NATIVELY5Blink.new for Mobile Apps:
What You Need to Know
Blink.new is an impressive AI web app builder, but can you use it to create a blink.new mobile app for iOS and Android? This guide breaks down what blink.new can and cannot do for mobile development, and what to use when you need a real native app on the App Store or Google Play.
Key Takeaways
- Blink.new generates web applications (React/Next.js) — not native mobile apps
- It cannot produce APK, IPA, or Expo projects for app store submission
- Natively generates true native iOS and Android apps with React Native and Expo
- Both tools can complement each other: blink.new for web, Natively for mobile
- Natively starts at $5/month vs blink.new at $25/month, with fundamentally different outputs
What Is Blink.new?
A quick overview of blink.new and what it does well.
Blink.new is an AI-powered full-stack web app builder created by Blink Inc., a Y Combinator (W22) backed startup founded by Kai Feng and based in San Francisco. Launched in 2025, it uses what it calls "vibe coding" to generate complete web applications from natural language descriptions.
The platform handles the entire web stack automatically: frontend (React/Next.js), database (Turso or Supabase), authentication (Firebase), edge functions (Deno Deploy), and deployment (Vercel). This "zero-config backend" approach is its main differentiator among AI code generators.
As of February 2026, blink.new has earned strong reviews for web app generation, including a 9.3/10 rating from ReviewNexa and Lighthouse scores of 92/100 for performance and 95/100 for accessibility on generated apps.
Core Features and Capabilities
Auto Backend
Database, auth, and APIs set up automatically
One-Click Deploy
Global hosting via Vercel with custom domains
Stripe Connect
Built-in payment processing integration
AI Models
Access to GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini
Code Export
Download source code to self-host
Error Correction
85% first-try success rate on builds
Blink.new Pricing in 2026
| Plan | Monthly | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5/day (capped at 30/mo) |
| Starter | $25 | ~250/mo |
| Pro | $50 | ~350/mo |
| Max | $200 | ~950/mo |
Annual billing available at ~50% discount. Source: blink.new/pricing
Can Blink.new Actually Build Native Mobile Apps?
The short answer: no. Here is why.
What Blink.new Generates
Blink.new produces responsive web applications built with React and Next.js. These are websites that adapt to different screen sizes, including mobile browsers. They are not native mobile apps.
While blink.new's FAQ has mentioned React Native capability, multiple independent reviews from late 2025 and early 2026 confirm that the platform exclusively outputs web-based applications. There is no APK, IPA, or Expo project generation — and no mechanism for submitting to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Why Web Apps Are Not Mobile Apps
A responsive website and a native mobile app are fundamentally different products. Understanding this distinction is critical when choosing a mobile app builder.
The App Store Distribution Problem
Apple and Google require apps to be compiled into specific binary formats (.ipa for iOS, .apk/.aab for Android) using native toolchains. A web app running in a browser — no matter how well-designed — cannot be submitted to these stores without being wrapped in a native container and compiled.
Native Device Access Limitations
Web apps have limited access to device hardware and operating system features. Push notifications, biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID), background processing, offline storage, and deep OS integrations all require native code that runs outside the browser sandbox.
Web App vs Native App Output
Native Feature Access
Blink.new vs Natively: Complete Feature Comparison
A detailed side-by-side breakdown for February 2026.
Head-to-Head Feature Table
| Feature | Blink.new | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Output | Full-stack web apps | Native iOS & Android apps |
| Technology | React / Next.js | React Native / Expo SDK 54 |
| App Store Deployment | Not supported | App Store & Google Play |
| APK / AAB Builder | Not available | Built-in (included) |
| Native Device APIs | Web APIs only | Full native access (camera, GPS, biometrics) |
| Push Notifications | Web push only (limited) | Native push (APNs & FCM) |
| Offline Support | Limited (service worker) | Full offline-first capability |
| Backend Included | Yes (automatic setup) | Yes (Liquid Backend — PostgreSQL, auth, storage) |
| GitHub Integration | Code export/download | Bidirectional GitHub sync |
| Code Ownership | 100% (export available) | 100% (zero vendor lock-in) |
| AI Model | GPT-4, Claude, Gemini | AI-powered code agent |
| Live Preview | Browser preview | Browser + device via QR code (Expo Go) |
| Team Collaboration | Not yet available | Project permissions (Agent plan) |
| Starting Price | $25/month (Starter) | $5/month (Micro) |
Pricing and Value Comparison
Blink.new
Web app builder
Natively
Native mobile app builder
Total Cost of Building a Mobile App
Traditional mobile app development costs between $15,000 and $150,000+ depending on complexity. AI-powered tools have reduced this dramatically, but the cost depends on what you are actually getting.
Budget Breakdown for Each Platform
| Cost Item | Blink.new | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Platform subscription (annual) | From $156/yr ($13/mo) | From $48/yr ($4/mo) |
| App Store fee (iOS) | N/A — no iOS app | $99/yr (Apple Developer) |
| Play Store fee (Android) | N/A — no Android app | $25 one-time (Google) |
| Backend / hosting | Included (Vercel) | Included (Liquid Backend) |
| APK/AAB build tool | N/A | Included |
| Total Year 1 (mobile app) | Cannot produce mobile app | From ~$172 |
Hidden Costs to Consider
- •Without Natively: hiring a freelance mobile developer typically costs $50–$200/hour. A basic app might require 200–500 hours, totaling $10,000–$100,000.
- •Mac hardware for iOS: Xcode requires a Mac ($999+). Natively builds iOS apps in the cloud — no Mac required.
- •Credit overages: blink.new's credit system can be unpredictable. Natively uses a simple prompts-per-month model.
The Web App vs Native App Divide in 2026
Why the distinction between web and native matters more than ever for your app's success.
Performance and Speed
Native apps run compiled code directly on the device's processor, giving them a significant performance advantage over web apps that run through a browser engine. For tasks involving animations, complex UI interactions, and local data processing, native apps can be 20–40x faster for compute-intensive operations.
React Native (used by Natively) bridges this gap by compiling to native UI components, delivering near-native performance while allowing code reuse across iOS and Android. Learn more about why this matters on our native apps guide.
Business Impact and Revenue
Users spend an average of 88% of their mobile screen time inside native apps, compared to just 12% in mobile browsers, according to eMarketer research. This translates directly to engagement and revenue.
Why App Stores Matter
The Apple App Store hosts over 1.8 million apps, and Google Play exceeds 2.6 million. Together, they facilitate over 230 billion app downloads per year globally. Being present on these platforms is not optional for many businesses — it is where users expect to find you.
Discoverability Metrics
App Store Optimization (ASO) gives native apps a discovery channel that web apps simply lack. Users actively search app stores for solutions, and appearing in search results or category rankings provides organic distribution that cannot be replicated with a website URL alone.
The Credibility Factor
An app listed on the App Store or Google Play carries implicit trust — it has passed review guidelines, demonstrates a commitment to the platform, and gives users the familiar "install" experience they expect. PWAs and mobile websites lack this credibility signal, which can impact conversion rates by 2–3x according to industry benchmarks.
Sources: eMarketer, Statista, data.ai (2025–2026 estimates)
When Should You Use Blink.new vs Natively?
They are different tools for different jobs. Here is a clear guide.
Choose Blink.new When...
- You are building a web-only SaaS product
- You need a quick internal dashboard or admin tool
- Your users will access the app via a browser URL
- You want automatic database and auth setup for web
- App store presence is not a requirement
Choose Natively When...
- You need an app on the App Store or Google Play
- Push notifications or biometrics are important
- You want to test on real devices via QR code
- You need an APK or AAB for Android distribution
- Your business depends on the mobile app channel
Use Both Together
Many modern products need both a web presence and a mobile app. In this case, the ideal workflow is:
- 1Use blink.new for your web app or admin dashboard
- 2Use Natively for your native iOS and Android app
- 3Connect both to the same backend APIs
This is similar to how teams use Bolt.new alongside Natively for web + mobile coverage.
How Natively Builds Your Mobile App
From a text description to the App Store — here is the process.
Step-by-Step Process
Describe Your Idea
Tell the AI what you want to build in plain English. The more detail, the better — but even simple prompts work.
AI Generates Code
Natively generates a complete React Native + Expo project with TypeScript, navigation, backend, and styling.
Preview & Iterate
See your app live in the browser or scan a QR code to test on your physical device with Expo Go.
Deploy & Launch
Build your APK/AAB with one click, or deploy to the App Store and Google Play via Expo Launch.
Technology Under the Hood
React Native + Expo SDK 54
Industry-standard framework used by Discord, Shopify, and Bloomberg for cross-platform mobile apps.
Learn about React NativeLiquid Backend
PostgreSQL database, user authentication (email, Google, Apple, GitHub OAuth), file storage, and serverless functions — all included.
GitHub Sync
Bidirectional sync with GitHub. Edit in Natively or your favorite IDE — changes flow both ways automatically.
Built-in Build Tools
APK builder for Android testing, AAB builder for Play Store, and Expo Launch integration for iOS App Store.
Explore ExpoNative Device Access
Camera, GPS, push notifications, Face ID/Touch ID, file system, contacts, calendar — true native capabilities.
Community & Support
Active Discord community with 1,000+ members. 4.8/5 stars from 1,250+ reviews. Priority support on Agent plans.
Find the Right Tool for Your Project
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What type of application do you want to build?
Frequently Asked Questions About Blink.new for Mobile Apps
Answers to the most common questions about using blink.new for mobile app development.
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Start Building Your Native Mobile App Today
Blink.new is great for web apps. When you need a real native mobile app on the App Store and Google Play, Natively has you covered. Plans start at $5/month — no Mac required, no development environment to configure.