AppForShare: A Diawi Alternative
By Afrah Saleem · · 4 min read
AppForShare is a Diawi alternative for sharing iOS and Android test builds over the air. Like Diawi, you upload an .ipa or .apk and get an install link and QR code. The main differences are larger free limits (150 MB files and 7 day links on a free account), paid links that stay live for as long as you subscribe, and team features such as invited testers, a custom domain and a white-label install page.
This post compares the two honestly, including where Diawi may suit you better, so you can decide which one fits your workflow.
What both tools do
Diawi and AppForShare solve the same core problem: getting a build onto a tester's phone without going through an app store. In both cases you:
- Upload an Android .apk or an iOS .ipa.
- Get a link and a QR code to share.
- Let the tester install the app from the phone's browser.
Neither tool changes Apple's rules. iOS builds must be signed Ad Hoc (with the tester's UDID in the profile), Enterprise or Development. App Store and TestFlight builds cannot be installed from a link on either service, and AppForShare does not re-sign builds.
Where AppForShare differs
Free limits
Diawi's free tier allows files up to 20 MB, and links last 1 day with 2 installs. With AppForShare you can upload without an account (guest) up to 50 MB, with links that last 3 days and allow 20 installs per link. A free AppForShare account raises that to 150 MB per file, 2 GB of storage and links that last 7 days, with 10 GB of install bandwidth per month.
Link life on paid plans
On Pro and Team, links do not expire on a timer. They stay live while the subscription is active. If you cancel, your plan stays active to the end of the paid period, then links follow Free rules and stay live 7 more days. An old link is never reused for someone else's build.
Automation
Pro includes CI upload tokens for the CLI, a GitHub Action and Fastlane, plus webhooks to Slack, Discord or any signed HTTPS endpoint. See the CI docs and the webhook docs.
Teams and clients
Team adds a shared workspace with Admin, Developer and Viewer roles, private projects that only invited testers can open, email to testers when a new build arrives, a "who installed" view, a custom domain for install links and a white-label install page with your logo and colours.
Install analytics
Pro and Team show installs by device, OS version, model and country, with a daily series. This tells you who has the latest build. It is not a crash reporter: AppForShare has no in-app SDK and does not collect crash reports or in-app feedback.
Side by side
| Feature | Diawi | AppForShare |
|---|---|---|
| Free file size | 20 MB | 50 MB as guest, 150 MB with a free account |
| Free link life | 1 day | 3 days as guest, 7 days with a free account |
| Free installs | 2 | 20 per link as guest, 10 GB of bandwidth per month with a free account |
| Paid link life | Check their current pricing page | While subscribed |
| iOS and Android | Yes | Yes |
| QR code | Yes | Yes, on every plan |
| Password protected links | Check their current pricing page | Free and above |
| CI uploads and webhooks | Check their current pricing page | Pro and Team |
| Custom domain and white-label install page | Check their current pricing page | Team |
| UDID finder | Check their site | Free, no account needed |
Diawi's paid plans and features change over time, so check their current pricing page before deciding.
When Diawi may be the better fit
If you only ever share a small build once with one or two people and do not need the link the next day, Diawi's free tier may be all you need. AppForShare is a better fit when builds are larger, when testers need more than a day, or when you share builds every week and want CI uploads, analytics or a branded install page.
Pricing
AppForShare has a Free plan, Pro at $12 per month or $120 per year, and Team at $39 per month or $390 per year with 5 seats included. There is no free trial of the paid plans; the Free plan is the free option. See pricing for the full limits, and AppForShare vs Firebase vs Diawi for a wider comparison.
Questions? Write to [email protected] or use the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Is AppForShare a good alternative to Diawi?
Yes, if you need larger files or longer links. A free AppForShare account allows 150 MB files and 7 day links, compared with 20 MB and 1 day on Diawi's free tier. Pro and Team links stay live while you are subscribed.
Can I install App Store or TestFlight builds with either tool?
No. iOS only allows link installs for builds signed Ad Hoc, Enterprise or Development. This is an Apple rule, and AppForShare does not re-sign builds.
Do AppForShare links ever expire?
Yes, depending on the plan. Guest links last 3 days and Free links 7 days. Pro and Team links stay live while the subscription is active.
Does AppForShare collect crash reports from testers?
No. AppForShare has no in-app SDK. Pro and Team show install analytics such as devices, OS versions and countries, but not crashes or in-app feedback.
