Personally, I prefer apps over websites almost always unless the app is just a dedicated browser window to the company's website. I feel like the mobile experience on almost all websites is absolutely terrible when compared to a dedicated mobile app offering. Unless companies start investing more money into making their websites feel as good and snappy as their apps do, I know I'll default to the app over the website, always.

One where you only visit their website, and only through their app.

This is Apple's vision because Google owns the browser market. PWAs could replace at least half the apps people are using. Reddit absolutely doesn't need native apps but there are a bunch because their mobile experience is so bad.

> One where I have an app on my phone for every website I visit?

Google is working on "instant apps" that auto-install apps when you try to visit a website, so that should give you a vision into the future some want.

On the lighter side, a complete monopoly over your internet use.

On the darker side, I dunno... technocracy?

apps don't have ad block. This is the only reason companies care about apps.