ALTERNATIVES

AppShare: The AppsOnAir Alternative With Access Control Built In

Password-protect a release and put it on your own domain, no upgrade, no add-on, just the plan you're already on. That's the whole pitch. AppsOnAir keeps password protection off its free plan entirely, and charges $19.99/mo extra for a custom domain on every single tier. AppShare includes both from day one, free plan included.

Upload Your First Build

Password protection free

Custom domain included

3 apps free

No app needed

AI-assisted releases

AppShare

$7/Mon

Starter: 10 active apps, 500MB uploads, 10GB storage, 25 Quick Releases/mo

AppsOnAir

$59.97/Mon

Pro (OTA Distribution): 10 apps, 1GB uploads, 10GB storage, password protection & custom domain add-on available

$52.97/Month (88% Cheaper)

Prices shown are monthly list prices, not annual-discounted rates. Both platforms are compared at the 10-app tier for a like-for-like match.

COMPARISON

What Actually Differs Between the Two

FEATURE	AppsOnAir (OTA)	AppShare
Apps on free plan	1 app	3 apps
CLI for terminal uploads	Included	Included
CI/CD platforms supported	CodePush only	7 platforms
Password protection	Paid plans only	Every plan
Entry-tier link expiry	30 days	15 days
Custom domain	$19.99/mo add-on	Included
Release without an app	Not offered	Quick Release
AI-assisted release management	Not offered	Included
Cheapest paid plan	$59.97/mo	$7/mo

QUICK VERDICT

Where Unlimited Testers on Every Plan Is the Deciding Factor

AppsOnAir's free plan does list unlimited testers, a genuinely generous number for a $0 tier, worth noting if tester headcount is your main constraint. Where the friction shows up instead is access control: that same free plan has no password protection at all, and a custom domain costs extra on every single tier, Pro Plus included at $134.97/mo. AppShare includes both from the free plan up.

Reach for AppShare when you need:

Password protection without upgrading first

A custom domain with no separate add-on fee

A one-off share without creating an app first

More storage and apps on the free plan

One product, not five bundled together

WHY APPSHARE

What You Actually Get Choosing AppShare

Password protection from day one

AppsOnAir's free plan doesn't include password-protected install links at all, confirmed on their own pricing table, it only appears starting on the $59.97/mo Pro plan. AppShare includes password protection on every plan, including Free.

A custom domain that isn't a separate bill

AppsOnAir charges $19.99/mo for a custom domain as an add-on, on every plan, even Pro Plus at $134.97/mo. AppShare's Publish Page includes custom domain support as a standard feature.

Share a build without an app record first

AppsOnAir's OTA Distribution still requires an app slot for every release, 1 on Free, 10 on Pro. AppShare's Quick Release skips that step entirely, upload a .apk or .ipa, get a link and QR code back immediately.

More apps and storage on the free plan

AppShare's free plan includes 3 active apps and 1GB of storage. AppsOnAir's free plan includes 1 app and 550MB of storage. Worth knowing the other way too: AppsOnAir's free plan link expiry (30 days) is actually longer than AppShare's (15 days).

Seven CI/CD platforms, one CLI

AppShare integrates with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Bitrise, Jenkins, CircleCI, Xcode Cloud, and Fastlane, all for the same build-sharing product. AppsOnAir has a confirmed GitHub Actions integration too, but it's documented specifically for CodePush, their separate JS-update product, not OTA Distribution, the one this page compares.

AI built into how you manage releases

Push a build, check release stats, or manage testers from a chat interface via the MCP server, plus device compatibility checks, plain-English permission explanations, and feedback that flags real tester frustration. AppsOnAir doesn't offer anything comparable.

FAQS

Common Questions About AppShare

Does AppShare's free plan include password protection?

Yes. Password protection is a standard release setting on every AppShare plan, including Free, no upgrade required.

What is Quick Release, and how do I share a build without creating an app first?

Quick Release lets you upload a .apk or .ipa and get an install link and QR code back immediately, no app record required first. It's available on AppShare's free plan.

Does AppShare have AI features for managing releases?

Yes. The MCP server lets you push a build, check stats, or manage testers from a chat interface, alongside a device compatibility checker, a manifest permissions explainer, and feedback intelligence that flags real tester frustration.

Does AppsOnAir's free plan include password protection?

No, confirmed on AppsOnAir's own pricing page, protected install links only become available starting on the Pro plan ($59.97/mo). AppShare includes password protection on every plan, including Free.

Can I use a custom domain for my install page on AppShare?

Yes, it's included as a standard Publish Page feature, not billed separately, on every plan.

How many apps does AppShare's free plan include?

3 active apps, more than most competitors offer on a free tier.

Is AppShare cheaper than AppsOnAir?

Yes, both are priced in USD so the comparison is direct. AppShare's Starter plan ($7/mo, 10 apps) costs $52.97 less per month than AppsOnAir's Pro plan ($59.97/mo, also 10 apps), 88% cheaper for the same app count.

Is a custom domain included in AppsOnAir's pricing?

No. It's a $19.99/mo add-on on every AppsOnAir tier, including the top Pro Plus plan. AppShare includes a custom domain as a standard Publish Page feature.

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