MobiLoud vs PugPig: Side-by-Side Comparison
MobiLoud and PugPig are very different - find out how in this piece.
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PugPig and MobiLoud are both solutions that help digital publishers deliver their content to readers through custom mobile apps.
But what distinguishes them? Which might be the right fit for your needs?
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of each, highlight key features, review pricing, and share feedback from previous customers.
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of both services and understand why:
Let’s start with Pugpig.
PugPig provides tools and platforms for digital media brands.
Their main offering for our discussion is Pugpig Publish, which powers edition-based digital magazine apps for prominent publishers. They also offer a product called Pugpig Bolt, which we will cover as well.
Now, let's explore how to build a news app using Pugpig.
The solution consists of three main components:
Let’s look at each part.
Pugpig offers three customer tiers: Express, Pro, and Connect.
The authoring service varies depending on the tier.
Express is the entry-level product. Its authoring UI is a custom WordPress instance, familiar to many users. Publishers receive an account on the multitenant distribution service, fully managed and supported by Pugpig.
Using Pugpig Express Theme, publishers create responsive content that can be pushed to readers’ devices.
This theme is responsive HTML with predefined content types such as articles, ads, content pages, and covers.
Publishers can customize layouts, skins, fonts, and colors to tailor the look.
There is limited ability to modify HTML, upload custom CSS, and create custom post types like recipes or film reviews. Server-side code and custom plugins or themes cannot be uploaded in this tier.
Pro provides a dedicated instance of the authoring service, allowing users to upload custom plugins, themes, and modules using WordPress or Drupal as the CMS. The service is fully hosted, managed, and patched by Pugpig.
Pro users also have access to a staging CMS to test code changes before going live. This tier is suitable for publishers requiring a highly customized and bespoke content creation solution.
Connect enables integration of your own CMS with Pugpig's distribution service and app containers for digital editions. A connector is available for WordPress and Drupal, or a custom connector can be developed via the Pugpig API.
This option is useful if you have an established content workflow and want to use Pugpig mainly for distribution without altering your current content creation process.
After creating content in the authoring service or your own CMS, the distribution service pushes it to your apps.
This service is fully hosted and managed, automatically pulling new editions and updates from your connected authoring service. It also updates with new features and functionality as they become available.
The dashboard provides an overview of app status across stores and the publishing pipeline.
Within this dashboard, you can:
Once content is prepared and customized through the authoring service and distribution dashboard, it’s delivered to readers via app containers in the client framework.
Two app container options are relevant:
A) Publish - for magazines
This container fits publishers with an edition-based workflow. You can publish editions daily, weekly, or monthly. The UI and features let readers download the latest editions or back issues, with customization options to meet your needs.
B) Bolt - for continuous content streams
This container suits regularly updated content, with a UI resembling a social media timeline. Various widgets can add content such as videos, articles, audio, quizzes, and surveys to feeds.
This approach offers quick content delivery to readers and can support building regular engagement with your brand.
Having covered how Pugpig works and its options, let’s review their pricing.
Pugpig uses a tiered pricing model depending on size and volume.
We’ve now reviewed Pugpig’s offering. Their platform is used by high-profile clients like The Sun, The Independent, and The Economist.
Who is Pugpig best for?
They are suitable for digital magazine or newspaper publishers with a budget who want native apps to deliver their editions on iOS and Android.
Pugpig primarily helps established publishers modernize and reach readers on mobile devices, maintaining a format based on daily, weekly, or monthly digital editions through responsive HTML.
With Bolt, brands can also offer a continuous stream of content to readers via various media types. This can complement a digital edition app by providing additional content between editions.
Next, let’s look at MobiLoud, which is designed for dynamic, WordPress-based content and news publishers.
MobiLoud supports publishers and content creators who have built a presence with WordPress and want to expand with a native app channel.
We convert your existing WordPress website into native iOS and Android apps. These apps sync fully with your site and offer a user experience and feature set comparable to those of major publishers like The New York Times.
MobiLoud powers apps for top publishers as well. For instance, we developed the Foreign Policy apps - see them here.
We handle building your customized news apps with no upfront development fees. We prepare, test, submit to the App Stores, and support marketing efforts for a successful launch. After launch, we manage updates, customizations, and maintenance, saving you ongoing costs.
Pricing starts at $399 per month plus a one-time setup fee beginning at $850.
Learn more about our pricing here.
Unlike a DIY platform, we offer a full-service, done-for-you approach requiring no coding effort from you.
This lets you focus on producing great content while we manage the technical aspects and content delivery.
Here’s how the process works.
First, schedule a consultation with our app experts. We discuss your vision and app requirements.
Once aligned, we begin building your app. Unlike lengthy, stressful development projects, our service provides a streamlined experience.
Your app will be ready for testing within days and can be published in a couple of weeks.
Throughout, you can request customizations. All your existing WordPress plugins work seamlessly in the app.
When ready, you review and approve the app before we publish it to the App Stores.
Apple and Google have strict app submission requirements. Our experienced team manages this process to ensure smooth approvals and handles ongoing updates.
You receive elegant, feature-rich apps that let readers engage with your content on mobile. This channel drives measurable results for your brand.
MobiLoud integrates deeply with WordPress, so you manage your app via a simple plugin in your admin panel. Existing content loads quickly, and new content publishes automatically.
Clients appreciate how MobiLoud has helped them:
Clients appreciate building high-performance apps that sync perfectly with their WordPress operations.
Stephan W shared on Capterra:
“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 M, co-founder of a digital media company and longtime MobiLoud customer, commented:
“It just works. We can use our existing WordPress install and have our material presented beautifully on both iOS and Android. We worked for a year trying to create our own app before choosing MobiLoud and haven’t looked back. Our readers love the apps.”
Josh G, a digital publisher, praised the management experience:
“Simple backend navigation, great for sending alerts and notifications.”
He also noted the team’s support:
“Needed help with advanced customizations, and the team was extremely easy to work with. EXCELLENT customer service. They made sure I was totally satisfied.”
Our customer service is personalized and responsive. Reviews on Capterra often highlight this as a strength.
Stephan W, Vice President of Client Services, described our support as “amazing,” adding that the team “works tirelessly to ensure you are happy with your apps. We can't recommend MobiLoud enough.”
Ready to see what your app could look like? Get a free preview of your app - our team will build it for you at no cost. Or book a demo to discuss your specific needs with an expert.
