Comparison

Apache Cordova vs Expo

On the evidence we track, Expo leads this comparison with a composite score of 71/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
Apache Cordova38
★Expo71
Score
vioscaleAI score
Apache Cordova38 / 100low · 43%
Expo71 / 100medium · 68%
Pricing
Free tier
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Model
Apache Cordovaopen_source
Price level
Apache Cordovafree
Expomid
Starting price
Apache Cordova–
Expo$19
Transparent
Apache Cordova–
Expo✓
Integrations
Count
Apache Cordova14
Expo12
Security
Certifications
Apache Cordova–
Disclosure policy
Apache Cordova–
Expo✓
Gdpr
Apache Cordova–
Expo✓
Scorecard
Apache Cordova4.1
Expo5.2
Soc2
Apache Cordova–
Expo✓
Reliability
Sla pct
Apache Cordova–
Expo99.9
Status page
Apache Cordova–
Expo✓
Adoption
Dependent repos
Apache Cordova–
Github stars
Apache Cordova712
Expo52,730
Package downloads weekly
Apache Cordova–
Activity
Commits last 30d
Apache Cordova0
Expo100
Release
History
Apache Cordova–
License
Spdx
Apache Cordova–
ExpoMIT
Language
Primary
Apache Cordova–
Market
Availability
Content
Faq
Apache Cordova5 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for mobile app frameworks. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Core
Target platforms
Apache CordovaiOS, Android, web, desktop (Electron)
ExpoiOS, Android, web
Approach
Apache CordovaWebView hybrid
ExpoCross-platform native render
Primary language
Apache CordovaHTML/CSS/JavaScript
ExpoJavaScript/TypeScript
Rendering
Renders true native UI
Apache Cordova✗
Expo✓
DX
Hot reload
Apache Cordova-
Expo-
TypeScript-first
Apache Cordova-
Expo-
Delivery
Over-the-air code push
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Portability
Single codebase, multiple platforms
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Desktop support
Apache Cordova✓
Expo-
Builds for web
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Capability
Native API access
Apache CordovaPlugin / bridged
ExpoFull native
Ecosystem
Bundled UI component library
Apache Cordova-
Expo✓

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Apache Cordova

Apache Cordova wraps HTML/JavaScript applications into native containers, allowing developers to target multiple platforms with a single codebase while accessing native device APIs through plugins.

Independently observed

Expo

Leader

A comprehensive development platform enabling developers to build native applications for iOS, Android, and web using React. Provides integrated tools for building, testing, submitting to app stores, delivering over-the-air updates, and monitoring production applications.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Apache Cordova

Open source
as of verify ↗

Expo

Leader
from $19/moSubscriptionFree tier

Free for solo development; Starter at $19/month; Production at $199/month; Enterprise custom pricing with usage-based overage fees

  • FreeFree
    • 15 Android builds
    • 15 iOS builds
    • Low-priority queue
    • 60 min CI/CD Workflows
    • Submit to app stores
    • +2 more
  • Starter$19/month + usage
    • $45 build credit
    • High-priority queue
    • Access to large workers
    • 3,000 MAU updates
    • 500K events/month
  • Production$199/month
    • $225 build credit
    • 15 concurrencies
    • 50,000 MAU updates
    • 10 environment variables
    • Priority support
    • +1 more
  • EnterpriseContact sales
    • $1,000 build credit
    • 20 concurrencies
    • 1M+ MAU updates
    • CI/CD Workflows insights
    • Service Level Agreements
    • +1 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Apache Cordova✗
Expo✓
iOS
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Android
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Apache Cordova✗
Expo✓
Self-hosted
Apache Cordova✓
Expo✗

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Apache Cordova

14 total
  • Battery Status
  • Camera
  • Device
  • Dialogs
  • File
  • Geolocation
  • Inappbrowser
  • Media
  • Media Capture
  • Network Information
  • Screen Orientation
  • Splashscreen
  • Statusbar
  • Vibration
Independently observed

Expo

Leader
21 total
  • Slack
  • maestro
  • Fastlane
  • Xcode
  • Android Studio
  • ADB
  • Metro
  • Webpack
  • Repack
  • Fingerprint
  • PostHog
  • Sentry
  • Stripe
  • Cloudflare
  • GitHub
  • Google Analytics
  • RudderStack
  • Amplitude
  • HubSpot
  • YouTube
  • React Navigation
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Apache Cordova or Expo: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.