What Is an Instant App?
An Instant App is an application that installs instantly, launches like a native app, and continues to function even when the network is unavailable — without requiring an app store.
Instant Apps are not a new technology. They are a disciplined way of building and delivering applications using modern web capabilities, applied properly and consistently.
What Instant Apps Are
- Installable directly from a URL
- Launched from the home screen
- Run in standalone app mode
- Capable of operating offline (where appropriate)
- Updated seamlessly without app store friction
When built correctly, Instant Apps feel indistinguishable from native applications in everyday use.
What Instant Apps Are Not
- They are not just mobile websites
- They are not browser tabs disguised as apps
- They are not dependent on constant connectivity
- They are not shortcuts or compromised experiences
Simply being “built with web technologies” does not make something an Instant App. Behaviour matters more than tooling.
Why Instant Apps Matter
App distribution has become increasingly complex, slow, and expensive. Instant Apps remove unnecessary friction while preserving app-quality experiences.
For users, this means faster access and less commitment. For developers, it means quicker iteration and broader reach. For businesses, it means lower cost and faster deployment.
The Role of AppWow
AppWow exists to define, curate, and promote Instant Apps that genuinely meet this standard.
We focus on behaviour, not hype: installability, offline capability, and real-world usability on real devices.