Plobal Apps vs Vajro vs MobiLoud: Which Shopify Mobile App Builder Wins in 2025?

If you're running a Shopify store, chances are most of your customers are shopping on mobile. Mobile apps aren't just a “nice-to-have” anymore. They’re a key driver of growth.

Apps convert better. They load faster, keep users logged in, and let you send push notifications that actually get seen. For many brands, their app becomes the highest-performing sales channel on a user-for-user basis, with 2-5× higher conversion rates than mobile websites.

But building a custom app from scratch? That’s expensive, slow, and resource-heavy, especially for teams without mobile developers. That’s where app builders like Plobal Apps, Vajro, and MobiLoud come in.

Each of these platforms helps you turn your Shopify store into a fully native mobile app. But they go about it in different ways, with different trade-offs around cost, control, features, and flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll break it all down for you. We’ll compare Plobal, Vajro, and MobiLoud across six key categories:

• User Experience & Performance
• Integrations & Tech Stack Compatibility
• Engagement & Retention Features
• Branding, Design Control & Flexibility
• Price & Total Cost of Ownership

By the end, you’ll know which platform fits your brand, whether you’re just getting started, scaling fast, or running a complex omnichannel business.

Meet the Platforms: Plobal Apps, Vajro, and MobiLoud

Before we dive into the detailed comparison, let’s take a quick look at each of the three mobile app builders we'll be evaluating. 

All three are built for Shopify and promise a faster, more affordable way to launch a high-quality app. But they differ in how they work, what they prioritize, and who they’re best for.

Plobal Apps

Founded: 2016

Approach: Native app builder with drag-and-drop customization and built-in marketing tools.

What stands out:

• Fully native iOS and Android apps (not PWAs or wrappers)
• Deep integration with Shopify apps and real-time sync
• Emphasis on push campaigns, segmentation, and AI personalization
• Strong support team and strategic onboarding
• Pricing ranges from free (Starter) to $1,199/month (Enterprise)

Plobal is ideal for brands that want both design control and robust engagement tools, without building from scratch. It’s a good fit for Shopify Plus brands and marketers who want to own the mobile app strategy.

Vajro

Founded: 2018

Approach: No-code builder with real-time design preview, native components, and built-in live selling.

What stands out:

• Native iOS/Android apps with a visual builder
• 70+ deep integrations (e.g. Klaviyo, Smile, Loox, LoyaltyLion)
• Built-in push automation and live stream selling
• White-glove onboarding and 24/7 support
• Plans range from $149 to $999/month

Vajro is especially popular among lifestyle and fashion brands running frequent drops, flash sales, or live events. It’s fast to launch and designed for non-technical teams who want rich features without custom coding.

MobiLoud

Founded: 2013

Approach: Turns your existing Shopify website into a native app – no rebuild needed.

What stands out:

• Native apps that mirror your full website
• Full tech-stack parity (everything on your site works in the app)
• Instant design consistency and no duplicate maintenance
• Flat pricing ($549–$949/month, plus one-time setup)
• Focus on high performance, white-glove support, and push automation

MobiLoud is best for brands that already have a well-optimized Shopify site and want to turn it into an app (without managing a separate build). 

It’s a strong fit for mid-market merchants who value simplicity, speed, and zero development work.

It’s also a complete service – not just a tool. The MobiLoud team actively works with you to launch and grow a successful app that drives real business results.

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How We’re Comparing Them

To help you make the best choice for your Shopify store, we’re evaluating Plobal Apps, Vajro, and MobiLoud across six key criteria. 

These are the factors that matter most when building and running a mobile app that actually performs.

Here’s what we’re looking at:

1. User Experience & Performance

Is the app fast, stable, and truly native?

• Do shoppers get a smooth, high-converting experience?
• Are there long load times or app crashes?
• Does the platform meet the standards needed for Apple and Google app store approval?

Why it matters: A laggy app kills conversions. You want shoppers to feel like they're using a premium experience, not a clunky app that’s worse than the website.

2. Integrations & Tech Stack Compatibility

Will your existing tools work seamlessly in the app?

• Does the app integrate with Shopify extensions like Klaviyo, Recharge, Smile, Yotpo, etc.?
• Do you need to rebuild any features?
• Can you plug in your analytics, loyalty, reviews, or custom components without issues?

Why it matters: You’ve already invested in your tech stack. The app should extend it, not force you to rebuild it.

3. Engagement & Retention Features

What tools are built in to drive repeat purchases?

• Push notifications: manual, automated, segmented?
• Wishlist, back-in-stock alerts, loyalty features, or app-only promos?
• Any standout tools like live selling, AI personalization, or geo-targeting?

Why it matters: An app isn’t just a mini store. It’s a powerful retention engine. The right tools can boost LTV and make every download count.

4. Branding, Design Control & Flexibility

How much control do you have over how your app looks and feels?

• Can you match your website’s design?
• Are you stuck with fixed templates, or can you fully customize the UI?
• Is it easy to update content, or do you need to submit changes to the App Store every time?

Why it matters: Your app should feel like your brand. Not someone else’s template.

5. Price & Total Cost of Ownership

What does it really cost to build and maintain your app?

• What's included in the monthly fee? Are there setup costs, commissions, or hidden charges?
• Do you need to manage separate content or design updates?
• Will you need dev time or agency help to maintain it?

Why it matters: The wrong tool can eat up time and money. We're looking at both the sticker price and the true cost over time.

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Plobal Apps, Vajro, and MobiLoud: How They Stack Up

Now let's compare each Shopify mobile app builder across these key areas.

1. User Experience & Performance

Plobal Apps

Plobal delivers fully native iOS and Android apps, not PWAs or webviews. The performance is smooth, fast, and stable, even under high traffic.

• Merchants report fast load times and a “crash-free” shopping experience.
• Real-time syncing with Shopify keeps product data fresh.
• Some users did note slight delays during high-traffic events, but these were rare.
• App-store publishing is handled by Plobal, with support during Apple’s approval process.

Bottom line: Plobal offers the solid native experience that shoppers expect from an app.

Vajro

Vajro also builds true native apps, not wrappers. Performance is generally strong once the app is open.

• Real-time Shopify sync keeps inventory, orders, and content up-to-date.
• Merchants often describe the UI as “professional” and “intuitive.”
• A few users flagged slow initial load times (10+ seconds on first open), though recent updates appear to have improved this.
• Vajro supports basic offline browsing and includes built-in crash reporting via Flurry Analytics.
• App store submission support is included, though one user reported a misconfiguration that caused a delay.

Bottom line: Once past the splash screen, Vajro apps perform well. But merchants with impatient audiences may want to optimize that first-load experience.

MobiLoud

MobiLoud uses a hybrid-native approach – wrapping your mobile-optimized Shopify site in a native shell, with native UI components built on top of your website.

This allows you to fully convert your website into a true, native-feeling app, with less work and fewer limitations.

• You get 100% parity with your website (every feature, every page, instantly live in the app).
• Native navigation, persistent login, splash screens, and tab bars are layered in for a better experience.
• Internal QA and regression testing help prevent crashes, and apps are vetted to meet Apple/Google standards.
• Case studies show 2-7× conversion rate uplift, and multiple brands end up driving 20-30% of their total revenue through the app.

Bottom line: If your mobile site is already fast and optimized, MobiLoud gives you app-like speed and features, with no rebuild, no lag, and minimal risk.

2. Integrations & Tech Stack Compatibility

Plobal Apps

Plobal supports a solid array of tools for Shopify brands.

• Offers pre-built connectors for tools like Klaviyo, Yotpo, Gorgias, Recharge, Nosto, LoyaltyLion, and more.
• Real-time sync ensures your catalog, customer data, and orders are always up to date.
• Segmented features by plan: Growth includes 4 standard integrations, Essential gets 7, and Enterprise unlocks unlimited and custom integrations.
• Custom API support is available on higher tiers for advanced needs (e.g. ERPs, CDPs, or niche apps).
• One user noted that integrating a niche search tool required dev support but was completed by Plobal’s team.

Bottom line: Strong integration coverage and API flexibility, especially powerful on Enterprise plans. And while custom development is possible to integrate additional tools or features, this will add a lot to the cost and workload to maintain.

Vajro

Vajro offers one of the largest native integration libraries among app builders, boasting 70+ supported apps.

• Includes integrations for Klaviyo, Loox, Stamped, Smile.io, Tidio, LoyaltyLion, and more.
• Some integrations (e.g. Klaviyo, Apple Pay) are only available on higher tiers like Core or Plus.
• Vajro does not offer an SDK or public API, so unsupported tools require Vajro’s dev team.
• A few merchants reported confusion when apps were listed as “supported” but had issues in practice.

Bottom line: Impressive breadth, but always double-check your mission-critical apps for compatibility. Also be aware that some integrations are gated to higher plans (e.g. Klaviyo on their highest tier).

MobiLoud

MobiLoud takes a completely different approach. Your app doesn’t integrate your tech stack – it inherits it.

There are no pre-built integrations, no APIs. Your website powers the app, and all the tools, integrations and even custom features from your website work the same in the app as they do on your website.

• Since the app is your website, everything that works on your site works in the app.
• No need for custom connectors, SDKs, or duplicated setup.
• Fully compatible with headless setups, custom React components, and third-party scripts (Klaviyo, OneSignal, Recharge, etc.).
• No separate API work required. Your app is just a faster, native version of your existing stack.

Bottom line: If your stack already works on the web, it works out of the box in your app – with no duplicated effort. This makes MobiLoud the best for any stores with must-have integrations or custom features.

3. Engagement & Retention Features

Plobal Apps

Plobal gives merchants all the typical tools to boost engagement and drive repeat purchases.

• Unlimited push notifications on all plans.
• Supports automated flows like abandoned cart, browse recovery, and back-in-stock alerts.
• Segmented campaigns based on location, purchase history, and browsing behavior.
• AI-powered personalized product recommendations and “Recommended for You” feeds.
• In-app wishlists and loyalty program support via integrations (e.g. LoyaltyLion, Yotpo).
• Robust analytics dashboard shows installs, push open rates, and revenue attribution.

Bottom line: Plobal’s engagement tools are powerful and marketer-friendly, great for teams focused on CRM and retention.

Vajro

Vajro emphasizes engagement as a core strength, especially for boutique DTC brands. They have some interesting tools (but also some limitations).

• Unlimited push notifications on Premium and Plus tiers (lower plans have campaign limits).
• Includes behavior-based automation: cart abandonment, price drops, back-in-stock alerts.
• Geo-targeting, advanced segmentation, and push scheduling are included in top tiers.
• Unique features include Live Selling (stream video sales events directly in-app), countdown timers, and in-app flash deals.
• “Vajro AI” generates push copy in different tones to boost open rates.
• Wishlist syncing, loyalty integration, and basic analytics are included. GA or Mixpanel can be layered in.

Bottom line: Vajro gives you a full retention toolkit, with standout features like live shopping and push personalization. However, limits on lower plans are not ideal for smaller brands.

MobiLoud

MobiLoud’s retention playbook is built around push notifications and plug-and-play compatibility.

• Unlimited push campaigns included; automated flows available for abandoned cart, browse, price drops, and more.
• Done-for-you (DFY) push management service available as an optional add-on.
• Integrates seamlessly with OneSignal, Klaviyo, and your existing CRM setup.
• Includes smart banners, QR codes, and opt-in templates to help grow your install base.
• Benchmark results show ARPU from push is 10× higher than email/SMS in many verticals.

Bottom line: While MobiLoud doesn’t add any flashy extras like live selling, it focuses on building deep push notification functionality, perfect for helping you drive more engagement in your app. In addition, all the engagement and retention tools you use on your website will carry over seamlessly. Other platforms may struggle to do this.

4. Branding, Design Control & Flexibility

Plobal Apps

Plobal offers a balance of customization flexibility and ease of use. But the limitations of a typical app builder apply.

• Features a drag-and-drop editor with customizable layouts, colors, fonts, and menus.
• Merchants can recreate the look and feel of their Shopify storefront within the app.
• Supports custom code blocks (on higher tiers) for unique UI components.
• In-house designers help create an on-brand experience at no extra cost.
• Allows creation of custom pages and multi-language/multi-currency setups.
• Some limits exist on deep UI changes. E.g. fully custom checkout flows may not be possible without Enterprise support.

Bottom line: Solid for brands that want a high level of design control, while working within the limitations of their platform.

Vajro

Vajro takes a template-first approach with some room for customization.

• Offers several industry-themed templates (e.g. fashion, food, beauty) as starting points.
• Includes a no-code visual builder to customize layouts, colors, fonts, icons, and product grids.
• Unlimited design widgets/sections on all plans.
• Localization support: 18+ languages and 80+ currencies supported (dual-language on Core, unlimited on Premium+).
• Custom components and advanced branding are available only on Plus via Vajro’s dev team.
• Some merchants noted that templates can feel restrictive for highly unique UI visions.

Bottom line: Vajro is fast, polished, and brandable, but best suited to merchants okay with working within template constraints.

MobiLoud

MobiLoud is the option with the most freedom and flexibility. Since your app fully replicates your website, you’re free to build a fully unique, on-brand mobile app. The only limits are what you can do for the web.

• Your Shopify site becomes your app. No templates, no rebuild.
• Any design change made on your website is reflected instantly in the app.
• Native UI elements like splash screens, nav bars, settings, and login are added to enhance the mobile experience.
• Fully converts your existing CSS and branding setup. Ideal for custom or complex storefronts.
• No drag-and-drop interface needed. Your design team works just as they do on the site.
• App-specific experiences and pages are possible (build for the web, tag pages so they only show in the app).

Bottom line: MobiLoud gives you full design freedom, by letting your website handle the design. No template limitations, but also no visual editor.

5. Price & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Plobal Apps

Plobal offers four pricing tiers, but cost varies depending on features and sales volume.

• Starter: $0/month + 3% commission on in-app sales.
• Growth: $199/month (no commission), includes 4 integrations and unlimited push.
• Essential: $499/month, includes automation, segmentation, and success manager.
• Enterprise: $1,199/month + 1% commission, unlocks full customization, unlimited integrations, priority support.
• 30-day free trial available on paid plans.
• App publishing requires standard Apple ($99/yr) and Google Play ($25 one-time) accounts.
• Ongoing updates, maintenance, and support included. But requires work from your team to maintain.

Bottom line: Premium pricing with a revenue-share model on some plans. Can deliver ROI if your app drives significant volume, but the commissions add up. So does the maintenance load: managing a separate platform from your website adds a small but significant amount of work for your team, which drives the TCO up.

Vajro

Vajro uses a tiered monthly model with no revenue share up to $100K/month in sales.

• Starter: $149/month, includes 10 pushes/mo and basic integrations.
• Core: $299/month, adds segmentation, 50 pushes/mo, dual language, and Apple Pay.
• Premium: $599/month, unlocks automation, unlimited pushes, loyalty, advanced features.
• Plus: $999/month, includes custom development, multi-store support, priority 24/7 help.
• Free 30-day trial on all plans.
• Beyond $100K/month in app sales, a 1% overage fee applies.
• No additional per-push costs or usage-based charges.
• Vajro, like Plobal, requires managing separate from your website, adding manual workload to maintain.

Bottom line: Vajro is cost-efficient for the most part, but some key features are limited to higher plans, which drives the price up. It’s also separate from your website, giving your team extra work to keep it in line with your site.

MobiLoud

MobiLoud uses a flat-fee pricing model, with no revenue share. Best of all, maintenance is basically zero, which is where it pulls away in terms of cost.

• Standard Plan: $549/month + $1,500 one-time setup.
• Corporate Plan: $949/month, includes Slack support, quarterly reviews, priority SLA.
• One-time setup fee often includes onboarding, app store publishing, and asset design.
• Optional: Done-for-you push campaigns.
• Includes app updates, OS compatibility, and human support.
• Automatically updates with your website, removing a significant amount of manual work. (Some brands report 10+ hours per week saved compared to other app builders).

Bottom line: Transparent, fixed costs make MobiLoud highly predictable. Most importantly, it takes very little time or bandwidth to maintain, unlike platforms like Plobal and Vajro, which are managed separately from your website. The startup cost is higher, due to the one-time setup fee, but the time investment for your team is significantly lower.

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Plobal Apps, Vajro, MobiLoud Pros & Cons

Let’s sum up the key pros and cons of each of these web-to-app platforms.

Plobal Apps

✅ Pros

• Fast, stable, and native UX
• Powerful push & segmentation tools
• In-house design support + custom code blocks
• Solid Shopify app integrations

⚠️ Cons

• Revenue share (1–3%) on some tiers
• Some limits on checkout or native flow customization
• Limited to pre-built integrations (custom solutions will be costly and complicated)
• Small but significant level of work to maintain.

Vajro

✅ Pros

• Good push & automation stack
• Built-in live selling
• 70+ integrations with native support

⚠️ Cons

• Some reports first app load can be slow
• Many features gated to top-tier plans
• Template system can limit custom UI/UX
• Restricted to their pre-build integrations
• Requires work and bandwidth to maintain

MobiLoud

✅ Pros

• 100% parity with your Shopify site
• No rebuild needed – instant launch
• Flat pricing, no revenue share
• Full flexibility to work with the same features and design as your website
• Minimal maintenance, everything syncs automatically
• Complete push notification toolkit built in
• Done-for-you push and launch support available
• Agency-level service

⚠️ Cons

• Fewer flashy native features than other platforms

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Summary & Recommendations

If you’re looking for a way to turn your Shopify site into a mobile app, these three options are all solid choices. They’re all much more realistic than building custom native apps from scratch.

Here are our recommendations for businesses at different stages and scales.

For <$1M DTC Brands (Lean Teams, Early Growth)

Recommendation: Plobal Apps or Vajro for lowest upfront cost. MobiLoud for long-term scalability.

• Plobal Apps and Vajro let you go live for a low cost (under $200/mo).
• Plobal even allows you to launch for free (but with giving up a share of app revenue).
• MobiLoud is more expensive at first, and may be cost-prohibitive for very small brands. But the long-term cost (especially if your store grows) is likely to work out better.

For $1M–$10M Shopify Brands (Scaling, Growth Brands)

Recommendation: MobiLoud

• MobiLoud is the easiest way to get a full-featured app live with no design debt. Low maintenance, high ROI, especially if your site is already dialed in.
• The hands-on service is perfect for brands at this stage, who are trying to stay lean but also looking to scale and grow new channels.
• Vajro and Plobal Apps may work for some. But the limitations of DIY app builders cap your upside, and the extra maintenance saps your ROI.

For $10M+ Omnichannel Retailers (Complex Stacks, Enterprise Needs)

Recommendation: MobiLoud

• MobiLoud is the most flexible option for complex businesses with complex needs.
• Everything from your website carries over to the app. As you start working with more complicated tech stacks, the chances of running into problems with DIY tools increases.
• MobiLoud can work for multi-site, multi-language platforms, headless builds, custom websites, Shopify Plus, and any other platform (should you ever move off Shopify in the future).

Still have questions? Want to discuss the best fit for your business in more detail? Book a free consultation now.

Final Word

Plobal Apps, Vajro, and MobiLoud all offer a viable pathway to launching a mobile app. But the right choice depends on your goals, resources, and the complexity of your brand.

If you're a growing Shopify brand looking for the fastest route to a high-performance mobile app (with zero rebuild, no ongoing maintenance, and full tech stack compatibility) MobiLoud is the clear winner. 

It’s not just a tool, but a strategic partner dedicated to your success post-launch.

It takes little to no work to manage, and allows you to build full-featured, custom, native apps that drive real business results.

Want to see what your app could look like? Get a free preview and see your site transformed into a powerful mobile app, ready to drive retention, conversions, and repeat revenue.