AI app builder comparison
Newly vs Rork: One Codebase or Swift and Kotlin?
Newly and Rork both build native mobile apps. Newly uses a shared React Native and Expo codebase for iOS and Android. Rork now creates SwiftUI iPhone apps and Kotlin Android apps, with separate codebases inside one project. The main choice is how you want to maintain the two platforms.[1][8][9]
Founder, Newly
Facts checked . Published by Newly, a product compared here.
Newly and Rork, side by side
Documented capabilities and monthly USD prices, checked 29 October 2026. Credits are different units across products.
Swipe the table to compare both columns.
| Compare | Newly | Rork |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile code | React Native, Expo and TypeScript. One mobile codebase for iOS and Android.[1] | New iPhone apps: SwiftUI. New Android apps: Kotlin + Compose. Separate codebases in one project.[8][9] |
| Native previews | Native iOS and Android cloud simulators, with separate user and agent views.[4] | Cloud iOS Simulator and Android emulator for the native platform projects.[10][11] |
| iOS publishing | Build and upload to TestFlight in Newly. You submit the App Store review in App Store Connect.[5] | Built-in cloud builds and TestFlight/App Store publishing. Follow the app's submission and review steps.[10] |
| Android publishing | Standalone APKs and signed AABs. Guided first Play Console upload when required; later builds upload through Newly.[6][1] | Builds and signs AABs, sends builds to internal testing, and guides Google Play release.[11] |
| Published monthly entry | $25/month for 100 credits/month. Usage follows agent work, not a fixed prompt count.[2][3] | Pro: $20/month with 100 build credits. Max starts at $200/month and adds wider Apple platform features.[12] |
| Free access | No ongoing free plan. Eligible signup, promotional or gift offers may be available in Billing.[1] | Free Design mode. A paid plan is needed to build, test and publish a working app.[12] |
| Additional credits | One-time top-ups when eligible; Billing may require a plan first. Top-ups last 12 months.[2] | Build credit top-ups on Max. Runtime Cloud credits are a separate balance.[13] |
| Preview and build usage | Agent work uses credits. Cloud simulators and native builds do not draw down credits.[3] | Build credits cover agent work, builds, previews and publishing. Android emulator time is metered.[13][11] |
| Code export | Project source export and two-way GitHub sync, so you can continue in your own tools.[1][7] | Paid-plan GitHub export and two-way sync for continued development in your own editor.[14] |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally. Check each product's Billing screen before purchasing.
What happens when both platforms change?
In Newly, iOS and Android come from the same React Native project. That gives you shared application logic and UI, while still allowing platform-specific code. Check the result on both simulators: a shared codebase does not mean every permission, layout or device feature behaves identically.[1][4]
Rork's current platform guide describes a different model: Swift for iPhone and Kotlin for Android. The apps can share a project, chat and backend, but changing a Swift file does not change a Kotlin file. Its agent coordinates changes across the separate apps. Existing Rork Expo projects remain supported; new projects use the platform-specific stacks.[8][9]
What still needs your attention?
Both tools offer native Android builds and Google Play publishing. In Newly, an organization owner or admin completes the account setup and authorizes the release. The first upload can require downloading the signed AAB and uploading it in Play Console; later builds can be uploaded through Newly. For iOS, Newly uploads to TestFlight and you complete App Store review submission in App Store Connect.[1][5]
Rork's Android guide now documents a signed AAB flow through internal testing and release. Its iOS product advertises cloud builds and TestFlight/App Store publishing. Decide with the current platform guides rather than older Expo-only instructions. Test the same important user journey on a physical phone before either store release.[11][10]
What does the subscription cover?
Rork's current plan guide lists Pro at $20 a month and Max from $200. The free plan is for Design mode; it is not a free publishing plan. Pro includes native iPhone, Android and web apps. Max adds other Apple devices and features such as iOS widgets. This is broader than the old Pro-versus-Max stack split.[12]
Newly starts at $25/month for 100 credits/month. Agent usage varies with the work performed, and eligible accounts can buy top-ups. Its cloud previews and native builds do not draw down credits. Rork separately documents build credits and runtime Cloud credits, with build top-ups on Max. The same credit count does not buy an equivalent amount of work across the two products.[2][3][13]
Which should you choose?
Consider Newly if…
- You want one React Native and TypeScript mobile project for iOS and Android.
- You want to iterate on cloud simulators and create standalone APKs from saved source.
- You want two-way GitHub sync and to continue in the React Native ecosystem.
Consider Rork if…
- You want separate SwiftUI and Kotlin implementations with platform-specific UI.
- Your product needs the Apple devices or features documented for Rork Max.
- You want native platform apps and a separate React web app in one Rork project.
Selection guidance is our interpretation of the documented workflows. Try the same small feature in each product and check the generated code, device behavior and publishing steps.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rork still use React Native and Expo?
Existing Rork Expo projects remain supported. Rork's current documentation says new iPhone projects use Swift and new Android projects use Kotlin. Newly continues to generate React Native and Expo apps.
Can Rork build and publish Android apps?
Yes. Rork's current Android product builds Kotlin and Compose apps, previews them on a cloud emulator, and prepares signed AAB releases for Google Play. Newly also supports Android, using React Native with standalone APK and Google Play publishing flows.
Do Newly and Rork use one codebase for iOS and Android?
Newly uses one React Native mobile project for both platforms. Rork's new iPhone and Android apps have separate Swift and Kotlin codebases, even when they belong to the same Rork project.
Is Newly or Rork cheaper?
Rork's plan guide lists Pro at $20 per month. Newly starts at $25/month for 100 credits/month. Credit units, build usage and plan features differ, so the entry price alone does not establish which costs less for your app.
Can I buy extra credits on Newly or Rork?
Newly offers one-time top-ups when your account is eligible; Billing may require a plan first. Rork's current credit guide documents build credit top-ups on Max and a separate runtime Cloud credit balance. Check the relevant Billing screen for the current offer.
Sources and review date
This comparison is based on official product documentation checked 29 October 2026. Newly's claims were also checked against its current implementation. Plan availability and product flows can change.
- Newly: product FAQ
- Newly: plans and top-ups
- Newly: how credits work
- Newly: cloud previews
- Newly: App Store and Google Play
- Newly: standalone Android APKs
- Newly: GitHub sync
- Rork: iPhone, Android and web project types
- Rork: what happened to Expo
- Rork: native iOS and publishing
- Rork: native Android and Google Play
- Rork: current plans and subscriptions
- Rork: build credits and Cloud credits
- Rork: code export and GitHub sync
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