BuildFire

Learn about BuildFire's mobile app building software. Includes info on BuildFire, free trials, pricing, comparisons to competitors, and questions answered.

Updated on December 21st, 2023

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Updates:

Updated 21st of April 2023

We added a more comprehensive review with pros and cons, and we updated the article to include an "At-a-Glance" table and comparisons to competitors.

BuildFire is a web-based mobile app builder with easy-to-use software, paid service options, and facilities to build apps for resale. Businesses can use BuildFire to create high-quality business applications for Android or iOS without having any coding experience or expert knowledge. In May 2023, BuildFire acquired Bizness Apps.

Our Pick

Appy Pie

Create iOS and Android apps in minutes, no coding experience needed.

Get Started

Very highly rated.

Intuitively easy to use.

At-a-Glance:

Feature

BuildFire

Price

From $349.00 /qtr.

Free trial

14 days.

Device compatibility

iOS, Android, PWA

App analytics

Push notifications

Content Management System (CMS)

Customer support

Email, online chat.

Review:

BuildFire is a mobile app builder that allows businesses to create clever apps without coding experience. Thanks to the drag-and-drop interface and its host of competitive features, including onboarding screens, push notifications, and in-app purchases, BuildFire is ranked as one of our top-performing solutions to simplify the app-building process.

Pros:

  • Users can access a 14-day free trial to get familiar with the program.
  • BuildFire apps are compatible with Android and iOS devices, as well as iPad and Android tablets.
  • All plans include premium features, including a task manager, weight tracking, and a QR scanner.
  • Users can add features, such as push notifications and social media handles, from a library of plug-ins and integrations.
  • The platform offers custom user registration and onboarding screens.
  • There are customizable app templates available to help streamline the process.
  • The app analytics feature covers push notifications and app download activity.
  • BuildFire's notification features include segmented, GEO fence, and group subscription notifications.
  • Professional app developers can build mobile apps on BuildFire and then resell them to interested individuals and/or businesses.

Cons:

  • Compared to top competitors Mobincube and AppInstitute, BuildFire is the costlier choice.
  • All plans have a capped number of active devices that can access the app each month.

Reputation:

BuildFire is not BBB-accredited, but it received an F-rating, with most of the complaints highlighting the steep costs and unfinished projects. On TrustPilot, where the platform received a rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars from over 170 reviews, customers' opinions were more mixed, as some felt like the service was simple and customer support was helpful.

However, the majority of reviewers reiterated that costs were high and that the company did not deliver when it came to promised deadlines. In contrast, BuildFire maintains a strong rating on G2, with more than 180 reviewers giving the company a 5 out of 5 stars for its responsive support, diverse range of features, and easy editing tools.

Pricing:

Plan

Monthly Pricing (Billed Quarterly)

Monthly Pricing (Billed Annually)

Starter

$349.00

$299.00

Standard

$499.00

$424.00

Standard Plus

$699.00

$594.00

BuildFire Plus Professional Services Plans:

Plan

Pricing*

Premium

$5,000.00

Signature

$7,500.00

Enterprise

$15,000.00

*All prices do not include monthly hosting fees.

BuildFire vs. IBuildApp
BuildFire vs. iBuildApp:

iBuildApp and BuildFire share similar benefits, including the capacity to create apps for large enterprises. That said, the two competitors differ mainly in costs, with BuildFire's prices starting at $349.00 per quarter or $5,000.00 for expert services. iBuildApp, however, charges $20,000.00 a year + $5.00 per user per month for 20+ apps.

BuildFire vs. iBuildApp Comparison:

Feature

BuildFire

iBuildApp

Price

From $349.00 /qtr.

From $20,000.00 /yr. +$5.00 /user /mo.

Free trial

14-days.

x

Active app devices

Up to 300,000 /mo.

Unlimited.

App analytics

Push notifications

Customizable templates

Loyalty & coupon cards

Device compatibility

iOS, Android, PWA.

iOS, Android.

BuildFire vs. AppInstitute
BuildFire vs. AppInstitute:

AppInstitute and BuildFire both stand out for their extensive features, which include adaptable templates, push notifications, and app analytics. However, while AppInsitutute's plans start at $79.00 per month, BuildFire's annual prices start at $349.00 per quarter, making it the costlier option despite offering matching features.

BuildFire vs. AppInstitute Comparison:

Feature

BuildFire

AppInstitute

Price

From $349.00 /qtr.

From $79.00 /mo.

Free offer

14-day free trial.

✓ (Only pay when ready to publish app)

App analytics

Loyalty & coupon cards

Social media integration

Customizable templates

Geo-location push messaging

Device compatibility

iOS, Android, PWA.

iOS, Android.

BuildFire vs. Mobincube
BuildFire vs. Mobincube:

The most noticeable option missing from BuildFire's plan is the lack of a free package, which users can access with Mobincube's forever free plan. Additionally, while BuildFire's paid plans offer better features, Mobincube remains more affordable, with plans starting at €2.99 per month. In comparison, BuildFire's pricing starts at $349.00 per quarter.

BuildFire vs. Mobincube Comparison:

Feature

BuildFire

Mobincube

Price

From $349.00 /qtr.

From €2.99 /mo.

Free offer

14-day free trial.

Free plan.

Active users

Up to 300,000 /mo.

Up to 100,000 /mo.

Storage

Up to 100GB.

Unlimited.

App analytics

Push notifications

Customizable templates

Device compatibility

iOS, Android, PWA.

iOS, Android.

Key Information:

Legal Name

BuildFire

Founder

Ian Blair

Founding Date

Jan 01, 2014

Address

750 B St., San Diego, CA 92101

Number of Employees

39

Number of Customers

10000000

Email

support@buildfire.com

Website

https://buildfire.com/

FAQ's:

Is BuildFire really free?

No, BuildFire is a paid web-based mobile app building platform that charges between $299.00 and $699.00. However, there is a 14-day free trial available.

What are the pros and cons of BuildFire?

We've created a detailed review of BuildFire where we highlight the company's pros and cons. Some noteworthy pros include push notifications, an easy, drag-and-drop interface, and social media integrations.

What are the advantages of BuildFire?

  • User management tools.
  • In-app purchases.
  • RSS-based push notifications.
  • App intro slides.
  • GEO fence and segmented push notifications.
  • Plugin access aettings.

How much is a BuildFire app?

BuildFire's pricing starts at $349.00 per month, billed quarterly.

What platforms does BuildFire work with?

  • Android - Java.
  • iOS - Swift.
  • PWA - JS.

Does BuildFire publish your app once it's built?

Yes, once you have completed your app, BuildFire will help publish your app on Google Play and the App Store.

Does BuildFire offer a free trial?

Yes, BuildFire offers a 14-day free trial on their mobile app building software.

What are some alternatives to BuildFire?