An app on their phone — without giving Apple a third of your income
The app store sounds prestigious until you realize Apple takes up to 30% of every subscription payment, Google takes 15%, reviews take weeks, and you need a developer on retainer. A Progressive Web App gives your members the same experience — installable, full-screen, push notifications — while you keep your revenue and your sanity.
Keep 100% of your subscription revenue
Apple takes 15–30% of every in-app subscription. Google takes 15%. With a PWA, payments go through Stripe directly — you keep every dollar after standard processing fees (typically 2.9% + 30¢). The only variable cost is a small per-active-user fee that scales with your membership — aligned incentives, not upfront extraction.
- No Apple 15–30% commission on subscriptions
- No Google 15% service fee
- Standard Stripe processing only (2.9% + 30¢)
- The active-user fee means the platform only grows when you do — aligned incentives
- Full control over pricing, offers, and promo codes
Instant updates — no app review wait
Native apps require submitting every change for review — sometimes waiting days or weeks. A PWA updates instantly. Publish a new recipe, fix a typo, launch a holiday promotion — your members see it immediately. No gatekeepers, no delays.
- No app store review process for content or feature changes
- Changes go live the moment you publish
- No forced version updates that break member experience
- Launch seasonal content and promos on your schedule, not Apple's
Feels native — because it is
Members install your app to their home screen on Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows. It launches full-screen with its own icon, supports push notifications, and works offline. On Android and desktop it installs in one tap; on iOS, a short guided prompt walks them through it. Either way — it looks and feels like a native app.
- Installs on phones, tablets, and desktops — not just mobile
- Full-screen, standalone mode — no browser chrome visible
- Push notifications to bring members back
- Offline support for saved recipes and meal plans
- Your brand icon on their device — not a browser bookmark
No ongoing developer costs
Native apps require iOS and Android developers, separate codebases, annual Apple Developer Program fees ($99/year), and ongoing maintenance for OS updates. With a PWA, the platform handles everything — your app stays current automatically.
- No separate iOS or Android development needed
- No $99/year Apple Developer Program fee
- No maintenance for OS updates — handled by the platform
- One app that works on every device — phone, tablet, desktop
Used by the biggest names in tech
PWAs are not a workaround — they are the standard for modern web apps. Twitter, Starbucks, Pinterest, Spotify, and Uber all use PWA technology. For content-based memberships, the advantages over native apps are overwhelming.
- Used by Twitter, Starbucks, Pinterest, Spotify, and thousands more
- Google actively promotes PWAs as the future of app distribution
- Ideal for content memberships — recipes, meal plans, courses
- PWA capabilities expand with every browser update
Ready to get started?
Start your free trial today and see how Member Kitchens can help you grow your business.