Looking for a secure, scalable alternative to Applivery for enterprise app distribution and testing? Applivery is a popular Spain-based Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platform that combines mobile app distribution with device management for Android, Windows, and Apple devices. It offers features like a customizable web-based enterprise app store, in-app update SDK for automatic/forced updates, and integration with corporate directories (LDAP/SAML SSO). Applivery’s pricing tiers include Starter (€49/month), Essentials (€99/month), Startup (€299/month), Business (€599/month), and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing. However, many advanced capabilities – such as single sign-on (SSO), larger team sizes, and unlimited projects/downloads – are only available in the higher-tier plans.
Updraft, by contrast, is built specifically for teams and enterprises that need cross-platform app distribution (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) with advanced automation and enterprise-grade security from the ground up. Developed by the renowned Swiss agency appswithlove.com, Updraft is hosted entirely in ISO 27001-certified Swiss data centers for strict data privacy. Its simple pay-as-you-go pricing (starting from $5/month) and optional $49/month Resign Plan for cloud re-signing of apps make it a more flexible and cost-effective solution for teams of any size. Updraft includes all core features (full API access, role-based access control, etc.) even in base plans – unlike Applivery which gates many features by plan level. Additionally, Updraft provides both a web dashboard and a dedicated mobile app (iOS and Android) for testers to download apps, essentially functioning as a branded internal app store on their devices, whereas Applivery’s solution is primarily via web portal. Below is a detailed comparison of pricing and features:
Applivery Plans:
Starter: €49/month – Basic app distribution for small companies (up to 3 projects, 300 monthly downloads).
Essentials: €99/month – For indie developers with advanced needs (up to 5 projects, 1000 downloads).
Startup: €299/month – For medium companies (up to 15 projects, 2000 downloads).
Business: €599/month – For large organizations (up to 30 projects, 3000 downloads).
Enterprise: Custom pricing – For advanced requirements (50+ projects, higher limits and premium support).
Updraft Plans:
Free Plan: Start distributing apps immediately at no cost (full core functionality).
Pay-as-you-go Plan: Flexible usage-based pricing starting from $5/month for expanded team access and more capacity.
Resign Plan: $49/month – Add-on for automatically re-signing iOS (.ipa) and Android (.aab) apps in the cloud (no local codesign needed).
Enterprise: Custom pricing – Self-hosting or private cloud options in Switzerland, custom SLAs, dedicated infrastructure, and branding as needed.
Updraft’s pricing is more accessible for small teams – there’s a free tier and a minimal $5 entry point, versus Applivery’s lowest paid tier at €49. Updraft also does not impose fixed limits on the number of projects or app installs; you can scale usage as needed (simply incurring pay-as-you-go fees) rather than hitting a hard cap. In Applivery, exceeding the project or download limits requires upgrading to a higher plan or purchasing add-ons. This makes Updraft both more flexible and potentially more affordable as your app distribution needs grow.
|
Feature |
Updraft |
Applivery |
|
iOS & Android App Distribution |
✅ Yes (first-class support) |
✅ Yes (core feature) |
|
Windows & macOS App Support |
✅ Yes (desktop apps supported) |
✅ Yes (supports .exe, .msi, .dmg, etc.) |
|
Unlimited Projects / Apps |
✅ Yes (no project count limits) |
❌ Limited (3–30 projects by plan) |
|
Unlimited Downloads/Installations |
✅ Yes (usage-based scaling) |
❌ Limited (300–5000 per month by plan) |
|
Public Download Links & QR Codes |
✅ Yes (public or protected links) |
❌ Restricted (users must log in; no open public links) |
|
Web Dashboard (App & Version Management) |
✅ Yes (for all roles) |
✅ Yes |
|
Comprehensive App Version History |
✅ Yes (full version archive) |
✅ Yes |
|
Advanced Release Management |
✅ Yes (create releases) |
⚠️ Basic (forced updates, no phased rollout) |
|
Private App Distribution & Auth |
✅ Yes (2FA, SSO, IAM integration) |
✅ Yes (enterprise directory & SSO support) |
|
Granular Access Permissions |
✅ Yes (role-based, per-app control) |
✅ Partial (pre-defined roles & groups) |
|
Tester/End-User App Store |
✅ Web & Native App (branded app for testers) |
✅ Web Only (customizable portal) |
|
Integrated In-App Feedback SDK |
✅ Yes (feedback & bug reporting SDK) |
✅ Yes (feedback & bug report SDK) |
|
Automatic App Re-signing (.ipa & .aab) |
✅ Yes (cloud re-signing) |
❌ No (must re-sign apps manually) |
|
CI/CD Integrations (API, Fastlane, etc.) |
✅ Extensive (Fastlane, Jenkins, GitLab CI, Webhooks, etc.) |
✅ Yes (advanced API on higher plans) |
|
Single Sign-On (Okta, AD, SAML, etc.) |
✅ Yes (SSO integration – Enterprise) |
✅ Yes (SAML/LDAP/AD – Business/Enterprise) |
|
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) |
✅ Yes (built-in for all users) |
✅ Yes (built-in via authenticator app) |
|
Custom Hosting / Cloud Region |
✅ Yes (Enterprise – self-host, Swiss cloud) |
⚠️ Limited (SaaS only; choose EU/US/Asia region on Enterprise) |
|
App Store Publishing (Apple & Google) |
✅ Yes (push builds to App Store Connect & Play Store) |
❌ No (not supported natively) |
|
Collaboration Integrations |
✅ Yes (Slack, MS Teams, Discord, etc.) |
✅ Yes (Slack, JIRA, webhooks, etc.) |
|
Custom Domain & Branding |
✅ Yes (custom domain, logos, pages) |
✅ Yes (custom domain, branding options) |
|
iOS UDID Collection Tool |
❌ Planned |
✅ Yes (collect tester UDIDs via portal) |
|
Security & Compliance |
✅ ISO 27001, GDPR (Swiss-hosted) |
✅ ISO 27001, GDPR (EU-based cloud) |
Enterprise-Grade Security & Hosting: Updraft is hosted in ISO 27001-certified Swiss data centers with full GDPR compliance, ensuring data sovereignty and advanced encryption. Applivery also follows high security standards, but it relies on third-party cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud across various regions. Many enterprises prefer Updraft’s single-tenant Swiss hosting (with no Google Cloud involvement) for maximum control over data location and compliance.
Flexible Pricing & Scalability: Updraft’s pay-as-you-go pricing (starting at $5) and free tier allow teams to start small and scale up without steep costs. In contrast, Applivery’s entry-level €49/month plan may be cost-prohibitive for some, and its rigid tier limits (on projects, users, devices) can hinder growth. Updraft lets you create unlimited projects/apps and only charges for actual usage.
Project Structure & User Management: Both platforms let you group multiple apps (iOS, Android, etc.) under a project for easier management. However, Updraft imposes no artificial limits on the number of projects or app versions you can manage, giving you freedom to structure projects as needed. Applivery’s plans cap the number of projects and downloads, which can be restrictive. Updraft also offers granular role-based access control out-of-the-box.
CI/CD Integration and Automation: Updraft integrates deeply into development workflows with native plugins for Jenkins, Fastlane, Gradle, plus a full REST API and webhooks for all users. Applivery also supports CI/CD, but advanced API access is limited to higher tiers.
Built-in App Re-signing: Updraft can re-sign iOS and Android apps in the cloud with new provisioning profiles or keystores – no local setup required. Applivery does not offer this capability.
App Store Submission Automation: Updraft can push builds directly to Apple App Store Connect and Google Play Console, enabling a unified beta-to-production workflow. Applivery does not provide this.
Custom Hosting & Data Control: Updraft offers on-premises or Swiss private cloud hosting. Applivery is multi-tenant SaaS only.
Better Tester Experience: Updraft has a native mobile app for testers, functioning like an internal app store. Applivery offers only a web portal.
Broad Integration Ecosystem: Updraft supports Slack, MS Teams, Discord, Webex, and more. Applivery offers fewer out-of-the-box collaboration integrations.
Transparent iOS Device Management: Applivery includes UDID collection; Updraft focuses on simplifying distribution to avoid device registration where possible, with a UDID tool planned.
How does Updraft differ from Applivery in app management?
Updraft uses a flexible project-based structure where each project can contain multiple apps across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Within each app, you can manage all historic binaries and releases without artificial limits. Applivery caps the number of projects and downloads depending on the plan.
Can testers use a mobile app to install builds?
Yes. In addition to the web dashboard, Updraft offers a native iOS and Android app that functions like an internal app store. Testers can browse, download, and update apps directly on their devices — something Applivery does not provide natively.
Does Updraft support unlimited downloads?
Absolutely. With Updraft, there are no hard caps on monthly downloads — your usage simply scales with your needs under a pay-as-you-go model. Applivery’s plans include strict download quotas.
Is it possible to integrate Updraft into an existing DevOps pipeline?
Yes. Updraft includes a full REST API, webhooks, and native integrations with Fastlane, Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub Actions, and more. All integration capabilities are available in every plan, without requiring an enterprise upgrade.
Where is Updraft hosted?
All data is stored in ISO 27001-certified Swiss data centers with no Google Cloud involvement, ensuring strict GDPR compliance and data sovereignty.
With Updraft, you get all the core features you need — unlimited projects, cross-platform support, flexible pricing, Swiss-based secure hosting, and a smooth experience for both developers and testers.
Make the switch from Applivery today and gain more freedom, better scalability, and a superior tester experience — all at a lower cost.