Tapcart vs Vajro vs MobiLoud: Choosing the Right Shopify Mobile App Builder (2025 Edition)

Launching a mobile app for your Shopify store was once a luxury, reserved for major global names. Now, every brand should have their own app. 

Mobile apps convert better than mobile web, they keep your brand top-of-mind on your customers' home screens, and they give you a direct line to your most valuable users through unlimited push notifications.

This has always been true. The difference now, vs five years ago? No-code solutions allow even lean teams to build and launch their own apps.

For ecommerce brands looking to boost repeat purchases and lifetime value without hiring developers, native apps have become a must-have.

In 2025, three of the most popular tools for turning a Shopify store into a mobile app are Tapcart, Vajro, and MobiLoud. They all meet the core functional requirements: 

• Native iOS and Android apps (not PWAs)
• Fully synced with your Shopify backend, for all product/inventory data
• Built-in push notifications
• App store-compliant, no extra 30% in-app purchase fees 

But how they deliver those outcomes is very different.

• Tapcart is a polished drag-and-drop builder backed by Shopify, popular with fast-growing DTC brands.
• Vajro is a template-driven app builder focused on speed, ease-of-use, and standout support.
• MobiLoud takes a different approach entirely: it converts your actual website into a mobile app, giving you complete theme parity and full-service support.

All three can help you get to market fast. But depending on your team’s resources, growth goals, and tech stack, the right choice could save you months of work and thousands in dev time – while giving your customers a better experience that boosts revenue.

One-Minute Summary (TL:DR;)
MobiLoud is faster, lower risk, and the best way to launch a high-performing, fully-branded mobile app in weeks. It's not just a tool - it's a partnership, actively helping you grow and get real business results from your app.
Tapcart and Vajro are solid options to build a mobile app, and allow you to go live with your own app without a massive investment. But they're DIY app builders, and none of these tools offer the the devotion to customer success that MobiLoud does.

Click here to get a free preview and see what MobiLoud can do for yourself.

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Introducing the Contenders

Before we dive into the comparison, here’s a quick overview of each platform and how they approach Shopify mobile apps:

Tapcart

Tapcart is a Shopify-exclusive app builder founded in 2017. It brings a sleek drag-and-drop interface called the App Studio, which lets you design a fully branded app without writing code.

Tapcart is backed by Shopify and used by major DTC brands like Princess Polly, Chubbies, and Fashion Nova. 

With a 4.8 rating from over 480 reviews on the Shopify App Store, it’s a solid option for teams that want control over the app experience, without the expense of native development.

Vajro

Vajro launched in 2018 and takes a fast-and-simple approach to app building. 

Based in Chennai, India, Vajro offers pre-built themes, live video selling, and 24/7 support across all plans.

While it’s more template-based than Tapcart, Vajro’s all-in-one model and lower pricing make it attractive for smaller or mid-sized brands.

MobiLoud

Founded in 2013, MobiLoud takes a fundamentally different path: it converts your existing Shopify site into a native mobile app. No templates, no dragging and dropping blocks.

This means you keep 100% of your current design, features, and integrations, with no rebuilding required. 

MobiLoud is a full-service partner: our team handles everything from app build and submission to ongoing maintenance. Not just that, we actively work with you to grow your app, giving you a partner invested in your app's success.

Our service is trusted by brands like Jack & Jones, John Varvatos, and Perfume.com, and is a strong fit for teams who want theme parity and minimal overhead.

Evaluation Framework

Outside of the basics (the tool should be able to create native apps, with push notifications, and be app store compliant, with no code), we looked at each platform in the following areas:

1. Pricing & Total Cost of Ownership.
   ‍How much does it actually cost to run your app – including platform fees, setup costs, commissions, and time?
2. Maintenance Load.
   ‍How much ongoing work does it take to keep the app updated and synced with your store?
3. Support.
   ‍Is the support responsive, knowledgeable, and available when you need it? Do you get hands-on help, or are you on your own?
4. Integrations.
   Does the platform support the Shopify apps and services you already use, like Klaviyo, Yotpo, Recharge, or Gorgias?
5. Vendor Proof.
   Are real brands seeing success? Do they have credible case studies, client logos, and social proof to back up their claims?
6. Time to Launch.
   ‍How fast can you realistically go live with a production-ready app?
7. Flexibility.
   ‍How customizable is the design and functionality? Can you match your brand and adapt over time?
8. International Support.
   ‍Does the app support multiple languages and currencies? Can you serve customers across markets easily?
9. Analytics & Extras.
   ‍What kind of insight do you get into app performance? Are there any bonus features (like AI merchandising or headless compatibility) worth noting?

With this framework, you’ll get a clear idea of each platform’s strengths, helping you prioritize the one that’s right for your brand.

Tapcart vs Vajro vs MobiLoud: Comparative Analysis

Here’s how each tool compares across all our key evaluation criteria.

Pricing & Total Cost of Ownership

TCO isn't just about the monthly subscription cost. It’s the full picture: setup fees, success commissions, feature limitations, and the internal time cost of managing the platform. 

The best option balances affordability with predictable, scalable value.

Tapcart

• Pricing: Starts at $250/mo (Core), $500/mo (Ultimate), and $1,000+/mo (Enterprise)
• Limits: No limits on number of blocks/integrations, but custom blocks and premium integrations (including Klaviyo) limited to highest plan
• Success Fees: None
• Setup: No upfront fee, but merchants build the app themselves
• Dev Time: Additional staff hours needed to compile the app, as well as managing it (needs to be managed separately from your website)

TL;DR: Tapcart is polished, but can get pricey (considering many brands will need the Enterprise plan for full-powered apps). It also requires time to manage, which adds to the TCO of your app.

Vajro

• Pricing: Starts at $149/mo (Starter) up to $999/mo (Plus)
• Free Trial: 30-day free trial on all plans
• Limits: Push notifications, other key features limited on lower plans (including key integrations like Klaviyo gated to their highest plan)
• Success Fees: None on most plans; additional fee applies at Plus tier after $100k/mo in app sales
• Setup: No setup fee; templates make app creation fast
• Dev Time: Still requires internal time to manage layouts, promotions, and features

TL;DR: Vajro is the most affordable upfront. However, certain key features are limited to higher plan.

MobiLoud

• Pricing: $299–$549/mo depending on plan (custom plans for more advanced needs)
• Setup Fee: $850–$1,500 (covers full build, submission, and onboarding)
• Success Fees: None: you keep 100% of revenue
• Limits: No limits on number of integrations, design (uses everything from your store). All core ecommerce features available on middle (Growth) plan
• Includes: Done-for-you build, updates, maintenance, and support
• Dev Time: Basically none. No need to manage a platform separately from your website

TL;DR: MobiLoud costs more upfront, but includes everything, and has the lowest TCO – making it a smarter long-term bet for lean teams or fast-growing brands.

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Maintenance Load

After launch, how much work does it take to keep your app updated? 

We’re looking at how each platform handles syncing with your Shopify store, app content updates, and general maintenance overhead. The less manual work, the better.

Tapcart

• Tapcart syncs all necessary product data between your web store and app.
• Your app is managed separately from your site (through Tapcart’s platform).
• You’ll need manual updates to match site changes (e.g. homepage banners, nav), which adds to the workload.
• Vendors often mention the amount of work it takes to keep your store up to date.

TL;DR: Tapcart syncs data across platforms, but managing content means extra work. It’s like running a second storefront.

Vajro

• It features full real-time Shopify sync for products, orders, etc.
• App content is managed via Vajro’s dashboard using pre-built themes.
• Banners and events for live selling, app-specific campaigns are controlled within the admin panel.
• Vajro’s support team often assists with updates.

TL;DR: Vajro’s maintenance is similar to Tapcart’s. More templates may make it easier, but it’s still another platform to manage, separate to your website.

MobiLoud

• Your app mirrors your site – 100% theme parity by default.
• There’s no separate app dashboard. Update anything via Shopify, and the app follows.
• MobiLoud handles all tech maintenance: OS updates, bug fixes, SDKs, etc.
• Push notifications are managed through OneSignal, Klaviyo, or a Shopify app (for automated order & shipping updates).
• Lowest workload of the three – minimal ongoing effort required

TL;DR: MobiLoud requires almost zero app-specific maintenance. Your app is always up to date, because it’s not a completely different codebase – it runs on your site.

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Customer Support

Reliable support is critical; especially if your team has no prior experience with mobile apps. 

Whether you're stuck during onboarding or need a fix fast, here's what kind of help you can expect from each platform.

Tapcart

• All Tapcart plans include email support, with live chat and Slack access available on higher-tier plans.
• Merchants on Ultimate and Enterprise plans are assigned a dedicated implementation specialist to help during onboarding.
• There’s a self-serve knowledge base, including tutorials and a training academy.
• Their support team is based in California and generally responsive during North American business hours.
• Enterprise customers receive priority help, but Core users may experience slower or more templated responses.

TL;DR: Solid and professional support, especially for larger brands, though lower-tier users may miss out on the high-touch experience.

Vajro

• Vajro offers 24/7 live chat support across all plans.
• Priority support, SLAs and dedicated customer success managers are available on the highest plans.
• Merchants generally report helpful support across the board.

TL;DR: Vajro delivers accessible and responsive support by all accounts.

MobiLoud

• From day one, MobiLoud works with you directly to build, configure, and publish your app. No design or technical setup required on your part.
• You’re assigned a dedicated project manager who handles the entire process and serves as your ongoing point of contact.
• Post-launch, MobiLoud continues to manage app maintenance, version updates, and app store compliance.
• If issues arise or strategy questions come up, the team is just an email or call away and typically very quick to respond.
• Merchants who work with MobiLoud appreciate the personalized, high-touch support experience.

TL;DR: MobiLoud acts more like an embedded app team than a typical SaaS vendor. Perfect if you want to hand off the heavy lifting and focus on running your store.

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Integrations

Your mobile app needs to integrate smoothly with the rest of your Shopify stack: reviews, subscriptions, loyalty programs, chat, email, and analytics tools.

Here’s how each platform stacks up in this area.

Tapcart

• Tapcart offers native integrations with over 50 popular Shopify apps, including Klaviyo, Yotpo, Recharge, Junip, Nosto, and Loop Returns.
• All “standard” integrations are available across all plans, with no limits.
• Several integrations are gated to the highest (Enterprise) plan, including Klaviyo, Braze and Skio.
• Most review and loyalty apps work natively within Tapcart’s design blocks, though some limitations exist around custom UI or niche features.
• Tools not covered by Tapcart’s list of integrations (as well as custom features) will require additional development, which gets costly.

TL;DR: Tapcart integrates well with major tools, but flexibility depends on your plan and may require dev support for advanced use cases.

Vajro

• Vajro supports over 70 native integrations, covering popular categories like reviews (Loox, Judge.me), loyalty (Smile.io), analytics (GA, Firebase), and marketing (Klaviyo, PushOwl).
• There’s no limit on the number of integrations you can use on each plan. But some major integrations are gated to higher plans.
• You’ll need to subscribe to their highest tier to integrate your app with Klaviyo.
• Most basic Shopify apps will work seamlessly in Vajro with minimal effort. But you’ll have trouble with custom features or niche integrations.

TL;DR: Vajro covers a wide range of Shopify tools with little configuration needed. Just don’t expect deep customization or niche integrations.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud doesn’t require pre-built integrations. Because it runs off your existing website, any app, plugin, or embedded feature that works on your mobile site will work in the app automatically.
• This includes things like subscription apps (Recharge), review widgets (Judge.me, Yotpo), loyalty tools (Smile.io), live chat, upsell popups, and anything else already active on your site.
• There are no limits. If it works on your web store, it works in your app, without extra setup or plan upgrades.
• Native device features like push notifications are handled via OneSignal or Klaviyo, which both have native integrations built in.
• The only limitation is around deeply native features (like AR or camera access), which take more development work to integrate in your app (but most Shopify use cases don’t require these).

TL;DR: MobiLoud offers the most flexible integration setup by default. If it works on your site, it works in your app, with no extra effort or feature gating.

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Track Record

A strong feature set is important. But so is knowing the platform is proven, stable, and trusted by real, successful brands. 

Here's how each vendor stacks up in terms of history, reputation, and client results.

Tapcart

• Tapcart launched in 2017 and is one of the most well-known Shopify mobile app builders, with backing from Shopify itself.
• The platform is used by leading DTC brands like Princess Polly, Fashion Nova, Chubbies, and Fanjoy.
• Their clients have driven over $5.5 billion in sales through Tapcart apps, according to the company.
• Tapcart has a 4.8 rating from 480+ Shopify App Store reviews and is viewed as an enterprise-grade solution.

TL;DR: Tapcart is the most recognized vendor with strong enterprise traction and big-brand social proof. But smaller merchants may find it overbuilt for their needs.

Vajro

• Vajro was founded in 2018 and has quickly become a favorite among small to mid-sized Shopify brands.
• The platform has a perfect 5.0 rating from over 1,800 reviews on the Shopify App Store.
• Brands often highlight Vajro’s ease of use and strong support as reasons for choosing it.
• Clients include fashion and beauty retailers like Boho Blue and Makeup Warehouse.

TL;DR: Vajro has a lot of good reviews and solid momentum, though lacks some higher end brands as case studies.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud was founded in 2013, serving a range of industries, but now focuses primarily on ecommerce. 
• We’ve helped over 2,000 businesses launch apps, including global names like Jack & Jones, John Varvatos, Perfume.com, and Estee Lauder.
• The Jack & Jones app, built with MobiLoud, has over 1 million downloads on Google Play – proof the platform can scale.
• You can see dozens of in-depth case studies, app examples and testimonials on our website.
• MobiLoud has a 4.8★ rating on Capterra and strong retention among long-term clients.
  

TL;DR: MobiLoud is a seasoned and trusted provider with a global client base and deep app-building experience; especially appealing to brands that value full-service execution and long-term support.

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Time to Launch

Speed matters, whether you're prepping for peak season or just want to get to market fast. 

Here's how long it typically takes to go live with each platform, from signup to App Store approval.

Tapcart

• Merchants can design and configure their app using Tapcart’s drag-and-drop editor in just a few days.
• The Tapcart team handles compiling and submitting the app to Apple and Google, which usually adds 5–7 days for review.
• Most brands launch their app within 1–2 weeks from signup, assuming developer accounts and assets are ready.
• No coding or third-party dev work required, but you do need to dedicate some internal time to compiling the app.

TL;DR: Tapcart offers a quick path to launch (typically 1 to 2 weeks) though you’re responsible for designing the app yourself.

Vajro

• Vajro’s onboarding process is highly streamlined, and their team helps you build the app during the 30-day free trial.
• Many merchants report launching in under 1 week, with setup and submission completed within 48 hours in some cases.
• The pre-built themes make the process fast, and Vajro handles the app store submission on your behalf.
• As long as your branding and assets are ready, you could feasibly go live in just a few days.

TL;DR: Vajro is the fastest option for getting live, with templates allowing you to build a simple app, quick.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud handles the entire build, testing, and submission process. Your team just provides input and branding assets.
• From kickoff to live app, the timeline is typically 3 to 4 weeks, depending largely on Apple/Google review times.
• Our team prepares the native architecture for your app, optimizes mobile UI, and manages all technical submission steps.
• While slower than Tapcart or Vajro, you don’t need to lift a finger beyond initial setup.

TL;DR: MobiLoud takes a bit longer (~4 weeks), but it’s still extremely fast compared to custom development. You get a fully managed launch with minimal effort on your part.

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Flexibility & Customization

Can the app look and behave exactly how you want? Can it evolve with your brand over time? 

This section covers how flexible each platform is when it comes to layout, custom features, and future tech needs like headless builds.

Tapcart

• Tapcart uses a block-based design editor, which makes layout changes fast but also somewhat rigid.
• You’re limited to predefined components. Custom code or layout changes outside Tapcart’s framework are possible with their “developer tools” feature, but requires significant additional investment.
• For most Shopify stores, achieving 1:1 design parity with your website will be tricky.
• Tapcart is optimized for traditional Shopify themes; headless or Hydrogen setups aren’t currently supported.

TL;DR: Tapcart offers decent flexibility within its system, but if your store uses custom code or headless architecture, you’ll hit your limits fast.

Vajro

• Vajro provides drag-and-drop templates that are easy to use, with a growing library of pre-built blocks.
• Merchants can customize branding, banners, and product display. But deeper layout or UX changes are constrained.
• Custom code is not supported yet, though the company says it’s coming in future updates.
• Flexibility improves on higher-tier plans (e.g. Plus plan offers dev blocks), but still within a template-first framework.
• Vajro works best with standard Shopify themes, not headless or heavily customized front-ends.

TL;DR: Vajro gives you control over design basics, but it’s still template-based, with limits on custom layouts or dynamic functionality.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud wraps your existing website into a native app. So whatever layout, features, or branding you’ve built carry over 100%.
• Whether you’re using Shopify’s default theme or a fully headless frontend, your app will render exactly like your site.
• There are no limitations on layout, components, or page builders. It all just works.
• MobiLoud is compatible with Hydrogen, Shogun Frontend, and other custom architectures.
• If your site evolves, your app evolves automatically. No extra redesigns or migration needed.
• MobiLoud also supports custom experiences in your app. You’ll just build these on the web, and our team will help configure so that these pages only show in the app.

TL;DR: MobiLoud offers true design freedom. Your app mirrors your site, no compromises. Perfect for brands using custom themes or going headless.

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International Support

If you sell globally, your app needs to support different languages, currencies, and storefronts. 

Here’s how well each platform handles international ecommerce requirements.

Tapcart

• Tapcart supports multiple currencies using Shopify’s native currency converter (if enabled on your store).
• Multi-language support is limited and only available on Enterprise plans via custom development.
• Merchants with multiple storefronts or local experiences will need to create separate apps per store.
• There’s no native multi-store or region-switching logic. Global brands may need workarounds.

TL;DR: Tapcart can support global selling, but international features are gated behind higher-tier plans and may require manual workarounds.

Vajro

• Vajro offers built-in multi-language support starting on Core plans and full support on Premium and Plus tiers.
• The platform supports multiple currencies, with toggles available in the app’s UI.
• Vajro doesn’t natively support multi-storefront setups, so brands operating in several Shopify Plus instances may face limitations.
• Language switching and translation are relatively easy to set up within Vajro’s templates.

TL;DR: Vajro is a solid pick for multilingual stores, with good international support baked into mid-tier plans.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud inherits whatever internationalization your website already supports. No extra configuration required.
• If your site uses apps like Langify, Shopify Markets, Geolocation, or Global-e, these will work in the app just like they do on your mobile web store.
• Multi-language, currency switching, and geo-routing all function out of the box.
• Multi-store setups (e.g. separate .uk, .de, .com storefronts) can be managed through the app with minimal customization.

TL;DR: MobiLoud is the most flexible for international stores. Whatever works on your site will work in your app, instantly. We currently support a number of global stores, including brands based across the US, Canada, Europe, South America and the Middle East.

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Analytics & Extra Services

Beyond just building an app, some platforms offer tools to track performance, improve retention, or support growth. 

Here’s how each vendor handles analytics and any extra services that help you succeed post-launch.

Tapcart

• Tapcart includes an in-app analytics dashboard that tracks installs, opens, revenue, and campaign performance.
• Higher-tier plans include tools for abandoned cart recovery and advanced audience segmentation.
• The platform focuses primarily on enabling self-serve growth tools rather than hands-on services.
• Push notifications are native, with automations available via Klaviyo integration.

TL;DR: Tapcart gives you solid analytics and push features, especially on upper tiers. But as a platform with a huge number of users, the personal touch is understandably low. Most of your app marketing and growth is thus DIY.

Vajro

• Vajro includes a simple dashboard showing basic metrics like installs, sessions, sales, and notifications sent.
• Push campaigns can be automated or scheduled, and are available even on lower-tier plans.
• ASO and marketing support are limited; there’s no in-house team guiding launch or growth strategy.
• Integrates with tools like Firebase and Google Analytics for deeper insights (manual setup required).
• Additional services are minimal, focusing on product features rather than consulting.

TL;DR: Vajro gives you essential metrics and push tools, but lacks deeper analytics or strategic growth support.

MobiLoud

• MobiLoud integrates directly with analytics tools like Google Analytics and Firebase, so you can keep all analytics tidily in one place.
• It automatically integrates with any other analytics software your site uses (like heatmap software).
• Post-launch, MobiLoud provides hands-on support to help drive downloads and retention.
• The approach is less that of a tool, more of a partner.
• Option of an additional done-for-you push notifications service.

TL;DR: MobiLoud integrates with your existing analytics tools and offers more hands-on marketing guidance – great for lean teams that want expert help.

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Key Takeaways & Recommendations

Choosing the right mobile app builder comes down to your brand’s size, technical resources, and goals. Here's a quick recap of how each platform stacks up:

Tapcart

✅ Polished, well-established, great for brands that want full control over layout and have in-house resources to manage it.

❌ Limited flexibility, some key features gated to highest ($1k per month) plan. Advanced customization isn’t supported (without complex custom dev). Higher maintenance load for your team.

Best for: Mid-market and enterprise DTC brands with internal design/development capacity and a desire to fully own their app layout.

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Vajro

✅ Affordable, fast to launch, and good support, especially for non-technical teams.

❌ Still template-based, with some limits on customization and deeper integrations. Requires management separate to your website.

Best for: Small to medium-sized brands that want to launch quickly and get reliable hands-on support, without a huge budget (or majorly complex needs).

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MobiLoud

✅ Full-service, low-maintenance, and mirrors your exact website. No rebuilding or design work required.

✅ Works with all themes, headless builds, and integrates with everything your site already runs.

✅ Great support and launch support for lean teams. More like a partner than a software provider.

Best for: Growth-focused Shopify brands that want a high-quality app with minimal internal effort, and plan to scale without hitting platform limitations.

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Why High-Level Shopify Brands Pick MobiLoud

MobiLoud supports hundreds of successful ecommerce brands, who want an easier, less limiting way to launch and maintain mobile apps.

If you're looking for:

• A mobile app that looks and works exactly like your current website (without compromises).
• A team to handle the build, launch, updates, and support, and partner with you in growing your app.
• Seamless integration with your tech stack (no feature gating or dev time required).
• Lower long-term cost vs. DIY tools with hidden fees and ongoing maintenance needs.
• Future-proof flexibility (headless-ready, multi-platform support).

MobiLoud is built for you.

The value proposition is fundamentally different to app builders like Tapcart and Vajro. Instead of spending time and effort rebuilding your site as an app (which you then need to manage separately from your website), MobiLoud directly converts what already works.

You’ve put countless hours into optimizing your website and fine-tuning your tech stack. MobiLoud doesn’t force you to start again. 

It builds off your existing website to create an app that runs off the same codebase, but offers a more convenient experience for your best customers.

No unnecessary work, minimal headspace required, yet all the benefits of your brand’s own native app.

Next Steps

Want to see what your Shopify store would look like as a native app?

MobiLoud offers a free, no-obligation preview of your store as an iOS and Android app, so you can see what’s possible.

Our team of experts will discuss the project with you, answer all your questions, and help you to be sure that MobiLoud is the right option for you before moving forward.

Get your preview today and see how easy it is to launch an app that drives real results.