Mobile apps are like living organisms. They grow, adapt, and change constantly to meet user demands. Whether it’s fixing bugs, improving performance, or adding new features, timely updates are critical for keeping users happy and loyal.
The Problem With Traditional Updates
Traditionally, app updates required users to visit app stores, download new versions, and install them manually. This process can create friction, delay adoption, and even lead to frustrated users ignoring updates altogether.
The Rise of OTA Updates
This is where Over-the-Air (OTA) update solutions make a difference. OTA technology allows developers to send updates directly to user devices in the background. It eliminates manual steps, ensures smoother rollouts, and delivers a seamless user experience.
In this article, we’ll walk through the 8 best OTA update solutions for mobile apps that developers and businesses can rely on. Each option comes with its own strengths, and depending on your use case, one may suit you better than others.
1. Expo EAS Update
Expo EAS Update tops my list for its no-fuss vibe in the React Native world. If you’re building cross-platform apps with Expo, this tool makes OTA feel like second nature, handling JS bundles and assets with pro-level polish.
Key features:
- Channel management for staged rollouts (e.g., dev, staging, production) to test safely.
- Automatic rollbacks and error tracking to catch issues before they spread.
- Built-in analytics on update installs, crashes, and device compatibility.
- Seamless CLI and dashboard integration for quick deploys.
- Support for custom policies, like mandatory updates for critical fixes.
Pros: Super intuitive for Expo users, free hobby tier, and lightning-fast deploys under 10 minutes. Cons: Best within the Expo ecosystem; venturing outside needs extra config. Best for: React Native teams wanting zero-overhead agility. Pricing: Free for basics, $99/month pro for unlimited builds and advanced analytics.
2. Capgo
Coming in strong at number two, Capgo is a game-changer for Capacitor apps, blending web dev speed with mobile robustness. It’s designed for folks turning HTML/JS into native-feeling apps, and I’ve found it unbeatable for quick, global pushes. Go to Capgo website to see the dashboard in action—it’s refreshingly straightforward.
Key features:
- Global edge network delivering updates in under 60 seconds, even on spotty connections.
- Delta diffs that only download changes, slashing data usage by up to 90%.
- End-to-end encryption, SOC 2 compliance, and annual security audits for peace of mind.
- Multi-channel support with A/B testing and background auto-installs.
- Open-source core for self-hosting, plus API hooks for CI/CD like GitHub Actions.
Pros: Blazing speed worldwide, transparent and affordable, with a 14-day trial to test-drive.
Cons: Tailored to Capacitor, so not plug-and-play for pure native or Flutter; some advanced setups need coding.
Best for: Web devs going mobile who crave performance without complexity.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for small teams, scales to enterprise with custom fleets.
3. Stallion
With CodePush bowing out earlier this year, Stallion has stepped up as a smart, modern OTA pick for React Native. It’s all about observability and safety, making it ideal for teams burned by legacy tools.
Key features:
- Differential updates and ML-driven rollout predictions to minimize disruptions.
- Real-time monitoring dashboard with crash logs and adoption metrics.
- No-vendor-lock data exports and built-in A/B testing without extra SDKs.
- Sub-second deploys and rollback queues for quick fixes.
- Privacy-focused with GDPR tools and anonymized analytics.
Pros: Innovative edge over old guards, strong community growth, and free tier for solos.
Cons: Newer player means docs are still fleshing out; smaller ecosystem than Expo.
Best for: React Native innovators prioritizing safety and future-proofing. Pricing: Free basics, $79/month pro for teams.
4. Appcircle
Appcircle isn’t just OTA—it’s a full pipeline that automates builds, tests, and updates for React Native or Flutter apps. Perfect if you want end-to-end without juggling tools.
Key features:
- Workflow templates for quick setups across platforms.
- Auto-signing, testing, and OTA pushes with one click.
- Analytics on update success, user segments, and error rates.
- SOC 2 security and role-based access for teams.
- Integrations with Git, Jira, and Slack for seamless collab.
Pros: Automates the grunt work, scales effortlessly, great for mid-size squads.
Cons: Bit of a learning curve for pure devs; per-user pricing adds up.
Best for: Teams streamlining from code to deploy. Pricing: $39/month per user, with enterprise options.
5. Ionic Appflow
Ionic Appflow shines for hybrid setups with Ionic, Cordova, or Capacitor, offering OTA as part of a slick CI/CD flow. It’s evolved in 2025 to handle more without Ionic lock-in.
Key features:
- Live previews and snapshot testing before OTA deploys.
- Automated builds and JS bundle pushes across iOS/Android.
- Channel-based rollouts and encrypted channels for security.
- Git integration and collaboration tools for team workflows.
- Feedback loops with in-app reporting.
Pros: Comprehensive for hybrids, preview magic saves time.
Cons: Pricier for non-Ionic users; shutdown rumors linger (but stable now).
Best for: Hybrid devs needing pipeline perks.
Pricing: $49/month starter.
6. Shorebird
For Flutter fans, Shorebird is the 2025 darling, enabling true OTA without store hassles. It’s zero-config and focuses on code pushes for Dart apps.
Key features:
- Instant over-the-air code deploys with patch-based updates.
- CI integration for automated releases and rollback safety.
- Analytics on patch adoption and performance impacts.
- Secure, encrypted channels compliant with app store rules.
- Easy migration from store-only workflows.
Pros: Tailor-made for Flutter, super fast setups, affordable scaling.
Cons: Flutter-specific; limited native tweaks.
Best for: Cross-platform Flutter teams chasing speed.
Pricing: Free tier, $50/month pro.
7. AppsOnAir
AppsOnAir keeps it simple for testing and light OTA, distributing builds via links or QR for iOS/Android without bloat.
Key features:
- Secure sharing with expiration and access controls.
- In-app feedback, crash reports, and annotations.
- Notification pushes and session replays for QA.
- Unlimited testers on paid plans, CI tool hooks.
- Cross-platform agnostic for quick iterations.
Pros: Beginner-friendly, budget pick, strong collab focus.
Cons: More beta-oriented; production scale needs upgrades.
Best for: Agile QA cycles on shoestring budgets.
Pricing: $29/month basics.
8. Mender
Mender brings IoT-grade security to mobile OTA, great for regulated apps needing bulletproof updates.
Key features:
- Signed delta patches and artifact versioning.
- Audit trails, encrypted deploys, and multi-tenant support.
- Rollback safeguards and device fleet management.
- Open-core for customization, scales to millions.
- Compliance tools for GDPR, HIPAA.
Pros: Unrivaled security, efficient for big ops.
Cons: Setup-heavy; overkill for small apps.
Best for: High-stakes enterprise in finance/healthcare.
Pricing: Free community, $500+/month enterprise.
Wrapping Up: Find Your OTA Match and Level Up
Selecting the right OTA update solution is more than just a technical choice—it’s about ensuring smooth user experiences and staying ahead in a fast-moving app market. While several great options exist, platforms like Capgo stand out for developers working with Ionic and Capacitor apps, thanks to their simplicity and developer-first approach.
Ultimately, the best solution depends on your project size, budget, and needs, but with Capgo and other leading tools, keeping your app updated and competitive has never been easier.
