5 Apache Cordova Alternatives for Turning Your Website Into a Mobile App

Turning your website into a mobile app has never been a better move – or more accessible. 

Whether you're running an ecommerce store, a SaaS platform, or a content site, offering a branded mobile experience helps you boost retention, drive engagement, and unlock new revenue opportunities.

Apache Cordova used to be a go-to choice for wrapping websites into native mobile apps. But as the mobile landscape has evolved, newer, easier-to-use tools have emerged, making Cordova feel outdated and unnecessarily complex.

In this article, we explore five powerful alternatives to Apache Cordova that make it faster, simpler, and more strategic to turn your website into a polished mobile app for iOS and Android.

Why Not Apache Cordova?

Apache Cordova helped pioneer hybrid mobile development - but it was built for developers, not businesses trying to launch a branded app experience fast.

You need full control of your codebase, time to maintain native plugins, and the technical know-how to handle App Store policies and device quirks.

That made sense a decade ago. But in 2025, there’s no need to take on that complexity.

If you already have a live website that users love, you can launch a mobile app in weeks, with all the key native features - without rebuilding anything.

What to Look for in a Cordova Alternative

As you evaluate other tools, here are some key things to look for:

• No-code or low-code platforms
• Support for both iOS and Android
• Native features like push notifications, navigation tabs, and splash screens
• Real-time sync with your website
• Fast time to market (weeks, not months)
• Hands-on support and strategic guidance
• Focus on ROI, not just app delivery

Keep reading and we’ll give you the mobile app industry’s top picks to turn websites into apps.

5 Strong Apache Cordova Alternatives for Website-to-App Conversion

1. MobiLoud – For Serious Businesses That Want a Turnkey App Solution

MobiLoud isn’t a DIY tool or a developer framework.

It’s a fully-managed service built specifically to convert websites into high-performing iOS and Android apps - without coding, duplicating work, or technical overhead.

Our apps mirror your site 1:1 and layer in the native features your users expect: push notifications, native navigation, splash screens, offline handling, and more.

More importantly, you get a dedicated team of experts behind you, who have launched thousands of apps, including apps for Jack & Jones, buybuyBaby, and John Varvatos.

From day one, you’ll work directly with real people - like Nihal, Diego, Tomas, Vitor, and Jason - each with specific roles to support your success.

• Nihal leads customer success and ensures your launch is smooth and your push notification strategy drives real engagement.
• Diego helps you plan and configure your app for long-term growth, drawing from years of experience across ecommerce and content.
• Vitor heads up product and support, making sure every aspect of your app works perfectly, on every device, with every update.
• Jason runs QA, catching the edge cases most teams miss before your app ever hits the App Store.
• Tomas works with you on UX and technical optimizations that improve app performance and retention.

You'll meet them on scheduled calls, talk to them directly via Slack and email, and always know who’s behind the scenes, taking care of the details.

We don’t just build your app - we partner with you to make it a high-performing revenue channel. From setup through launch, and into ongoing growth, we take full ownership of making your mobile app successful.

Want to see exactly how it works? Read a step-by-step walkthrough here - or better yet, get a free preview of your app and see it for yourself.

Why MobiLoud Outperforms Cordova (and Other Cordova Alternatives)

• Zero development work – No rebuilding, no maintaining a second codebase
• Fast time to market – Launch in under 30 days
• Everything stays in sync – Your app updates as your site does, automatically
• Native features that drive retention – Unlimited push notifications, native tab bar. Your app feels like a native app, not an off the shelf solution
• ‍Strategic post-launch support – Push flows, engagement tools, analytics. We help you make your app a success
• Fully-managed QA + Store submission – We handle all the technical requirements

You’re not just getting a software subscription. You’re getting a dedicated team that builds, launches, and supports your app for the long term (for the cost of an app builder).

It's the best way to convert a website into an app - hands down.

Best for: Ecommerce brands, content publishers, and SaaS platforms with established websites that want a serious mobile presence without extra dev work.

Trade-off: Less low-level customization than full frameworks like Cordova or Capacitor, but a vastly more efficient and ROI-focused solution for most use cases.

Want to see what’s possible with MobiLoud? Get a free preview of your app now. All you need is your website’s URL!

2. AppMySite – For WordPress & WooCommerce Sites on a Budget

AppMySite is a no-code tool designed specifically for website owners who want a fast and simple app version of their WordPress or WooCommerce site. 

It connects to your website, automatically imports your content, and allows visual customization through an intuitive editor.

The process is straightforward: you enter your website URL, which imports your pages, posts, products, and menus into the app structure. You can then customize the app's appearance using a drag-and-drop editor to match your branding. 

When you're satisfied with the design, AppMySite guides you through publishing to the App Store and Google Play.

All in all, it's great for freelancers and side projects - but limited flexibility and post-launch support make it less suited for businesses with complex websites or serious growth goals.

Why it's a solid Cordova alternative:

• No coding required
• Automatic content import from WordPress
• Push notifications and in-app purchases for WooCommerce
• Quick setup and free preview mode
• Real-time content sync between website and app

Best for: Bloggers, indie retailers, and solo founders who need a basic app quickly and affordably.

Trade-off: Entry-level platform. Less flexibility than developer frameworks. Limited design and feature options beyond what's provided in the platform. 

3. BuildFire – For Customizable Apps Without Full Coding

BuildFire is a powerful low-code platform with a plugin marketplace and a drag-and-drop builder. 

It lets you build mobile apps by selecting modules like ecommerce, loyalty programs, or media players from its extensive library of over 150 pre-built plugins.

Rather than simply wrapping your website, BuildFire enables you to create a more tailored mobile experience by assembling different functional components. You can start with a template or blank slate, then add features by choosing plugins that suit your needs. 

For those with technical resources, BuildFire also offers a Developer SDK to create custom plugins when needed.

Buildfire offers more flexibility than basic app builders, but keep in mind you'll still be managing the build, QA, store submission, and ongoing updates yourself.

Why it's a solid Cordova alternative:

• Visual interface for app building
• 150+ prebuilt plugins for common features
• Native app performance (not just a webview)
• Developer SDK for custom plugins
• Extensive customization without coding

Best for: Mid-sized businesses, agencies, and internal teams that want control without starting from scratch.

Trade-off: More time-intensive than plug-and-play options, and higher cost than basic no-code tools. While you sacrifice some of Cordova's open-ended freedom, you gain development speed and better performance for common features without needing programming skills.

4. AppPresser – For WordPress Users Who Want to Stay in WP

AppPresser is a WordPress-centric app builder that lets you build and manage your mobile app right from the WP admin dashboard. It's tailored specifically for WordPress content and plugins, with specialized integration for popular extensions.

The platform operates through a WordPress plugin and companion app builder, allowing you to control your app directly from your familiar WordPress environment. 

It has out-of-the-box support for popular WP plugins like WooCommerce (for ecommerce), BuddyPress (for social communities), and LearnDash (for courses), ensuring your site's functionality carries over to the app.

Appresser is a niche solution for WordPress users who want to stay inside WP. But you’re still on your own for QA, store approvals, and app strategy.

Why it's a solid Cordova alternative:

• Built specifically for WordPress
• Out-of-the-box support for WooCommerce, BuddyPress, LearnDash
• App customization from your WP dashboard
• Push notifications triggered by site updates
• Familiar interface for WordPress users

Best for: WordPress-based publishers, bloggers, educators, and community site owners who are comfortable in WP and want an app without leaving that ecosystem.

Trade-off: Works best with standard WP setups; less suited for complex customizations or non-WordPress platforms. If your site runs on WordPress and you want a straightforward way to convert it into an app (and continue managing it via WordPress), AppPresser is tailor-made for you.

5. Ionic Capacitor – For Dev Teams Looking to Move Beyond Cordova

Capacitor is the modern successor to Cordova, developed by the Ionic team. It offers better tooling, better plugin integration, and a smoother development experience for hybrid apps.

Capacitor serves the same fundamental purpose as Cordova – it wraps a web application in a native container so it can run on iOS and Android with access to native device APIs. However, it's been built with modern web frameworks in mind (React, Vue, Angular) and provides a more up-to-date development experience with better native feature support.

It's a step up from Cordova with modern tooling - but it’s still a developer framework. If you’re not prepared to manage a mobile app codebase, plugin integrations, and native SDK updates yourself, it can become a maintenance burden fast.

Why it's a solid Cordova alternative:

• Built with modern web frameworks in mind (React, Vue, Angular)
• Access to native features via JavaScript APIs
• Better long-term support and documentation
• Active maintenance and updates for new OS versions
• Simplified plugin system

Best for: Teams with web development experience building a hybrid app with custom UI and functionality.

Trade-off: Still requires development time, resources, and long-term management. This is the most technical option on the list, but it provides a path forward for teams already familiar with the Cordova approach who want a more modern framework.

Learn more: check out these related articles where we break down the best alternatives to Ionic, React Native, and Flutter.

Which Cordova Alternative Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – but the right solution will depend on your budget, timeline, technical resources, and how hands-on you want to be. 

Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

Want the fastest, simplest, fully-managed solution? → MobiLoud

On a tight budget and use WordPress? → AppMySite or AppPresser

Need customization without full-code? → BuildFire

Have in-house devs and want max control? → Ionic Capacitor

Whether you're a solo founder, marketing leader, or running a development team, there's a modern alternative to Cordova that fits your needs, and gets your app to market faster, with less hassle.

Why MobiLoud Stands Out

MobiLoud is the only done-for-you solution on this list. You're not just licensing software – you're working with a dedicated team to launch, maintain, and grow your app.

You get:

• A working app in 30 days, with zero dev time
• Unlimited push notifications and native UI elements
• Full support through app store approvals and beyond
• Direct access to experts in app marketing and retention
• A seamless connection between your website and your app. No content duplication, no headaches

It’s ideal for ecommerce stores, publishers, and content businesses looking to unlock the power of mobile apps without building or managing one from scratch.

Our platform preserves all your website's features while adding native elements like navigation tabs and push notifications. 

Your website remains the single source of content – any updates sync instantly to your apps. This is particularly valuable for complex websites with custom CMS setups or numerous plugins since all functionality carries over to the app.

Final Thoughts

Cordova helped define the hybrid app space. But today, better tools exist.

If you're serious about launching a mobile app that actually drives retention and revenue (without spending months on development or managing plugins yourself) MobiLoud is the best choice.

You don't need to reinvent the wheel. You just need a mobile app that works. Let MobiLoud handle it for you.

The best alternative depends on your specific needs, technical capabilities, and goals. 

• No-code services like MobiLoud deliver quick turnaround and handle complexity for you. 
• DIY solutions like AppMySite and AppPresser are affordable and fast for basic apps, especially for WordPress-based sites. 
• If you need more customization, BuildFire offers a middle ground. 
• And for teams with development resources, Ionic Capacitor provides a more modern approach than Cordova with maximum control.

For most businesses, MobiLoud offers the best combination of speed, support, and simplicity – without compromising on quality or performance.

Want to see how your site will look as an app? Get a free preview of your app and take the first step toward launching your app today.