GoodBarber and MobiLoud are two ways to build mobile apps without coding. But as you'll soon see, they are very different solutions.
This post will compare the differences in detail and explain which platform is best for your project or business.
Ultimately, we’ll see that:
GoodBarber is good for you if:
- You want to build a simple mobile app yourself using a drag and drop builder.
- You can build what you want within the limits of what their templates and extensions provide.
MobiLoud is the best option if:
- You already have a web presence (i.e. an eCommerce site, a news/content site, an online community or a learning platform).
- You want to convert your site into a high-performance, professional mobile app.
- You have certain features or UI/UX design you need to carry over to your mobile app.
- You want hands-on service helping you every step of the way, from building your app, to publishing on the app stores, to keeping your app bug-free and up to date.
MobiLoud has been trusted by over 2,000 companies to build high-quality mobile apps. But in some cases, GoodBarber may be a better fit.
Let's get down to it. If you'd prefer a video summary of the article, you can check it out below:
What is GoodBarber?
GoodBarber is a popular Do-It-Yourself no-code app builder, used to create mobile apps and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
Used by non-developers and agencies, GoodBarber allows you to put together a mobile app relatively quickly and without writing code, thanks to various templates and pre-made widgets.
You can create a variety of apps with GoodBarber, such as:
- eCommerce apps
- Fitness apps
- Tourist guides
- Restaurant apps
- Sports club apps
- Blog and News apps
The platform is targeted at a wide audience - essentially, anyone who wants to create an app but doesn't know how to code, or can't afford to pay a developer to do it for them.
You'll design the app yourself in GoodBarber, using a drag-and-drop builder to make your user interface, and GoodBarber's library of extensions to add advanced features on integrations with other tools.
GoodBarber also includes a CMS (content management system), which allows you to store, manage and publish content to your app directly from the GoodBarber platform.
What is MobiLoud?
MobiLoud is a service that helps online businesses convert their website into native mobile apps.
It could be considered a no-code app builder, like GoodBarber. But it works a lot differently.
MobiLoud is built on a software platform, which we've perfected over 10 years of operation and more than 2,000 apps built. But it's also a full-service platform; we do everything to do with building, publishing and maintaining your mobile apps.
It's not a DIY app builder like GoodBarber, where you need to do all the legwork, and you're limited by the restrictions of the platform.
MobiLoud works for all kinds of apps (as long as you have a website to begin with), including eCommerce apps, digital publishers, online courses, communities and more.
The way we build apps at MobiLoud means it's a direct conversion of your mobile website. You get to keep all the features of your website, such as plugins, themes and custom features.
On top of that, you'll have native mobile features like navigation UI, logins and push notifications.
Once built, the content on your app is 100% synced with your website. Any changes you make to the website reflect immediately in the app.
As for the service aspect, we do everything for you.
This includes coding your apps, testing, compiling, publishing to the app stores, and supporting you for updates and changes after launch.
We'll even provide custom development work for your website, to ensure your mobile UX is as good as it can be.
Want to learn more? Get a no-cost consultation now.
Reviews
Let's take a look at some customer reviews describing their experience with each tool.
GoodBarber Reviews
Justine M, the director of an Education management company writes that GoodBarber:
“walked me through both the design and the publishing, which I still don't even fully understand”.
It wasn’t always easy for her - she continues that:
“It was still somewhat tricky to figure out how to design the app and get through the process. You have to be patient and determined especially if you aren't tech savvy.”
Thea E, an IT manager, called the platform:
“so easy to use once you get used to it, it's pretty and the free trial is helpful. [The software is] “very cost effective considering how pretty it looks”.
She did have some reservations however:
“They don't have very good documentation, so you have to work harder to learn it yourself. It's not so hard though.”
Ceyhun B, and entrepreneur in the media space gives a rare negative review, centering on GoodBarber’s service, which we’ve seen operates through an email form. He states that while the platform is generally good, he:
“would not recommend this app builder platform to anyone because customer support is dead”.
He explains that:
“one deadly bug cost my business a huge amount of time and customer discontent because it took one month to be solved. We would like to quit now but cannot because lots of our customers have paid yearly for our app service. Very very disappointed!”.
As you can see, they have many happy customers. However, due to the customer support not being available over the phone, it can take time to resolve any issues, so it may not be the best option if your app is a critical part of your business..
Read through all the full reviews on Capterra.
MobiLoud Reviews
We looked at customer reviews of MobiLoud on Capterra to provide a fair review of our service.
Writing on Capterra, Stephan recalls:
“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, co-founder of a digital media company and longtime MobiLoud user, agrees:
“It just works. We can use our existing WordPress install and have our material presented in a beautiful way on both iOS and Android... We worked for a year trying to create our own app - and then decided to go with MobiLoud and haven't looked back. We've been happy customers for over three years and our readers love our iOS and Android apps”
Others love how easy it is to manage their new app. Josh, a digital publisher, says:
“It's simple to navigate the backend, great at sending alerts and notifications. [I] needed a bit of help on some advanced customizations - however the team was extremely easy to work with... EXCELLENT customer service. They made sure I was totally satisfied which I appreciate”
A high performance app can also help you grow your revenue. Walter, a web designer in the publishing industry explained:
"It has also grown our advertising revenue as we can use the app with Adsense and that has become our top performing advertising platform via the app".
As far as our support - it’s personalized, fast and never leaves your side. If you check out our reviews on Capterra you’ll notice that’s a common thread.
Stephan, a Vice President of Client Services was happy with our service standards - calling them “amazing” and adding that our team:
“work tirelessly to ensure you are happy with your apps. We can't recommend MobiLoud enough”.
GoodBarber vs MobiLoud: Key Differences
To help you make an informed decision of which app building platform to go with, let's look now at how GoodBarber and MobiLoud directly compare in the following areas:
- Building Your App
- Limitations
- Service & Support
- Maintaining Your App
- Pricing
Building Your App
The biggest difference is how your app gets built.
With GoodBarber, you do everything through their platform. You'll have a drag-and-drop builder with different modules and features you can add to a blank canvas, or start with a template.
Outside of what the templates provide, you've got to do everything yourself.
With MobiLoud, there are two key areas we're different.
One is that we convert your website to an app, instead of letting you build a new app.
Of course, that means you need a website built first before you can build an app (GoodBarber allows you to build an app from scratch). But as long as you do, it's a much quicker and smoother process, as you don't need to rebuild anything.
Second, the MobiLoud team does everything for you. You can share with us anything specific you want from your app, but you don't need to do any work at all - no coding, no design, no compiling.
We'll code the native mobile exterior of your app, sync your website content within the app, and add on native mobile navigation UI, splash screens, logins, push notifications and more to make it feel like a truly native mobile app.
Limitations
In terms of limitations, GoodBarber limits you to whatever their templates, blocks and extensions allow.
There's some customization possible with this, but in the end, you may have trouble creating a fully custom, unique app.
As functionality goes, GoodBarber provides over 140 extensions, with integrations for platforms like Shopify and WordPress, plus analytics tools, ad platforms, push notifications and more. But if you want to integrate with any smaller tools, or use a custom feature you built for your website, you're out of luck.
With MobiLoud, the one key limitation is that you need a website first. You can't build an app from scratch.
Other than that, if you're looking to convert a website to an app, there are virtually no limitations to speak of.
The content and functionality within your app are basically a live window to your website. This means that anything your website does, your app can do as well.
Service & Support
GoodBarber offers support, but the quality of this support appears to be spotty.
A quick scan of their Capterra page comes up with a number of complaints about customer support, scoring 3.3 out of 5 in this respect.
As for service, you get very little from GoodBarber. It's primarily a DIY platform.
This is where MobiLoud really stands out. We provide full-service, working with you closely help you build and publish the app you want.
We don't just code your app and hand it off. We work together with you at every step, providing custom design work to elevate your mobile web UX, handling the App Store publishing process, providing design assets such as an app icon and splash screens, and helping maintain your apps after launch.
Service is a key point of focus for us, and our customers love it.
Customer reviews back this up - scoring 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra in this area.
Maintaining Your App
As GoodBarber is a DIY platform, you need to figure out how you're going to keep your app maintained and up to date.
Whether you want to make changes to your app, if your customers find bugs or usability issues, or if you run into problems with new updates to the iOS or Android systems, you're on your own.
At MobiLoud, we'll provide ongoing maintenance and app updates to make sure your app is always running smoothly on the latest devices.
We're here to support you at every step, to help you maintain a 5-star app throughout its lifetime.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the increased level of service you get from MobiLoud naturally means a higher price point.
Both work on a subscription model. For GoodBarber, you have different pricing depending on whether you want to build a content-based app, or an app to sell products (e.g. for eCommerce sites or restaurants).
- Pricing for Content apps ranges from $36-$280 per month ($70 per month minimum to publish mobile apps), with discounts for annual subscriptions.
- Pricing for eCommerce apps is from $50-$380 per month ($90 per month minimum for mobile apps), again with discounts for annual.
Some extensions and feature come with an additional monthly cost.
With MobiLoud, you'll pay a one-time setup fee that covers the initial service offering, publishing to the App Stores, custom design work and more, then a regular subscription that gives you access to support and maintenance.
Choose from these plans:
- Startup: $350 per month (paid monthly), $298 per month (paid annually), $1,500 setup fee.
- Growth: $650 per month (paid monthly), $553 per month (paid annually), $2,500 setup fee.
As you can see, MobiLoud costs more. But you get a lot more, for not a crazy amount more in terms of cost (and far less than what you'd cost to pay a development team).
Why MobiLoud is the Best Way to Convert a Website to an App
Any successful business with a digital footprint today likely has their own website. If all you need is a mobile app version of that website, MobiLoud is easily the best way to do it.
“Our apps never had any functionality or usability beyond the web experience. The reason to have an app is not to have something that isn’t on the website, but for people who prefer that way to access Rainbow content.”
- David Cost, Rainbow Shops
Let's run through the top five reasons to go with MobiLoud.
Done-For-You App Build
You don't need to do anything. No figuring out how to use a software platform, or messing around and tinkering to get your app right.
We've done this before, and we will help you ship the perfect app for your needs, in less than a month.
Convert Everything That Makes Your Website Great
You've already spent countless hours perfecting your website, getting the design on point, optimizing for conversions, and finding the right apps and themes.
You don't want to have to start again. MobiLoud lets you take all of that, even custom-built features, to work within your app.
“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.”
- David Cost, Rainbow Shops
Get Full, White Glove Service, Every Step of the Way
Full service is standard with MobiLoud. We know you want an app, but don't want another headache to add complexity to your workflow.
We make sure the added work on your end is as little as possible. Our experts handle everything, allowing your focus to remain on growing your business.
“What really attracted us to MobiLoud is that you guys handle the app submission process and updates. You’ve been great at communicating to us when we need to do something, when something changes with terms of service that we need to address, or there's an update that we need to make.”
- Jack Heaton, Moxey
Only Manage One Platform
Going forward, launching an app usually means having another platform (or two, if you build separate iOS and Android apps) to maintain.
That's double or triple the work every time you make a change, or for routine maintenance.
With MobiLoud, you still only manage one platform. Only worry about your website. Whenever you make a change to the website, your app will automatically update too.
Get an App Development Partner, For a Fraction of the Cost
MobiLoud is not just an app builder. Most companies work hard to develop your app, but then hand it over and leave you to figure it out.
We don't do that. We're an app development partner, working closely with you on the initial build, then staying by your side to help you maintain a great app experience for your users.
This would usually cost five figures per month, at least, if you were to partner with a development agency or build a team in-house. With MobiLoud, it can cost as little as $298 per month.
When to Go With GoodBarber (Building Simple Apps from Scratch)
There are some cases when GoodBarber is the better choice.
Most notably, when you want to build an app from scratch. Let's say you have an idea for an app you want to build, but you don't have the money or skill to get it developed, and you don't have it built as a web app first.
In this case, MobiLoud isn't a good fit. GoodBarber can help you build the app, test it, and see if it has market fit.
You can also use GoodBarber to create an app for your business if you're tight on money and can't justify the extra cost of MobiLoud.
In that case, you could save a little by going with the DIY approach - but consider the limitations you'll be working with.
Ready to Turn Your Website into a Native App?
Although GoodBarber and MobiLoud can both be used to create great mobile apps for your business, they are very different solutions.
Both are suitable for a wide range of business types, including news sites and ecommerce apps. But the choice comes down to your personal approach to building an app.
If you want to turn your website into an app, MobiLoud is the best way to do it.
Get in touch now to learn just how easy it is, and how much a mobile app can benefit your business.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our app experts today to learn more and start the process.
Let's work together and transform your business with your own mobile app.
