Want to develop your mobile app, but not quite sure about which app development solution is right for you? We’re going to compare two popular solutions for launching mobile apps: Appy Pie and MobiLoud.
By the end of this article you’ll have a good idea which is the right solution for you, after learning the key features of each platform, their ideal user, the pricing of each, and what real customers have to say.
One-Minute Summary: Appy Pie vs MobiLoud
Appy Pie is a Do-It-Yourself app builder, made for simple, low-budget apps that fit into predefined templates, whereas MobiLoud is a done-for-you service that allows you to convert your website into full-featured mobile apps.
Appy Pie is perfect if:
- You're happy building an app from a template.
- You have a low budget to work with and can commit your own time to creating the app.
- You want to create an app from scratch.
MobiLoud is right for you if:
- You already have a successful web presence and want to replicate that in an app.
- You don't want to commit months of time and hundreds of thousands towards building a fully custom app.
- You want a platform that won't just build an app and hand it off, but partner with you to maintain a great app experience for years to come.
Those are the quick points you need to know. To dive deeper and get a better understanding of what each platform does, keep reading.
What is Appy Pie?
Appy Pie is an app building platform, which allows anyone to make a mobile app, without having to write any code, by using a drag-and-drop app builder that lets users compile the visual elements of their app through pre-built blocks.
It works for various mobile operating systems, and allows you to build different kinds of apps, such as:
- eCommerce aps
- Wedding apps
- Health care apps
- Educational apps
- Photo sharing apps
- Quiz and survey apps
- Real estate apps
- and more
If you have an idea for an app, it's worth taking a look at Appy Pie to see if they offer a template for it.
How Does Appy Pie Work?
Appy Pie is a no-code app builder, designed to let anyone create a mobile app without writing code.
When you sign up for Appy Pie, you'll get access to their app builder platform. Then, starting either with a blank canvas or using a predefined template, you can compile your app by dragging and dropping pre-designed blocks onto your app canvas.
You'll use the builder to set up all the different screens of your app, how it flows from one screen to the next, and set up any advanced features your app requires in order to function.
When you're done, you can publish the app to make it downloadable, and you'll receive support to guide you through submitting it to the app stores your first time.
After publishing, you will need to maintain a paid subscription or your app will be locked and become unusable.
Appy Pie Pricing
Appy Pie plans start at $16 per app per month. However, their two lowest subscription tiers only let you build Android apps - if you want to build iOS and Android apps, you'll need the Platinum subscription (their highest tier), which is $60 per app per month.
This plan gives you limits of 2,000 push notifications per month and 2,000 downloads per month, with overage fees for each.
All tiers include Appy Pie branding on your app - if you want to white label your app, it requires an Add-On Package, which is twice the cost of the original subscription price.
Who is Appy Pie Made For?
Appy Pie is made for hobbyists or people who want to experiment with an app idea without making a large investment in development just yet.
It's fairly simple to use, but at the same time comes with big limitations if you ever have plans of growing your app into a real business.
For this reason, it can be good option to build an MVP, then once your app gains traction, consider rebuilding it with another tool (or hiring a development team).
Appy Pie Reviews
We looked through Appy Pie's reviews on platforms like Capterra, G2 and more to see what real people think of the platform.
Here are some of the top takeaways we had from these Appy Pie reviews:
Gayland, a business owner commented that:
“the software is surprisingly easy to use and overall the features are easy to use regardless of your experience level.”
Joel, a self-employed IT specialist praises Appy Pie for being “very user-friendly”.
For some customers, Appy Pie's process sacrifices performance and presentation of their app. Don, a Marketing Assistant, points out that there’s:
“no way to make it your own or make it unique unless their custom team builds your app which could run thousands of dollars”.
Others are happy with the features, like one reviewer who said:
“Like a completely professional app and they provide lots of capabilities and amazing features like IAP, Appointment, CRM connectivity and more.”
Khurram, a Digital Marketing Specialist, says their customer support is:
“Good….. most of the time they provide solutions with in twenty-four hours and the team has good technical knowledge”.
Others are less enthusiastic however. Angie, a self-employed coach and trainer comments that:
“Technical/customer service is polite and does their best but once in a while, there is a definite language barrier.”
Others felt strongly about this point, Like Selena the owner of an E-Learning business who was disappointed that:
“They didn't help me when they answered the phone... I and my computer engineer had a very difficult time understanding what they were saying”.
Overall, most reviewers are happy with Appy Pie and what it offers. The downsides are what you would expect from a Do-It-Yourself software platform.
Appy Pie Alternatives
The no-code app builder market is a crowded one, and there is no shortage of AppyPie alternatives if you're looking for other options.
GoodBarber, Shoutem and BuildFire are all well-regarded options if you're looking for a no-code tool to build an app from scratch.
If you already have a website that's generating a bit of revenue, and want to launch a mobile app companion for your site, MobiLoud is the best Appy Pie alternative. It seamlessly converts your site into Android and iOS apps, without any rebuilding or compromising on which features of your site you can carry over to your app.
If this sounds like something that suits your needs, read on and we'll explain more about MobiLoud and what makes it special.
What is MobiLoud?
MobiLoud lets you convert any existing website or web app into a mobile app, without coding.
In this sense, it can be considered a no-code app builder too. But in reality it's quite different to your typical app builders.
Unlike Appy Pie, MobiLoud is a done-for-you service. The MobiLoud team does all the work for you, all you need to do is maintain your website.
MobiLoud will convert everything on your website into apps for Android and iOS. It works with any kind of website or app - from eCommerce sites, to digital publishers, to custom web apps built on any kind of framework.
The one stipulation with MobiLoud is that you need a website or web app to begin with - it's not a tool to build apps from scratch.
How Does MobiLoud Work?
MobiLoud takes your existing, mobile-optimized website and adds native mobile code, allowing users to download it and run it on their mobile devices.
The content within your app is fully synced with your website. When you make changes to your website, these changes reflect in your app as well, and anything that works on your site will work in the app.
It comes with all the features modern users expect from an app experience, such as a native tab menu and push notifications.
That's how you app will work - as for the platform itself, as mentioned earlier, MobiLoud is a done-for-you service.
The MobiLoud team does everything - including designing your app, creating graphic assets (such as app screenshots and splash screens), coding the app, testing it, and publishing it to the app stores (we also guarantee approval).
We even perform custom development work to tweak and improve your mobile website's user experience.
After launch, we continue to partner with you to provide support and maintenance for your apps, making sure your apps stay fast, up to date and reflect well on your brand.
The process starts with a free consultation call with one of our app experts. After that, assuming you're happy to move forward, our team takes care of everything (with your input on what you want to see from your apps, of course).
MobiLoud Pricing
MobiLoud has two main pricing tiers.
- Startup: $350 per month (paid monthly), $298 per month (paid annually) with a $1,500 setup fee.
- Growth: $650 per month (paid monthly), $553 per month (paid annually) with a $2,500 setup fee.
There's also a Corporate plan available for anyone with custom needs.
The Startup plan provides all the basic features you need in an app, including unlimited push notifications, App Store submission and maintenance app updates.
Growth adds advanced features, such as universal links, social login integrations, app review prompts, and supports up to 10,000 active users.
All plans come with full service (covered by the one-time setup fee), plus a 60-day money back guarantee.
Who is MobiLoud Made For?
MobiLoud is made for successful online businesses who want to grow to a new level by launching a mobile app synced with their website.
It allows you to go live with a full-featured mobile app, for a fraction of the cost of hiring developers or a development agency.
And unlike almost any app builder, you can take everything from your site and have it work in your app. You don't need to squeeze into limiting templates or sacrifice any features that the tool doesn't have an integration for.
Plus, your app and website will update in real time. You only have one platform to manage - your website. Other tools add a huge amount of work to your day-to-day, just keeping your app and website in line.
MobiLoud is not for building apps from scratch, without an existing website or web app to start from.
MobiLoud's Customer Reviews
Here are some key takeaways from our customers. Building custom apps that work perfectly with our customers' websites, and keeping them up to date with the latest technical requirements is key for us, and we deliver on our promises.
Writing on Capterra, Stephan recalls:
“MobiLoud was all about getting content out of WordPress and into a native app specifically branded for us - this was by far the most important thing for us.”
John, co-founder of a digital media company and longtime MobiLoud customer, agrees:
“It just works. We can use our existing WordPress install and have our material presented in a beautiful way on both iOS and Android....... We worked for a year trying to create our own app - and then decided to go with MobiLoud and haven't looked back. We've been happy customers for over three years and our readers love our iOS and Android apps”
Others love how simply and effectively they can manage their new app. Josh, a digital publisher, loves that it's:
“simple to navigate the backend, great at sending alerts and notifications”.
Josh also mentions that he
“needed a bit of help on some advanced customizations - however the team was extremely easy to work with……. EXCELLENT customer service. They made sure I was totally satisfied which I appreciate”
Stephan, a Vice President of Client Services was happy with our service standards - calling them “amazing” and adding:
“[The MobiLoud Team] work tirelessly to ensure you are happy with your apps. We can't recommend MobiLoud enough”.
Check out our reviews on Capterra for more real accounts from real users of their experience with MobiLoud.
MobiLoud vs Appy Pie: Key Differences
Now we have a good idea of what Appy Pie does and what MobiLoud does, let's examine the most notable differences between the two, and why MobiLoud is the best AppyPie alternative for people who want to convert their website to Android and iOS apps.
Template-Based vs Converting Your Site
Appy Pie is a template-based app builder, which really limits what you're able to do. In all likelihood, you'll come away with an app that looks a lot like thousands of others out there.
It also means, if you're building an app for your site, you won't be able to recreate the same user experience that already works for you. You'll end up with an inconsistent user experience across platforms.
With MobiLoud, it's far quicker to ship your app, because you're just using what already works for you on the web. It also means full consistency across each platform.
Limitations
App builders like Appy Pie really force you into a box. You can only build what their templates, blocks or integrations allow.
With MobiLoud, the only limitation is that you need a website or web app built already. If all you want to do is build the same thing as a mobile app, you'll find you have very few limitations whatsoever.
As long as you can do it on your website, you can do it in your app as well.
DIY vs Full Service
Appy Pie requires you to do all the work building (and maintaining/updating) your app.
Will it's cheaper, it also adds a lot to your plate. It will take time, and you may have trouble building the app you really want.
MobiLoud is full-service, at every step of the way. We've built more than 2,000 apps, and know how to build the perfect app for you.
We do all the building, we publish it to the app stores, and we stay with you to make sure your apps stay fast, bug free and up-to-date after launch.
Long-Term Outlook
MobiLoud scales as big as your brand can go. It gives you unlimited push notifications on all plans, higher user limits, and a full-service team with you to keep up with updates and change requests.
And the best thing is that you don't need to mess around with another platform whenever you make changes. Just keep working on your website as you already do - your app will update at the same time.
Pricing: Budget Platform vs Premium Service at an Affordable Price
Appy Pie is cheaper - that's not in question. The monthly cost is at least 2x as much for MobiLoud, and there's a setup fee as well.
But you get a lot more for your money with MobiLoud. There's the service element, as well as a platform with fewer limitations and more scalability.
Appy Pie is cheap, and is really marketed as a budget solution for building apps. That's fine, if that's what you're after. But if the app is something important for your business, it's unwise to pick the cheapest option.
Realistically, comparing the price doesn't work because we're comparing two different things.
Appy Pie is a budget app builder. MobiLoud is a full app development service. If you compare MobiLoud to direct competitors, such as hiring developers or a development agency, you'll find we're incredibly affordable for what you get.
Appy Pie vs MobiLoud - Final Thoughts
Appy Pie and MobiLoud solve very different problems.
If you're a hobbyist wanting to test out an app idea, or if you run a small business like a restaurant or a radio station and need a simple mobile app and have a limited budget, then Appy Pie is for you.
But if you already have a successful website built, which generates revenue and does everything you want your app to do, you'll want to go with MobiLoud.
It's perfect for the likes of eCommerce stores or digital publishers. Your app doesn't need anything your website doesn't do - but it needs to recreate your site's user experience, and synchronize with your site so there's not too much added to your day-to-day workflow.
“Our app needs to be at least as functional as the website. It doesn’t need to be better than the website, but the user experience can’t be worse.”
- David Cost, Rainbow Shops
For these kinds of businesses, building an app with MobiLoud is a near-guaranteed positive ROI play.
If you want to see what MobiLoud can do for you, schedule a demo call with one of our app experts today.
