Bubble runs in the browser as a visual editor with an AI agent. It builds web apps and native mobile apps on React Native, builds the app itself and uploads it to App Store Connect, no Mac needed. Appto runs on your Mac with your own Claude Code or Codex subscription. It picks a niche on App Store data, writes the app in SwiftUI, builds the store page in every language, and after launch shows sales and reviews.
Each one in brief
Bubble is a visual app builder that runs in the browser. One project can hold a web app and a mobile app for iPhone and Android with a shared database and logic. Bubble's mobile apps are native, built on React Native. The Bubble AI Agent builds an app from a description and edits it, and you can also edit by hand in the editor. For the App Store, Bubble makes the build, signs it and uploads it to App Store Connect. You create the app record and the App Store Connect key and prepare the screenshots and store texts, and you submit for review yourself. Changes to texts, screens and logic reach users without a new build.
Appto is a Mac app that takes your iPhone app from idea to the App Store, running on Claude Code or Codex with your own subscription. An app's path starts with the niche. Appto checks on live App Store data whether there's money in the topic and whether the leaders are weak, then the agent designs the screens, writes native SwiftUI code from scratch for your idea, checks it in the simulator itself, builds the store page in every language and fills in App Store Connect. Appto then submits the app to Apple from your account or shows you what to press in App Store Connect. After launch Appto shows downloads and conversion from Apple's reports, and on Studio and Pro also purchases as they happen, gathers reviews and drafts replies. 9 apps made with Appto are on the App Store as of October 14, 2026.
Side by side
| Appto | Bubble | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Mac app for Apple silicon or Intel | Browser, visual editor |
| Do you need a Mac | Yes, building needs Xcode 26 on macOS 15.6 and later | No, Bubble makes the App Store build |
| What you get for iPhone | Native app in SwiftUI | Native app on React Native; web, iPhone and Android with a shared database |
| App Store release | The agent builds the app and fills in App Store Connect once you confirm | Bubble builds and uploads to App Store Connect; you prepare the app record, screenshots and store texts |
| Submitting to Apple | Appto from your account, or a button in App Store Connect | You, in App Store Connect |
| Whose AI | Claude Code or Codex on your subscription | Bubble AI credits, a monthly allowance comes with the plan; editing by hand uses no credits |
| Niche research on App Store data | Yes, with a dossier and evidence | Not found |
| Store page | Screenshots and texts as variants, A/B comparison, all languages side by side, search queries and rankings | Not found; the manual has ASO tips |
| After launch | Downloads and conversion from Apple's reports; live purchases on Studio and up | Workload charts and server logs; no App Store data found |
| Reviews | Review replies, alert on one or two stars | Not found |
| Code | Private GitHub repository, saved after every step | The app runs on Bubble's platform; per their manual the code can't be exported to run elsewhere |
| Free | A demo in the app on sample apps; work on your own app comes with a subscription | Free plan for building and testing on your phone, a paid plan to go live; 14-day Starter trial |
| Plan to ship | Solo $9.99 a month plus an AI subscription from $20 | Mobile Starter $49 a month, $42 billed yearly; with a website, Web + Mobile $69 or $59 |
Checked on October 14, 2026 against bubble.io/pricing, plans in the Bubble manual, publishing to the App Store, Bubble mobile apps, AI credits, the section on code and appto.store. Live purchases and niche revenue ranges in Appto are on Studio and Pro. Prices change, check their site before you decide. Appto is not affiliated with Bubble Group, Inc.
Where Bubble is stronger
- No Mac needed, Bubble builds the app itself and uploads it to App Store Connect.
- A web app, iPhone and Android in one project with a shared database and logic.
- A visual editor, and editing by hand uses no AI credits.
- Texts, screens and logic update for users without a new build or a new App Store submission.
- Server, database and hosting come with the plan.
- A free plan where you can build a mobile app and test it on your own phone.
Where Appto is stronger
- The SwiftUI code lives on your Mac and in your private GitHub repository, and the project opens in Xcode.
- Work starts with the niche. Appto checks on App Store data whether there's money in the topic, whether the leaders are weak and whether newcomers break through, and shows the evidence.
- The App Store page is made along with the app. Screenshots, texts and icons as variants, all languages side by side, search queries and rankings, and Appto writes them to App Store Connect once you confirm.
- After launch, downloads and page conversion from Apple's reports, purchases as they happen on Studio and Pro, review replies and an alert on fresh one or two star reviews.
- The AI runs on your own Claude or ChatGPT subscription.
What shipping the first app costs
Both need an Apple developer account at $99 a year. With Appto add Solo at $9.99 a month and Claude Pro or ChatGPT Plus from $20 a month. Appto has no free tier and no free trial. Before you pay, you can look around the demo, which is built into the app and runs on sample apps, and work on your own app comes with a subscription. Live purchases and niche revenue ranges are on Studio at $29.99 and Pro at $99.99 a month.
In Bubble you can build a mobile app for free, and going live on the App Store needs a mobile plan. Mobile Starter is $49 a month, or $42 a month billed yearly, and includes 1,000 AI credits a month, the server and the database. With the Apple account that's $49 a month plus $99 a year. If you also need a website, Web + Mobile Starter is $69 a month, or $59 billed yearly. Workload above the plan is billed on top. Prices as of October 14, 2026.
Who each one fits
If you don't have a Mac, like building by hand in a visual editor and need web, iPhone and Android with one database, look at Bubble. If you have a Mac and want SwiftUI code that stays with you, a niche checked on App Store data, and sales and reviews in one window after launch, that's what Appto is built for.
Questions
Does Bubble make real iPhone apps?
Yes. Bubble's mobile editor makes native apps on React Native, and Bubble builds them and uploads them to App Store Connect. Appto writes apps in SwiftUI.
Do I need a Mac?
Not for Bubble, it makes the build itself. For Appto, yes. The app runs on macOS 12 and later, and building apps needs Xcode 26 on macOS 15.6 and later.
Can I take my code with me?
Per Bubble's manual the app runs on their platform and the code can't be exported to run elsewhere. In Appto the code sits on your Mac and in your private GitHub repository from the start.
Who submits the app to Apple?
In Bubble, you do. Bubble uploads the build to App Store Connect, and you fill in the store page and submit for review yourself. Appto fills in the store page and App Store Connect once you confirm, and submits the app to Apple from your account or shows you what to press in App Store Connect.
Build your own app in Appto
Appto checks the niche on fresh App Store data, designs the screens, writes the code, builds the App Store page and submits to Apple from your account or shows you what to press in App Store Connect. Runs on your own Claude Code or Codex.
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