In this article, we'll give you a brief overview of iBuildApp, how it works, and the pros and cons. We'll compare it to 5 different iBuildApp alternatives including our own platform, MobiLoud, which we believe is the ideal choice for serious businesses to convert web stores to professional eCommerce apps.
What is iBuildApp?
Based in Indonesia, iBuildApp allows you to build Android and iOS apps based on an extensive library of prebuilt templates and modules.
There are several templates targeted toward eCommerce apps, which you can somewhat customize by adding your logos, content, and branding before launching on the App Store and Google Play.
Now, let's take a look at iBuildApp's pricing.
iBuildApp Pricing
iBuildApp has 2 pricing plans:
- Corporate: $7.5K/year
- Enterprise App Store: $20K/year
iBuildApp's pricing plans are on the higher end for such a platform.
The Corporate plan covers 1 app setup, with their team helping you through the build process.
If you're a larger organization and need to build more apps - the Enterprise App Store plan includes everything that Corporate offers, plus a Private Enterprise mobile and web store for app distribution to employees and partners. iBuildApp also takes care of app publishing to the App Store and Google Play.
iBuildApp Pros & Cons
iBuildApp offers a fast way to go live with simple apps, and may be well suited to build internal corporate or brick-and-mortar business apps.
For serious eCommerce businesses though, it will not be anywhere near optimal.
For a start, it's a templated app builder, and so will heavily restrict you to simple pre-built functionality.
Secondly, there's no real way to connect it to your existing CMS to sync with your products and content - so you'll never be able to recreate your web store's features or functionalities to any meaningful degree within the app. The apps are also pricey for what they are.
We've had an overview of the tool, its pricing, and its pros and cons. It's time to move on and start looking at some iBuildApp alternatives, starting with our own site-to-app platform, MobiLoud.
iBuildApp Alternative #1: MobiLoud
MobiLoud powers thousands of top apps, and allows you to convert your site into native eCommerce apps in just weeks, for a fraction of the cost of custom development.
Our eCommerce app platform integrates with any CMS - whether it's Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop or any other - and let you reuse every plugin, feature and functionality from your main web store.
MobiLoud is the best way to convert your web store into native eCommerce apps for iOS and Android, as well as the best alternative to iBuildApp.
There are several key reasons why:
- No templates, no blocks, no APIs - we don't restrict you to our pre-built front-ends, we allow you to convert your web store completely, and to reuse all your existing plugins, themes, and tech stack.
- Keep what works - you already built your ideal site for the web, tweaking it endlessly for conversions and sales. With MobiLoud you can translate that directly into m-commerce native apps, without needing to reinvent the wheel. You already did the hard part, we handle the rest!
- Easy Management - many app builder platforms like iBuildApp gives you an extra CMS to manage, adding work for you and your team. Since MobiLoud apps sync with your web store in real time, this work is eliminated, you just need to keep managing and updating your store as usual, and if you want to change something specifically for the apps, use our easy no-code UI.
- Done for you - there's no need for you to fiddle, drag-and-drop, or waste time trying to set the apps up. You just need to tell us any special requirements, add some key information, and our team handle all technical aspects of the app build including submissions to Google Play and the AppStore.
MobiLoud Pricing
We have two standard pricing tiers:
- Startup - For fast launching and validation: $350/month, plus a one-time $1,500 setup fee
- Growth - Perfect for more established businesses: $650/month, plus a one-time $2,500 setup fee
We also have custom, corporate plan for more demanding projects. Read more about our pricing here.
The difference between MobiLoud and iBuildApp is clear.
MobiLoud is on another level to iBuildApp in terms of power and flexibility. Not only do our apps sync automatically with whatever CMS you are using - but you can reuse everything you worked hard to build for the web. MobiLoud also comes at a significantly lower price point while packing far more value.
Want to skip the rest and get your questions answered by one of our team? Book a demo now and get started on your app journey.
Now we've blown our own trumpet, here are a few other iBuildApp alternatives that you're likely to see around the web.
iBuildApp Alternative #2: appmaker.xyz
Appmaker.xyz is a well-regarded eCommerce app builder that serves Shopify and WooCommerce businesses, featuring a range of plugins and integrations.
Despite its good points, its cost is steep, and its reliance on blocks, templates, and widgets will limit your customization options. While it offers some flexibility, like iBuildApp it can't recreate your web store due to its use of prebuilt front ends and standardized APIs.
appmaker.xyz Pricing
Appmaker.xyz has two plans:
- Pro - custom integrations, app launch assistance, and enterprise support - $1K/mo
- Plus - everything in the Pro plan and additional premium blocks, dedicated customer success manager, and priority support - $2K/mo +1% success fee
The more costly the plan is, the better app features and benefits you get.
iBuildApp Alternative #3: Shop2App
Shop2App is primarily designed for Shopify stores and comes with a range of features and integrations.
It has earned a good reputation for building decent apps. However, as a drag-and-drop, block-based builder, it again has its limitations when it comes to fully replicating your web store with all its existing features and functionality.
It will never be able to fully recreate your web store and allow you to reuse your existing plugins and tech stack. Additionally, it's worth noting that Shop2App falls on the slightly pricier end compared to other options.
It'll have you paying ~$1300 per month for just four integrations!
Shop2App Pricing
Shop2App has 3 plans:
- Basic - basic features - $299/mo
- Growth - enhanced features with 2 integrations - $699/mo
- Enterprise - premium features and 4 integrations - starts at $1299/mo
The more costly the plan is, the more customizability and benefits you get.
iBuildApp Alternative #4: Omnishop
For WooCommerce stores, Omnishop is another app builder that allows you to create apps without coding.
It provides a decent solution for app development, and allows you to port over your product catalogue and other data from your web store. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that it cannot really replicate your web store, and you won't be able to reuse your existing tech stack, themes, and plugins because of its reliance on blocks and APIs.
While Omnishop does offer a suite of integrations, it is not particularly comprehensive and will come up short for more sophisticated eCommerce businesses.
Omnishop Pricing
OmniShop has three plans:
- Basic - basic features - €295/mo + €1K setup fee
- Advanced - everything in Basic plus advanced features and integrations - €495/mo + €1500 setup fee
- Pro - everything in Advanced plus additional integrations and customizations - custom
iBuildApp Alternative #5: JMango360
JMango360 is an established app builder with a strong eCommerce focus. Their mobile app platforms cater to various eCommerce CMSes, including Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, and Prestashop.
The JMango360 Backoffice, a drag and drop interface, enables app design and some integration with your web store.
While JMango360 enjoys a good reputation and offers a well-built product, it does have limitations, again due to its reliance on templates and APIs.
You won't be able to fully replicate your web store, since their pre-built integrations and features represent only a portion of the web's ecosystem. For a simple eCommerce app as an add-on channel, it functions effectively, but for a comprehensive web store recreation, you may require a more flexible solution like MobiLoud.
JMango360 Pricing
Jmango360 has three plans:
- Essential - basic features - $299/mo
- Advanced - everything in Essential plus advanced features and integrations - $649/mo
- Enterprise - everything in Advanced plus additional integrations and custom development possible - custom
Essential ($299/month, basic features), Advanced ($649/month, everything in Essential plus advanced features and integrations), and Enterprise (everything in Advanced plus additional integrations and custom development possible) which can be selected upon request.
Let's Build Your eCommerce Apps
We've looked at a few iBuildApp alternatives, and given you some key information about each.
As we've seen, many of these tools share the same fatal flaws. On the one hand - their reliance on blocks, themes, templates, and pre-built widgets does allow you to build and launch (some kind of) eCommerce app fast, affordably and easily compared to custom development. On the other, this same reliance puts you and your brand in a straightjacket.
It means that you will only ever approximate your web store, and you'll be forever at the mercy of whatever pre-built features they have as well as whatever data they can fetch via API (which can change). The apps will be a branded shell with some of your data pulled in and not much more.
While this is OK for simple stores is basic and small product ranges and features, this will almost always be a deal breaker for serious eCommerce brands. You probably have a finely-tuned tech stack, along with all the plugins, third-party integrations, and custom features you need to drive sales and revenue optimally. To discard all this hard work for cookie-cutter apps with your logo on will rarely make strategic sense.
That's why, although we're biased of course, we believe MobiLoud is not only the best iBuildApp alternative but a superior alternative to every eCommerce mobile app builder on the market.
Two Reasons to Choose MobiLoud
The first key reason: we allow you to reuse everything from your site in the apps.
If it already works well on the mobile web, it'll be even better as iOS and Android apps. It makes no sense to ditch that winning formula and those painstakingly chosen tools just to compromise with restrictive templates. That's too much of downgrade from what you've already built, and with MobiLoud - unnecessary. Keep what already works.
The second core reason: it's so simple to manage MobiLoud apps.
Platforms like iBuildApp will often add hours per week to your workflow with effectively a new CMS to manage. In contrast - MobiLoud apps sync in real time with your site. There's no need to manually add new product lines, update pricing, or worry about keeping the apps up to date. The apps will reflect changes and updates to your site instantly.
It's more simple than the vast majority of other app builders and far more simple than managing custom native apps.
“Before we had web, iOS and Android apps. That would be 3 different things to maintain. With the wrapper approach, we have the best of both worlds, and stop having to maintain a third platform.” - David Cost, Rainbow Apparel
This goes for any core changes you make to your site too. You can switch out plugins, pull off a major rebrand, or build whatever custom functionality you choose. It doesn't matter what it is - it'll work straight out of the box in the apps, which can grow with your brand into the future.
On top of this, our team handle any ongoing updates and maintenance needed as part of our service, along with all fiddly aspects of the app build and bringing them live to Google Play and the AppStore. We work with you to ensure your apps are a success, and we're only ever an email or phone call away.
Build Your Apps with MobiLoud Today
MobiLoud allows you to combine the best of the web with the best of native apps. It's a winning formula, check out the success these eCommerce brands have had:
Over 2,000 other businesses have used MobiLoud to build winning apps - and you can too.
Unlike with iBuildApp, there's no risk. We don't do long-term contracts and we'll refund you if you're unhappy with the apps. If you're like most of our eCommerce customers - the apps will pay for themselves almost immediately.
It all starts with a call with one of our app experts, where we go over your exact requirements for the apps and answer your questions.
