The short answer: pick Rork if you want a mobile app first and native code: it writes Swift for iPhone and Kotlin for Android, and publishes to both the App Store and Google Play. Pick Replit if you want one Expo (React Native) codebase inside a full coding workspace that also does web apps and more, and the App Store is enough for now: Replit doesn't publish to Google Play yet. Both start at $20 a month.
Full disclosure: GenVibe, the third option at the end, is our product. Rork and Replit facts below come from their own pricing pages and docs, checked on October 30, 2026.
Rork vs Replit at a glance
| Rork | Replit | |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile code | Native: Swift (iPhone) and Kotlin (Android), two codebases | Expo (React Native): one codebase for both |
| Also builds | Web apps (React) | Web apps, plus slides, videos and data apps on Core |
| Free plan | Design only: up to 35 credits a month in major markets | Starter: daily Agent allowance, one published app for 30 days |
| Entry paid plan | Pro $20/mo: 100 credits | Core $20/mo ($18 yearly): $20 of credits |
| Next plan up | Max from $200/mo: 1,000 credits | Pro $100/mo ($90 yearly) |
| Testing | Cloud iPhone simulator and Android emulator, charged per minute | Simulator and emulator on Core and up; Expo Go on your phone |
| App Store | Yes, built and submitted from Rork, no Mac needed | Yes, through the Launch wizard |
| Google Play | Yes: a signed bundle sent to internal testing | Not yet supported |
| Your code | Readable on every plan; edit and GitHub on paid plans | A full code editor and workspace |
Where Rork wins
- Native apps. Swift with SwiftUI on iPhone and Kotlin with Jetpack Compose on Android, the stacks native teams use by hand. Max adds iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro, games and widgets.
- Both stores from one Publish menu. Rork builds the iPhone app on its own machines and submits it to TestFlight and the App Store, and it signs the Android bundle and sends it to your Google Play internal testing track. You only create the Play Console listing once.
- Design before you build. Design mode draws your screens before any code is written, and that's what the free plan is for.
Where it falls short: the free plan can't build a working app, the cloud simulator costs 0.2 build credits a minute (the Android emulator 0.1) while it runs, and the iPhone and Android apps are separate codebases that the agent has to keep in step. More in our Rork pricing guide.
Where Replit wins
- One codebase. Replit builds mobile apps with Expo, so one React Native codebase runs on iPhone and Android.
- A full workspace. Code editor, shell, databases and hosting in one place, and the same account builds web apps, slides, videos and data apps.
- A free plan that builds. Starter can build and publish one app, though the published link goes down after 30 days.
- App Store in a wizard. The Launch wizard builds, signs and uploads your app to App Store Connect, then you go on to TestFlight and review.
Where it falls short: no Google Play publishing yet, usage beyond your monthly credits is billed pay-as-you-go, and for someone who never wants to see code it's a lot of tool. See Replit pricing explained.
Which should you choose?
- An iPhone-first app that should feel fully native: Rork.
- An app that must be on Google Play soon: Rork; Replit can't publish there yet.
- One codebase for both phones, plus a web app or a back office: Replit.
- You want to try building before you pay: Replit's Starter builds; Rork's free plan only designs.
Comparing more mobile builders? See the best React Native app builders and Rork alternatives.
A third option for mobile apps: GenVibe
Frequently asked questions
Rork or Replit: which is better for mobile apps?
Rork, if you want native code and both stores from one Publish menu: it writes Swift for iPhone and Kotlin for Android, and it publishes to the App Store and Google Play. Replit, if you want one Expo codebase for both phones inside a full coding workspace, and you only need the App Store for now, because Replit doesn’t publish to Google Play yet.
Is Rork free?
Rork’s free plan only designs your app: 5 design credits a day, up to 35 a month in major markets and 5 a month elsewhere. Building a working app that you can test and publish needs Rork Pro at $20 a month for 100 credits, or Rork Max from $200 a month.
Is Replit free?
Replit’s Starter plan is free, with a daily Agent allowance, the Lite build mode and one published app that goes down after 30 days. Core costs $20 a month, or $18 a month billed yearly, and includes $20 of monthly credits.
Can Replit publish to Google Play?
Not yet. Replit’s docs say publishing to Google Play is not yet supported. Its Launch wizard builds, signs and uploads iPhone apps to App Store Connect, and Android users can try the app through Expo Go.
Does Rork still build React Native or Expo apps?
No. Rork switched to native code: new iPhone apps are Swift, new Android apps are Kotlin and new web apps are React. Existing Expo projects still build and publish, and Rork offers to rebuild them in Swift.
Which is cheaper, Rork or Replit?
Both entry plans cost $20 a month: Rork Pro gives 100 credits and Replit Core gives $20 of credits, with $18 a month billed yearly on Replit. Extra costs differ: Rork charges build credits per minute while its cloud simulator or emulator runs, and Replit bills usage beyond your credits pay-as-you-go.
Sources
- Rork: Pricing and plans
- Rork: What happened to Expo?
- Rork: Build a native iPhone app
- Rork: Build a native Android app
- Replit pricing
- Replit: Starter plan
- Replit: Building mobile apps
- Replit: Preview and test on your phone (Google Play)
All checked October 30, 2026. Both tools change quickly; check each site for the latest.