Website to Mobile App Conversion: What Works, What Doesn't, and What It Costs

You've built a website. Now you're wondering if you need a mobile app.

The short answer: probably. Mobile apps get 3x better engagement than mobile websites, higher conversion rates, and direct access to your users through push notifications. But building one from scratch costs $50,000-$150,000 and takes months.

Website to app conversion tools promise a shortcut. You feed them your URL, they spit out an app. Some of these tools are legit. Most are garbage that'll get rejected by app stores or deliver such a poor experience you'll wish you never bothered.

Here's what actually works.

The Two Ways to Convert Your Website to an App

You've got two real options: webview wrappers and no-code builders.

Webview Wrappers: Fast and Functional

A webview wrapper puts your mobile website inside a native app shell. Think of it as a dedicated browser that only shows your site. The good ones add native features like push notifications, offline caching, and proper navigation.

The advantage: your website and app share the same codebase. Update your site, the app updates automatically. No double work.

The problem: cheap wrappers create apps that look and feel like websites stuffed into an app. App stores hate these. Users hate them more.

No-Code App Builders: More Control, More Work

No-code builders let you design an app from scratch using templates and drag-and-drop tools. You're not converting your website-you're rebuilding it as an app.

The advantage: full control over the app experience. You can make it feel truly native.

The problem: you now maintain two separate platforms. Every change to your website needs to be manually replicated in the app. It's a pain in the ass.

Understanding Native vs. Hybrid vs. Webview Apps

Before you choose a conversion tool, you need to understand what type of app you're actually getting.

Native Apps: Maximum Performance

Native apps are built specifically for iOS or Android using platform-specific languages like Swift or Kotlin. They offer the best performance, smoothest animations, and full access to device features like cameras, GPS, and biometric sensors.

Native apps run about 20% faster than hybrid alternatives and handle complex tasks like real-time algorithms up to 40% more efficiently. They integrate seamlessly with the operating system and follow platform design guidelines, making them feel natural to users.

The downside: you need separate apps for iOS and Android. Development costs range from $50,000 to $250,000 per platform. If you want both, you're looking at six figures minimum.

Hybrid Apps: One Codebase, Multiple Platforms

Hybrid apps use web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript wrapped in a native container. You write the code once and deploy to both iOS and Android.

Development costs for hybrid apps typically run $20,000 to $100,000-significantly cheaper than native. Frameworks like React Native and Flutter have improved hybrid performance considerably, though they still lag behind native apps for graphics-heavy or hardware-intensive applications.

Hybrid apps can access device features through plugins, but the integration isn't as deep as native. Users may notice slight delays, less responsive animations, or interface elements that don't quite match platform conventions.

Webview Apps: Websites in App Clothing

Webview apps are the simplest approach-they're essentially your mobile website displayed inside a native app shell. Most website to app conversion tools create webview apps.

They're cheap and fast to build. Your content updates automatically when you update your website. But they're also the slowest performing option and the most likely to get rejected by app stores if they don't include enough native features.

The key is choosing a wrapper that adds genuine native functionality-not just slapping your website into an app and calling it done.

AppMySite: Solid for WordPress and WooCommerce

AppMySite specializes in converting WordPress, WooCommerce, and general websites into mobile apps. If you're running one of these platforms, it's worth a look.

What's Good

Deep WordPress integration means your content syncs in real-time. Products, posts, pages-all automatically updated in the app. No manual work. The builder is straightforward with decent templates, and you can have an app preview running in under an hour.

Both Android and iOS apps are supported, and the platform handles app store submission, which is helpful if you've never dealt with Apple's review process.

What Sucks

iOS support doesn't start until the Pro plan at $129/month. The cheaper plans only give you Android, which cuts your audience in half.

The interface is painfully slow when you're switching between editing features. Design flexibility is limited-you're mostly working within their templates. And while it's cheaper than hiring developers, AppMySite is on the expensive side compared to similar tools.

Pricing starts at $49/month for basic features, $129/month for iOS apps. Reviews mention the company recently hiked prices by 60% with little notice, so expect that number to keep climbing.

The biggest complaint from users: billing issues. Multiple reviews mention unauthorized upgrades and unexpected charges. Read the fine print carefully.

Who Should Use It

WordPress and WooCommerce store owners who want a functional app without rebuilding everything. If you're on Shopify or a custom platform, look elsewhere.

Read our full AppMySite review for more details.

Appilix: Budget-Friendly with Lifetime Options

Appilix is one of the most affordable website to app converters on the market, with a unique lifetime pricing option that sets it apart from subscription-heavy competitors.

Pricing and Plans

Appilix offers three main pricing tiers:

The pricing makes it attractive for solopreneurs and small businesses who want to avoid ongoing monthly fees. At under $7/month on the annual plan, it's one of the cheapest options available.

Features and Capabilities

Appilix converts your website to a mobile app in about 5 minutes. The platform includes Firebase push notifications, AdMob ads integration for monetization, customizable splash screens, navigation drawers, and deep linking support.

It works with any responsive website-WordPress, Shopify, Wix, custom builds. You get both Android and iOS apps from a single conversion. The builder is browser-based, so you don't need a Mac or Windows PC to create your app.

The Limitations

Appilix creates basic webview wrappers. While they include native features like push notifications and offline functionality, the apps don't feel as polished as those from premium services. Design customization is limited compared to more expensive tools.

Integration with external services is restricted. If your site relies heavily on third-party tools or complex functionality, you may run into compatibility issues. App store approval can be challenging-some users report lengthy review times or rejections requiring modifications.

Who Should Use It

Budget-conscious businesses with straightforward websites who need a basic app presence without premium features. If you're testing whether a mobile app makes sense for your business, the low cost makes it a reasonable experiment. For established businesses needing professional-grade apps, look at premium options instead.

Appy Pie: Cheap but Limited

Appy Pie is one of the oldest no-code app builders. It's cheap. It's simple. It's also pretty basic.

Pricing

Basic plan: $16/month (Android only, limited to 1,000 downloads)

Gold plan: $36/month (still Android only, 1,500 downloads)

Platinum plan: $60/month (Android + iOS, 2,000 downloads)

All plans include Appy Pie branding unless you pay extra to remove it.

What's Good

Dead simple interface. If you've never built an app before, you can figure this out. The price is unbeatable if you're just testing the waters or need something super basic.

What Sucks

Limited features, inflexible templates, and getting your app approved by app stores is a nightmare. Users report apps sitting in review for weeks with no feedback.

The free features are basically worthless-you need to upgrade to do anything useful. And while the base price looks cheap, you'll hit usage caps quickly. Extra downloads and notifications cost extra.

Customer support is hit or miss. When you need help with app store submissions, you're mostly on your own.

Who Should Use It

Solopreneurs and small businesses who need a very basic app and can't spend more than $50/month. If your app needs any complexity, skip this.

WebToApp.Design: European Quality with Strong Support

WebToApp.design is a European-based conversion service that emphasizes quality apps and hands-on support through the publishing process.

What Sets It Apart

WebToApp.design focuses on creating apps that feel native rather than just wrapped websites. They add customizable native components to give apps the classic app look and feel. The platform automatically shows website changes in your app without requiring manual updates.

The service includes comprehensive support for app store submission-they guide you through every step from creation to publishing. Their approval rate sits around 99% for both Google Play and the Apple App Store, which is significantly higher than DIY approaches.

Pricing and Trial

Creating an app for your homepage is free. Once you want a preview of your finished app and to publish it to app stores, you need to start a paid plan with a 14-day free trial.

The platform offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Plans can be paid monthly or annually, and you can switch between plans anytime. The trial period gives you two weeks to test everything risk-free.

Push Notifications and Features

Push notification functionality is built in-you can send broadcast notifications, segment users, or send one-to-one messages. The platform supports both Deep Links and App Links, so URLs can open directly in your app when users have it installed.

Apps stay synced with your website automatically. Any content changes on your site appear immediately in the app. Changes to app-specific elements like icons or app names require an app store update, which you can publish at any time at no extra cost.

GDPR Compliance and Privacy

As a European company, WebToApp.design is GDPR compliant and doesn't collect personal information about app users. You can filter app users in your existing analytics tools without dealing with additional data collection systems.

Who Should Use It

Businesses that want reliable support through the app publishing process. The high approval rate and hands-on guidance make it ideal for first-time app publishers. It's particularly popular with blogs, news sites, portfolios, e-commerce stores, and agencies creating apps for clients.

Progressive Web Apps: The Budget Alternative

Before you drop money on a conversion tool, consider a Progressive Web App (PWA). It's not a real native app, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

PWAs are websites that behave like apps. Users can install them to their home screen, they work offline, and they're fast. Pinterest, Twitter, and Spotify all use PWAs.

The Pros

One codebase works everywhere. No app store approval process. Updates are instant. Development costs are 40-60% lower than native apps.

AliExpress saw a 104% increase in conversion rates after launching their PWA. Tinder's PWA is 90% smaller than their Android app and loads 60% faster.

Building a basic PWA with free tools like PWABuilder can be completed in a few days at minimal cost. Modern browsers let you give users a native-app-like experience directly from the web app itself, taking advantage of recent advancements in browser technologies.

The Cons

PWAs can't access all device features that native apps can. Push notifications work differently (and not as well) on iOS. Users have to know to install them-there's no app store discovery.

Performance is weaker than native apps, especially for graphics-heavy applications or anything requiring complex offline functionality. While PWAs have improved dramatically, they still can't match native apps for demanding use cases.

Who Should Use It

Content sites, SaaS platforms, and ecommerce stores that want better mobile engagement without paying for a full native app. If your business relies on app store visibility or needs deep device integration (camera, GPS, sensors), go native.

MobiLoud, Median, and Premium Options

If you've got a bigger budget and need a quality app, the premium conversion tools deliver better results.

MobiLoud and Median both offer managed services where they convert your website and handle app store submissions. Pricing isn't public, but expect $3,000-$10,000 for setup plus monthly fees around $300-$500.

What you get: actual support from humans who know how to get apps approved, apps that feel native instead of like wrapped websites, and maintenance included.

MobiLoud: Full-Service Mobile Team

MobiLoud positions itself as a full-service mobile team without the overhead. They convert your existing website into fully functional iOS and Android apps that look and feel like true native apps.

Everything on your app works exactly as it does on your site. But it's not just repackaging-they enhance your app with native features like navigation, in-app menus, push notifications, and app-exclusive experiences.

The service includes unlimited push notifications with OneSignal integration by default, plus optional native Klaviyo integration for ecommerce. They support abandoned cart push and provide assistance with campaign setup.

MobiLoud works with any website platform-WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, headless CMS, custom JavaScript builds. Apps stay perfectly in sync with your website automatically. The team handles development, app store approval (with a 100% approval guarantee), and ongoing support.

Median: Developer-Focused Platform

Median offers a powerful webview app development platform designed for teams that want more control. It's not a DIY tool-it's positioned for businesses with technical resources or those who want managed services.

The platform includes complete customization, device simulators, native plugins, online builds, and comprehensive app management. You can invite team members to develop and test shared apps with role-based access levels.

Median integrates with leading push notification providers and includes features like Face ID/biometric login, haptic vibration, and deep linking. Large organizations trust Median to launch and support mission-critical apps with SLA guarantees and priority technical support.

WebViewGold: Developer Template Option

WebViewGold takes a different approach-it's a template you purchase and customize yourself. Pricing ranges from $100 to $300 per platform for commercial wrappers.

You get lifetime updates for iOS and Android, 24/7 live chat support, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. The service includes free workshops for anyone interested in turning their website into a mobile app, covering both Android and iOS conversion.

WebViewGold is ideal for developers or technical teams who want full control over the app build process but don't want to start from scratch. It's cheaper than managed services but requires more technical knowledge.

The Value Proposition

These premium tools work with any website platform-WordPress, Shopify, custom builds, doesn't matter. The apps they produce look professional and perform well.

The downside: cost. You're paying 10x what AppMySite charges. For established businesses pulling serious revenue from mobile, it's worth it. For everyone else, it's overkill.

App Store Submission: The Real Challenge

Most businesses underestimate how difficult it is to get an app approved by Apple and Google. This is where cheap conversion tools often fail.

Developer Account Requirements

You'll need developer accounts for both platforms. An Apple Developer Account costs $99 per year. A Google Play Console account requires a one-time $25 fee.

For Apple, you can register as an individual or organization. Individual accounts must use a two-factor authenticated Apple ID and the person must be at least 18 years old. Organizations need an official email address, legal entity status, a D-U-N-S Number, and an active website.

Google's requirements are simpler-just register an account and pay the fee. However, individual accounts face stricter review processes including manual app reviews and identity verification that can delay approvals by 3-4 weeks or more. Organization accounts generally see faster approval.

Apple App Store Guidelines

Apple is notoriously strict. They claim 90% of submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, though it often takes several days. The review process is thorough, involving both automated checks and human reviewers.

Common rejection reasons include:

Apple requires apps to offer original value, clear navigation, and genuine functionality beyond just displaying a website. Simple webview wrappers typically get rejected unless they include substantial native features, offline functionality, and proper navigation that follows iOS conventions.

Google Play Store Guidelines

Google's process is generally faster and more flexible, taking anywhere from a few hours to 7 days (typically 3-7 days). They use both automated and manual review processes.

Google focuses heavily on safety and privacy. Apps must:

While Google is less strict than Apple, they still reject apps that provide poor user experiences or violate content policies. Apps that are essentially just wrapped websites with minimal functionality often face scrutiny.

Preparing for Submission

Before submitting to either store, you need:

The submission process itself involves uploading app files (APK/AAB for Android, IPA for iOS), setting pricing and availability, and filling out extensive metadata. Plan for review periods of 24-48 hours for Apple and up to 7 days for Google.

Why Premium Services Help

This is where managed services justify their cost. Services like MobiLoud and Median offer 100% approval guarantees because they know exactly what app stores require. They've been through the process hundreds of times and understand the nuances of each platform's guidelines.

If you're using a budget tool, expect to go through multiple rejection cycles before getting approved-if you get approved at all. Each rejection adds weeks to your timeline and frustration to your team.

Performance Considerations: What Users Actually Notice

The type of app you build directly impacts user experience. Here's what actually matters to users.

Load Times and Responsiveness

Native apps load content faster and respond more quickly to user interactions. Users notice lag times as short as 100 milliseconds. Native apps typically deliver 20% faster responsiveness than hybrid alternatives.

Webview apps are the slowest option, especially if your mobile site isn't optimized. Every interaction requires loading from a server, and animations can feel janky compared to native implementations.

For content-heavy apps or anything requiring real-time interactions, performance differences become obvious. Users will abandon apps that feel slow or unresponsive.

Offline Functionality

Native apps excel at offline functionality. They can cache data locally and sync when connectivity returns. Users expect apps to work even when they lose their connection-at least for basic features.

Webview apps struggle with offline support. Unless the conversion tool implements specific offline caching, your app becomes useless without internet connectivity. This is particularly problematic for mobile users who frequently encounter spotty connections.

Hybrid apps can handle offline functionality through plugins, but implementation quality varies significantly between frameworks and tools.

Battery and Resource Usage

Native apps are more efficient with battery life and device resources. They're compiled specifically for the platform and can take advantage of system-level optimizations.

Webview apps consume more battery because they're essentially running a browser in the background. Users notice when apps drain their battery quickly-and they uninstall those apps.

This matters more than you might think. An app that kills battery life won't survive on users' devices, regardless of how useful it is.

Monetization and Business Integration

If you're planning to make money from your app or integrate it with existing business systems, the platform you choose matters.

In-App Purchases and Subscriptions

Both Apple and Google take a 15-30% commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions (15% for the first $1 million in revenue, 30% above that).

If you're selling digital products or subscriptions, you must use the platform's payment system. Apps that try to bypass this get rejected immediately. Your conversion tool needs to support proper in-app purchase implementation or you'll need to build it yourself.

For physical goods or services consumed outside the app, you can use your own payment processor. This is why ecommerce apps can use their existing checkout systems.

Advertising and Revenue

If you're monetizing through ads, integration with AdMob or other ad networks needs to work properly. Many budget conversion tools have limited or buggy ad support.

Ad implementation affects app store approval too. Ads that are intrusive, misleading, or interfere with core functionality can trigger rejection. Make sure your conversion tool implements ads in compliance with platform policies.

CRM and Marketing Tool Integration

Your app should integrate with existing marketing and sales tools. Whether that's your CRM software, email marketing platform, or analytics systems, data needs to flow properly.

Native apps generally integrate more easily with third-party services. Webview apps rely on your website's existing integrations, which can be an advantage if everything is already set up correctly.

For B2B businesses especially, integration with tools like Close CRM or Lemlist can make the difference between an app that drives revenue and one that's just a mobile presence.

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Building the app is just the beginning. Maintenance is where hidden costs accumulate.

Platform Updates

Apple and Google release major iOS and Android updates annually, with security patches throughout the year. Your app needs to stay compatible with these updates or it breaks.

Native apps require testing and updates with each major OS release. Budget at least 40-80 hours per year per platform for maintenance-more if you have complex functionality.

Webview apps have an advantage here: if your website works on mobile browsers, your app continues working. But you still need to update the wrapper to maintain compatibility with new OS features and requirements.

Bug Fixes and User Feedback

Users will report bugs. App stores will require fixes. Device fragmentation means your app needs to work across dozens of different screen sizes, hardware configurations, and OS versions.

Premium services include maintenance. Budget tools leave you on your own. If you can't fix issues yourself, you'll need to hire developers-which quickly exceeds the cost savings from choosing a cheap tool.

Feature Updates

As your business evolves, your app needs to evolve too. Adding features to native apps requires development work. Webview apps inherit features from your website automatically, which is a significant advantage.

Consider your roadmap. If you're planning significant app-specific features, a no-code builder or native development makes sense. If the app is primarily a mobile window into your existing web platform, a webview approach is more maintainable.

Real Costs: What You'll Actually Spend

Let's break down real costs over two years-not just the advertised prices.

Budget Approach (Appilix or Appy Pie)

Year 1: $200-720 (tool subscription) + $124 (developer accounts) = $324-844

Year 2: $200-720 (subscription) + $99 (Apple renewal) = $299-819

Two-year total: $623-1,663

This assumes you handle everything yourself and don't need developer help for fixes or rejections. Add $1,000-3,000 if you need to hire developers to resolve issues.

Mid-Range Approach (AppMySite or WebToApp.design)

Year 1: $1,200-1,800 (tool subscription) + $124 (developer accounts) = $1,324-1,924

Year 2: $1,200-1,800 (subscription) + $99 (Apple renewal) = $1,299-1,899

Two-year total: $2,623-3,823

These services typically include better support, but you're still responsible for managing the process.

Premium Approach (MobiLoud or Median)

Year 1: $5,000-10,000 (setup) + $3,600-6,000 (monthly fees) + $124 (developer accounts) = $8,724-16,124

Year 2: $3,600-6,000 (monthly fees) + $99 (Apple renewal) = $3,699-6,099

Two-year total: $12,423-22,223

Premium services include maintenance, updates, and support, which saves internal resources and ensures quality.

Custom Native Development

Year 1: $100,000-300,000 (development) + $124 (developer accounts) = $100,124-300,124

Year 2: $20,000-50,000 (maintenance) + $99 (Apple renewal) = $20,099-50,099

Two-year total: $120,223-350,223

Custom development gives you exactly what you want but costs 10-20x more than conversion tools.

What You Actually Need to Know

Most website to app conversion tools promise more than they deliver. The cheap ones create apps that get rejected by app stores or ignored by users. The expensive ones work great but cost more than most small businesses can justify.

Here's what actually matters:

App store approval is the real challenge. Apple rejects apps that are just website wrappers with no native features. You need proper navigation, offline functionality, and a UI that follows platform guidelines. Most cheap tools don't deliver this.

Maintenance is ongoing. Your app isn't a one-time project. You'll need to update it when iOS and Android release new versions, fix bugs, and add features. Budget for this or you'll have a broken app within six months.

Push notifications are the killer feature. This is why apps outperform mobile websites. If your conversion tool doesn't include solid push notification support, you're wasting your money.

Performance matters to users. Native apps feel faster and more responsive because they are. If your business demands high performance-real-time features, complex interactions, graphics-heavy content-native development or premium conversion tools are worth the investment.

Test before you commit. Every tool mentioned here offers a trial or demo. Build a test app. Try to get it approved in the app stores (or at least submitted for review). See if it actually works before paying for a year.

Consider your technical resources. If you don't have developers on staff and can't troubleshoot issues yourself, budget tools will cost you more in frustration and hiring external help than premium services cost upfront.

Decision Framework: Which Approach Is Right for You?

Use this framework to decide which path makes sense for your business.

Choose Budget Tools (Appilix, Appy Pie) If:

Choose Mid-Range Tools (AppMySite, WebToApp.design) If:

Choose Premium Services (MobiLoud, Median) If:

Choose Native Development If:

Choose Progressive Web Apps If:

The Bottom Line

If you're on WordPress or WooCommerce and want a functional app without rebuilding everything, AppMySite is your best bet despite the pricing concerns. Watch out for billing issues and read the terms carefully.

If you need something dirt cheap for a super basic app, Appy Pie or Appilix work but set low expectations. The lifetime pricing option from Appilix is particularly attractive if you want to avoid ongoing subscriptions.

If you want quality support through the app store submission process and a professional result, WebToApp.design offers strong value with their high approval rates and hands-on guidance.

If you want the best possible app and have the budget, go with a premium managed service like MobiLoud or Median. You're paying for expertise, guaranteed approval, and ongoing maintenance that saves internal resources.

If you're not sure you need an app yet, start with a Progressive Web App. It's cheaper, faster to build, and you can always convert to native later if it makes sense.

Most businesses don't need a mobile app. But if mobile users are a significant chunk of your traffic, if you're losing conversions on mobile, or if you need push notifications to drive repeat engagement, a properly built app will pay for itself.

Just don't cheap out with a garbage wrapper tool that creates more problems than it solves. The difference between a good app and a bad app isn't the technology-it's whether the tool you choose actually delivers native functionality, handles app store requirements properly, and creates an experience users want to keep on their phones.

Your mobile app is an extension of your brand. Choose a solution that represents your business the way you want to be perceived. Whether that's a budget tool for basic presence or a premium service for professional quality depends on your goals, resources, and how critical mobile is to your business strategy.

For more on building your B2B tech stack, check out our guides on website builders, email marketing platforms, and CRM software.