Mobile app development doesn’t stop when your app is released. Users expect quick fixes, new features, and updates without long delays. This is where over-the-air (OTA) update solutions come in, allowing developers to deliver changes instantly without waiting for app store approvals.
Two tools that often come up in this space are Stallion and Capgo. While both offer ways to manage updates, they are not equal in performance, security, and developer experience. In this article, we’ll compare Stallion vs Capgo to help you understand why Capgo is the better choice for modern app teams.
What is Stallion?
Stallion is a platform that provides app update services, typically focused on helping developers deliver code changes to users faster. It offers a way to push updates, manage versions, and streamline releases. While it can work for some projects, its features are relatively limited when compared to more specialized OTA platforms.
Developers often find Stallion useful for basic update delivery but may need to add extra steps for rollbacks, security, or staged rollouts.
What is Capgo?
Capgo is a dedicated OTA update solution for Capacitor and Ionic apps. It’s designed from the ground up to handle everything related to live updates—uploading, encrypting, deploying, rolling back, and monitoring.
Capgo provides a CLI, a native update engine, and features like version control, channel management, and seamless CI/CD integration. This makes it a complete, production-ready system for apps that rely on fast and safe updates.
Feature Comparison: Stallion vs Capgo
| Feature / Area | Stallion | Capgo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | General OTA update tool | Specialized OTA platform for Capacitor/Ionic |
| Ease of Setup | Simple but limited | Streamlined CLI and dashboard experience |
| Security | Basic protections | End-to-end encryption + audit logs |
| Rollback Support | Manual, not automated | Instant, built-in rollback functionality |
| Staged Rollouts | Not natively supported | Native support with channel and rollout control |
| CI/CD Integration | Possible with effort | Designed for automation in pipelines |
| Monitoring & Logs | Limited | Detailed device logs and performance metrics |
| Cost & Value | Affordable but feature-light | Usage-based pricing, rich features included |
| Future Roadmap | Generic updates, slower evolution | Actively maintained, OTA-focused roadmap |
1. Ease of Use
- Stallion: Easy to start with, but lacks depth for complex update strategies. Developers may need workarounds for features like staged rollouts.
- Capgo: Purpose-built CLI commands (
init,upload,rollback) make it simple to manage updates. Even advanced workflows are straightforward.
Winner: Capgo
2. Security and Reliability
- Stallion: Offers basic update delivery but doesn’t emphasize encryption or detailed audit logging.
- Capgo: Delivers encrypted bundles, keeping apps secure. It also provides device-level logs, ensuring visibility and trust in every deployment.
Winner: Capgo
3. Rollbacks and Staged Rollouts
- Stallion: Rolling back a bad update is mostly manual, which increases downtime risk.
- Capgo: Rollbacks are instant and integrated. It also supports staged rollouts, allowing you to test updates with a small group before full release.
Winner: Capgo
4. Automation and CI/CD Integration
- Stallion: Can fit into pipelines but requires extra setup.
- Capgo: Designed for CI/CD from day one. Developers can integrate it into GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or other automation tools without hassle.
Winner: Capgo
5. Cost and Long-Term Value
- Stallion: Generally affordable but limited in capabilities. Teams may face hidden costs in time and maintenance.
- Capgo: Offers fair, usage-based pricing. It saves time with built-in safety features, making it more valuable in the long run.
Winner: Capgo
Final Verdict: Capgo Wins
While Stallion provides a basic OTA solution, it lacks the depth, flexibility, and safety features needed for modern apps at scale. Capgo, on the other hand, is a complete OTA update platform built specifically for Capacitor and Ionic apps. With encryption, rollback support, staged rollouts, CI/CD integration, and affordable pricing, Capgo is the smarter, more reliable choice.
If you want fast, secure, and worry-free app updates, Capgo is the clear winner in this comparison.
