7 Best CodePush Alternatives in 2026 for React Native OTA Updates

April 14, 2026

Microsoft’s CodePush has been the industry standard for React Native OTA (Over-The-Air) updates for nearly a decade. However, its transition into “maintenance mode” and the eventual sunsetting of parts of AppCenter has left developers in a difficult position.

If you’re looking for a replacement that offers better safety, more modern UI, and freedom from vendor lock-in, you’re in the right place. Here are the 7 best CodePush alternatives in 2026.

1. AppSpacer (Our Top Pick)

Best for: Teams who want a modern, open-source, and self-hostable alternative with premium developer experience.

AppSpacer was built specifically to address the shortcomings of CodePush. It’s not just a replacement; it’s an evolution.

• Pros: Open-source, self-hostable, 5+ premium update UI themes, one-command native setup, and automatic crash rollbacks.
• Cons: Newer than some alternatives, though already production-ready.
• Why it wins: It offers the most seamless migration path from CodePush while removing the dependency on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.

2. Expo Updates

Best for: Projects already within the Expo ecosystem or using Expo Dev Clients.

Expo Updates is a robust, well-maintained service that’s deeply integrated into the Expo ecosystem.

• Pros: Extremely reliable, great documentation, and supports both managed and bare workflows.
• Cons: Can be expensive at scale, and some features are tied to the Expo EAS cloud.
• Why it wins: If you’re already on Expo, this is the most “official” path forward.

3. Shorebird

Best for: Flutter developers (and increasingly, general native teams).

While Shorebird started as a Flutter-first OTA service, its approach to “patching” binary code at the engine level is revolutionary.

• Pros: Founded by the original creators of Flutter; extremely fast and efficient.
• Cons: Primarily focused on Flutter; React Native support is still maturing.

4. AppCenter (Legacy)

Best for: Teams who aren’t ready to move just yet.

CodePush still exists within AppCenter for now, but the writing is on the wall.

• Pros: You’re already using it.
• Cons: No new features, aging infrastructure, and eventual sunsetting.

5. Pushy

Best for: Low-cost, basic update needs.

Pushy is a long-standing player in the OTA space that focuses on simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

• Pros: Affordable, straightforward API.
• Cons: Lacks the advanced safety features (like automatic rollbacks) and premium UI components found in modern tools like AppSpacer.

6. Capgo

Best for: Capacitor and Ionic developers.

If your “React Native” project is actually a web-view based app using Capacitor, Capgo is the clear winner for that niche.

• Pros: Built specifically for Capacitor; great automation features.
• Cons: Not applicable to standard React Native (Native components) projects.

7. Self-Hosted Custom Solutions

Best for: Enterprise teams with strict compliance or security requirements.

Some teams choose to build their own OTA server using standard storage (S3/GCP) and custom logic.

• Pros: Complete control, zero ongoing service costs.
• Cons: High maintenance burden, easy to mess up the native “atomic swap” logic, no built-in UI.

Which version should you choose?

Selecting the right CodePush alternative depends on your priorities:

• If you want the smoothest transition and want to own your data: Choose AppSpacer.
• If you are all-in on Expo: Use Expo Updates.
• If you have no budget and minimal needs: Look at Pushy.

Ready to see how AppSpacer compares directly? Check out our deep dive.