Rork runs in the browser, builds on its own cloud Macs and charges in credits. No Mac needed, with Android and web alongside iPhone and a built-in backend. Appto runs on your Mac with your own Claude Code or Codex subscription. Before any code it picks a niche on App Store data, it handles the store page and App Store search, and after launch it shows downloads and sales from Apple's data. Both reply to reviews.
Each one in brief
Rork builds new iPhone apps in SwiftUI, Android in Kotlin and web in React. It runs in the browser and does building and uploading to App Store Connect on its own Macs, so you don't need one. You pay in Rork credits. The higher Rork Max plans add iPad, Watch, Vision Pro and games. After launch Rork shows revenue through RevenueCat and helps reply to reviews.
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 SwiftUI code, builds the store page in every language and fills in App Store Connect. After launch Appto shows downloads and conversion from Apple's reports, purchases as they happen on Studio and Pro, and helps with reviews.
Side by side
| Appto | Rork | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Mac app for Apple silicon or Intel; building needs Xcode 26 on macOS 15.6 and later | Browser, builds on Rork's cloud Macs |
| Output | Native iOS app in SwiftUI | iPhone in SwiftUI, Android in Kotlin, web in React |
| Whose AI | Claude Code or Codex on your subscription | Rork credits, models from several companies |
| Niche research on App Store data | Yes, with a dossier and evidence | Not found; there are articles on good ideas |
| Store page | Screenshots and texts as variants, A/B comparison, all languages side by side, search queries and rankings; written to App Store Connect | Screenshot Studio, up to six framed slides, uploaded to App Store Connect by hand |
| Analytics after launch | Downloads and conversion from Apple's reports; live purchases from Apple's notifications on Studio and up | Revenue, subscriptions and conversion through RevenueCat, no App Store Connect downloads |
| Reviews | Review replies, alert on one or two stars | Review replies, one or two star flag |
| Code | Private GitHub repository, saved after every step | GitHub sync on paid plans |
| Free | A demo in the app on sample apps; work on your own app comes with a subscription | Design mode without builds |
| Plan to ship | Solo $9.99 a month plus an AI subscription from $20 | Pro $20 a month, 100 credits, AI included in credits |
Checked on October 13, 2026 against rork.com/pricing, docs.rork.com, Rork analytics, Rork reviews and appto.store. Prices change, check their site before you decide. Appto is not affiliated with Rork, Inc.
Where Rork is stronger
- No Mac needed, building runs on Rork's cloud Macs.
- Android and web in the same project, and on Max plans iPad, Watch, Vision Pro and games.
- The built-in Rork Cloud backend, sign in with Google and Apple, push notifications.
- A pre-submission app check on paid plans.
- Pro at $20 already includes the AI, no separate subscription.
Where Appto is stronger
- 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 AI runs on your own subscription, so builds and checks don't burn platform credits.
- Search downloads and page conversion from Apple's reports, purchases from Apple's notifications with no third-party service.
- App Store search as its own job. Queries, rankings, a language plan, the store page in many languages.
- Screenshot variants side by side with A/B comparison, and Appto writes them to App Store Connect once you confirm.
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. Rork Pro is $20 a month for 100 credits; per their docs a credit is roughly one message to the agent, and builds and the cloud simulator use credits on top. Prices as of October 13, 2026.
Who each one fits
If you don't have a Mac, also need Android or web, and want to start in the browser, look at Rork. If you have a Mac and want to pick a niche where people already pay first, and after launch see downloads, sales and App Store search from Apple's data, that's what Appto is built for.
Questions
Does Rork build native apps?
Yes. Since 2026 new iPhone apps in Rork are written in SwiftUI, Android in Kotlin. Appto is native SwiftUI too.
Do I need a Mac?
Not for Rork, it builds on its own Macs. For Appto, yes. The app runs on macOS 12 and later, and building apps needs Xcode 26 on macOS 15.6 and later.
Who replies to reviews?
In both, the agent drafts the reply and it goes out after you approve it.
How do I pay for the AI?
In Rork, with platform credits. In Appto the AI runs on your own Claude Code or Codex subscription, which Appto doesn't sell.
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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