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What Is a PWA for Trading?

A web-based trading app that installs like a native app — without the App Store.

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that can be installed on a device and used like a native app. It opens without a browser address bar, sits on the home screen with its own icon, and loads quickly from cached assets. For the end user, the experience is indistinguishable from a downloaded app. For the broker, no app store submission is required.

PWA technology is built on standard web APIs — Service Workers for background caching and offline support, and a Web App Manifest that defines how the app appears when installed. Any modern browser on iOS or Android can install a PWA directly from a URL.

PWA vs native app vs mobile web

Mobile website opens inside a browser, with address bars and browser chrome visible. Cannot be installed as a standalone app. No offline capability. Highest friction for frequent users.

Native app is distributed through the App Store or Google Play. Requires platform-specific development, app review processes, and ongoing compliance with marketplace policies. Supports the full range of device APIs including biometric authentication.

PWA sits between the two. It is built on web technology but installed and used like a native app. Distribution is controlled entirely by the broker — no marketplace dependency, no review process, instant updates. The main limitation compared to native is the absence of biometric authentication support.

Why brokers choose PWA

Speed of deployment. A native app requires development time, App Store and Google Play submissions, review periods, and ongoing compliance with marketplace guidelines. A PWA is live as soon as the web platform is deployed. For brokers launching quickly or entering new markets, this difference is significant.

Full distribution control. App marketplaces can reject submissions, require policy changes, or remove apps without notice. A PWA is served directly from the broker's domain. The broker controls availability, versioning, and access entirely — with no dependency on Apple or Google decisions.

Single codebase. A PWA works across iOS, Android, and desktop from a single web deployment. There is no need to maintain separate native codebases or coordinate releases across platforms.

PWA in TraderEvolution

TraderEvolution's PWA is part of the web front-end, not a separate product. When a client opens the platform URL on a mobile device, they receive the mobile-optimised interface; on desktop, the full desktop layout loads. Both are installable as a PWA from the browser.

The interface and trading functionality of the PWA match the native iOS and Android apps — watchlists, charting, order entry, positions, account management, and all supported instrument types are available. The only difference is that biometric login is not supported in the PWA. All branding, colour schemes, and domain configuration are applied the same way as the rest of the white-label front-end.

For brokers who also want native apps, PWA and native can be offered side by side — the same client base, the same back-end, different delivery channels.

FAQ

Is a PWA the same as a mobile website?

No. A mobile website requires a browser to open and cannot be installed on a home screen as a standalone app. A PWA is installable, runs without browser chrome, and can work offline through cached assets. The user experience is closer to a native app than to a mobile website.

Does a PWA trading app need to be submitted to the App Store or Google Play?

No. PWAs are distributed via URL — clients install the app directly from the broker's website without going through any app marketplace. This gives brokers full control over distribution, updates, and availability without dependency on Apple or Google review processes.

How does TraderEvolution's PWA differ from its native iOS and Android apps?

The interface and trading functionality are equivalent. The main difference is that PWA does not support biometric authentication. For brokers who want the fastest deployment path and full control over distribution, PWA is available immediately as part of the web front-end without any additional setup.