Build iOS Apps
in Your Browser
Create iOS apps online without any setup. No Xcode download, no Mac required, no configuration. Professional online iOS app builder with cloud-based development.
The Problem with
Traditional Setup
Traditional Requirements
iOS Studio
40GB+ download, 100GB+ disk space after installation
Xcode Command Line Tools
500MB+ download, environment variable configuration
iOS SDK
Multiple GB of SDK platforms, build tools, and system images
Configuration
Gradle setup, SDK paths, environment variables, emulator configuration
Time Investment
4-6 hours for complete setup, constant updates required
Total: 140GB+ downloads, 4-6 hours setup
Online Development
Zero Installation
Open your browser and start building immediately
Cloud Infrastructure
All tools and build servers hosted in the cloud
Any Device
Work from laptop, desktop, or even tablet
Auto Updates
Always use latest tools without manual updates
Instant Start
Begin building in under 60 seconds
Total: 0GB downloads, 0 minutes setup
System Requirements Comparison
| Requirement | Traditional (iOS Studio) | Online (Natively) |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB minimum (16GB recommended) | Any (runs in browser) |
| Disk Space | 100GB+ required | 0GB (cloud storage) |
| CPU | High-end processor needed | Any modern processor |
| Internet | Only for downloads | Required (cloud-based) |
| OS | Windows, Mac, or Linux | Any with modern browser |
Online vs Offline
Development Compared
An honest comparison to help you choose the right approach
| Aspect | Online Development | Offline Development |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 0 minutes Start instantly | 4-6 hours Initial configuration |
| System Requirements | Browser + Internet only | 8GB RAM, 100GB+ disk, powerful CPU |
| Cost | Subscription-based ($0-50/month) | Free tools + hardware + time cost |
| Flexibility | Some limitations on deep customization | Complete control over everything |
| Collaboration | Built-in real-time collaboration | Requires Git setup and workflows |
| Performance | Network dependent (2-5 min builds) | Local speed (1-3 min builds) |
| Access | Any device, anywhere with internet | Only on configured computer |
| Updates | Automatic, always latest | Manual updates required |
| Internet Required | Yes, for development and builds | Only for downloads/deployment |
| Best For | MVPs, prototypes, simple apps, learning, teams | Complex apps, offline work, maximum control |
Perfect for Online Builders
- ✓MVP Development: Get to market fast with rapid prototyping
- ✓Simple Apps: Standard features without custom native modules
- ✓Learning: Start building immediately without setup hurdles
- ✓Team Projects: Real-time collaboration without Git complexity
- ✓Budget Constraints: No need for expensive hardware
Consider Offline When
- →Complex Requirements: Custom native modules or advanced features
- →No Internet Access: Need to develop in offline environments
- →Maximum Control: Full customization of build process required
- →Large Codebase: Very large apps with extensive dependencies
- →Specialized Tools: Need specific IDE features or plugins
The Hybrid Approach
Many successful developers use both approaches strategically:
- 1Start online for rapid prototyping and initial development - get your MVP running in days
- 2Export code to GitHub once your concept is validated and you need advanced features
- 3Continue locally with iOS Studio for deep customization and complex features
This approach combines the speed of online development with the power of local tools when needed.
Build Your First App
Complete Walkthrough
From zero to deployed iOS app in under an hour
Sign Up and Create Project
Visit Natively.dev and create a free account. No credit card required. Click “New Project” and you'll be in the development environment within 30 seconds.
Time estimate: 2 minutes
Choose Template or Start from Scratch
Select from pre-built templates (social app, e-commerce, messaging) or describe your custom app to AI. Example: “A fitness app where users can log workouts and track progress.”
Pro tip: Templates can save 2-3 hours of initial setup work
Time estimate: 3-5 minutes
Design Interface with Visual Editor or AI
Use the drag-and-drop visual editor to design screens, or describe your UI to AI: “I need a login screen with email input, password input, and a big green button.” AI generates the code and you see it instantly.
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
Add Functionality
Connect to backend, add authentication, integrate APIs. AI assists with code completion and suggests best practices. Example APIs: weather data, payment processing, database operations.
// AI-generated API call example
const fetchUserData = async (userId) => {
const response = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/users/${userId}`);
const data = await response.json();
return data;
};Time estimate: 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked
Questions
Do I need to install anything to build iOS apps online?
No! Online iOS app builders like Natively work entirely in your web browser. You don't need to install iOS Studio (40GB+), iOS SDK, Xcode Command Line Tools, or any other development tools. Just open your browser and start building.
What browser do I need for online iOS app development?
Natively works with all modern web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox. You need an internet connection since compilation happens in the cloud.
Can I build professional apps with an online iOS builder?
Absolutely! Natively generates production-ready React Native code that compiles to native iOS apps. The apps are identical in quality and performance to those built with iOS Studio. Major companies use React Native for their production apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and Walmart.
Is my code secure when building apps online?
Yes. Natively uses enterprise-grade security with encrypted storage, isolated build containers, and GDPR compliance. Your code is stored securely and you maintain full ownership. You can export your source code at any time and delete your data whenever you want.
Can I export my code from the online builder?
Yes! You have complete ownership of your code. Export the full source code to GitHub at any time. The generated code follows standard React Native and Expo project structure, so you can continue development locally if needed. There's zero vendor lock-in.
What if I lose internet connection while building?
Your work is automatically saved to the cloud. If you lose connection temporarily, you can resume exactly where you left off once you're back online. For active builds, the process will continue on our servers and complete when connectivity is restored.
How long does it take to build an iOS app online?
With Natively's online builder, initial app generation takes 2-5 minutes. Cloud builds complete in 3-6 minutes depending on complexity. This is comparable to or faster than local iOS Studio builds, without any of the setup time. Traditional setup alone takes 2-3 hours.
Can multiple people work on the same app online?
Yes! Online app builders excel at collaboration. Team members can work on the same project simultaneously, see real-time changes, leave comments, and review each other's work. This is much simpler than coordinating Git merges in traditional development.
What happens to my projects if I cancel my subscription?
You retain full access to download your source code. We recommend exporting all projects to GitHub before canceling. After cancellation, projects remain accessible in read-only mode for 30 days, giving you time to export everything. Your code is yours forever.
Can I integrate Firebase and other services with online-built apps?
Yes! Online-built apps support all the same integrations as traditionally-developed apps. Connect to Firebase, Supabase, AWS, custom REST APIs, GraphQL, payment processors, analytics services, and any other third-party services. The apps are standard React Native projects.
Start Building Online
Right Now
No downloads. No setup. Just start building.