Link Availability: AppForShare vs Diawi vs InstallOnAir
By Afrah Saleem · · 4 min read
How long an install link stays live differs a lot between distribution tools. On Diawi's free tier a link lasts 1 day. On AppForShare, guest links last 3 days, Free account links last 7 days, and Pro and Team links stay live for as long as the subscription is active. For InstallOnAir, check their current pricing page, as their limits may have changed.
An earlier version of this page said AppForShare links never expire, even on the free plan. That is no longer true. This page sets out the current rules and why link life matters for testing.
Why link life matters
A test round rarely ends the day a build is shared. Testers are in different time zones, a client may only look at the build days later, and QA often goes back to an earlier build to check when a bug appeared. If the link expires in the middle of that, someone has to re-upload and send a new link, and testers end up confused about which build is current.
Short links are fine for a quick one-off share. For ongoing testing, you want links that last as long as the test round.
Link life compared
| Account type | Diawi | InstallOnAir | AppForShare |
|---|---|---|---|
| No account | 1 day, 2 installs, 20 MB | Check their current pricing page | 3 days, 20 installs per link (4 per day), 50 MB |
| Free account | Check their current pricing page | Check their current pricing page | 7 days, 150 MB files, 10 GB bandwidth per month |
| Paid plans | Check their current pricing page | Check their current pricing page | While subscribed (Pro $12/month, Team $39/month) |
Competitor plans change, so confirm their current limits on their own pricing pages before deciding.
How AppForShare link life works
Guest and Free
A guest upload (no account) gives a link that lasts 3 days, with up to 20 installs and 4 per day. A free account gives links that last 7 days from upload, plus password protection and 2 GB of storage. These tiers suit quick checks and short test rounds.
Pro and Team
On Pro and Team, links do not run on a timer. They stay live while your subscription is active, so a build shared at the start of a month long test round still works at the end of it. Pro is $12 per month or $120 per year. Team is $39 per month or $390 per year with 5 seats.
If you cancel
You can cancel any time from Billing. The plan stays active to the end of the period you paid for. After that your links follow Free rules and stay live 7 more days.
Other limits that apply
Every plan has a monthly install bandwidth (10 GB Free, 40 GB Pro, 150 GB Team). If an account reaches it, the install page tells testers the owner needs more bandwidth until it resets on the 1st of the month or the owner buys an add-on (Pro and Team: 50 GB for $10). Nothing is billed automatically.
Links that are safe to keep around
A long lived link is only useful if it is safe. AppForShare links:
- Are never reused. An old link or QR code never points to someone else's build.
- Can have a password (Free and above).
- Can be limited to invited testers in Team private projects.
- Serve the build from a private storage bucket through signed, short lived download links over HTTPS.
Which option fits your workflow?
- One small build, one person, today: any free tier works, including Diawi's.
- A test round within a week: an AppForShare Free account.
- Ongoing testing, clients who review late, or CI uploads: AppForShare Pro or Team, where links stay live while you are subscribed.
For full details see How long will links be available on AppForShare?, AppForShare: a Diawi alternative and the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Diawi link last compared with AppForShare?
A Diawi free link lasts 1 day with 2 installs. An AppForShare guest link lasts 3 days, a Free account link 7 days, and Pro and Team links stay live while subscribed.
Do AppForShare links still never expire?
No. That was true in the past but not anymore. Guest links last 3 days and Free links 7 days. Only Pro and Team links stay live without a timer, for as long as the subscription is active.
What happens to Pro links if I cancel?
The plan stays active until the end of the paid period. Then links follow Free rules and stay live for 7 more days.
Can an expired AppForShare link lead to a different app?
No. Link addresses are never reused, so an old link or QR code never points to someone else's build.
