NATIVELY5Can Base44 Build
Mobile Apps?
If you've been exploring Base44 for mobile apps, you've likely hit a wall. Base44 is a powerful AI web app builder — but it doesn't produce native mobile binaries. Here's what you need to know, and how to actually get your app into the App Store.
What Is Base44?
A quick overview of one of the fastest-growing AI app builders — and where it falls short for mobile.
Base44 is an AI-powered "text-to-app" platform that lets users describe an application in plain language and have it generated automatically — including UI, backend, database schema, and authentication. Founded by Maor Shlomo in early 2025, Base44 was acquired by Wix for $80 million in June 2025 after just six months of operation. By early 2026, it has grown to over 2 million users and an estimated $50 million in annual recurring revenue.
Base44 at a Glance
Core Platform Features
Can Base44 Build Mobile Apps?
The short answer: no, not native ones. Here's a detailed breakdown of what Base44 actually outputs and why it matters.
What Base44 Actually Outputs
Base44 generates web applications using React and Tailwind CSS. These are standard browser-based apps — they run in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox but are not compiled into native iOS or Android binaries. The generated code includes a proprietary SDK that ties the frontend to Base44's managed backend infrastructure.
- Great for web dashboards and internal tools
- Cannot generate .ipa (iOS) or .aab (Android) files
- Backend code is locked to Base44's servers
The PWA Workaround and Its Limits
Base44 does support Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) — mobile-responsive websites that users can "add to home screen." While this gives an app-like shortcut, it's fundamentally still a website running inside a browser engine, with significant limitations.
Why Progressive Web Apps Fall Short
Apple App Store Guideline 4.2
Apple routinely rejects apps that are simply "wrapped" websites. Guideline 4.2 states that apps must provide functionality beyond what a website can offer. PWAs packaged with third-party wrappers frequently get rejected during App Store review, wasting time and money.
Missing Native Device Access
PWAs cannot access Bluetooth, NFC, advanced camera controls, contact lists, or biometric authentication (Face ID / Touch ID). These aren't nice-to-haves — they're essential for many mobile app categories from health and fitness to commerce and security.
What This Means in Practice
A Base44-built PWA cannot send real push notifications when closed, cannot scan Bluetooth devices, cannot use Face ID for login, and cannot appear in App Store search results — all things that native apps handle effortlessly.
The Bottom Line
Base44 is a genuinely impressive tool for building web applications with AI. But if your goal is a native Base44 mobile app that lives in the App Store or Google Play with push notifications, offline support, and native performance — you need a platform built specifically for that purpose.
Base44 vs. Natively — Head-to-Head
A detailed feature comparison for mobile app development.
| Feature | Base44 | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Output | Web App (React DOM) | Native Mobile App (React Native) |
| App Store Ready | No — requires third-party wrapper | Yes — IPA & APK export  |
| Push Notifications | Not supported | Native (APNs & FCM) |
| Device APIs | Limited (browser sandbox) | Full (Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, Biometrics) |
| Offline Support | Basic PWA caching only | Full offline-first architecture |
| Performance | Browser-rendered (WebView) | Native 60fps rendering |
| Code Ownership | Frontend only ($50/mo plan) | 100% — full source code on every plan |
| Backend | Locked to Base44 servers | Supabase or Liquid Backend (portable) |
| Starting Price | $20/mo (paid) / Free tier available | $5/mo — all features included |
Why Native Apps Outperform Web Apps on Mobile
Choosing between a web app and a native app isn't just a technical decision — it directly impacts your business metrics.
Performance and User Experience
Native apps render UI through the operating system itself, achieving consistent 60fps animations and instant touch response. Web apps run inside a browser engine, adding an extra layer of abstraction that causes jank, delayed responses, and higher battery consumption. React Native bridges this gap by mapping directly to native iOS and Android components.
App Store Presence and Discoverability
The Apple App Store and Google Play Store together have over 5 billion monthly active users. Being listed means organic discovery through search, categories, and editorial features. PWAs are invisible in these stores. A native listing also builds user trust — people expect to find real businesses in the App Store, not in their browser bookmarks.
Push Notifications and User Retention
Native push notifications through APNs (Apple) and FCM (Google) have open rates 3-10x higher than email. They work even when the app is completely closed, reaching users in real time. Base44 has no push notification support — this was the most-requested feature on their public feedback board, with no timeline for implementation.
Web App vs. Native App Architecture
When Base44 generates your app, it creates a React DOM application — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that runs inside a web browser. On mobile, this means your app runs inside a WebView, an embedded browser that adds latency and limits hardware access.
When Natively generates your app, it creates a React Native application that compiles to actual native iOS and Android components. There is no browser layer. Your <View> becomes a real UIView on iOS and android.view.View on Android.
The Stack Comparison
No browser layer = fewer bottlenecks, better performance
Is Your App Idea Better Suited for Web or Native?
Not sure whether you need a native app or if a web app would work? Take this quick assessment to find out.
Quick Assessment
Answer these 5 questions to find out whether your project needs a native mobile app or if a web app is sufficient.
Question 1 of 5
Where do your users need to find your app?
Question 2 of 5
How will you re-engage users after they leave?
Question 3 of 5
What device features does your app need?
Question 4 of 5
Does your app need to work without an internet connection?
Question 5 of 5
How important is butter-smooth performance?
0 of 5 questions answered
How to Build a Native
Mobile App with AI
Natively works the same way Base44 does for web — you describe your app in natural language, and AI builds it. The difference is the output: real native code that compiles to App Store-ready binaries.
Three Simple Steps
Describe Your Mobile App
Tell the AI what you want to build in plain English. It understands mobile patterns like tab bars, navigation stacks, swipe gestures, and native components automatically.
Preview on Your Real Device
Scan a QR code to run your app instantly on your actual phone — no simulators, no Xcode, no Android Studio. Feel the native touch response and iterate in real time.
Build and Deploy
Download Android APKs with one click using our built-in APK builder. For iOS, deploy directly to TestFlight and the App Store via Expo Launch.
What You Get with Natively
Everything you need to go from idea to App Store — no native development experience required.
Full-Stack Mobile Development
React Native + Expo
Industry-standard framework used by Discord, Shopify, and Bloomberg. Your app is built with the same technology as billion-dollar products.
One-Click APK Builder
Generate Android APK files instantly and test on real devices. No Android Studio installation required. Included free on every plan.
App Store Deployment
Deploy to both Apple App Store and Google Play Store via Expo Launch. No Mac required for iOS builds — everything happens in the cloud.
Native Device APIs
Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, biometrics (Face ID / Touch ID), contacts, accelerometer, and more. Full access to everything the device offers.
Push Notifications
Real native push via Apple Push Notification service (APNs) and Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). Reach users even when the app is closed.
100% Code Ownership
Download your full source code as ZIP or export to GitHub. Zero vendor lock-in. Hire any React Native developer to extend it further.
Backend and Infrastructure
Liquid Backend or Supabase
Built-in database, auth, file storage, websockets, and serverless functions — or connect your own Supabase project.
Serverless Functions
Run backend logic without managing servers. Process payments, send emails via Resend, or trigger SMS via Twilio.
Authentication Built In
Email/password and Google OAuth out of the box. No third-party auth service configuration required.
Offline-First Architecture
Build apps that work without an internet connection and sync when connectivity returns. Essential for field and travel apps.
Pricing at a Glance
Both platforms use tiered pricing, but Natively offers every feature on every plan starting at a fraction of the cost.
Base44 Pricing
- Free$0/mo
- Starter$20/mo
- Builder (code export)$50/mo
- Pro$100/mo
- Elite$200/mo
Code export requires the $50/mo Builder plan. Backend code is never exportable.
Natively Pricing
- All features included on every plan
- AI code generation
- APK builder (unlimited builds)
- Full source code export (ZIP + GitHub)
- Expo Launch deployment
- Push notifications support
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Base44 build mobile apps?
Base44 builds web applications, not native mobile apps. It can create Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) that are mobile-responsive, but these cannot be submitted to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store without third-party wrapper services — which Apple frequently rejects. For true native iOS and Android apps with push notifications, offline support, and native device access, you need a platform like Natively that generates React Native code.
Can I publish a Base44 app to the App Store?
Not directly. Base44 outputs web apps, not the native binary files (.ipa or .aab) that Apple and Google require. To get a Base44 project into the App Store, you would need to use a third-party wrapping service like Capacitor or Median.co, adding cost and complexity. Even then, Apple frequently rejects wrapped web apps under Guideline 4.2, which requires apps to provide meaningful native functionality.
What is the difference between Base44 and Natively?
Base44 is an AI web app builder — it generates React web applications with a managed backend. Natively is an AI native mobile app builder — it generates React Native code for iOS and Android. The key differences are: output (web vs. native), code ownership (Base44 locks backend code; Natively gives you 100%), and mobile capabilities (Base44 has no push notifications or native APIs; Natively has both). For a detailed breakdown, see our full comparison page.
How much does it cost to build a mobile app with Natively?
Natively starts at just $5 USD per month, with all features included on every plan — AI generation, APK building, code export, push notification support, and more. Higher tiers give you more AI prompts per month. By comparison, Base44's paid plans start at $20/month, and code export requires the $50/month Builder plan. See our pricing page for details.
Do I own the source code if I build with Natively?
Yes, 100%. You can download your complete React Native source code as a ZIP file or export it directly to GitHub at any time. There is zero vendor lock-in — if you decide to stop using Natively, your app keeps running and you can continue development with any React Native developer or in your own IDE. Base44, by contrast, only exports frontend code (and only on the $50/month plan), while the backend remains permanently locked to their servers.
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Ready to Build a
Real Mobile App?
Stop searching for a Base44 mobile app workaround. Build a native iOS and Android app with AI — the same way you'd prompt a web app, but with App Store-ready output.