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    EAS Build reviews

    EAS Build runs cloud builds, code signing, over-the-air updates and app store submission for React Native and Expo apps on Android and iOS.

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    ToolTrim verdict3.8/ 5Great

    The Production plan's $199/month build credit is the budget line: once monthly per-build overage charges regularly exceed that, compare against a flat-rate CI competitor.

    EAS Build, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with EAS Build.

    EAS Build handles cloud builds and code signing for React Native and Expo apps, including ones with custom native code, and pairs with EAS Update for over-the-air releases and EAS Submit for automated store submission. EAS Workflows and Insights add CI/CD automation and performance monitoring on top.

    The free plan covers 15 Android and 15 iOS builds a month on a low-priority queue. The Production plan costs $199/month as a usage credit: a high-priority queue, 2 concurrent builds and extra builds beyond the credit are billed per build, so cost scales with how much a team actually builds rather than being a flat fee.

    Practical uses

    • Ship without a MacBuild an iOS binary in the cloud via EAS Build, then submit it to the App Store with EAS Submit, without owning Apple hardware.
    • Push a fix instantlyShip a JavaScript bug fix to users via an EAS Update over-the-air release, skipping app store review entirely.

    Features & use cases

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    Pros and cons. What EAS Build does well, and what to expect.

    Pros

    • Free tier removes the need to own Apple hardware or maintain build servers for light usage.
    • OTA updates via EAS Update let JavaScript fixes reach users without an app store review cycle.

    Cons

    • The free tier's low-priority build queue can slow builds down at peak times.
    • The Production plan's $199/month is a usage credit, not a flat fee, so heavy build or concurrency needs cost noticeably more.

    When it makes sense. Keep EAS Build, or challenge it?

    Keep if

    • You build a React Native or Expo app and want cloud builds, OTA updates and store submission without running your own CI.
    EAS Build becomes worthwhile when
    • You use it at least once a week
    • The monthly cost ($199) is small next to the time it saves you

    Challenge if

    • Your team needs many concurrent builds or heavy build volume every month, since costs above the included credit add up per build.
    EAS Build becomes too expensive when
    • You use it less than once a month
    • A simple free version or a tool already in your stack would do

    Our verdict. What to know about EAS Build.

    Why this verdict

    Great

    Added value

    Replaces the cost and upkeep of self-hosted iOS/Android build infrastructure (including Apple hardware) with a free tier for light use and a usage-based paid tier.

    Simplicity

    Cloud builds, OTA updates and store submission work through the Expo CLI without configuring native build servers.

    Fit for purpose

    Delivers cloud builds, OTA updates, store submission and CI/CD automation as described, for both Android and iOS.

    Performance

    Covers custom native code, OTA updates, automated store submission and workflow automation, beyond a basic build-only service.

    Reversibility

    Neutral score: whether build configurations and credentials export cleanly to another CI provider is not covered by the collected sources.

    EAS BuildFrom $199/mo
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