In a world where more and more businesses are migrating their services to the mobile environment, the question is no longer whether you need an app, but how to create one in an efficient, scalable and profitable way. From large retailers to small entrepreneurs, app creation has become a fundamental pillar of digital strategy. However, the big question lies in choosing the right platform to develop and maintain that app that represents your brand and connects with your users.
In the ecosystem of platforms for application development, two names resonate strongly in the North American industry: King of App and ShoutemBoth services offer the possibility of building mobile applications without requiring extensive programming knowledge, while boasting tools and features that aim to simplify the entire process: from the conception of the idea to publication on Google Play and App Store. But which of these two solutions is really the most convenient for your project or your agency?
As a technology journalist specializing in the app market, I have had the opportunity to thoroughly test both platforms. After several weeks of work and numerous prototypes, today I am sharing an analysis that will focus on the user experience, the scope of the functionalities, the cost-benefit ratio, as well as key technical aspects that may tip the balance in favor of one competitor or the other.
The value of automation and ease of publishing
Direct and easy publication
One of the most common concerns of SMEs and entrepreneurs when developing an app is the difficulty in launching and maintaining their creation in the main app stores, both Google Play and App Store. The validation steps and requirements of each marketplace sometimes constitute a daunting barrier.
So much King of App as Shoutem They offer fairly simplified publishing processes for the average developer. In this regard, both platforms boast a packaging process that, with a few clicks and minimal configuration, prepares your app to be submitted directly to the app stores. But in my experience, the automation of King of App significantly smoother. They have streamlined the integration and offer a really simple way to “build” and publish your app, avoiding complex manual procedures.
For its part, Shoutem It's also handy, however, in my evaluation I found that once your app gains complexity, the process becomes a bit more dense. If you don't exactly follow certain Shoutem guidelines in the visual part or in the use of plugins, it's easy to run into error messages that may require additional technical assistance.
In most cases, users of both platforms will easily achieve the goal of having their app in the stores. The difference is that, in King of App, this process seems more automated. This is, in part, due to a user experience that prioritizes the step-by-step process required for publication, indicating at all times where you are and what the next process is.
The promise of customization and source code access
Total control and the importance of open source
The possibility of accessing the source code of the application is a determining factor, especially for agencies or users with advanced development knowledge. And this is an aspect that gives King of App an extremely attractive advantage. By providing access to the code, they not only facilitate deep customization of the app, but also offer the possibility of integrating external functionalities and modifying almost any aspect desired without having to “fight” with structural limitations.
Shoutem, on the other hand, is designed as more of a closed environment, with predefined plugins and templates and a more “plug and play” philosophy. While this isn’t a bad thing per se—because it can be very useful for those who are happy with a standard set of features—the reality is that for the user who needs very specific customizations, the options are substantially reduced. In my tests, I had difficulty implementing an advanced geolocation feature that required customizing the app’s behavior at the code level. With Shoutem, this wasn’t as easy as I expected.
Thus, the creative freedom and total control over the platform offered by King of App allows development teams to extend their app with unique and tailored features, without having to change platforms halfway through. And when an agency manages multiple applications for its clients, this flexibility is undoubtedly invaluable.
WP Plugin Automated and Control from WordPress (White Label)
Turning your website into an app in a matter of minutes
For those who live and breathe WordPress, and there are many of them around the world, King of App offers a very elegant solution: a plugin that can create a fully functional app from a website. And it does so with a surprisingly low learning curve. By simply installing and configuring the plugin, you get an app version of your website, available in record time.
Shoutem, while offering WordPress integration, doesn’t quite reach the same level of out-of-the-box automation. Yes, you can dump WordPress content into the app, and there are guides to linking the two ecosystems, but the process doesn’t feel as directive or as fast as King of App.
On the other hand, King of App places special emphasis on allowing agencies to operate under their own brand. This is no small matter, as many companies or freelancers wish to maintain their corporate identity when offering development services to their clients. The ability to use WordPress in White Label mode—where the end client does not even realize that third-party technology is being used—can be a decisive factor for agencies that take great care in the authorship of their digital products.
Versatility with other CMS and personalized navigation
Beyond WordPress: The Age of Unlimited Integration
While WordPress is the undisputed leader in web content management, there is a wide spectrum of CMS and e-commerce managers that also demand app solutions. These include Prestashop, Magento, Shopify, VTEX, Joomla, Drupal and many others. To my pleasant surprise, King of App has gone to great lengths to offer native integrations or specific plugins for most of these systems, which incredibly speeds up the process of creating ecommerce or managed content apps.
The strategy of Shoutem is similar, but the depth of its offering for each CMS varies and sometimes requires manual implementations or an additional integration service. One of Shoutem's strongest points is its extension library; however, I noticed a certain lack of documentation for specific cases, which could slow down the developer when facing complex projects.
Navigation and user experience
The design of the app's internal navigation is one of the key factors in winning over (or losing) your audience. Both King of App and Shoutem offer predefined layouts, customizable menus, and the possibility of choosing between different interaction styles. However, King of App shines for the breadth of its options, allowing you to even have multiple menus simultaneously and, therefore, enable very deep hierarchical structures.
In my testing, I was able to experiment with over 50 different mobile menus, each designed for a specific type of user experience. From minimalist icon menus to expandable side panels, King of App's variety was astounding. This is a perfect fit for large projects that require different navigation methods depending on the section of the app. Shoutem, while not far behind in terms of variety, does offer a more limited range of menus in its standard library.
Businesses require a solution that eliminates manual steps and speeds up the launch of their apps in official stores. King of App stands out for its truly fluid process, while Shoutem also delivers, but can become a bit more tedious when the application grows in complexity.
The challenge of scalability and the strength of a customizable system
Unlimited scalability
The ability of an app to grow and adapt to an increasing number of users is one of the factors that define the success of any digital project in the medium and long term. Let's imagine, for example, an eCommerce that starts with a basic catalogue, but in a few months integrates new product lines and reaches thousands of downloads, or a startup that launches a local service and quickly expands nationwide. The question that always lies beneath is: will the platform we choose be able to support this growing demand without collapsing in the attempt?
My analysis suggests that King of App stands out in this section because, beyond its multiple integrations with CMS, it allows you to use your own database and manage the server structure you consider necessary. This translates into total control over the infrastructure, which facilitates horizontal or vertical scalability according to demand.
Shoutem, on the other hand, offers a robust system that works well for a range of conventional projects, but lacks the same flexibility when highly customized architectures are required. This does not mean that it will collapse with considerable volumes of traffic, but at the configuration level, the developer or agency might miss the freedom to “do and undo” as they wish that the competition does provide.
Drag and drop builder and the ease of designing without programming
Intuitive design in just a few hours
One of the great advantages of no-code or low-code platforms is the possibility of creating the app by “playing” with graphic blocks, dragging and dropping components to see in real time how the interface comes to life. Both King of App and Shoutem have their respective visual builder, although in practice, I felt that King of App focuses the experience even more on intuitive use from the first moment.
I didn’t have any major issues with Shoutem, but I did notice a slight rigidity in the way its templates accommodate some elements. In contrast, King of App offers more freedom, even for teams without deep development knowledge, to fine-tune the layout of each module. This is extremely useful when you want to maintain a very specific brand style or distinct aesthetic.
Apps with Google Sheets/Excel and the simplicity of data
The spreadsheet revolution
One topic that is very popular is the idea of using Google Sheets or Excel files as a data source to generate applications. For many small businesses or independent professionals, spreadsheets are the fastest way to manage their products, inventories, reservations or any other type of information.
Here again, King of App has taken an interesting step by providing an integration that allows you to read information directly from the spreadsheet and display it in the app in different formats. Do you have a list of products in your spreadsheet? You can present that data with images, descriptions, and purchase buttons without too much hassle. You can even enable options to update the data in real time, which speeds up the work.
In Shoutem, while it is possible to connect to spreadsheets through third-party integrations or by using intermediary APIs, it does not offer a direct or well-documented path. You end up, in practice, relying on additional plugins or external services to help you organize the data, making the project more expensive and complex.
Access to native mobile resources and testing on real devices
The importance of hardware integration
Camera, GPS, gyroscope, Bluetooth… modern apps increasingly require the use of a smartphone’s own sensors and resources. For users, these functions enrich the experience and allow them to perform specific actions: from scanning a QR code to uploading a photo or moving around with personalized maps.
Both King of App and Shoutem recognize the importance of this aspect and offer modules that access the native functions of the mobile. However, in my tests of geolocation and use of GPS to delimit delivery areas, I appreciated that King of App's documentation (very focused on open source access) makes it easy to customize these resources. Shoutem's support is more oriented to using already defined components, which can be great for rapid prototypes, but limits experimentation with more complex behaviors (for example, when you need to link the camera and GPS in a very specific way for an industrial process).
Testing on real devices
On the other hand, one of the essential steps to ensure the quality of an app is to test it on a physical mobile phone and see how it reacts with different screen sizes or versions of the operating system. Both platforms allow testing on real devices before launch. However, King of App has a real-time preview system that, in my experience, feels more “fluid.” Shoutem, on the other hand, is based on a very correct preview system, but a little more “closed” when it comes to simulating certain hardware behaviors (for example, proximity sensor).
Artificial Intelligence and Complex Views
The differentiating factor: automating with AI
Artificial intelligence has become a constant claim in any software worth its salt, and app development platforms are no exception. It is interesting to see how King of App emphasizes the incorporation of AI-driven processes into app creation. From classifying images and content to generating real-time recommendations based on user behavior, the idea is that, with the help of artificial intelligence, apps will become increasingly “smarter.”
While Shoutem also offers some AI features with third-party integrations, there is not the same emphasis as in King of App, where even complex screens can be powered by advanced algorithms to present specific data based on user profiles.
Designing complex views
Another interesting aspect is the possibility of creating screens with multiple integrated functionalities. King of App allows you to mix elements such as a news carousel, a live chat and an interactive map in a single view, all without too much technical juggling. With Shoutem, these types of constructions are done by combining extensions, although sometimes it requires additional work to make them integrate harmoniously.
Apps that work even offline
The relevance of offline mode
In a context where connectivity is not always stable or where users prefer to reduce data consumption, having offline support becomes a differentiator. Decision makers in an app project must consider whether, for example, the application needs to “remember” information when there is no coverage and synchronize it later.
Both Shoutem and King of App offer methodologies for storing data locally, but King of App does so in a more transparent manner. Among its extensive library of components, some are specifically designed to store data on the device and update it progressively when the phone reconnects to the internet. For many projects, this is practically indispensable, especially in sectors such as education, where users can download lessons and review them offline.
Functional breadth and the importance of team collaboration
More than 400 features and a collaborative model
To conclude this second part, it is essential to understand the magnitude of the offer that the two platforms propose to us. Shoutem has a wide set of extensions and functionalities, designed to cover most use cases. However, I was impressed by King of App's statement announcing more than 400 features available, a catalog that at first glance seems overwhelming, but when well organized, provides unparalleled versatility to customize the app in almost any direction.
Added to this is its collaborative model, designed so that a team or agency can work together, assigning roles and permissions to each user to modify different parts of the application without stepping on each other's toes. This approach to advanced user management is a strong point for medium or large agencies, where several designers and developers must coordinate simultaneously.
King of App allows you to scale without restrictions and manage your infrastructure the way you want, a crucial advantage for large projects. Shoutem is stable, but it doesn't adapt as flexibly to highly customized architectures.
Backups and the value of protecting your investment
One of the biggest fears of app developers is losing the work they have done due to technical failures, deployment errors, or simply computer accidents. In this sense, it is essential to have a system that makes backup copies automatically and, even better, that allows them to be restored without any further complications.
King of App, in its subscription plans, offers the possibility of scheduling backups with complete flexibility. I have tested it on a small scale – cloning the same app several times to experiment with new features – and I must say that the restoration was very simple and fast. This is essential when you work in a team and someone, for example, introduces an error in the design or configuration of the database. You simply restore the backup and recover your previous state in a matter of minutes.
For its part, Shoutem Yes, it does have a backup system, but the management of those backups tends to be less customizable. Sometimes, there isn't the same granularity in deciding what to back up and how, so it can feel a bit rigid for projects with many layers of content or custom integrations.
School of training and continuing education
For those just getting started in app development—or even for agencies looking to train their team in record time—educational resources can make all the difference. King of App is proud to have an authentic Training school, with over 80 courses covering everything from the basics (how to build your first app in minutes) to more advanced topics (REST API integration, automated publishing, UI/UX techniques, etc.). Plus, they have support for multiple languages and a clear emphasis on constant updating, which is vital in such a changing technological environment.
Shoutem, on the other hand, provides documentation and tutorials, but its training offering is not as structured as King of App's. You'll find blogs, articles, and guides on their website, but not a full-fledged "academy" geared toward progressively scaling your knowledge. For intermediate or expert users, this may not be a big issue, but for beginners or teams that need to learn quickly, it can become a limitation.
Advanced API management and integration with any service
Today, most apps need to connect to external services to deliver real value to users. Whether it's a payment system, shipping gateway, CRM, or any data source, APIs are the bridge that connects your app to the rest of the digital ecosystem. In my experience, King of App It is very well prepared to deal with integrations of any REST API, as well as providing examples and detailed documentation on data injection into the different visual components.
With Shoutem, achieving something like this often requires the use of specific extensions. While the platform does provide a way to create your own integrations, I felt that its focus is more geared towards very specific scenarios, with less room for experimentation without running into the need to sign up for some advanced plan or premium support.
Adaptation to all business models
What kind of apps can be created with these tools? The answer, fortunately, is quite broad: ecommerce, education, delivery, SaaS, on-demand services, corporate apps, blogs, product catalogues, digital magazines and practically any format we can imagine. The difference lies in the flexibility to adapt each platform to the needs of your project.
While with Shoutem you can build highly functional applications, especially in sectors such as retail or community, its template library is more focused on blog, news or store solutions without many interaction variants. On the other hand, King of App It demonstrates an almost chameleon-like vocation, capable of adapting to both a large-scale e-commerce business and a training application with multimedia content and gamification, or even a geolocation system for ultra-fast delivery services.
Advanced analytics and audience segmentation
Regardless of the nature of your app, sooner or later you'll want to understand who your users are, how they use your app, and how you can improve the experience to turn them into loyal customers. Both platforms offer, as standard, the possibility of integrating analytics tools, either their own or third-party (such as Google Analytics or Mixpanel). However, King of App stands out for its ability to segment audiences within the same platform and present very detailed reports.
Shoutem Shoutem has its analytics section, but the depth of the reports and the advanced segmentation options feel more limited. Still, if your priority is not big data but more basic tracking (downloads, active users, frequency of use, etc.), Shoutem's basic reports may suffice.
The power of unlimited push notifications
Few marketing tools are as effective as those Push Notifications to retain users and motivate actions within an app. With a simple pop-up message on the smartphone screen, you can communicate offers, updates, important news or simply invite your users to interact with your app again.
In this section, the difference is very noticeable:
- King of App offers unlimited push in their standard plans, something extremely attractive for those who plan intensive communication campaigns or have a high volume of users.
- Shoutem, on the other hand, limits this service to 2000 notifications per monthIf you need to send more, you'll likely need to upgrade to a higher plan or a notifications add-on. For many marketing projects or apps that rely heavily on push messaging, that restriction can be a real bottleneck.
The price factor: which is really the most cost-effective option?
When making a decision, cost is always a key criterion. Both platforms offer annual plans, with different tiers depending on the features or number of projects you want to manage. During my review, I found that Shoutem It has an average cost 240€/year higher that King of App, not counting other extras that could be added if your push usage requirements or integrations exceed the basic plan.
Besides, King of App, in addition to being more affordable in its annual plans, allows for gradual growth depending on the level of project you need. Even in its initial plans, it has features that are classified as “premium” on other platforms and have an additional cost.
For agencies or independent developers, the mid-term comparison reveals that with Shoutem, you could end up spending significantly more due to notification limits, additional integrations, and advanced support services. With King of App, not only is the initial investment lower, but their plans include a range of features that avoid constant additional expenses.
Conclusions and final verdict
After immersing myself in the bowels of King of App and Shoutem, testing different configurations, creating prototypes and analyzing their publishing systems, the balance leans solidly towards King of App in several crucial aspects:
- Automation and scalability: The publishing process and the flexibility to manage your own database give King of App a leadership position in exponential growth scenarios.
- Access to source code: Being able to customize the app 100%, without restrictions, is a differential value for agencies and developers with very specific ideas.
- Extensive integrations: The plugin ecosystem for multiple CMS and the emphasis on navigation customization offer an impressive range of possibilities.
- Features and priceWith over 400 features and lower-cost annual plans, King of App offers a very solid value proposition compared to the competition.
- Unlimited Push:Direct marketing via push notifications is essential for many businesses, and having no limit on the amount sent can make all the difference in user retention and monetization.
That being said, Shoutem It is still a competent platform for simpler projects or for users looking for a quick solution without a lot of customization. Its builder is simple, it has a good basic design and the integration with some services is quite straightforward. However, it is more expensive, with a more closed model and a noticeable limitation on the number of push notifications.
Final thoughts on the US market
The mobility industry in the United States is evolving by leaps and bounds, with an audience demanding immediacy and customization in applications. Choosing the right platform is not limited to a question of price or initial ease of use, but rather the ability to scale and differentiate in an increasingly saturated market. King of App, with its open source philosophy and focus on total product control, seems to strike at the heart of the needs of modern agencies and high-profile startups.
If your priority is to launch a quick MVP and you don't mind paying more to have everything packaged without too many customization options, Shoutem could be on your shortlist. But if you are looking for a product with real wings to grow, with a greater range of features and, above all, with the freedom to manage your app in detail (without costs skyrocketing along the way), my recommendation, after this extensive test, clearly leans towards King of App.
| Keyword | Context in the article |
|---|---|
| King of App | Open source app development platform that offers automation and multiple integrations. |
| Shoutem | App creation platform with a closed system and limited customization options. |
| Automated publishing | Functionality that allows you to launch applications directly on Google Play and App Store without manual steps. |
| Access to source code | It allows you to fully customize the app and adapt the development to specific needs. |
| WordPress Plugin | System to transform a WordPress website into a mobile application immediately. |
| White Label | Allows agencies and freelancers to offer apps under their own branding without reference to the base platform. |
| Unlimited scalability | Ability to handle large volumes of users and data, configuring the infrastructure as needed. |
| Drag and drop builder | It makes it easier to create apps by allowing you to place and edit visual blocks without the need for programming. |
| Push Notifications | Essential marketing tool to attract user attention and increase retention. |
| Multiple CMS | Integrations with content managers such as Prestashop, Magento, Drupal, Shopify, VTEX, Joomla, etc. |
| Google Sheets/Excel | Functionality to generate and manage app data from spreadsheets. |
| Artificial intelligence | Possibility of automating processes and offering advanced recommendation and analysis experiences. |
| Offline support | The app's ability to work offline, saving data locally and synchronizing later. |
| Collaborative model | Role and permission system that facilitates teamwork for the development and management of the app. |
| Advanced Analytics | It allows you to segment your audience and measure statistics to improve your application strategy. |
| Qualification | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| App Builder | King of App homepage, where the platform and its features are presented. | https://kingofapp.com/es/ |
| King of App - About Us | Detailed information about the company, its mission and vision. | https://kingofapp.com/es/king-of-app/ |
| Presentation of King of App | Introductory article on how King of App makes mobile app creation easier. | https://kingofapp.com/es/presentacion/ |
| King of App Academy | Educational platform with courses and resources to learn how to use King of App. | https://academy.kingofapp.com/ |
| Course in Mobile Application Creation - Elementary Level | Introductory course to learn how to create mobile applications with King of App. | https://academy.kingofapp.com/curso/curso-en-creacion-de-aplicaciones-moviles-con-king-of-app-nivel-elemental-2/ |
| Master Agency 2.0 | Advanced program to learn how to create websites and mobile applications, implementing different business models. | https://academy.kingofapp.com/curso/master-agencia-2-0/ |
| Create your App easily with King of App | Guide on how to develop a mobile application in a simple way using King of App. | https://kingofapp.com/es/crea-tu-app-facilmente-con-king-of-app/ |
| App Builder | Learn about the King of App App Builder and its benefits. | https://kingofapp.com/en/ |
| We build your App | King of App service for creating custom applications for iOS and Android. | https://yourapp.kingofapp.com/ |
| App Maker | Learn how to transform responsive designs into mobile apps with King of App. | https://kingofapp.com/es/app-maker/ |
English 
Español 
Português do Brasil 
Français 
Italiano 
Deutsch 
Русский 
العربية 
हिन्दी 
Bahasa Indonesia 
Nederlands 
日本語 
简体中文 
Polski