April 10, 2024

Hyva Theme Vs. PWA: What to Choose For the Front End Of Your Website?

Elena Pashkovskaya

Technical copywriter

Hyva theme

Hyva vs PWA for Your Website: A Complete Overview

Elena Pashkovskaya

Technical copywriter

Hyva theme

Hyva vs PWA for Your Website: A Complete Overview

Is your current front-end solution not performing well? Suppose you step aside from the traditional Magento 2 themes and look through a broader lens. In that case, you can notice the two modern headless solutions that facilitate Magento 2 front-end development and increase a site's performance.

Hyva theme and PWA give your e-commerce store the possibilities that default Magento themes cannot offer. What are the differences between them, and how can you choose right? We'll discover it all soon.

Key Takeaways

  • Hyva is a lightweight, fast, and simple Magento 2 theme. It is an excellent alternative to default Magento themes, which can take time and effort to develop.
  • Magento PWA Studio allows the creation of responsive and engaging front-ends for web stores without sacrificing loading speed and performance. PWA technology can be used not only on Magento but also on any other platform.
  • PWAs are more complex yet offer easy scalability and broad browser compatibility. Hyva, simpler to develop, may lack compatibility with third-party extensions and requires optimization to perform properly. Consider partnering with a reputable Hyva development company to achieve optimal results for your store.
  • PWA and Hyva are responsive, lightweight, and provide a seamless user experience. At the same time, the Hyva theme is more straightforward, though faster; PWA has more features to offer and provides an app-like experience.
  • PWA and Hyva theme development costs may vary according to the project's scope, customization, and features. In contrast with the free Magento PWA Studio, the Hyva theme requires a one-time license purchase.

What is Hyva Theme?

Hyva is a Magento 2 theme released in 2020. It removes the complexities of the initial Magento 2 front-end, making development easier and quicker. Hyva replaces previously used frameworks with lighter and smoother technologies, such as Tailwind CSS and AlpineJs. It makes a Magento-based store more user-friendly and competitive due to reduced loading time, which is the main Hyva advantage.

Pros

  • Improved experience for software developers: replacing Magento's default front-end tech with a simpler and more enjoyable one reduces dependencies and ease of development, with no special training required. Highly flexible frameworks add to Hyva's charm for developers.
  • Increased performance: Hyva allows to build faster websites than the native Magento 2 themes, leading to better conversion rates and user experience.
  • Better SEO: faster website — better user experience — better SEO rankings. With a page loading speed of less than 2 seconds, Hyva stands out in terms of SEO.
  • Minimum dependencies: Hyva themes break free from heavy libraries, using just Alpine.js and TailwindCSS for a lean and fast experience.
  • Simple adaptation: Hyva theme suits web store owners who are already using Magento 2 and want to refresh their website's design well. Building the Hyva theme does not require a Magento 2 reinstall and adapts with some older modules, yet it may require additional adaptation with some modules.
  • Resources reduction: Hyva leverages Magento's built-in PHP templating system. This complete front-end rebuild simplifies development by reducing code and complexity.
  • Multi-device availability: due to its outstanding responsiveness, Hyva delivers a good experience on different screens and devices.
  • Supportive community: Hyva theme has a growing number of supporters who are ready to answer your questions and suggest solutions when you feel stuck.

Cons

  • License cost: A one-time payment of €1,000 may seem like an extra expense, especially for small projects, but it allows you to use the Hyva theme on several Magento 2 storefronts without extra charge.
  • Magento limited compatibility: Hyva theme is not a universal solution for each Magento store — it works only for Magento 2 from version 2.4 or higher.
  • Payment method limitations: with the Hyva theme, you should find payment methods other than Magento 2 checkout, which is incompatible.
  • Limited support for third-party extensions: while some extensions work well with the Hyva theme, others do not. The silver lining is that there are extensions specially created to be Hyva-compatible and the ones that do not can be redesigned.

What is PWA?

Progressive web applications have provided app-like user experience across different platforms since 2015. Delivered through the web, PWA-based web stores will look and feel like mobile apps on smartphones, regardless of their mobile platform.

PWAs have a single codebase and combine the best features from websites and native apps. Key features include push notifications, versatility, and access to device hardware.

Pros

  • Quick loading time: PWAs often display content through Client-Side Rendering (CSR). This method relies on JavaScript to dynamically render content within the user's browser, significantly decreasing page loading time.
  • Offline mode: yes, Magento 2 PWA functions without an Internet connection, but these functions are limited. You can scroll across the catalog, but you still need an Internet connection to place an order.
  • Lightweight: PWA works seamlessly even when in unstable networks, compared to native apps.
  • Security: PWAs secure data with HTTPS encryption and leverage Service Workers for functionality, all controlled by a launch and display manifest.
  • Multiplatform support: PWA is a good alternative to native app development. Instead of building two separate Android and iOS apps, PWA offers similar experiences on all platforms.
  • Indexing and SEO: the significant Magento 2 PWA advantage is the increased speed of page indexability. Search engines also value smooth performance and fast page loading.
  • Better engagement: push notifications improve marketing campaigns, reaching out to your audience quickly and regularly.

Cons

  • Website dependency: PWA has a single codebase; if the website goes unresponsive, so do applications.
  • Not development-friendly: compared to Hyva, building PWA from scratch requires more time and knowledge.

What is the Difference Between PWA and Hyva?

The difference between PWA and Hyva is that Hyva is a Magento 2 front-end theme aimed at improving performance, while PWA is the technology that provides the website mobile app-like experience. It can be used on any platform or website besides Magento.

Hyva theme was developed for a particular platform, Magento 2, and only there can it show its features and benefits. PWA seems to be a more universal solution. PWA-based websites not only increase performance but also give a native app-like experience on devices.

While both Magento 2 PWA and Hyva themes offer excellent website performance and customization, their differences are considerable. Moving forward, we'll cover Hyva and PWA's essential features, which make them distinctive and outstanding.

Magento PWA lacks developer-friendliness and is a complex solution, while Hyva misses rich functionality. Nevertheless, both solutions offer enhanced security, performance, and device compatibility.

Hyva and PWA Facts and Figures

  1. The Hyva theme is most popular in the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom; 2,757 sites currently use it.
  2. The United States is the world leader in the adoption of Magento PWA Studio, which is used on 1,065 websites worldwide.
  3. Through the introduction of PWA, Pinterest has increased core engagements by up to 60%, ad click-throughs by 50%, and user-generated ad revenue by up to 44%.
  4. Hyva values simplicity, quality, performance, and fun. The Hyva theme has embedded these principles in its work and functionality. Hyva means "good" or "desirable" and is often pronounced like "hyu-vah" by English-speaking audiences.

Key Features of Hyva vs PWA

Hyva and PWA are different technologies that serve one goal: to make front-end development easier and user experience — engaging. But they reach this goal by quite different means.

What are Hyva's main features?

  • Easy implementation and developer-friendly stack
  • Highly customizable and user-friendly
  • Flexible, has excellent performance

 What is PWA famous for?

  • Easy to use on different devices
  • No need for native app development due to an app-like experience
  • Fast and reliable, work with network disruptions

Now, with solid knowledge of both solutions, let's further explore their comparison and discover how to make the right choice!

PWA is scalable but requires more development time. It has a responsive design, SEO capabilities, and many features. Hyva is scalable and fast to implement. It gives a less app-like feel, is SEO friendly, and has more simple features.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Hyva and PWA

To make the right choice between PWA and Hyva, you should consider the following factors:

Pricing

We start from the most practical part: What is the price for both solutions? It is worth noting that both Magento 2 PWA and Hyva require development and certain customization, so the final cost also depends on the project's complexity.

To use the Hyva theme, you need to buy the license — a one-time purchase that can serve multiple Magento 2 storefronts. It costs €1,000, while Hyva development figures start from $5,000 and can reach $20,000 and more.

For Adobe Commerce users, Hyva also offers Hyva Enterprise, with enriched features such as AI, B2B capabilities, and enhanced content control. The yearly price is €2,500, and the plan includes support and an updated subscription.

 

PWA does not need any licenses but requires more initial investments. The development cost is $3,000 for small projects and can grow to $70,000. Nevertheless, developing a website using PWA technology eliminates the need to build separate applications for Android and iOS; therefore, it is still a reasonable expenditure.

Performance

Hyva's theme is all about performance. Its page loading time is greater than standard Magento themes and slightly faster than PWA — 2 seconds on average. This is all possible due to Tailwind and AlpineJS frameworks and general theme simplicity, resulting in increased customer satisfaction, a seamless interface, and better performance.

On average, the PWA page loading time is 3 seconds. PWA uses browser caching to increase website page loading speed and service workers, making the site more efficient. As a result, we have improved user experience and fast loading time.

Functionality

With simplicity in mind, the Hyva theme acquired basic functionality from the very beginning to satisfy the core requirements of an e-commerce store. It benefits from good performance and fast loading times but cannot offer many functions. Hyva is quite customizable, and its functionality can be improved through third-party extensions.

PWAs have rich functionality, which allows them to create intuitive and engaging interfaces. They represent app-like functionalities, including add-to-home screens, push notifications, automatic updates, and even the ability to work offline with limited functionality.

User experience

Both solutions provide excellent user experience but use different means to achieve the same. Hyva is fast and reduces waiting times. PWA's main point is an app-like experience and more user engagement through push notifications and the availability of the device's hardware.

Scalability

Hyva does not provide seamless integrations with third-party extensions out of the box, and the standard ones need to be adapted, contributing to limited scalability opportunities. But time marches on, and new extensions are on their way with such an amazing developer community and growing Hyva popularity worldwide.

Magento 2 PWA has an array of extensions and integrations, contributing to the website's flexibility and functionality. With such opportunities, businesses can quickly scale up the store and provide the best user experience and performance.

SEO

The modular structure of Hyva themes makes it easier to implement SEO best practices. These include optimizing meta descriptions and titles and building a clean site structure for search engine crawlers. Hyva's loading speed and mobile friendliness also positively influence SEO.

PWA-based websites are easily indexable by search engines, contributing to online visibility. PWAs are inherently mobile-friendly, crucial for ranking well, and mobile browsing dominates search traffic. Faster loading times and a smooth experience across devices lead to better engagement metrics like lower bounce rates and longer session times, which search engines favor.

Project timeline

There is no definite answer to which is faster to develop: the Hyva theme or a PWA-powered website. It all depends on the project's complexity and scale and the technologies and functionalities you want to apply. Additional considerations may arise from third-party integrations, customizations, and modules.

Nevertheless, we must highlight Hyva theme development speed with some fascinating news: a post-packaging materials retailer managed to migrate to Magento and launch the Hyva theme in just 12 weeks!

Consider contacting experienced Magento developers to get time and cost estimates for your project.

Technical expertise

The Hyva theme was created to simplify the front-end development process on Magento 2. Therefore, it has simpler and more understandable code and runs on technologies and frameworks that are convenient for developers. Moreover, you do not need to rebuild the whole store to implement Hyva: its simplicity and developer friendliness have won trust all around the world.

 

PWA development requires more technical expertise and time. Nevertheless, code reusability, simplified maintenance, and hassle-free updates can reduce the development cycle. Additionally, with a single code base used for all platforms and devices, Magento 2 PWA cuts development time, removing the need for mobile app building.

Business goals

If your website is already Magento-based and your business prioritizes performance optimization and a smooth front-end, Hyva will suit you best. It allows quick store launches and is good for small and medium-sized businesses.

As an alternative, PWA's app-like experience and user engagement are winning the hearts of those who want to provide the comfort of use and comprehensive device coverage and scale their e-commerce business. PWA suits small businesses, startups, and established companies.

Hyva and PWA: Pros & Cons Summary

Hyva encompasses the best features for Magento store front-end development compared to standard themes. Its simplicity, developer friendliness, and flexibility increase site performance. Simple adaptation reduces development time, and fast page loading and customization opportunities provide a splendid user experience and customer engagement.

Though perfection is unachievable, the main drawback of the Hyva theme is its limited compatibility. First, Hyva does not suit Magento 2's outdated platform — you should update it to a recent version before building the Hyva front end. Second, Hyva is incompatible with Magento checkout, so you must find another method. Third, Hyva has limited support for third-party extensions.

Time does not stand still. With a fantastic community of developers and constant improvement, Hyva may overcome these challenges and acquire even more popularity. Scrupulous work is going on daily to make more Hyva-compatible modules. You can see the progress on the Compatibility Module Tracker developed by Hyva.

Overall, Hyva might be the right solution, but despite its simplicity, many additional issues may arise, rooting in compatibility. A professional Magento development team can handle all the complexities that may occur.

PWAs eliminate the need to build two separate mobile applications for Android and iOS, as they offer an app-like experience while being a website. PWAs increase user engagement, have responsive designs, can use the app's hardware functions, and run smoothly on different screens and devices.

Nevertheless, Magento 2 PWA is incompatible with old devices and browsers without any updates. With a single codebase, it has website dependency, and when the site goes unresponsive, so do apps. Additionally, PWA is not that development-friendly and requires time and budget to get things done.

On the other hand, PWA development saves time and money on mobile app development and does not need manual updates.

The main PWA pros are quick loading time, improved performance, multiplatform support, and lightweight design. Unfortunately, it is incompatible with legacy devices and has a complex development process. Hyva theme boasts simple adaptation, increased performance, and improved developer experience. It lacks compatibility with Magento extensions and has payment method limitations.

What to Choose For Your Front-end Development

Both Hyva and PWA are relatively new front-end solutions. Each one can offer a lot, each one with its own pros and cons. Let's sum up all the points and determine when to use one or another.

Choose Hyva if you:

  • Prioritize performance, and your store doesn't require extensive feature customization. Hyva is a recent theme and for now it's best-fit for small and medium sites.
  • Value responsive front-end design which looks good on different devices and screens;
  • Want to customize your store and make the design outstanding and your brand — more recognizable;
  • Need fast adaptation and launch but have a limited budget and reasonable requirements.

PWA will be a great option when:

  • You want a feature-rich front end with outstanding performance and an app-like feel on smartphones and tablets;
  • You do not want to launch separate mobile app development or do not have the budget for this purpose at the moment;
  • You value customer engagement and experience and want it to be perfect on different devices across all platforms.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Hyva theme and Magento 2 PWA directly depends on your business needs and goals. Whatever the case, rebuilding your Magento-based store is a reasonable investment that will bring fruitful results.

Choosing between the Hyva theme and PWA can still be daunting. If you have considerations, feel free to contact professionals. NEKLO offers Magento services with free consultation on your project, so do not hesitate to schedule a call!