This year, browsers are implementing the Service Worker spec [0] which is a major improvement to the previous App Cache spec [1]. Both could be used to load UI

This year, browsers are implementing the Service Worker spec [0] which is a major improvement to the previous App Cache spec [1]. Both could be used to load UI (and all other static assets) when offline. There are also numerous headers for describing TTL for downloaded assets, and APIs for offline storage (localStorage, indexedDB). I think the main differences are that while the web has these capabilities, you don't get them for free. You do have to go out of your way to use them. Usually, they're developed assuming an Internet connection, then made to work offline. Usually, it's the other way around for native apps. [0] http://www.w3.org/TR/service-workers/ http://www.w3.org/TR/service-workers/ [1] http://www.w3.org/html/wg/drafts/html/master/browsers.html#appcache http://www.w3.org/html/wg/drafts/html/master/browsers.html#a...