If canvas app can be shared with guest user, then why should one create a PowerApps Portal?

[dave8]

Hello,

If canvas app can be shared with guest user of Azure AD, then why should one create a PowerApps Portal?

Thanks,

[Pstork1]

First, the Portal provides more of a web site feel that includes an app, rather than just the app running in a browsers.

Second, because the Portal provides for anonymous user access, so the user doesn't need to be in your Azure AD or have additional licensing.  The portal is licensed separately.

There are other reasons, but those are the two main ones that come to mind.

[dave8]

Hi @Pstork1 

tablet app can be created with web site look as well if we increase it's size that might work in web and app both, however I am unsure by doing so what difference remain between tablet app and portal app.

The key difference I see as you have mentioned is "Anonymous Access" , however as portal app comes with separate licenses and probably require HTML/CSS code - doesn't comes as handy as canvas app yet in terms of low  code solution.

Do you think, if there is no need of "Anonymous" access then creating canvas app with website sort of look for all screen size would be doable/achievable?

Thanks,

[Pstork1]

Yes, it would be doable, but there would still be challenges.  For example, although you can access a Power App on the web using a URL, you need to know what the specific URL is.  The portal is addressable as an actual web site, not a specific page in a web site.  The portal can also support multiple apps, where an app built as a web site is only one app.

[dave8]

What does it mean by portal app supporting multiple apps? can you please share the reference link explaining the same?

[Pstork1]

A Power Apps portal can contain multiple pages.  You can embed a different Power App on each page.  Take a look at the following MS Learning plan for more details.

Get Started with Power Apps portals - Learn | Microsoft Docs

[dave8]

Is portal app aligned with any screen size/devices?

Thanks,

[Pstork1]

The Portal is a web site.  There is no specific size. It will depend on the size of the browser looking at the portal.  

I could probably provide a better answer if I had some idea of what you are trying to accomplish.  Power Apps and the Power Apps portal are different implementations with different purposes.  They really aren't interchangeable.

[dave8]

I have checked portal app in the chrom browser to see if that supports all devices, but it seems only tablet screen it stay aligned, while in other devices/screen size, it does not support all screen size.