What is the main difference between DevDocs and DocNative?

DevDocs is a web-based documentation aggregator that runs in your browser. It offers partial offline support through service workers, but this depends on browser support and cache limits. DocNative is a native mobile app that downloads complete documentation databases for true offline access.

How does DevDocs offline support compare?

DevDocs offers offline support through Progressive Web App (PWA) technology, which uses service workers to cache content. This works reasonably well on desktop browsers but has limitations on mobile—browser restrictions, cache eviction, and inconsistent behavior. DocNative stores documentation in a proper local database that persists reliably.

For desktop web browsing with occasional offline needs, DevDocs is a solid free option. For mobile access, true offline reliability, or air-gapped environments, DocNative provides a better experience. Many developers use both—DevDocs on desktop, DocNative on mobile.

Does DevDocs have a mobile app?

DevDocs does not have a native mobile app. You can access the website on mobile browsers, but the PWA offline functionality is less reliable on mobile than desktop. DocNative was built specifically for mobile platforms.

Comparison

DevDocs vs DocNative

DevDocs aggregates documentation in a web interface with PWA offline support. DocNative delivers native mobile apps with complete offline databases. Different tools for different needs.

Background

What is DevDocs?

DevDocs is an open-source web application that aggregates documentation from multiple sources into a single searchable interface. It runs in your browser and offers offline support through service workers (PWA technology).

For desktop developers who work primarily in a browser, DevDocs provides quick access to documentation without opening multiple tabs. The PWA can be "installed" to your desktop for app-like access.

The key difference is architecture. DevDocs is web-first with offline as an add-on. DocNative is offline-first with native mobile apps. This affects reliability, especially on mobile devices.

DevDocs

Web app + PWA

Service worker cache

DocNative

Native iOS + Android

Local database storage

Side by Side

Feature Comparison

Feature	DocNative	DevDocs
Platform
Native iOS App	✓	—
Native Android App	✓	—
Web Application	—	✓
Desktop Access	✓	PWA
Offline Support
Full Offline Access	✓	Partial (Service Worker)
Local Database Storage	✓	Browser cache
Offline Search	✓	Limited
Air-Gapped Support	✓	—
Features
TLDR Command Pages	✓	—
AI-Powered Search	✓	—
Dark Mode	✓	✓
Bookmarks & Favorites	✓	—
Code Snippets Library	✓	—
Pricing
Price	Free / £7.99/yr	Free

Offline

The Offline Reliability Question

DevDocs uses service workers to cache documentation for offline access. This works well on desktop browsers that properly support PWA technology. On mobile browsers, the experience is less consistent.

Mobile browsers have stricter limits on service worker cache size. They may evict cached content to save storage. Browser updates can reset PWA state. The result: offline access that works sometimes but not always.

DocNative stores documentation in a proper local database. Content persists until you explicitly delete it. No browser cache limits, no eviction, no inconsistent behavior between browsers.

DevDocs: Service worker cache with browser-dependent behavior
DocNative: SQLite database with guaranteed persistence

PWA Offline

Depends on browser cache • May evict content • Variable mobile support

Native Offline

Local database storage • Guaranteed persistence • Full mobile support

When to Use Each

Choose DevDocs When...

You work primarily on desktop in a browser
Occasional offline access is sufficient
You prefer free and open-source tools
You want browser keyboard shortcuts

Choose DocNative When...

You need documentation on mobile devices
Reliable offline access is critical
You work in air-gapped environments
TLDR command pages would help your workflow
You want to build a personal snippet library

Many developers use both: DevDocs on desktop, DocNative on mobile.

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