifications. No need to go through a store — installation takes just a few seconds from the browser.

PWA support varies by platform. On Android, they work very well and behave almost like native apps. On iPhone, Apple significantly limits their capabilities, which makes the experience fall well short of a native app.

Eventer offers a PWA on Android. In practice, the difference from the app is barely noticeable: full screen, notifications, photobooth, easy access to your events. This is the version we recommend on Android. On iPhone, the limitations imposed by Apple mean the PWA does not deliver a satisfactory experience — the native app remains the right choice.

The right tool for every moment

The different interfaces give everyone, at every stage, a way to access their events according to their needs and preferences.

Before the event, the organiser creates and configures the event and sends out invitations. This can be done just as easily from a desktop or a smartphone — it is simply a matter of personal comfort.

During the event, the smartphone reigns supreme. It lets guests capture the emotion at the heart of the action. That said, the desktop remains a powerful ally during the event: it enables real-time projection of photos and videos (Live Show and Live Movie: bring your events to life in real time). Tablets and desktops can also be used to set up a photobooth (Making your PhotoBooth (and your event) a success with Eventer).

After the event, some prefer the desktop, which offers the ability to relive the event on a large screen, like, print, or save. Whether on desktop or smartphone, your best memories remain indefinitely accessible in the palm of your hand or on your desk.

Comparison table