{"id":15246,"date":"2022-06-10T10:37:45","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T17:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/?p=15246"},"modified":"2025-04-10T09:46:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T16:46:46","slug":"should-i-use-the-progressive-web-app-or-native-version-of-graphical-analysis-and-other-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/15246","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between a Progressive Web App and an installed version of Graphical Analysis and other Vernier apps?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The basic difference is that a Progressive Web App (PWA) is not compiled for any specific platform; instead, it is compiled so that it runs in a browser. As a result, a PWA does not require installation since it uses the browser&#8217;s connection to the device&#8217;s operating system to access device resources as needed.<\/p>\n<p>Although Vernier&#8217;s PWAs run in a browser, they generally do not require internet connectivity to run after initial use. This is because the code needed to run the app is stored in the browser history similar to how web pages are stored. Although you will need periodic internet connectivity to check for and apply updates, or to verify for-purchase licenses, you can use a PWA offline for at least two-weeks (and often much longer) if needed.<\/p>\n<p>PWAs are required for Chromebooks as native (aka, packaged) ChromeOS apps are no longer supported by Google.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Progressive Web Apps (PWA)<\/h3>\n<p>To access a PWA, open a new tab in your Chrome (or Edge) browser and enter the URL noted below.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Graphical Analysis<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/graphicalanalysis.app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/graphicalanalysis.app\">https:\/\/graphicalanalysis.app<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Spectral Analysis<\/strong> \u2014<a href=\" https:\/\/spectralanalysis.app\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/spectralanalysis.app\">https:\/\/spectralanalysis.app<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Instrumental Analysis<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/instrumentalanalysis.app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/instrumentalanalysis.app\">https:\/\/instrumentalanalysis.app<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Vernier Video Analysis<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/videoanalysis.app\"><a href=\"https:\/\/videoanalysis.app\">https:\/\/videoanalysis.app<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/product\/video-analysis\/\">Vernier Video Analysis<\/a> is a for-purchase app and requires a valid license key to use the app.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background has-small-font-size\">These PWAs require a current Chrome (or Edge) browser running on ChromeOS, macOS, Windows, or Android devices. Sensors can connect by Bluetooth or, if the device supports it, USB. Vernier Video Analysis can also run in Safari, as that app does not require data collection with sensors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Installed Apps<\/h3>\n<p>Access to native (installed) apps are from the Vernier website (Windows and macOS computers), Apple&#8217;s App Store (iPhone and iPad), or Google Play (Android phones and tablets). As the name suggests, these versions require installation on the device on which they are used. For quick access to the installers, use the links below.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/downloads\/graphical-analysis\/\"><strong>Graphical Analysis<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/product\/spectral-analysis\/\"><strong>Spectral Analysis<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/product\/instrumental-analysis\/\"><strong>Instrumental Analysis<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is no installed version of Vernier Video Analysis. It is a PWA only.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparison\u2014Pros and Cons<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Progress Web Apps<\/th>\n<th>Installed Apps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Pros<\/strong><br \/>\u25cf No Installation Required<br \/>\u25cf Supports Chrome OS devices<br \/>\u25cf Performance (speed) can be better<br \/>\u25cf App URL can be bookmarked for easy access<\/td>\n<td><strong>Pros<\/strong><br \/>\u25cf Access to App is familiar to users<br \/>\u25cf Supports iOS and iPadOS devices<br \/>\u25cf Automatic identification of USB connect devices<br \/>\u25cf Supports Local Data Sharing with LabQuests<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Cons<\/strong><br \/>\u25cf <a href=\"https:\/\/vernier.com\/til\/15928\">Connection to USB devices is not automatic<\/a><br \/>\u25cf <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/14434\/\">Local Data Sharing w\/LabQuests not supported<\/a><br \/>\u25cf Not supported on iPad\/iPadOS devices<br \/>\u25cf May require periodic internet connectivity<\/td>\n<td><strong>Cons<\/strong><br \/>\u25cf May require Admin rights for installation<br \/>\u25cf Not supported on Chromebooks<br \/>\u25cf Updates not applied automatically (computers)<br \/>\u25cf Restrictive minimum OS version support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background Information<\/h3>\n<p>Initially, Vernier developed separate applications, from totally separate code bases, for computers, Chromebooks, iPads\/iPhones, and Android devices. This made the user experience very different when going between applications on different devices.<\/p>\n<p>In 2016, Vernier made the decision to build our software for the future using a common code base from which our newest data-collection apps would be developed. Starting with Graphical Analysis v4.0, we developed apps that used a common user interface across all platforms. While these applications are built from a common code base, they still require separate compiling for different platforms.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/7415\/\">Google announced<\/a> that is was ending support for native apps run on ChromeOS devices (Chromebooks) in favor of Progress Web Apps. Installed apps, accessed through the Chrome Web Store, were no longer going to work on a Chromebook. <strong>That support officially ended in January 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In response to the change imposed by Google, Vernier released the first PWA version of Graphical Analysis in the summer of 2022. In late 2024, Vernier discontinued all native-ChromeOS apps in favor of the PWA versions. <\/p>\n<p>While these PWA versions were developed for Chromebooks, they can also be use on Windows and macOS computers that have a Chrome (or Edge) browser installed. The PWAs can also work on Android devices, however, we recommend the installed version available from Google Play for those devices. (<strong>Note:<\/strong> Due to browser limitations, PWAs cannot be used on iPhone or iPad.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Links<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/12747\/\">What domains need to be allow-listed for Graphical Analysis, Spectral Analysis, Instrumental Analysis, and Vernier Video Analysis?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/23414\/\">What browser permissions are required to allow USB devices to connect to Vernier Progressive Web Apps?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/15835\/\">How do I connect Bluetooth sensors to the Progressive Web App version of Graphical Analysis (and other Vernier apps)?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/15928\/\">How do I connect USB sensors to the Progressive Web App version of Graphical Analysis (and other Vernier apps)?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/4093\/\">How do I keep a Chromebook from sleeping?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/13161\/\">I need an older version of Graphical Analysis, Spectral Analysis, or Instrumental Analysis for my computer.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/17903\/\">Is there a way to activate Graphical Analysis Pro at install time?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3475\/\">Graphical Analysis Troubleshooting and FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/7415\/\">Google has stopped supporting Chrome Packaged Apps for Chromebooks.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/21403\/\">How to deliver Progressive Web Apps to managed ChromeOS devices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/14434\/\">Local Data Sharing is not available in the Progressive Web App version of Graphical Analysis<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The basic difference is that a Progressive Web App (PWA) is not compiled for any specific platform; instead, it is compiled so that it runs&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8976,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15246\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}