What is App Center?
App Center is a cloud-based service by Microsoft that supports mobile app development for platforms like iOS, Android, Xamarin, and React Native. It offers tools for continuous integration, automated testing, distribution, and monitoring, including crash analytics and push notifications. App Center provides a set of features aimed at streamlining the development process for building, testing, and releasing mobile apps.
It's important to note that Microsoft has announced the retirement of App Center. For more details, you can visit
the official announcement
Appcircle vs App Center
Compare Appcircle with App Center as Mobile CI/CD and DevOps tools and discover how Appcircle stands out.
Top 5 Reasons Companies Choose Appcircle Over Microsoft App Center for Mobile
Discover why top companies chose Appcircle after Microsoft App Center retired. Learn about the enhanced mobile DevOps solutions Appcircle offers. Read our blog post!
Top Alternatives to App Center
Appcircle
- Enterprise grade all-in-one platform
- Offers self-hosted deployment options.
- Supports Enterprise App Store and Testing Distribution
- Crafted specifically for enterprises with valuable insights.
Others
Bitrise
Codemagic
Xcode Cloud
Jenkins
FAQ
Appcircle vs App Center
Compare Appcircle with Appcenter as Mobile CI/CD and DevOps tools and discover how Appcircle stands out.
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Flexible Deployment Options
Every enterprise is unique and may require different deployment options, such as Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, or on-premise solutions. Appcircle addresses these needs with a portable, container-based architecture that aligns with your specific deployment requirements while also preventing cloud vendor lock-in. Whether you choose to deploy on GCP Public Cloud, on-premise, or privately via the AWS Marketplace, Appcircle meets your requirements.
Distribution Speed & Security
Multi-region secure CDNs ensure your app builds are globally accessible with optimized performance, even in regions with unique internet regulations. With encryption at rest and in transit, your packages are distributed securely.
Built for Purpose
Distribution platforms serve different purposes, such as Testing Distribution or deploying in-house apps to internal users via an Enterprise App Store. Appcircle offers dedicated modules tailored for each of these use cases.
IAM/SSO Integration
Comprehensive security with IAM/SSO integration, including Identity Providers such as Okta, Azure AD, and OneLogin, along with support for authentication protocols like LDAP, OpenID and SAML The platform also supports IAM role mapping (through LDAP and SSO), enabling seamless role and permission assignments based on identity provider groups for enhanced access control.
Apple Ad-Hoc Device Registration
Streamlined UDID registration for Apple devices with configuration profiles. The platform automatically adds device UDIDs to provisioning profiles, simplifying device management for app distribution and testing.
Re-signing Binaries for iOS and Android Apps
Support for re-signing iOS and Android binaries allows developers to re-sign apps with new certificates (iOS) or keystores (Android), ensuring app integrity and security.
CI Integration
Seamless integration with existing CI/CD tools is supported. With ready-to-use plugins for Azure DevOps, GitHub, Fastlane, Jenkins and more, plus API/CLI support, you can easily integrate Appcircle Distribution into your existing CI workflow.
End-to-End Platform
Many distribution tools offer only limited functionality for tasks such as building and publishing to app stores. If you plan to leverage these features, ensure the platform provides robust, comprehensive modules for Build , Signing Identity Management , and Publishing to Stores to fully address your needs.
Get more detail about Enterprise Grade features.
Schedule a DemoFind out the similarities and differences between Appcircle and VS App Center and discover alternatives to VS App Center.
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Appcircle | App Center | |
---|---|---|
Java/Kotlin Android Builds | ||
Obj-C/Swift iOS Builds | ||
React Native Builds | ||
Flutter Builds | ||
.Net MAUI Builds | ||
Xamarin Builds | ||
Unity Builds | ||
Git Providers Supported | Azure DevOps Services Cloud, Azure DevOps Server, GitHub, Bitbucket, Bitbucket (Self-Hosted), GitLab, GitLab (Self-Hosted) | GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, GitLab (Self-Hosted) (For Organization Accounts Only) |
External Custom Git Repository Support | ||
Simple, Easy-to-Use Build Configuration Interface | ||
Automated Builds with Git Push | ||
Automated Builds with Git Tag | ||
Advanced Build Configuration with Workflows | ||
Continuous Integration Pipeline | Partially supported with Azure DevOps integration | |
Selective Workflows on Pull/Merge Requests | ||
Workflow Components Marketplace | ||
Build Configuration with YAML/JSON | ||
Custom Build Scripts | Only for 3 events (post-clone, pre-build, post-build) | |
Centralized Environment Variables | ||
Unit and UI Test Support | ||
Selectable Xcode Version | ||
Latest Xcode Version Added within 24hrs | ||
Android Multiple Flavor Dimension Support | ||
Signing Identities Management | (Not Centralized) | |
Online iOS Certificate Creation Interface | ||
Online Keystore Creation Interface | ||
Automated Test Cloud | Utilizes AWS Device Farm and Firebase Test Lab | 30 day trial for Azure Device Farm |
App Testing Distribution | ||
Testing Group Support | ||
Tester Authentication with Email | ||
Tester Authentication with Static Credentials | ||
Tester Authentication with Enterprise Identity | ||
Publish to Store Automation | ||
Distribute to Apple App Store and TestFlight | ||
Distribute to Google Play | ||
Distribute to Huawei AppGallery | ||
Publish Flow Customization | ||
Distribute In-House with Enterprise App Store | ||
Team Management | ||
Fine-Grained User Roles and Permissions | ||
SSO Login | OpenID & SAML | |
LDAP Group/Role Mapping | Supports LDAP group/role mapping, enabling seamless integration with your organization's directory services for effective and automated tester group management. | |
2FA Support | ||
Enterprise-Grade Logs/Reports | ||
App Analytics and Crash Reporting | ||
Deployment Options | Public Cloud, Private Cloud, On-premise, AWS (Amazon Web Services), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), Azure | Public Cloud (Azure) |
Switching to another CI/CD tool can be a complex decision. Switching to Appcircle is easy,
however we've prepared this comparison to help you decide easier.
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We're here to discuss how Appcircle can enhance your mobile development workflow. Feel free to reach out!
We usually respond within a business day.