If you want to build an app for your Shopify store, there are two ways to approach it.
You can hire developers or an agency to code custom native apps and connect these native apps to your Shopify backend.
In this case, you can expect to spend upwards of six figures, while waiting anywhere from six months to a year until your apps finally go live.
Alternatively, you can use a tool or service specifically made for creating apps for Shopify stores.
MobiLoud and Appbrew are two of the best options to do this.
And while both are superior alternatives to spending hundreds of thousands on custom native apps, there are some key differences between the two.
You’ll find that MobiLoud is more flexible, requires less work, and is a better long-term choice for your business.
Keep reading, and we’ll explain more about what makes MobiLoud and Appbrew different, and why you should choose MobiLoud to create your mobile apps.
Want to chat about launching your own mobile app with one of our eCommerce app experts? Book a free app strategy call now.
MobiLoud vs Appbrew: The Bottom Line
Both MobiLoud and Appbrew are great options for Shopify store owners looking to build apps. Each allows you to create an app for less money, in less time, with no coding at all.
But they take a different approach to creating your app. Let’s summarize the main differences now.
Appbrew:
- Tasks you to build your own app using blocks and templates.
- Is a platform managed separately from your website (giving you more work to maintain).
- Limits you to pre-defined integrations with Shopify apps & third-party tools.
MobiLoud:
- Seamlessly converts your website into a mobile app.
- Does all the work for you.
- Lets you manage website and app from one codebase.
- Has no limits on integrations, apps, custom features you can carry over to your mobile app.
- Isn’t tied to the constraints of Shopify’s API.
MobiLoud is the best choice for Shopify stores who don’t want to mess around trying to recreate what already works for them on their website, and instead want a seamless conversion process, where they won’t have to sacrifice key integrations and custom features from their website.
Appbrew is a Great Alternative to Native Development
If you’re comparing Appbrew to other drag-and-drop app builders, or to expensive custom development, it stands out as a great option.
Appbrew offers a lot of customization options (more than many competitor app builders), 100+ integrations for popular marketing, analytics and CRO tools, and push notification functionality built in.
Their standard “Pro” plan is a good turnkey solution for building simple apps, with a decent price point (not cheap, but not overly expensive either).
However, it has the same limitations as all block-based Shopify app builders, and some key integrations are gated to their Enterprise plan, which means the cost may end up being a lot more than you anticipated.
MobiLoud is Less Effort, for a Better Result
MobiLoud takes a different approach to creating apps for Shopify stores.
We don’t give you access to a software and leave you to your own devices. We’re a full service, which converts your Shopify store into a mobile app without losing any of the features that make your website great.
We don’t put a cap on your app’s potential. Anything you can do on your website will seamlessly translate to your mobile apps.
This gives you higher upside, with less risk – since you're replicating the same playbook that drives sales for your website.
The end result is the best parts of custom development and app builders combined, all in a managed service that costs roughly the same as a Shopify app builder like Appbrew.
Why Top Brands Choose MobiLoud
MobiLoud is trusted by major brands such as Tobi, Sleefs, and John Varvatos, among many others.
The consensus from all of these successful brands is that they love the service element of MobiLoud, and the flexibility to do anything they want in their apps, with virtually no limitations.
“We wanted a solution that could enable push notifications, and MobiLoud does that. 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
Let’s dive deeper into why top brands prefer building apps with MobiLoud.
No rebuilding
Building an app with Appbrew is far easier than custom development – but it’s still work.
You’ll spend time fiddling and tinkering in their app builder to try and get the UI right, and build an experience that’s consistent with your web experience.
All this work, when your website already has a mobile-friendly, engaging design that’s proven to convert.
MobiLoud just replicates what already exists and already works, taking the best parts of your web experience, plus the best parts of a native app, to deliver a native experience for less legwork.
Full freedom of design
You’ll always run up against a glass ceiling with an app builder.
The price for a no-code, drag-and-drop experience is needing to work within the limits of the platform.
Appbrew may be better than other app builders in terms of their customization options, but there’s still a limit.
With MobiLoud, these limits don’t exist. Whatever you can build on your website, you can build in your apps too.
“There is a design factor. With our original app we were a little bit limited. We worked with what we had, but being able to replicate our design is part of the reason why we're with you guys.”
- Jaime Schuster, CEO at Sleefs
No integration or feature limits
App builders like Appbrew also put a limit on the functionality of your app.
Any third-party tools your store relies on, such as marketing automation tools, CRO tools, analytics tools or CRMs, need to have an integration with your app builder if they’re to work in your app.
If the app builder doesn’t support these tools, you’re out of luck.
Appbrew, again, is better than most in this regard, with 100+ integrations built with popular Shopify apps, and 25 available on their standard plan.
But some features (Klaviyo integration, mobile tracking & attribution, subscriptions, and social logins) are gated to their higher plan, with custom pricing.
And if your store relies on more niche tools, or custom-built features, it’s almost certain these won’t work in your app.
With MobiLoud, everything that works on your website will work in your apps, without a hitch.
Escape the constraints of Shopify’s API
Appbrew relies on the Shopify storefront API to share data between your app and website.
While this works fine up to a point, the API comes with constraints too.
Small customizations and CRO tweaks on your website may not work in your app, leading to a lower conversion rate in-app than on your website (which is the opposite of what you’re building an app for).
"None of the app builders let us use our custom sort order due to API limitations which is a massive problem for conversion."
- David Cost, VP of eCommerce & Marketing at Rainbow Shops
MobiLoud doesn’t rely on the Shopify API – instead, your app displays whatever is on your website.
Updates to your website go live in your app immediately, and you’re free to make any incremental changes you want to improve conversions, whether or not they’re supported by the API.
You’re also free to migrate to another web platform, or build out custom web features that transfer to your app. MobiLoud is fully platform-agnostic.
Get the convenience of a fully-managed service
App builders, for all their implied convenience, still come with a lot of work.
You need to compile the app, iterate until you’re happy with the result, publish it, and update it alongside your website.
Sure, you don’t need to code anything. But the extra work will sneak up on you.
Appbrew handles app store submission for you (as MobiLoud does too), but the rest is up to you. Just maintaining your app, and updating the app every time you update your website, will be a drain on your workflow.
MobiLoud is much easier, and comes with the convenience of a team of experts helping you every step of the way.
We’re far more than just an app builder. We’re a complete service.
“You gave us the directions, but also helped us get approved, and what to do and how to do it. I love how impactful you are to my brand with no heavy uplift on our end from a design and cost perspective. The customer service is everything.”
- Haven Prescott Jr, CEO at SYN•DI•CATE
Convert Your Website into a Mobile App with MobiLoud: The Best Appbrew Alternative
Appbrew is one of the best no-code Shopify app builders on the market today.
It’s more affordable than other app builders, with no success fees. Its customization options and 100+ integrations are two big selling points.
But it has the same limitations all block-based app builders have.
To build an app for your Shopify store with no limits, and the support of an expert team the entire way, go with MobiLoud.
You’ll join 2000+ businesses who created the perfect mobile apps for their brand, fully synced and consistent with their website, with none of the effort, cost or overhead.
Let’s build your app! Get in touch and book a free consultation to learn more about why MobiLoud is the right choice for your business.
