Dyad forMobile Apps
Can It Go Native?
Dyad is an impressive open-source AI app builder for the web. But if you need a Dyad mobile app that runs natively on iOS and Android, you will hit some real limitations. This guide breaks down exactly what Dyad for mobile apps can and cannot do — and shows you how Natively fills the gap with true native output, one-click builds, and App Store-ready binaries.
What Is Dyad?
Dyad is an open-source, local-first AI app builder created by Will Chen (formerly at Google and OpenAI). It runs as an Electron desktop application on macOS and Windows, letting you describe what you want to build in natural language and generating complete web applications locally on your machine. With over 19,600 GitHub stars and 34 contributors as of February 2026, it has quickly become one of the most popular open-source alternatives to cloud-based builders like Lovable, Bolt.new, and v0.
Local Desktop App
Dyad runs entirely on your machine as an Electron app. Your code never leaves your device unless you choose a cloud AI provider. This privacy-first approach appeals to developers who want full control.
How It Works
The AI agent runs within Electron, reading and writing files, executing SQL, and managing dependencies — all locally. Real-time previews stream as the model generates code token by token.
Model Agnostic
Use any AI provider: OpenAI GPT-5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, Gemini 3 Pro, or run completely offline with Ollama local models. Free models are also available through OpenRouter with no API keys.
Pricing Flexibility
The open-source core is free with your own API keys. Pro ($20/mo) and Max ($79/mo) plans add Smart Context, Smart Agent Mode, and included AI credits.
Web App Focus
Dyad's default template is React + Vite.js for web applications, with Supabase as its primary backend integration. It also supports Next.js, Vue, and Angular depending on the AI model.
Deployment Options
Deploy to Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages, or self-host. No built-in hosting is provided — you manage deployment yourself.
Dyad's Tech Stack at a Glance
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Desktop App | Electron (TypeScript, 93.4% of codebase) |
| Default Template | React + Vite.js |
| AI Integration | Vercel AI SDK |
| Backend | Supabase (PostgreSQL, Auth, Edge Functions) |
| Mobile (Hybrid) | Capacitor (experimental) |
| Mobile (Native) | Expo / React Native (community template) |
| Deployment | Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages |
| Local AI | Ollama |
| Version Control | Git / GitHub (built-in) |
Can Dyad Build Mobile Apps?
The short answer: sort of. Dyad offers two paths to mobile, but neither is its primary focus. Mobile is labeled as "experimental" in Dyad's own documentation. Here is what you actually get.
Option 1: Capacitor (Hybrid WebView)
Dyad's default mobile path uses Capacitor to wrap your React web app inside a native shell. One-click upgrade from a web project converts your existing code into a hybrid mobile app.
What You Get
- Same codebase for web, iOS, and Android
- Access to some native APIs (camera, geolocation)
- Quick conversion from existing web project
What You Don't Get
- Native UI components (everything renders in a WebView)
- 60fps native animations and gestures
- Reliable App Store approval (Guideline 4.2 risk)
- Built-in build pipeline (need Xcode + Android Studio)
Option 2: Expo / React Native Template
A community-contributed Expo template exists for Dyad, enabling React Native development with actual native UI components. This is closer to true native, but comes with significant trade-offs.
What You Get
- Actual native UI components via React Native
- Access to Expo ecosystem and libraries
- Better performance than Capacitor
What You Don't Get
- Official support from the Dyad team
- Existing web code reuse (must rewrite for React Native)
- Built-in APK/IPA builders (manual setup required)
- Mobile-optimized AI prompting (trained for web patterns)
The Key Takeaway
Dyad is genuinely excellent for building web applications — we respect what their team has built. But mobile app development is not its core strength. Both mobile paths come with "experimental" or "community-maintained" caveats, require local development tooling (Xcode, Android Studio), and lack the streamlined build-to-store pipeline that mobile-first platforms provide.
Hybrid WebView vs. True Native: A Deep Dive
Understanding the difference between Dyad's Capacitor approach and Natively's React Native approach is crucial for choosing the right tool. Expand each section below for the technical details.
How WebView Rendering Actually Works
The technical architecture behind Capacitor hybrid apps
How WebView Rendering Actually Works
The technical architecture behind Capacitor hybrid apps
When Dyad creates a Capacitor mobile app, your React web code runs inside a WKWebView (iOS) or WebView (Android) — essentially an embedded browser. The native "shell" around it provides a bridge to device APIs, but the actual UI is rendered through the browser engine.
The Rendering Pipeline
In a Capacitor app, every user interaction follows this chain: Touch Event → WebView JavaScript Engine → DOM Update → Browser Layout & Paint → Composite to Screen. This adds latency compared to native rendering.
Why This Matters for User Experience
The extra rendering layer means scroll jank on complex lists, delayed touch feedback, and animations that cannot reliably hit 60fps. Users may not articulate the problem, but they feel it — and it impacts retention and reviews.
What Apple's Review Team Looks For
Apple's App Review Guideline 4.2 states that apps should not be "simple web sites bundled as apps." WebView-based apps that do not provide sufficient native functionality are regularly rejected. This is a real risk for Dyad Capacitor apps without significant customization.
Performance: Native vs. Hybrid by the Numbers
Real benchmarks and what they mean for your app
Performance: Native vs. Hybrid by the Numbers
Real benchmarks and what they mean for your app
Performance differences between WebView hybrid apps and true native apps are measurable and significant, especially on mid-range devices that represent the majority of the global Android market.
| Metric | WebView (Capacitor) | Native (React Native) |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Time | 1.5–3s (WebView init + JS load) | 0.5–1.2s (native bridge init) |
| List Scrolling (1000 items) | 30–45fps with frame drops | 58–60fps consistent |
| Touch Response | 80–150ms latency | 16–32ms latency |
| Memory Usage | Higher (WebView engine overhead) | Lower (no browser engine) |
| Animation Smoothness | CSS-dependent, can stutter | Native driver, GPU-accelerated |
Why Mid-Range Devices Matter
Over 70% of global smartphone users are on Android, and the majority of those devices are mid-range. WebView performance degrades significantly on these devices because the browser engine competes with the OS for CPU and memory. React Native apps, by contrast, render through the native UI layer and perform consistently across device tiers.
Device API Access: What You Can Actually Use
Native features available in each approach
Device API Access: What You Can Actually Use
Native features available in each approach
Both Capacitor and React Native can access device APIs, but the depth and reliability differ substantially.
Capacitor (Dyad)
- Camera
- Geolocation
- Push Notifications
- File System
- Bluetooth (limited)
- NFC
- Background Processing
- Custom Native Modules
React Native (Natively)
- Camera
- Geolocation
- Push Notifications (APNs & FCM)
- File System
- Bluetooth
- Biometrics (Face ID / Touch ID)
- Haptics, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
- 95%+ of native capabilities via Expo
The Expo Ecosystem Advantage
Natively uses Expo SDK 54 (the latest version, including Apple's Liquid Glass design system for iOS 26). The Expo ecosystem provides over 50 maintained native modules covering virtually every device capability, with consistent APIs across iOS and Android.
Dyad vs. Natively: Complete Comparison
A detailed look at what each platform offers for mobile app development.
| Feature | Dyad | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Web applications (React + Vite) | Native mobile apps (React Native + Expo) |
| Mobile Approach | Hybrid WebView (Capacitor, experimental) | True native compilation |
| App Store Readiness | Risky (Guideline 4.2) | Fully compliant |
| Android APK Builder | No (requires Android Studio) | One-click in browser |
| iOS Builds Without Mac | No (Xcode required) | Yes (Expo Launch cloud builds) |
| Real Device Preview | Requires local dev server setup | Scan QR code for instant Expo Go preview |
| Native Navigation | Browser routing in WebView | Expo Router (native stack, tabs, gestures) |
| Device Features | Limited via Capacitor bridge | Full access (Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, Biometrics) |
| AI Model | Any (bring your own key / Ollama) | Built-in, mobile-optimized AI agent |
| Runs In | Desktop app (Electron) | Browser (nothing to install) |
| Backend | Supabase integration | Liquid Backend (included) + Supabase |
| Open Source | Yes (Apache 2.0) | No (proprietary platform) |
| Code Export | Local files (always on your machine) | GitHub sync + ZIP download |
| Hosting Included | No (deploy yourself) | N/A (native apps distributed via stores) |
Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay
Both platforms have different pricing models. Dyad is open-source with optional paid tiers. Natively is a managed platform starting at $5/month. But the total cost to get a mobile app live tells a different story.
Dyad
Free Tier
Bring your own API key
$0
Pro
200 AI credits/mo
$20/mo
Max
900 AI credits/mo
$79/mo
Additional Costs for Mobile
- •Apple Developer Account: $99/year
- •Google Play Developer: $25 one-time
- •Mac required for iOS builds (or cloud CI service)
- •Cloud AI API costs if not using local models
- •Hosting costs for web deployment
Natively
Micro
15 prompts/mo
$5/mo
Agent
Upgraded AI, priority support
From $49/mo
Consulting
10,000 prompts/mo + 1:1 sessions
$4,000/mo
What's Included
- AI generation + built-in code editor
- One-click APK and AAB builders (no Android Studio)
- iOS builds via Expo Launch (no Mac required)
- Liquid Backend included (database, auth, storage)
- GitHub sync + full code export
- Real device preview via Expo Go QR code
Total Year-One Cost to Ship a Mobile App
| Cost Item | Dyad (Pro) | Natively (Agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform subscription | $240/year | $588/year |
| Apple Developer Account | $99/year | $99/year |
| Google Play Developer | $25 (one-time) | $25 (one-time) |
| Backend / hosting | $0–$300+/year | $0 (Liquid Backend included) |
| Mac for iOS builds | $999+ or CI service | $0 (cloud builds) |
| Build tooling (Xcode, Android Studio) | Free but complex setup | $0 (built-in) |
| Estimated Total (Year 1) | $364 – $1,663+ | $712 |
Estimates based on published pricing as of February 2026. Dyad costs vary based on AI provider, hosting, and whether a Mac is needed. Natively estimate assumes Agent plan at $49/mo. Both require developer accounts for store publishing.
Why True Native Matters for Mobile
If you are serious about getting a Dyad Android app or iOS app into the stores, understanding the native advantage is essential.
App Store Compliance
Apple’s Guideline 4.2 regularly rejects WebView-only apps. React Native apps produce genuine native UI that meets Apple’s standards. Google Play is more lenient but still favors native experiences in search rankings and featuring.
React Native powers nearly 30% of the top 100 apps on the App Store, including Discord, Shopify, and Instagram. It is a proven, store-compliant technology.
Performance & Feel
Native apps deliver 60fps animations, instant touch response, and smooth scrolling through native UI components. WebView apps run a browser engine inside a shell, adding latency to every interaction.
Users notice the difference even if they cannot articulate it. Apps with native performance see up to 3x better retention rates compared to hybrid equivalents, according to industry benchmarks.
Platform-Native UX
iOS users expect swipe-back gestures, bottom tabs, and smooth sheet modals. Android users expect Material Design patterns. React Native adapts automatically. WebView apps look and feel like websites in a wrapper.
Natively’s AI is specifically trained on mobile design patterns — when you say “add a settings screen,” it generates platform-appropriate navigation and UI, not a web page.
Natively apps are built for these stores:
How Natively Builds
Native Mobile Apps
Unlike Dyad, Natively is purpose-built for mobile. Everything runs in the browser — no desktop app to install, no Xcode or Android Studio required. The AI is specifically trained to generate React Native code optimized for mobile platforms.
Describe Your App
Type what you want in plain language. The AI understands mobile-native patterns — bottom tabs, swipe gestures, native modals, pull-to-refresh. No mobile development experience needed.
Preview on Your Phone
Scan a QR code with the free Expo Go app to see your real app running on your actual device. Feel the native touch response, test gestures, and iterate in real time.
Build & Ship
Download Android APKs with one click. Build iOS binaries via Expo Launch cloud builds — no Mac needed. Submit directly to the App Store and Google Play.
Building your fitness app with:
- Bottom tab navigation (Home, Workouts, Leaderboard, Profile)
- Liquid Backend for real-time leaderboard
- Dark mode with system preference detection
- Social features with follow/unfollow
Everything Included — No Setup Required
APK Builder
One-click Android builds
AAB Builder
Signed bundles for Play Store
Expo Launch
iOS builds without Mac
Liquid Backend
Database, auth, storage included
Code Editor
Edit code in the browser
Version History
Restore any previous version
QR Preview
Test on real device instantly
Code Ownership
100% yours, export anytime
Who Should Use What?
Both tools are excellent at what they were designed for. The right choice depends on your end goal.
Choose Dyad When…
- You are building a web application (SPA, dashboard, landing page)
- You want full control over AI model choice and costs
- Privacy is paramount — you want code to never leave your machine
- You prefer open-source tools and self-hosting
- You are comfortable with terminal, Xcode, and Android Studio
- You want a Supabase-powered web app with potential hybrid mobile export
Choose Natively When…
- You need a native iOS or Android app for the App Store or Play Store
- You want one-click APK/AAB builds with no local tooling
- You do not have a Mac but need to build for iOS
- You want an included backend (database, auth, storage) at no extra cost
- You prefer a fully managed, browser-based platform
- You are a non-technical founder building a mobile MVP quickly
Quick Decision Helper
Expand any scenario below to see our recommendation.
1"I want to build a web app with AI, fast and for free"
"I want to build a web app with AI, fast and for free"
Dyad excels here. Its free tier with local AI models makes it perfect for rapid web app prototyping. The React + Vite default template and Supabase integration give you a complete web stack at zero cost.
2"I want a mobile app on the App Store and Play Store"
"I want a mobile app on the App Store and Play Store"
Natively is purpose-built for this. You get true native React Native code, one-click builds, and a streamlined path to both stores — all from the browser, starting at $5/month.
3"I want both a web app and a mobile app"
"I want both a web app and a mobile app"
Use Dyad for your web presence and Natively for your mobile apps. Both support Supabase, so your users can share the same database and authentication across web and mobile.
4"I am a developer who wants full control and open-source tooling"
"I am a developer who wants full control and open-source tooling"
Dyad’s open-source model gives you complete control. You can inspect the source code, use any AI provider, and run entirely offline. For mobile, consider exporting from Natively and continuing development in your IDE.
5"I am non-technical and just want a mobile app for my business idea"
"I am non-technical and just want a mobile app for my business idea"
Natively requires zero coding knowledge and no local development tools. Describe your app in plain language, preview it on your phone, and publish to the stores — all from a web browser.
Sources & References
This guide is based on publicly available documentation, feature pages, and community resources from both platforms, verified as of February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about using Dyad for mobile app development.
Can Dyad build native mobile apps?
Dyad can create mobile apps through two paths: Capacitor (which wraps your web app in a WebView) and an Expo/React Native community template. However, neither approach is Dyad’s primary focus. Capacitor produces hybrid apps that run web code inside a native shell, while the Expo template is community-maintained and not officially supported by the Dyad team. For true native mobile apps that compile to native iOS and Android code, a purpose-built platform like Natively is the more reliable choice.
What is the difference between a Dyad Capacitor app and a Natively app?
A Dyad Capacitor app wraps your React web code inside a WebView — essentially a browser window inside a native shell. A Natively app generates React Native code that compiles to actual native UI components. The difference is visible in performance (60fps native animations vs. WebView rendering), app store compliance (Apple frequently rejects WebView-only apps under Guideline 4.2), and access to device features (native APIs vs. limited browser APIs).
Is Dyad free for mobile development?
Dyad’s open-source core is free to use with your own API keys or local AI models via Ollama. The Pro plan ($20/month) and Max plan ($79/month) add features like Smart Context and Smart Agent Mode. However, you’ll also need Xcode (macOS only) and Android Studio to build and test Capacitor mobile apps, plus paid developer accounts for app store publishing ($99/year for Apple, $25 one-time for Google).
Can I publish a Dyad app to the Apple App Store?
Technically yes, but with caveats. Dyad’s Capacitor approach produces a hybrid app that must pass Apple’s review process. Apple’s Guideline 4.2 requires apps to provide functionality beyond what a website offers, and WebView-based apps are frequently flagged. You’ll also need a Mac with Xcode to build the iOS binary. With Natively, apps are built with React Native and Expo, producing native code that meets Apple’s guidelines, and you can build for iOS in the cloud without a Mac using Expo Launch.
How does Natively compare to Dyad for Android app development?
For Android, Dyad requires you to install Android Studio, set up the Capacitor build pipeline, and manually generate signed APKs or AABs. Natively provides a one-click APK builder directly in the browser — no Android Studio needed. Natively also includes an AAB builder for Google Play Store submission, with guided keystore generation. Build times are typically 5–10 minutes, and everything runs in the cloud.
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Dyad is great for the web. For the App Store and Play Store, Natively gets you there faster — with true native code, one-click builds, and zero local setup.