Build iOS Apps Online.
No Mac Required.
You don't need a $1,500 MacBook to build iPhone apps. RapidNative lets you create iOS apps from any computer with a browser. Describe your app in plain English, preview it on your iPhone, and publish to the App Store.
Traditional iOS Development:
Mac required ($999+)- Xcode only runs on macOS
- Learn Swift or Objective-C
- Complex code signing setup
- iOS Simulator for testing
With RapidNative:
Any computer with a browser- Works on Windows, Linux, Mac
- Plain English prompts
- EAS handles code signing
- Preview on your real iPhone
Apple made iOS development expensive by design.
Here's the traditional reality of building iOS apps:
The frustration is real:
Locked out on Windows
"Not owning a Mac used to feel like a deal-breaker for app development. Everyone online was swiping through Xcode screenshots or showcasing their latest build in a sleek iOS simulator. Meanwhile, I was on a Windows machine trying to get anything to compile."
Apple's walled garden
"Apple have created a situation where only Xcode can be used for building and code-signing iOS apps. Xcode is only available for macOS. Thus, we need a Mac to build iOS apps."
The cost barrier
Students and hobbyists can't afford Mac hardware. Small businesses won't invest $2,000+ just to build an app. Teams on Windows or Linux are locked out entirely.
What you traditionally need
A Mac computer ($999–$3,000+), Xcode (only runs on macOS), Apple Developer Account ($99/year), and knowledge of Swift or Objective-C.
For many developers and entrepreneurs, this creates a barrier
Students and hobbyists can't afford Mac hardware. Small businesses won't invest $2,000+ just to build an app. Teams on Windows or Linux are locked out. Used Macs have compatibility problems with latest Xcode.
The Traditional Options (And Their Problems)
Buy a Mac
Cost
$999 to $3,000+
Problem
Expensive, especially if you only need it for iOS builds
Rent a Mac in the Cloud
Cost
$30–$100+/month
Problem
Still need to learn Xcode and Swift, complex setup
Hackintosh (macOS on PC)
Cost
Free but risky
Problem
Violates Apple's terms of service, unreliable, no support
Cross-Platform + Cloud Builds
Cost
Varies
Problem
The modern solution — tools like Expo let you build iOS apps from any computer
Option 4 is what RapidNative uses. No Mac needed at any step.
What Is an Online iOS Builder?
An online iOS app builder lets you create iPhone and iPad apps without: a Mac computer, Xcode, Swift or Objective-C knowledge, or complex code signing setup
Everything happens in the cloud. You design or describe your app in a browser, the platform generates the code, and cloud services build the IPA file for the App Store.
Describe your app. Get it on iPhones.
RapidNative is an online iOS app builder that uses AI to generate production-ready code from plain English descriptions. It works on Windows, Linux, Mac, or even a Chromebook.
How It Works
Any operating system
In plain English
On your iPhone via Expo Go
By describing changes
Using cloud-based EAS Build
Via App Store Connect
No Mac Required at Any Step
- Write code: Mac with Xcode → Any browser
- Preview app: iOS Simulator (Mac only) → Expo Go on your iPhone
- Build IPA: Xcode on Mac → EAS Build (cloud)
- Sign app: Mac Keychain + Xcode → EAS handles it
- Submit to App Store: Xcode or Transporter → App Store Connect
How Cloud iOS Builds Work
RapidNative generates React Native + Expo code. Expo provides EAS (Expo Application Services), which includes cloud-based iOS builds.
You never touch Xcode. You never need a Mac.
What You Still Need
Apple Developer Account ($99/year) for App Store distribution- An iPhone to preview with Expo Go (or use TestFlight after build)
The EAS Build Process
Download the complete codebase
From any computer (Windows, Linux, Mac)
Apple-approved infrastructure
Handles code signing automatically
Ready for App Store submission
Feature Comparison
Hardware required
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Mac ($999+)
RapidNative
Any computer
IDE
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Xcode
RapidNative
Browser
Language
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Swift/Objective-C
RapidNative
Plain English
Preview method
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
iOS Simulator
RapidNative
Expo Go on real iPhone
Build location
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Local Mac
RapidNative
Cloud (EAS Build)
Code signing
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Manual in Keychain
RapidNative
EAS handles it
Learning curve
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
Months
RapidNative
Hours
Also builds Android?
Traditional (Mac + Xcode)
No (need Android Studio)
RapidNative
Yes (same codebase)
Why React Native + Expo for iOS?
RapidNative generates React Native + Expo code. Here's why that's actually advantageous:
Cross-Platform by Default
The same code builds both iOS and Android apps. Write once, deploy to both app stores.
Expo Go for Instant Preview
Install Expo Go from the App Store (free). Scan a QR code and your app runs on your iPhone immediately. No Xcode, no simulator, no cables.
EAS Build Eliminates Mac Requirement
Expo's cloud build service runs Xcode on Apple-approved Mac infrastructure. You get a properly signed IPA without owning Apple hardware.
Production-Proven
Apps like Discord, Shopify, Coinbase, and Bloomberg use React Native. It's not experimental technology.
No Vendor Lock-In
Export your code anytime. Any React Native developer can work with it.
Building Your iOS App Online in RapidNative
Total Mac usage: Zero.
Step 1: Describe Your App
"Build a meditation app with daily meditation timer with ambient sounds, streak tracking, library of guided meditations, and reminder notifications"
Step 2: Preview on Your iPhone
Download Expo Go from the App Store (free). Scan the QR code. Your app appears on your iPhone instantly. No Mac. No Xcode. No iOS Simulator.
Step 3: Iterate and Refine
"Add a dark mode option and make the timer display larger" — see updates on your phone in seconds.
Step 4: Export Your Code
Export the complete React Native + Expo project. You own it.
Step 5: Build for App Store
Run EAS Build from your Windows, Linux, or any computer. EAS handles the Mac, Xcode, and code signing in the cloud.
Step 6: Submit to App Store
Upload the IPA to App Store Connect and submit for review.
What Can You Build?
Consumer Apps
- Social networking
- Fitness and health
- Meditation and wellness
- Photo and video
- Music and audio
Business Apps
- Customer portals
- Booking and scheduling
- Inventory management
- Field service tools
- CRM companions
Productivity Apps
- Task management
- Note-taking
- Time tracking
- Habit tracking
- Finance tracking
Content Apps
- News and magazines
- Podcasts
- Recipes and cooking
- Educational content
- E-readers
Comparison: Online iOS Builders
RapidNative
AI Generation
Yes (prompt-to-app)
Preview
Expo Go
Cloud Build
Yes (EAS)
Code Export
Yes
Pricing
Free tier, from $20/mo
FlutterFlow
AI Generation
AI assist
Preview
Preview mode
Cloud Build
Yes
Code Export
Yes (Flutter)
Pricing
From $30/mo
Adalo
AI Generation
Coming 2026
Preview
Adalo app
Cloud Build
Yes
Code Export
Limited
Pricing
From $36/mo
Thunkable
AI Generation
AI assistant
Preview
Thunkable Live
Cloud Build
Yes
Code Export
Yes
Pricing
Free tier, paid plans
Appy Pie
AI Generation
Template-based
Preview
Preview mode
Cloud Build
Yes
Code Export
No
Pricing
From $16/mo
iOS code signing is notoriously complex. EAS makes it simple.
Traditional iOS code signing requires managing certificates, provisioning profiles, and Xcode settings. Developers have struggled with this for years.
Traditional code signing requires:
Certificates
Creating certificates in Apple Developer Portal and installing them in Mac Keychain.
Provisioning Profiles
Generating and managing provisioning profiles for each app, each environment, and each device.
Xcode Configuration
Configuring project settings, keeping certificates and profiles in sync, and debugging signing errors.
The developer experience
"Judging by the number of questions related to iOS code signing on Stack Overflow, many developers struggle with iOS code signing."
How EAS Simplifies It
EAS can automatically manage your certificates and provisioning profiles. Run one command, answer a few questions, and EAS handles the rest. No Keychain. No manual certificate management. No "code signing nightmare."
Limitations & Considerations
When Cloud Builds Work Great
- Standard mobile apps (90%+ of use cases)
- Cross-platform apps (iOS + Android)
- Apps using common native features
- MVPs and production apps alike
When You Might Eventually Need a Mac
- Debugging complex native module issues
- Apps requiring custom native iOS code
- Enterprise distribution with custom certificates
The Practical Reality
Most apps never need a Mac. Build your MVP with RapidNative, validate with users, and
if you ever need deep native customization, you can hire an iOS developer at that point.
Getting Started
What You Need
- A web browser (any operating system)
- An iPhone with Expo Go (free from App Store)
- An idea for your app
- Apple Developer Account ($99/year) when ready to publish
What You Don't Need
- A Mac computer
- Xcode
- Swift or Objective-C knowledge
- iOS Simulator
- Code signing expertise
Time to First Preview
Traditional iOS Development
Days to weeks
Buy Mac, install Xcode, learn Swift
RapidNative
Minutes
Describe, generate, scan QR code
Cost Comparison
Computer
Traditional iOS
Mac Mini $599 / MacBook Air $999+ / MacBook Pro $1,599+
RapidNative
Computer you already own ($0)
Developer Account
Traditional iOS
$99/year
RapidNative
$99/year
Development Tool
Traditional iOS
Xcode (free, Mac only)
RapidNative
RapidNative Pro ($49/month)
Build Service
Traditional iOS
Local (included with Mac)
RapidNative
EAS Build (free tier available)
Total first year
Traditional iOS
$698 to $1,698+
RapidNative
$687 or less
And you don't need to buy a Mac.
Quick Summary
Hardware
Traditional iOS
Buy a Mac ($999+)
RapidNative
Use any computer
IDE
Traditional iOS
Install Xcode
RapidNative
Open a browser
Language
Traditional iOS
Learn Swift
RapidNative
Write in plain English
Preview
Traditional iOS
Use iOS Simulator
RapidNative
Preview on real iPhone
Build
Traditional iOS
Build locally on Mac
RapidNative
Build in cloud with EAS
Code signing
Traditional iOS
Manage code signing manually
RapidNative
EAS handles it
Platform
Traditional iOS
iOS only
RapidNative
iOS + Android from same code
Build iOS apps without a Mac. It's finally possible.
Common Questions
Yes. RapidNative generates code, Expo Go lets you preview on your iPhone, and EAS Build creates App Store builds using Macs in the cloud. Your computer never needs macOS.
Ready to build your iOS app?
No Mac. No Xcode. No Swift. Just describe your app and start building. Preview on your iPhone in minutes.
147,000+ prompts received. No credit card required.