Web Extensions vs Progressive Web Apps

Developers should learn Web Extensions when they need to create browser-based tools, enhance user productivity, or integrate services directly into the browsing experience, such as for building ad-blockers, note-taking apps, or accessibility aids meets developers should learn pwas to build fast, reliable, and engaging web applications that work across all devices and platforms, without the need for app store distribution. Here's our take.

Web Extensions

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Web Extensions when they need to create browser-based tools, enhance user productivity, or integrate services directly into the browsing experience, such as for building ad-blockers, note-taking apps, or accessibility aids

Pros

• It's particularly useful for projects targeting a wide audience across different browsers, as the standardized API reduces compatibility issues and allows for easier porting between platforms like Chrome and Firefox
• Related to: javascript, html

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Progressive Web Apps

Developers should learn PWAs to build fast, reliable, and engaging web applications that work across all devices and platforms, without the need for app store distribution

Pros

• They are ideal for businesses seeking to reach users with a single codebase, improve performance on slow networks, and enhance user retention through offline functionality and push notifications
• Related to: service-workers, web-app-manifest

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Web Extensions is a platform while Progressive Web Apps is a concept. We picked Web Extensions based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Web Extensions wins

Based on overall popularity. Web Extensions is more widely used, but Progressive Web Apps excels in its own space.