---
title: "The Best Expo Alternatives in 2026, Sorted by Job | Superapp"
description: "The best Expo alternatives in 2026, sorted by job: EAS Build and Submit, EAS Update and CodePush, Expo Go, and leaving React Native for native Swift."
image: https://superapp.dev/superapp-logo.png
canonical_url: https://superapp.dev/blog/the-best-expo-alternatives
md_url: https://superapp.dev/blog/the-best-expo-alternatives.md
---
## Best Expo Alternatives: The Short Answer

Superapp (our product) is the Expo alternative for people who want a native Swift iPhone app built, previewed and published to the App Store without writing code or owning a Mac. For developers who want to keep React Native, the best Expo alternative depends on which part of Expo you want to replace: Codemagic, Bitrise, fastlane or GitHub Actions for EAS Build and Submit, Hot Updater, xprem or Bitrise CodePush for EAS Update, and a development build for Expo Go. If you want to leave React Native completely, the real choices are native Swift, Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform.

> **Quick answer: What is the best alternative to Expo?** Superapp is the pick if you want to drop React Native and get a native Swift iPhone app from a description, with no Mac and no code (it does not build Android). If you are a React Native developer, you usually do not need to replace all of Expo, because the framework is free and open source and its cloud services (EAS) are optional. Replace the service that is costing you: Codemagic gives 500 free build minutes a month and charges $0.095 a minute on a Mac mini M2, fastlane is free and MIT licensed, and Bitrise CodePush is free up to 100,000 monthly active users. Microsoft's App Center CodePush was retired on March 31, 2025, so do not plan around it.

| Best alternative | Expo job it replaces | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | The whole stack, for a native iPhone app | Generates native Swift from a description and publishes to the App Store without a Mac; no Android |
| Codemagic | EAS Build (cloud builds) | 500 free build minutes a month, pay per minute after, React Native and Expo support |
| fastlane | EAS Submit (store uploads) | Free, MIT licensed, automates TestFlight and App Store uploads, screenshots and signing |
| GitHub Actions or Bitrise | EAS Workflows (CI/CD) | GitHub Actions if your code already lives on GitHub; Bitrise for mobile focused CI with an EAS build step |
| Hot Updater or xprem | EAS Update (over the air) | Self-hosted and open source; Hot Updater supports Expo and the New Architecture, xprem speaks the Expo Updates protocol |
| Bitrise CodePush | Managed OTA without hosting | Hosted, free up to 100,000 MAU, works with bare React Native and Expo |
| A development build | Expo Go | Your own version of Expo Go with any native library |
| Native Swift, Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform | React Native itself | A different language and toolchain, chosen by platform needs |

## What does Expo actually do for you?

Expo is not one product, it is a framework plus a set of paid cloud services, and each piece has a different alternative. The [Expo FAQ](https://docs.expo.dev/faq/) says "The Expo platform is free and open source," and describes Expo Application Services (EAS) as "an optional suite of cloud services for React Native apps." So when someone says they want to leave Expo, the first question is which part.

The [EAS overview](https://docs.expo.dev/eas/) lists the services: EAS Build compiles and signs Android and iOS apps in the cloud, EAS Submit uploads them to the stores, EAS Update pushes JavaScript fixes to users, EAS Workflows runs CI/CD jobs, EAS Observe adds monitoring and crash reporting, and EAS Metadata (beta), EAS Hosting and EAS Insights (preview) cover store listings, web hosting and analytics. Expo Go is the free app you scan a QR code with during development.

The current stable release is [Expo SDK 57](https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-57), released June 30, 2026, which moves to React Native 0.86 and keeps React 19.2. The [Expo changelog](https://expo.dev/changelog) shows the SDK 58 beta opened on September 15, 2026.

| Tool | Replaces which Expo job | One line positioning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | The whole stack, for iPhone | AI builder that writes native Swift and publishes to the App Store without a Mac |
| React Native Community CLI | Expo framework and CLI | Plain React Native with no framework, you own every native folder |
| Codemagic | EAS Build, Submit, Update | Pay per minute mobile CI with its own OTA product, Codemagic Patch |
| Bitrise | EAS Build, Workflows, Update | Mobile CI/CD with release management and a hosted CodePush service |
| fastlane | EAS Submit, Metadata | Free open source automation for signing, screenshots and store uploads |
| GitHub Actions | EAS Workflows, Build | General CI with macOS runners at $0.062 a minute |
| Xcode Cloud | EAS Build for iOS | Apple's CI, 25 compute hours a month included with the developer program |
| Hot Updater | EAS Update | Self-hostable OTA updates on your own S3, R2 or Supabase |
| xprem (formerly Expo Open OTA) | EAS Update | Open source server that speaks the Expo Updates protocol |
| Development build | Expo Go | Your own Expo Go with any native library |
| Native Swift with Xcode | React Native | Apple's own language and IDE, for Apple platforms only |
| Flutter | React Native | Google's Dart framework, one codebase for iOS, Android, web and desktop |
| Kotlin Multiplatform | React Native | JetBrains' shared Kotlin code, with native or shared UI |

## Should you replace Expo or just one EAS service?

Most React Native teams should replace one service, not Expo itself. The React Native team's own [setup guide](https://reactnative.dev/docs/environment-setup) says "if you're building a new app with React Native, we recommend using a Framework," and names Expo as the example. Dropping the framework means, in the same guide's words, you will "write your own solutions to implement core features" or "piece together a collection of pre-existing libraries."

The services are where the bills and the lock-in sit, and Expo makes them easy to swap. [EAS Submit](https://docs.expo.dev/submit/introduction/) "accepts any valid .aab (Android App Bundle) or .ipa (iOS App Archive) file," so you can build somewhere else and still submit with Expo. [Local builds](https://docs.expo.dev/build-reference/local-builds/) with `eas build --platform ios --local` run "the same build process that is typically run on the EAS Build servers directly on your machine," on macOS or Linux, though without caching and one platform at a time.

Expo's native folders are also optional. [Continuous Native Generation](https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/continuous-native-generation/) creates the ios and android directories with `npx expo prebuild`, and the docs say the system is "fully optional, and you can stop using it at any time." Any CI that can build an Xcode project or a Gradle project can build a prebuilt Expo app.

## What are the best EAS Build and Submit alternatives?

The best EAS Build alternatives are Codemagic for pay-per-minute macOS builds, Bitrise for a full mobile CI/CD platform, GitHub Actions if your code is already on GitHub, and Xcode Cloud for iOS only teams. fastlane is the standard free replacement for EAS Submit and works inside all of them.

### Codemagic

Codemagic is the closest like-for-like replacement for EAS Build. Its [pricing page](https://codemagic.io/pricing/) gives individuals "500 free build minutes refilled every month," then charges $0.095 a minute on a Mac mini M2, $0.114 on an M4 and $0.045 on Linux or Windows. Teams can pay a fixed price from $3,990 a year for three concurrent builds with unlimited minutes and users. The [React Native quick start](https://docs.codemagic.io/yaml-quick-start/building-a-react-native-app/) supports Expo projects and can run `npx expo prebuild` on the build server each time, then publish to TestFlight and App Store Connect.

Pitfall: you need the ios and android folders at build time, so either commit them or add a prebuild step, and the guide recommends uploading the very first App Store version manually. Codemagic also sells its own over the air product, Codemagic Patch, which is free for the first 100K monthly active users and then $99 a month per additional 100K.

Who it is not for: teams that want builds, updates and submissions behind a single `eas` command with no YAML to maintain.

### Bitrise

Bitrise is a mobile CI/CD platform that can either call EAS or replace it. Its [Expo guide](https://docs.bitrise.io/en/bitrise-ci/getting-started/quick-start-guides/getting-started-with-expo-projects) says "Bitrise supports Expo Application Services (EAS) for Expo projects," with a default workflow that triggers an EAS build. [Pricing](https://bitrise.io/pricing) starts with a free Hobby plan (300 credits a month, one private app), then Starter at $89 a month billed annually or $99 monthly, and Pro at $200 a month billed annually.

Bitrise also runs [Bitrise CodePush](https://bitrise.io/platform/codepush), "a hosted over-the-air (OTA) update service for React Native and Expo apps" that "Works with bare React Native and Expo, including the New Architecture." The Basic tier is free up to 100,000 monthly active users.

Pitfall: the default Expo workflow still triggers a build on EAS, so you keep an Expo bill unless you change the workflow to build natively on Bitrise machines.

Who it is not for: a solo developer who only needs a few builds a month, where Codemagic's free minutes or EAS's free plan cost less.

### fastlane

fastlane replaces EAS Submit and much of EAS Metadata, for free. The [fastlane docs](https://docs.fastlane.tools/) call it "the easiest way to automate beta deployments and releases for your iOS and Android apps," and it is "100% open source under the MIT license." It handles screenshots, TestFlight uploads, App Store releases and code signing.

Pitfall: fastlane is automation, not infrastructure. It needs a machine to run on, and for iOS that means a Mac, either yours or a CI runner.

Who it is not for: anyone who wants a hosted dashboard. fastlane lives in a Fastfile in your repo and runs from the command line.

### GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions is the cheapest option if you already host code on GitHub. [Runner pricing](https://docs.github.com/en/billing/reference/actions-runner-pricing) is $0.062 a minute for a standard macOS runner and $0.006 a minute for Linux, and [GitHub's billing docs](https://docs.github.com/en/billing/concepts/product-billing/github-actions) include 2,000 minutes a month on the Free plan, with standard runners free in public repositories.

Pitfall: you write and maintain the whole pipeline yourself, usually with fastlane for signing and uploads, and private repositories pay per macOS minute.

Who it is not for: teams that are not on GitHub, or that want mobile specific features like device testing and release dashboards without building them.

### Xcode Cloud

Xcode Cloud is Apple's own CI for iOS builds. [Apple says](https://developer.apple.com/xcode-cloud/) "Apple Developer Program membership includes 25 compute hours per month," with paid tiers from $49.99 a month for 100 hours. Apple describes it as "designed expressly for Apple developers" and does not mention React Native, so test it on a prebuilt project before relying on it.

Pitfall: it only builds for Apple platforms, so you still need a second service for Android, and workflows are configured in Xcode on a Mac.

Who it is not for: cross-platform teams that want one CI for both stores.

| Service | Free tier | Paid entry point | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | Free credits in most countries | Pro $25 a month, 50 credits | Builds and submits native Swift iPhone apps without a Mac; does not build Expo or React Native projects |
| EAS Build (Expo) | Up to 15 Android and 15 iOS builds, 1 macOS concurrency | Starter $19 a month plus usage, $45 build credit | Example usage prices: iOS $2 medium, $4 large per build |
| Codemagic | 500 build minutes a month | $0.095 a minute on Mac mini M2 | Fixed price from $3,990 a year |
| Bitrise | Hobby, 300 credits a month | Starter $89 a month billed annually | Has an EAS build step and its own CodePush |
| GitHub Actions | 2,000 minutes a month on Free | macOS $0.062 a minute | Standard runners free in public repos |
| Xcode Cloud | 25 compute hours a month with the $99 developer program | $49.99 a month for 100 hours | iOS only, built around Xcode projects |
| fastlane | Free, MIT licensed | Free | Automation, not hosting; runs on any of the above |

## What replaced CodePush, and what are the EAS Update alternatives?

Microsoft's CodePush is gone as a hosted service. The [App Center retirement notice](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/appcenter/retirement) says App Center retired on March 31, 2025 (only Analytics and Diagnostics were extended, to March 2027), and Microsoft published a standalone CodePush server instead. That [code-push-server repository](https://github.com/microsoft/code-push-server) was archived on May 20, 2025 and is provided "as is," and the [react-native-code-push client](https://github.com/microsoft/react-native-code-push) was archived the same day with the warning "React Native CodePush won't support new Architecture."

The live alternatives to EAS Update split into hosted and self-hosted. First, know the limit every option shares: [EAS Update](https://docs.expo.dev/eas-update/introduction/) only changes "non-native pieces (such as JS, styling, and images)," and native code, new permissions or an SDK upgrade still need a new store build.

### Hot Updater

Hot Updater describes itself as "A self-hostable OTA update solution for React Native (Alternative to CodePush)." The [README](https://github.com/gronxb/hot-updater) lists storage on AWS S3, Supabase Storage or Cloudflare R2, databases on Supabase, PostgreSQL or Cloudflare D1, an Expo build plugin, and support for the New Architecture.

Pitfall: you run the storage, database and edge functions, so outages and security are yours.

Who it is not for: small teams without someone who wants to own update infrastructure. Bitrise CodePush or EAS Update are less work.

### xprem (formerly Expo Open OTA)

xprem is "an open-source alternative to EAS Update, on your own servers." Its [README](https://github.com/mercuretechnologies/xprem) says it "speaks the official Expo Updates protocol," so apps already using expo-updates can point at it, and "The core is MIT and will stay MIT." Expo publishes the [Expo Updates protocol](https://docs.expo.dev/technical-specs/expo-updates-1/) with "organizations that wish to manage their own update server" as an intended audience.

Pitfall: enterprise features sit in a separate commercially licensed directory, so check which parts of the repository you are using.

Who it is not for: apps that do not use expo-updates, such as bare React Native apps on the old CodePush client.

| OTA option | Hosting | Price | Fits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | Not an OTA service | Not applicable | Native Swift apps ship changes as new App Store builds, which Superapp publishes for you |
| EAS Update (Expo) | Expo cloud | 1,000 MAU free; Starter includes 3,000, then usage based | Expo apps that want zero setup |
| Bitrise CodePush | Bitrise cloud | Free up to 100,000 MAU; Pro from $294 a month | Teams migrating from App Center CodePush |
| Codemagic Patch | Codemagic cloud | First 100K MAU free, then $99 a month per extra 100K | Teams already building on Codemagic |
| Hot Updater | Your S3, R2 or Supabase | Your hosting costs | Teams that want full control of update storage |
| xprem | Your server | MIT core, your hosting costs | Expo apps that want to keep expo-updates |
| Microsoft CodePush | Retired March 31, 2025 | Not available | Do not start new projects on it |

## What is the best Expo Go alternative?

The best Expo Go alternative is a development build. The [Expo FAQ](https://docs.expo.dev/faq/) is blunt that "Expo Go cannot use third-party libraries that require custom native code," and Expo's [development build docs](https://docs.expo.dev/develop/development-builds/introduction/) describe a development build as "your own version of Expo Go where you are free to use any native libraries and change any native configuration."

### Development build (expo-dev-client)

A development build adds the expo-dev-client library to your own app, includes a launcher for switching between development servers, and is what Expo recommends "when you want to create your own app and release to app stores." You can create one with EAS Build, a local build, or any CI above.

Pitfall: every time you add or upgrade a native library you need a new development build, which is slower than reloading Expo Go.

Who it is not for: someone running a quick tutorial or prototype with only Expo's bundled libraries, where Expo Go is still faster.

| Option | What you test on | Native libraries | Needs a Mac for iOS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | iOS Simulator preview in the browser | Native Swift, any Apple framework | No |
| Expo Go | Expo's prebuilt app | Only those bundled in Expo Go | No |
| Development build | Your own app binary | Any | No with EAS Build, yes for local builds |
| React Native Community CLI | Simulator or device via Xcode | Any | Yes |

## Can you use React Native without Expo?

Yes. React Native runs without a framework, but you take on the work Expo was doing. The [no-framework guide](https://reactnative.dev/docs/getting-started-without-a-framework) starts a project with `npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init AwesomeProject`.

### React Native Community CLI

The Community CLI is the right choice when your app has, in the React Native docs' words, "unusual constraints that are not served well by a Framework," or your team already maintains native code. You manage the ios and android folders, native dependency upgrades and build tooling yourself, and iOS builds need Xcode on a Mac. The React Native docs are now on version 0.87.

Pitfall: React Native upgrades become your job. Every new version can touch Xcode project settings, Gradle files and native dependencies that Expo's prebuild used to regenerate for you.

Who it is not for: small teams without native iOS and Android experience.

## What if you want to leave React Native entirely?

If the problem is React Native itself, not Expo's services, you are choosing a new stack: native Swift for Apple platforms, Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform for cross-platform, or an AI builder that outputs native code. For a deep Swift versus React Native comparison with performance detail, see our [native Swift vs React Native and Expo guide](https://superapp.dev/blog/native-swift-vs-react-native-expo-in-2025-2026). For every framework option side by side, see [the best React Native alternatives](https://superapp.dev/blog/best-react-native-alternatives-2026).

### Superapp

As a disclosure, Superapp is our product, so weigh this accordingly. Superapp is an AI app builder that "generates production-ready native Swift code from your descriptions," per [superapp.dev](https://superapp.dev/), for iPhone, iPad, Watch and Mac, plus a website for the app. The [features page](https://superapp.dev/features) says "You build and publish native iOS apps from any browser, with no Mac and no local Xcode," and the preview "runs in the iOS Simulator and behaves like a real iPhone." It is the only tool on this list that builds, previews and submits a native Swift iPhone app from a description without a Mac. The honest limit is just as plain: "It does not build Android apps." If you need Android, stay with React Native or pick Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform. [Pricing](https://superapp.dev/pricing) starts with free credits in most countries, then Pro at $25 a month for 50 credits, Business at $50 for 110 and Max at $100 for 230. We are also testing AI agents that automate Apple Ads, App Store optimization and UGC creator videos, currently in closed beta, which makes Superapp the only mobile app builder we know of that also helps you get users.

Pitfall: it is a different stack, so an existing React Native codebase does not carry over. You describe the app again and get a new Swift project.

Who it is not for: anyone who needs an Android app from the same project.

### Native Swift with Xcode

Writing Swift yourself in Xcode is the default for developers who want full control on Apple platforms. [Xcode 27](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/) "supports interacting with code using the model of your choice, including the frontier coding models and agents from Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI." It needs a Mac and only targets Apple platforms.

Pitfall: you rewrite the app in a new language, and Android needs a separate codebase.

Who it is not for: teams whose main reason for React Native was sharing code with Android.

### Flutter

[Flutter](https://flutter.dev/) is Google's "open-source framework for building beautiful, natively compiled, multi-platform applications," written in Dart. It is the main cross-platform alternative to React Native. Releasing to iOS still needs a Mac: the [Flutter iOS guide](https://docs.flutter.dev/deployment/ios) says "Xcode is required to build and release your app." For code push, [Shorebird](https://shorebird.dev/pricing) offers a free tier of 5,000 monthly patch installs and Pro at $20 a month for 50,000.

Pitfall: Dart replaces JavaScript and TypeScript, so web React skills and npm packages do not carry over.

Who it is not for: teams that chose React Native to share code and developers with a React web app.

### Kotlin Multiplatform

[Kotlin Multiplatform](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/multiplatform/kmp-overview.html) is "an open-source technology from JetBrains that enables sharing code across Android, iOS, desktop, web, and server." You can keep SwiftUI on iOS or share UI with Compose Multiplatform, and JetBrains lists both iOS targets as [Stable](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/multiplatform/supported-platforms.html).

Pitfall: iOS builds still go through Xcode on a Mac, and a JavaScript team has to learn Kotlin.

Who it is not for: web first teams with no Kotlin or Android background.

| Option | Language | Android | Needs a Mac for iOS | Code required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | Swift (generated) | No | No | No |
| Native Swift with Xcode | Swift | No | Yes | Yes |
| Flutter | Dart | Yes | Yes, to release | Yes |
| Kotlin Multiplatform | Kotlin, plus Swift for native iOS UI | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| React Native with Expo (staying) | JavaScript or TypeScript | Yes | No with EAS Build | Yes |

## What if an AI builder picked Expo for you?

Many AI app builders generate Expo projects, so some people searching for Expo alternatives never chose Expo at all. [Replit's Expo guide](https://docs.replit.com/tutorials/expo-on-replit) answers "Do I need a Mac or Xcode?" with "No. Replit and Expo manage the build process for you in the cloud," and Replit Core costs $20 a month or $18 billed annually. Bolt's [Expo guide](https://support.bolt.new/integrations/expo) has you install the EAS CLI and run `eas build --platform ios --auto-submit` for TestFlight, and the public App Store release is a manual step in App Store Connect. Bolt Pro is $25 a month for 10M tokens.

That is fine if you want Android too. If you only want an iPhone app and the Expo layer is getting in the way, a builder that outputs native Swift removes it. Our [Replit mobile app review](https://superapp.dev/blog/replit-mobile-app-can-you-really-build-a-production-ios-app) and [AI builder output comparison](https://superapp.dev/blog/ai-app-builder-mobile-apps-flutter-react-native-lovable-bolt-base44) go deeper.

## Which Expo alternative fits who you are?

The right pick follows from who is doing the work and what is breaking. Use this as a lookup, then read the matching section above.

| Pick | Who you are | Why it fits |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | Founder or designer who wants an iPhone app without code or a Mac | Describe the app, preview it in a simulator, publish to the App Store from a browser |
| Codemagic | Solo React Native developer outgrowing the EAS free plan | 500 free build minutes a month, then per minute pricing |
| Bitrise | Mobile team that wants CI, release management and OTA from one vendor | Build, CodePush and release management under one account |
| fastlane with GitHub Actions | Team that already runs CI on GitHub and wants no new vendor | Free automation plus pay per minute macOS runners |
| Xcode Cloud | iOS heavy team already paying for the Apple Developer Program | 25 compute hours a month included |
| Bitrise CodePush | Team that used App Center CodePush | Same open source client foundation, free up to 100,000 MAU |
| Hot Updater or xprem | Team that must keep update bundles on its own infrastructure | Self-hosted, open source |
| Development build | Developer blocked by a native library Expo Go cannot load | Any native library, same Expo workflow |
| React Native Community CLI | Team with heavy custom native code | Full control of native projects |
| Flutter | Team that wants one codebase for mobile, web and desktop and will learn Dart | Google backed, multi-platform |
| Kotlin Multiplatform | Android team in Kotlin adding iOS | Share logic, keep native UI where you want it |
| Native Swift with Xcode | iOS developer who wants full control | Apple's own tools and frameworks |

## Which Expo alternative fits your platform?

Platform is the fastest filter, because half of these tools are Apple only.

| Pick | Targets | Builds Android | Mac needed for iOS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | iPhone, iPad, Watch, Mac, plus a website | No | No |
| Codemagic | iOS and Android builds | Yes | No, builds run on Codemagic Macs |
| Bitrise | iOS and Android builds | Yes | No, builds run on Bitrise Macs |
| GitHub Actions | iOS and Android builds | Yes | No, macOS runners are hosted |
| Xcode Cloud | Apple platforms | No | Yes, to configure workflows in Xcode |
| Flutter | iOS, Android, web, desktop | Yes | Yes, to release on iOS |
| Kotlin Multiplatform | Android, iOS, desktop, web, server | Yes | Yes |
| Native Swift with Xcode | Apple platforms | No | Yes |

## Pick it or skip it

One reason to choose each option and one reason to avoid it.

| Option | Pick it if | Skip it if |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | You want a native Swift iPhone app and no Mac or code | You need Android from the same project |
| Codemagic | You want pay per minute builds with a real free tier | You want zero YAML |
| Bitrise | You want CI, OTA and release management together | You only need a handful of builds |
| fastlane | You want free, scriptable signing and uploads | You want a hosted dashboard |
| GitHub Actions | Your code and CI already live on GitHub | You want mobile specific tooling out of the box |
| Xcode Cloud | You are iOS first and already in the developer program | You need Android builds too |
| Hot Updater | You want OTA on your own S3, R2 or Supabase | Nobody on the team wants to run infrastructure |
| xprem | You use expo-updates and want to self-host | You rely on the old CodePush client |
| Bitrise CodePush | You are migrating off App Center CodePush | You want updates on your own servers |
| Development build | Expo Go cannot load a library you need | You only use Expo's bundled libraries |
| React Native Community CLI | You already maintain native code | You want upgrades handled for you |
| Flutter | You want one codebase across mobile, web and desktop | Your team is invested in React and TypeScript |
| Kotlin Multiplatform | You are an Android team in Kotlin | You are a web team in JavaScript |
| Native Swift with Xcode | You only ship on Apple platforms and can code | You need Android |

## How much does it cost to stay on Expo versus switch?

For a small app, switching build providers usually saves little, and the bigger cost is engineering time. The example below assumes 20 iOS builds a month at 15 minutes each and 5,000 monthly users receiving updates. The build length is an assumption for illustration; the prices are from each vendor's pricing page.

| Option | Example monthly cost | How it is worked out |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | $25 on Pro | Not a like for like swap: it generates a native Swift iPhone app, includes automated App Store publishing, and has no OTA layer |
| EAS Starter | About $29 | $19 base; 20 iOS builds at Expo's $2 medium example price is $40, inside the $45 credit; 2,000 updated users over the 3,000 included at $0.005 is $10 |
| EAS Free | Does not fit | Free plan stops at 15 iOS builds and 1,000 update MAUs |
| Codemagic plus Codemagic Patch | $0 | 300 minutes is inside the 500 free minutes; Patch is free under 100K MAU |
| GitHub Actions plus fastlane plus Hot Updater | About $18.60 plus hosting | 300 macOS minutes at $0.062, before any included minutes; Hot Updater storage is billed by your cloud |
| Bitrise Starter plus Bitrise CodePush | $89 billed annually | Starter is listed as unlimited usage with up to 4 concurrent builds; CodePush Basic is free under 100,000 MAU |
| Xcode Cloud plus fastlane | $0 beyond the $99 a year developer fee | 5 compute hours is inside the 25 included; iOS only |

Everyone shipping to the App Store also pays Apple's developer fee, which Apple lists as [99 USD a year](https://developer.apple.com/support/enrollment/).

## Why do people leave Expo?

People rarely leave Expo because the framework is bad. They leave because one piece stopped fitting.

| Best fit | Reason to leave | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Superapp | You only want an iPhone app and React Native was never the point | Generate a native Swift app and publish without a Mac |
| Codemagic, Bitrise or GitHub Actions | EAS Build bills or macOS concurrency limits | Move builds and keep EAS Submit or switch to fastlane |
| Bitrise CodePush, Hot Updater or xprem | Update costs at scale or a requirement to self-host | Move OTA and keep the rest of Expo |
| Development build | Expo Go cannot run a native library | Build your own Expo Go |
| React Native Community CLI | Heavy native customisation fights prebuild | Commit native folders and stop using prebuild |
| Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform | The team wants a different language or more shared code across platforms | Plan a rewrite, not a migration |

## What does Expo still do well?

Expo is still the default React Native setup for good reasons, and it is fair to say so. The React Native team recommends a framework for new apps and points to Expo. The framework is free and open source. EAS Build lets a developer on Windows or Linux build and sign iOS apps in the cloud, EAS Submit uploads from any OS, and EAS Update ships JavaScript fixes without a store build. The free plan covers up to 15 iOS and 15 Android builds, which is enough for many side projects. Expo also ships on a steady cadence: SDK 56 in May 2026, SDK 57 in June, and the SDK 58 beta in September. If Expo is working and the bill is small, the cheapest alternative is staying.

## Decide in five questions

1. Do you want to write code at all? If not, and you only need iPhone, use Superapp. If you need Android too, an Expo based builder like Replit is the honest choice.
 2. Do you need Android? If not and you can code, consider native Swift with Xcode. If yes, stay on React Native or choose Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform.
 3. Is your problem the build bill? Move builds to Codemagic, Bitrise, GitHub Actions or Xcode Cloud and keep the rest of Expo.
 4. Is your problem over the air updates? Use Bitrise CodePush for hosted, or Hot Updater or xprem to self-host. Do not start on Microsoft CodePush.
 5. Is your problem Expo Go? Switch to a development build. You do not need to leave Expo for that.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is the best alternative to Expo?**
Superapp is the best alternative if you want a native Swift iPhone app without code or a Mac, but it does not build Android. For React Native developers, replace the specific Expo service you want to drop: Codemagic or Bitrise for builds, fastlane for submissions, Hot Updater, xprem or Bitrise CodePush for over the air updates, and a development build instead of Expo Go.

**Is Expo free?**
Yes. Expo's FAQ says the Expo platform is free and open source. The paid part is EAS, its cloud services. The EAS free plan includes up to 15 Android and 15 iOS builds and 1,000 update MAUs, and Starter costs $19 a month plus usage.

**Can I use React Native without Expo?**
Yes. Create a project with npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init and manage the native folders yourself. The React Native team still recommends a framework like Expo for new apps.

**What replaced Microsoft CodePush?**
App Center, including CodePush, retired on March 31, 2025. Current options include Bitrise CodePush (hosted, free up to 100,000 MAU), Codemagic Patch, EAS Update, and self-hosted Hot Updater or xprem. Microsoft's standalone code-push-server and the react-native-code-push client were both archived on May 20, 2025.

**What is the best Expo Go alternative?**
A development build. It is your own version of Expo Go that can include any native library, which Expo Go cannot.

**Can I build an iOS app without a Mac?**
Yes. EAS Build, Codemagic and Bitrise build iOS apps on their Macs in the cloud, and EAS Submit works from Windows and Linux. Superapp builds and publishes native Swift iPhone apps from a browser with no Mac.

**How much does Expo EAS cost?**
EAS has a free plan with up to 15 Android and 15 iOS builds and 1,000 update MAUs. Starter is $19 a month plus usage with $45 of build credit and 3,000 MAUs, Production is $199 a month with $225 of credit and 50,000 MAUs, and Enterprise starts at $1,000. Expo's example usage prices are $2 for a medium iOS build and $4 for a large one.

**Is EAS Build worth paying for?**
For many small teams, yes, because it removes the need for a Mac and the Starter plan is $19 a month. It stops being worth it when build volume grows, when you need more macOS concurrency, or when you already pay for CI that can build iOS.

**What is the difference between Expo and the React Native CLI?**
Expo is a framework with tooling, config plugins and optional cloud services on top of React Native. The React Native Community CLI creates a plain React Native project where you manage the native ios and android folders yourself.

**Can I use EAS Submit without EAS Build?**
Yes. Expo's docs say EAS Submit accepts any valid .aab or .ipa file, works from any OS including Windows and Linux for iOS, and can run from CI. You can build on Codemagic, Bitrise or a Mac and still submit with EAS.

**Can I run EAS builds on my own machine?**
Yes. eas build with the local flag runs the EAS build process on your own macOS or Linux machine. You install the tools yourself, caching is not supported, and you build one platform at a time.

**Does Codemagic work with Expo?**
Yes. Codemagic's React Native guide covers Expo projects and can run npx expo prebuild on the build server before building, then publish to TestFlight and App Store Connect.

**Is fastlane free?**
Yes. fastlane is 100% open source under the MIT license. You pay only for the machine it runs on.

**Do over the air updates skip App Store review?**
Only for JavaScript, styling and images. Expo's docs say native code, native dependencies, permissions and SDK upgrades need a new build, and updates must follow App Store and Play Store rules.

**Is Flutter a good alternative to Expo?**
It is a good alternative to React Native, not to Expo's services. You rewrite in Dart, you get one codebase for iOS, Android, web and desktop, and you still need a Mac with Xcode to release on iOS. Shorebird provides code push for Flutter.

**Is Kotlin Multiplatform stable on iOS?**
Yes. JetBrains lists both core Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform as Stable on iOS.

**Does Superapp build Android apps?**
No. Superapp builds native Swift apps for Apple platforms only. If you need Android, use React Native, Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform.

**Which AI app builders use Expo?**
Replit and Bolt both build mobile apps with Expo, according to their own docs. Replit handles builds in the cloud without a Mac, and Bolt has you use the EAS CLI to submit to TestFlight.

**Do I need an Apple Developer account with any of these tools?**
Yes, to publish on the App Store. Apple lists the Apple Developer Program fee as 99 USD a year.

## References

- [Expo FAQ](https://docs.expo.dev/faq/)
 - [Expo SDK 57 changelog](https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-57)
 - [Expo changelog](https://expo.dev/changelog)
 - [Expo pricing](https://expo.dev/pricing)
 - [Expo usage-based pricing](https://docs.expo.dev/billing/usage-based-pricing/)
 - [EAS overview](https://docs.expo.dev/eas/)
 - [EAS Update introduction](https://docs.expo.dev/eas-update/introduction/)
 - [EAS Submit introduction](https://docs.expo.dev/submit/introduction/)
 - [EAS local builds](https://docs.expo.dev/build-reference/local-builds/)
 - [Expo development builds](https://docs.expo.dev/develop/development-builds/introduction/)
 - [Expo Continuous Native Generation](https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/continuous-native-generation/)
 - [Expo Updates protocol](https://docs.expo.dev/technical-specs/expo-updates-1/)
 - [React Native environment setup](https://reactnative.dev/docs/environment-setup)
 - [React Native without a framework](https://reactnative.dev/docs/getting-started-without-a-framework)
 - [Codemagic pricing](https://codemagic.io/pricing/)
 - [Codemagic React Native quick start](https://docs.codemagic.io/yaml-quick-start/building-a-react-native-app/)
 - [Bitrise pricing](https://bitrise.io/pricing)
 - [Bitrise Expo guide](https://docs.bitrise.io/en/bitrise-ci/getting-started/quick-start-guides/getting-started-with-expo-projects)
 - [Bitrise CodePush](https://bitrise.io/platform/codepush)
 - [fastlane docs](https://docs.fastlane.tools/)
 - [GitHub Actions runner pricing](https://docs.github.com/en/billing/reference/actions-runner-pricing)
 - [GitHub Actions billing](https://docs.github.com/en/billing/concepts/product-billing/github-actions)
 - [Xcode Cloud](https://developer.apple.com/xcode-cloud/)
 - [App Center retirement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/appcenter/retirement)
 - [microsoft/code-push-server](https://github.com/microsoft/code-push-server)
 - [microsoft/react-native-code-push](https://github.com/microsoft/react-native-code-push)
 - [Hot Updater](https://github.com/gronxb/hot-updater)
 - [xprem (formerly Expo Open OTA)](https://github.com/mercuretechnologies/xprem)
 - [Flutter](https://flutter.dev/)
 - [Flutter iOS deployment](https://docs.flutter.dev/deployment/ios)
 - [Kotlin Multiplatform overview](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/multiplatform/kmp-overview.html)
 - [Kotlin Multiplatform supported platforms](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/multiplatform/supported-platforms.html)
 - [Xcode](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/)
 - [Replit Expo guide](https://docs.replit.com/tutorials/expo-on-replit)
 - [Bolt Expo guide](https://support.bolt.new/integrations/expo)
 - [Superapp](https://superapp.dev/)
 - [Superapp features](https://superapp.dev/features)
 - [Superapp pricing](https://superapp.dev/pricing)
 - [Native Swift vs React Native and Expo](https://superapp.dev/blog/native-swift-vs-react-native-expo-in-2025-2026)
 - [Expo vs Swift](https://superapp.dev/docs/expo-vs-swift)
 - [Best React Native alternatives](https://superapp.dev/blog/best-react-native-alternatives-2026)

## Keep reading

[App Store Small Business Program 2026: 15% Rate Guide

Oct 25, 2026](https://superapp.dev/blog/app-store-small-business-program-guide) [Do You Need an ASO Agency? Costs and the AI Option

Oct 25, 2026](https://superapp.dev/blog/aso-agency) [Best AI App Builders for Web and Mobile Apps in 2026

Oct 25, 2026](https://superapp.dev/blog/ai-app-builder-web-and-mobile)

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