App center codepush alternatives for React Native

In March 2025, Microsoft officially discontinues Visual Studio App Center, including one of its most popular services for React Native - CodePush. After March 31, 2025, App Center login and API usage will be unavailable. Consequently, developers who relied on CodePush for quick updates need to find a codepush alternative and begin codepush migration as soon as possible.

In this article, we'll review three obvious solutions as an app center codepush alternative:

  • Open source CodePush server from Microsoft
  • Expo EAS updates from Expo
  • Revopush --- our own product

We will compare them based on the following criteria:

  • Ease of migration
  • Feature set
  • Future React Native SDK support
  • Cost of use

Below is a detailed look at each option.

Open Source CodePush Server

Microsoft has officially released the CodePush server's source code, which enables you to set up and maintain a comparable service on your own. From a technical standpoint, you'll have the same functionality as App Center CodePush, but you take on full responsibility for the infrastructure. Read more about CodePush standalone server in our guide.

Pros

  • Complete control of the server and the ability to customize it.
  • The source code is available for free.

Cons

  • You must maintain the server's uptime, configure the infrastructure, and update the React Native CodePush SDK with new releases.
  • High expenses for cloud resources and bandwidth.

Example Cost Calculation

Let's assume you have an app with 200,000 active users, releasing 5 updates (OTA releases) per month.

  • Infrastructure: about $300/month.
  • Bandwidth: 200,000 users × 5 MB × 5 bundles = ~4.76 TB (~$300--$500/month).

Total (excluding developer and DevOps costs):

300(server) + 400(bandwidth) = 600−800$/month

Expo EAS updates

Expo is a well-established tool for React Native development, offering many services including Over-The-Air (OTA) updates through Expo EAS updates.

Pros

  • Excellent support and a large ecosystem of tools.
  • Active community and rapid updates for the latest React Native versions.

Cons

  • Migrating from the classic React Native CLI may require significant restructuring of your project.
  • Dependence on the Expo ecosystem (some native modules/plugins may need special configuration).

Example Cost Calculation

We'll use the same parameters: 200,000 users, 5 updates a month. Each update is a 10 MB bundle.

On Demand Plan

  • Cost: $0.005 per Monthly Active User (MAU) 200,000 × 0.005 = 1, 000 USD/month
  • Bandwidth beyond 40 MB per user/month is billed at $0.10 per GB. Here, it’s 10 MB * 5 updates = 50 MB per user (10 MB over the free limit). That’s approximately $200 extra for data transfer.
  • Total: 1,000 (MAU cost) + 200 (bandwidth) = $1,200/month.

Production Plan

  • Cost: $99/month for 50k MAU. The remaining 150k MAU at $0.005 each: 150,000 × 0.005 = $750/month
  • Total for MAU: 99 + 750 = $849/month.
  • Data transfer over the plan limit is still $0.10/GB. If it’s the same 2 TB, it’s about $200 extra.
  • Total: approximately $1,049/month (considering bandwidth).

Revopush

Revopush is a SaaS platform and open-source toolkit designed for seamless migration from App Center CodePush.

Key Advantages

  • 100% compatibility with existing CodePush clients. Migration is as straightforward as updating endpoints and making minor configuration changes.
  • Ongoing support for future React Native versions. We track RN releases and promptly update our React Native CodePush SDK
  • Multiple deployment options. Choose a fully cloud-based SaaS solution or deploy on-premises for complete control if you prefer your own infrastructure.
  • Support for CI/CD integration with Bitrise CodePush
  • Free support for all users until March 31, 2025.

Example Cost Calculation

Using the same example (200,000 users, 5 OTA releases per month):

  • Basic plan: $30/month for 200k updates
  • Plan at $90/month: up to 1 million updates with no data transfer limits.
  • If you exceed 1 million updates/month, we offer custom pricing based on your usage pattern and release strategy.

So, if you are intensively using CodePush (200k users * 5 updates), you can stay within the $30 to $90/month range — significantly cheaper than Expo EAS and certainly more cost-effective compared to maintaining your own open source CodePush server.

Cons

  • Our SDK supporting the new React Native architecture is currently in beta. The final release is planned for mid to late February, though we are already accepting early adopters for testing.

Conclusion

If you're searching for a CodePush alternative or planning migration after App Center shutdown, consider:

  • Open Source CodePush Server
    • Ideal for those wanting complete control over their infrastructure and comfortable with DevOps tasks.
    • Potentially significant financial and time costs for maintenance and data transfer.
  • Expo EAS Updates
    • A reliable solution from the Expo team with a large community and swift support for new React Native versions.
    • Higher overall cost, complicated migration from RN CLI, possible extra data transfer charges.
  • Revopush
    • Easiest and fastest migration from App Center CodePush.
    • More affordable and transparent pricing than other solutions.
    • Free support until March 31, 2025, plus flexible pricing plans.

We hope this comparison helps you choose the best option for migration.

For any questions, please contact our support team.