Looking for a Mobikul alternative?
That's what we'll give you in this article. After a brief rundown on what Mobikul is, and who it's suited for, we'll share our top Mobikul alternatives.
If you're looking for a different option, or just looking to compare what's out there, read on and get all you need to make an informed decision.
What is Mobikul?
Mobikul is both a mobile app builder and an app building service, which primarily specializes in building eCommerce apps.
It works for most major eCommerce platforms, including Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, PrestaShop and more.
You can either use Mobikul's no-code app builder to configure and launch your app yourself (if your store is on Shopify), or you can "buy" an app, where their team will convert and deliver the app to you.
Now let's take a look at Mobikul's pricing options.
Mobikul Pricing
Mobikul offers monthly Shopify app builder subscriptions while they sell single app licenses for Shopify and other eCommerce app builders.
Their Shopify app builder offers two pricing tiers.
- Basic: $25/month
- Pro: $35/month
The Basic plan already includes features such as unlimited push notifications, native apps, social login, and both RTL and multi-currency support. The Pro plan is for you if you wish to have more advanced features and analytics. The downside with their plans is that they have a limited number of languages that are supported.
On the other hand, the other eCommerce single app licenses range from $199 to $699. This all depends on whether you want a hybrid, native, or React Native app.
There are additional charges on top of this if you want to add services like app publishing or support, or have access to your app's source code.
Mobikul Pros & Cons
Mobikul's apps are based on pre-built themes and templates, with simple functionality. They cannot actually "convert" your Shopify web store native shopping apps - but rather let you build a native shell of an app that can pull data from your site via API.
You will not be able to recreate or reuse your existing themes and plugins, and will only be able to create very simple iOS and Android shopping apps.
While they offer a lot of options for native/hybrid apps, these are all made using simple templates too.
You can order an app built with React Native or Flutter, but this is not the same as having a developer code your app.
There's just no way that they can code a fully custom app for your store for the price they quote. Even a hybrid app, which is cheaper than native development, will cost a minimum of $10,000 if you hire developers to code it.
What you'll get is a quick, watered down version of your app. It may be functional, but it will be very basic.
Now we've had an overview of the tool, its pricing, and its pros and cons, it's time to move on and look at the best Mobikul alternatives on the market.
Mobikul Alternative #1: MobiLoud
MobiLoud is our site-to-app service, which does all Mobikul does and much more.
Unlike Mobikul and other app builders, MobiLoud actually converts your site into an app.
The user interface and functionality of your app is your website, fully synchronized, working the same way as it does on the web. We just add native mobile code to allow it to run like a regular mobile app, along with small touches like native navigation, splash screens and push notifications to give it a true native mobile experience.
This lets you keep everything that makes your website great, while experiencing the full benefits you'd get from a custom mobile app.
MobiLoud is a service, which means there's no work for you to do in building your app. We handle the build, coding, testing, publishing your app to the app stores, and updates and maintenance after launch.
You can keep your focus on your website and your business as a whole, while we take care of the mobile app side.
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
(plans are cheaper on an annual subscription)
We also have custom, corporate plan for more demanding projects. Read more about our pricing here.
The Difference Between MobiLoud and Mobikul
While Mobikul may be appropriate for a hobby or side project, MobiLoud is geared toward thriving, successful eCommerce brands - allowing you to leverage everything you've already built for the web in the ideal native shopping UX.
Mobikul is much cheaper, we won't argue that. Even their one-off licenses, which come with additional options that drive the price up, are cheaper up front than MobiLoud.
But the result is going to be much below your expectations. If you want your app to be a serious revenue machine for your business, you don't want to settle for the cheapest option.
Want to skip the rest and get your questions answered by one of our team? Book a demo now and talk to one of our app experts.
Now let's look at a few other Mobikul alternatives that you're likely to see around the web.
Mobikul Alternative #2: Instappy
Instappy allows users to make custom Android and iOS apps, using a drag-and-drop interface and no coding - and offers some customization of pre-built eCommerce themes. For advanced eCommerce brands though, it's too limiting.
It doesn't properly sync with your existing site or product categories, and products need to be added manually. It doesn't work with Shopify or other eCommerce CMSs. There is no way to meaningfully reuse or convert your existing site - which results in extra work and poor quality apps.
Instappy Pricing
Instappy has three plans:
- Gold - basic features - $49/month
- Platinum - everything from Gold plus enhanced features - $130/month
- Reseller - premium features, dedicated account manager, and training support - starts at $500/month
The more costly the plan is, the more benefits you get.
Mobikul Alternative #3: Knowband
Knowband offers an app builder specifically for eCommerce stores, using plugins and modules developed for CMSes like Prestashop, Magento, and WooCommerce.
Part of a series of plugins from Knowband, it promises an easy, no-code solution for small businesses. However, reviews highlight bugs, poor performance, and inadequate service. The platform, reliant on Flutter-based templates, is limited and will never be able to fully recreate the functionality of your web store.
Knowband Pricing
KnowBand does not offer subscriptions for their mobile app builder. Instead, they charge a one-time payment for a lifetime validity single app license.
Their mobile app builder cost varies per eCommerce platform. For example, their WooCommerce mobile app builder costs $210 for a single app and platform license (+$30 for both Android and iOS platforms).
The app builder includes advanced features and integrations and if you need extra support for a certain period of time, you can request for them as an add-on for an extra cost. Buying any of the eCommerce app builders also includes the app publishing taken care of by Knowband.
Mobikul Alternative #4: Mowico
Mowico is another app builder designed to help eCommerce brands create their own apps easily without any coding. It works well with Shopify and WooCommerce, and it's expected to support PrestaShop, BigCommerce, and Wix in the future.
The platform offers integrations with Smile, Langify, and Judge.me, along with pre-set features like push notifications and AR shopping.
However, there are limitations to keep in mind. As a block-based app builder, Mowico can create a basic eCommerce app with your products and logo, but it can't fully replicate the advanced features, design, and plugins of your web store.
The "integration" with Shopify means it can only access specific data from your store. As a result, you'll be confined to their pre-built integrations, offering very little flexibility compared to MobiLoud.
Mowico Pricing
Mowico has three plans for each eCommerce platform. For Shopify, they have:
- Startup - basic features - $79/month
- Growth - everything from Gold plus enhanced features - $399/month
- Enterprise - premium features, custom feature integrations, and tailor made development - custom
The pricing may vary for each eCommerce platform but keep in mind that, the more costly the plan is, the greater benefits you get.
Mobikul Alternative #5: Plobal Apps
Plobal Apps is another Shopify mobile app builder. It has a straightforward design process and a lot of integrations.
As with all such platforms though the problem is that you can re reuse all your features, themes and plugins from the web. You will be stuck with Plobal's pre-built integrations and modules, and if they don't have what you need, it's hard luck.
Plobal Apps Pricing
Plobal Apps has three plans:
- Growth - basic features with 4 standard integrations - $199/month
- Essential - enhanced features with 7 standard integrations - $499/month
- Enterprise - premium features and unlimited advanced integrations - starts at $1199/month
The more costly the plan is, the more customizability and benefits you get.
Can You Build a Great App with Mobikul?
Mobikul's offering might be tempting - an app for your store, for a three-figure investment? Or even better, you can spend $35/month and use their app builder to build your app?
While you can go live with an app for very little money, the app you come away with will be sub-standard, and won't reflect well on your brand.
While you don't need anything super complex, your app does need to provide a consistent UX with your site, and do the same things your website does, so your mobile app users don't feel shortchanged.
David from successful Shopify brand Rainbow Shops said it best:
“The 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.”
App builders like Mobikul just don't let you do this. They force you into limiting templates or themes, and only offer limited functionality. You won't be able to use all the same features as your website, especially niche apps or custom-built features.
It's also not as cheap and easy to build an app as these platforms make it out to be.
You'll probably spend a long time tinkering and fiddling with your app trying to get it right. This time can really add up, especially when your team is already stretched with other tasks.
Just see this review from Mobikul's Shopify App Store page:
and this one:
These two users have each spent seven months putting their app together, which is a similar time frame as if you had hired a development team to code it from scratch.
Why MobiLoud is a Better Way to Build Your App
With MobiLoud, you can go live with your apps in less than a month.
And that's not the only benefit.
- You'll do so with zero effort, minimal time investment on your part.
- You don't need any coding ability, design talent, or experience with mobile apps.
- Your apps will be a full recreation of your site, with all the same apps, plugins, integrations and custom features.
- You'll have an app development partner, helping you navigate the post-launch phase, and keeping your apps bug-free and up-to-date once they're live.
The downside? We charge more than simple app builders like Mobikul.
If you look at the prospect of spending approximately $2-4k up front, plus low-mid four figures per year to maintain your app, and think that your business can't afford this, then MobiLoud is not for you.
But if your store is doing decent revenue, this investment is not that much, considering how much extra revenue a high-quality mobile app can bring your business.
With the low effort and risk involved, and the flexibility that our approach gives you over using stock templates and blocks, it'll be hard not to come away with a positive ROI.
“The expense isn’t that big, and operationally, there’s not that much we have to do for the app. It’s a no-brainer, especially when you add push notifications on top.”
-David Cost, Rainbow Apps
Let's Build Your eCommerce Apps Now
Stores such as Rainbow Shops, SYN•DI•CATE, Bestseller and John Varvatos all used MobiLoud to build their mobile apps, with great results.
You can do the same for your store, whether you're on Shopify, WooCommerce or any other platform, CMS or tech stack. MobiLoud will work for you.
Just get in touch now and schedule a free demo to discuss your project and how MobiLoud can help you grow your business with your own mobile apps.
