For example, I am debating between using Proton Pass’s app or using the web app I can make via Safari. The web app is much lighter and uses less storage space on your computer and from what I can tell, it does everything that the app does.
Is there a reason to still use the app instead of PWAs or are PWAs always a better option whenever possible?
Please guide me on what’s best. Thank you!
In my opinion, you should absolutely get a password manager for your computer. Taking up space can’t possibly be an issue in 2025.
Sure. But does one have an advantage over the other in any tangible manner?
Space is not an issue, but I see it as a factor nonetheless especially when the equivalent option practically takes almost no space (i.e less than 1 MB as far as I can tell).
Thank you.
I do use macOS so Windows specific info does not apply including the feature set explained. What I am taking from this is that the app is better for offline access only. I don’t see any other benefit for my credentials and alias management. I also use the browser extension and one can also do most things on it too if you really want to.
Thank you for the context and sharing the info.
Off topic: Looks like you’re using Kagi. Are you a paid user? If so, how are you finding it? I’ve been debating to get it for a while now.
Edit: I see the macOS info now. Thanks again.
I noticed that myself, but I added macOS in an edit. I’ve had the Ultimate subscription for about a year now, and I doubt I’ll ever switch to anything else.
The app can be used in offline mode when you don’t have an internet connection.
So the pwa, it should work offline too if I recall correctly.
But wouldn’t the PWA need to reload as the website (which is in the app shape) every time you open and also while using it. I mean, it would need consistent and constant internet access to function.
I mean.. easy solution I guess is to try this out but what I am saying tracks simply by logic, no?
Nope
- Offline and background operation: They are able to operate when the user is not interacting with them and when the device is offline. This, for example, enables a chat app to receive messages when it is not open, and display a notification to the user. It also enables a news app to update in the background so it can show fresh content even if the device is offline.
Well, in case of OPs use case with Proton Pass - every time you open the PWA, you’ll need to sign in. And how can sign ins happen offline? I am also not sure if PWA from Safari works differently from the link you shared. Or perhaps I don’t fully yet understand all about how PWAs work.
Nevermind, I was wrong.
I just tested it. PWA log in works without internet access and offline - from Safari PWAs too. I’m surprised. TIL.
Please remember that AI generated content is forbidden on this forum.
Damn, my apologies. I completely forgot, I don’t know how.
Thanks everyone for the context and differences. Seems like anything else, pros and cons for both.
I guess I can use either based on my needs thus far since there does not seem to be any more tangible difference for why one is more conclusively better than the other.
Well, PWAs could be targeted by xss attacks and could be feature lacking in comparison of an app, mainly because they can’t access all of the hardware.
So a browser up to date is essential for the pwa.
Targeted doesn’t mean it’s vulnerable though but it’s a thing to keep in mind for your threat model.
On the other hand an app usually has full system access if not sandboxed.
For exemple you might prefer to use Instagram or Google maps pwa to avoid some tracking at the cost of losing features parity with the app.
Otherwise, you might prefer bitwarden app over pwa for the opposite reason, since it’s trusted.
Good answer! Do be completely throughout, one would have to look at each app and the OS individually. For example when using linux, a pwa via a wayland chromium browser is - despite its risks - likely saver than using a native X11 or XWayland app.
In general it is probably good advise to strongly recommend WebApps for every non critical application (i.e. not pw manager, not totp manager, not banking app, not health all) and to strongly consider WebApps even for those.
I do believe that using pwas is much more important on linux than on other OS, due to linux lack of proper sandboxing and egrivious security posture.
“Web-based cryptography is always snake oil”, so I prefer locally installed apps if they utilize client-side encryption.
also to consider
That page is 2.5 years old. Not sure we should be trusting all of what it says.