App Builders vs Managed Mobile App Services: What’s Really More Affordable?

The promise is tempting: build your app for under a hundred dollars.

App builder platforms and DIY tools make mobile apps look like a no-brainer. Cheap, quick, and easy. But dig a little deeper, and that “bargain” price tag starts to look a lot less appealing.

When it comes to launching a mobile app for your ecommerce or retail brand, affordability isn’t just about what you pay. It's about what you get, how much time you spend, and the kind of ROI you can realistically expect.

Let’s break down why a fully-managed website to app service like MobiLoud often ends up being not just more effective, but more affordable in the long run.

Want to see what you can do with MobiLoud? Get a free, interactive preview of your app - all you need is your website's URL!

The Real Cost of DIY App Builders

Most app builders cost somewhere between $50 and $100 per month (if we’re talking Shopify mobile app builders, you’re looking at a little more; typically starting at $200-$250 per month). 

At first glance, that seems like a steal - especially compared to custom development or premium services.

But here’s what that monthly fee actually gets you: a set of tools.

You’re responsible for everything else.

That includes:

• Compiling your app for iOS and Android
• Navigating the complex app store submission process
• Responding to rejection or feedback from Apple and Google
• Diagnosing and fixing bugs
• Shipping updates and maintaining the app over time
• Managing a separate backend
• Duplicating changes every time your website updates
  

You’re also on your own for customer support, design help, marketing strategy, push notifications, and everything post-launch.

So while the price is low, the workload is high, and the time cost significant.

The Hidden Costs Add Up Fast

Let’s say you (or your developer) spend 15-20 hours per month managing your DIY app.

That’s not super unrealistic - just a few hours per week.

If your time is worth even $50/hour (a very conservative estimate), that’s $750-$1,000/month (on top of the subscription fee).

And it doesn’t account for:

• Delays from learning new systems
• Extra stress and technical headaches
• Time pulled away from high-impact work like marketing and growth

Cheap to launch, expensive to manage. 

Even if costs are low… so is the ROI

App builders promise a more affordable way to build a mobile app.

But unfortunately, the limitations of DIY platforms (predefined templates, limited integrations, and rigid structures) mean you’re often stuck with an app that feels generic, underperforms, and fails to deliver meaningful ROI.

So even if it costs you less, it’ll probably generate less engagement, less revenue, and ultimately less return for your business.

Cutting corners on your app to save money means limiting the app’s potential.

It might be (often is worth it) if you’re comparing an app builder to custom development, and saving $150k+ on your app.

But not if you’re just saving a few hundred bucks per month (at most).

What a Managed Mobile App Service like MobiLoud Actually Delivers

Now let’s compare the DIY experience with a service like MobiLoud.

Yes, the monthly investment is higher. But here’s what you get for the investment:

• App build and configuration - based on your existing website
• App Store submission - we handle everything, including dealing with Apple and Google
• Updates, fixes, maintenance - all done by our team, not yours
• Push notification setup and automation
• Design, UX, and branding support
• Post-launch strategic support - including promotion, analytics, and performance coaching
• Fully synced with your site - no duplicated work, no second platform to manage

You get a polished, high-performance mobile app, fully branded, integrated with your stack, and launched in under 30 days.

You never touch code, compile an app, or deal with app stores.

"We couldn’t find another company that could offer the same features at the same price point, same time to market, and make it as easy as MobiLoud could."
- Svend Hansen, Product Owner at Bestseller

But the biggest difference? You’re not doing it alone.

With MobiLoud, you're not just buying software. You’re getting a team of real people with deep experience launching over 2,000 successful apps for ecommerce and content brands.

You’ll have direct access to:

• Nihal, who leads Customer Success and ensures your app not only launches smoothly, but thrives with a clear push strategy and engagement plan
• Diego, who’s helped hundreds of brands launch high-performing mobile apps and will guide you through setup, testing, and growth
• Vitor, who leads product and support, making sure your app is technically solid and bug-free
• Jason, our QA lead, who catches and resolves any issues before launch
• Tomas, who works directly with you on design tweaks and improving your app experience

From day one, you’ll be in a private Slack channel with our team, communicating directly, getting fast responses, and collaborating like an extension of your own company.

We’re there for:

• App store rejections (we handle them)
• Post-launch optimization (we help you tune and improve)
• Push notification strategy (we’ll help you automate and schedule high-converting campaigns)
• Growth planning (we share proven tactics to grow app installs and revenue)

Most importantly, we don’t disappear after your app goes live. We stay involved to make sure your app delivers results - increased retention, more repeat revenue, and better customer engagement.

That kind of partnership isn’t possible with a DIY builder. And it’s exactly why our customers stick with us, and why their apps consistently perform at a high level.

"We looked at a couple of other systems similar to MobiLoud, but ultimately it was the most cost-effective, something that could live and grow with us."
- Tim Toomey, Marketing Director at Riot Fest

Time Back = Real Dollars Saved

When you outsource the technical work, you free up your internal team to focus on what actually drives revenue.

If we save you even 15 hours per month (and we might save much more) that’s hundreds or thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

Pretty good, when the other option is supposedly the cheap option.

And remember, this isn’t just about saving time. It’s about increasing revenue.

Better Apps = Better Results

MobiLoud apps are built for performance, not just presence. Our users see:

• 7x customer lifetime value
• 15% higher average order value
• 3x more visits per user
• 10%+ in incremental revenue from the app
• Push notifications that drive conversions instantly

You simply can’t get that level of performance from a DIY app builder with rigid templates and limited functionality.

With MobiLoud, your app works exactly like your site, but faster, more accessible, and with powerful native features layered on top.

Check out these examples of MobiLoud apps to get a better idea of what’s possible.

Peace of Mind Over Painful Maintenance

DIY tools can feel manageable on day one. But what about 3 months in? 6 months? A year?

App store policies change. Bugs emerge. New devices hit the market.

When you use a DIY builder, all of that falls on you.

With MobiLoud, you get a partner that evolves the app with you. We proactively monitor performance, resolve issues, and update your app to keep everything running smoothly.

No extra work for your team. No fires to put out. No time lost.

"We tried six companies and I feel like you guys have the best combination of service, functionality, and price."
- Kenneth Chan, Founder & CEO at Tobi

The Bottom Line: Managed Services Can Cost Less, and Deliver More

The cheapest option isn’t always the most affordable.

When you factor in:

• The time saved
• The technical headaches avoided
• The higher quality of the final product
• And the revenue growth that comes with a well-built, high-performing app...

...MobiLoud can actually cost less than a DIY app builder. And deliver far more value.

You’re not just paying for an app - you’re investing in a retention engine, a push notification channel, and a direct line to your best customers.

And you're doing it without adding complexity, workload, or risk.

App builders can work in some cases - such as simple projects, for teams with limited resources available. But in most cases, MobiLoud works out to be a far better long-term solution.

If you’re ready to build a better app, with less effort, let’s talk.

Get a free preview of your app and see how MobiLoud can help you turn your website into a high-performance mobile app - without rebuilding, without extra work, and without surprises.