Mobile

Expo vs Kotlin Multiplatform

An honest comparison to help you pick the right mobile tool in 2026.

Feature Expo Kotlin Multiplatform
Category Mobile Mobile
Free Tier Yes Yes
Paid Plan $99/mo $0
Enterprise Custom N/A
Best For Teams building React Native apps who want managed builds and OTA updates without touching Xcode/Gradle daily Teams with Kotlin/Android expertise who want to share logic with iOS without rewriting everything
Feature 1 React Native framework Shared business logic
Feature 2 EAS build & submit Native UI per platform
Feature 3 Over-the-air updates Kotlin ecosystem
Feature 4 Native module library Compose Multiplatform
Feature 5 Cross-platform (iOS/Android/web) Gradle integration
Website Expo Kotlin Multiplatform

Expo vs Kotlin Multiplatform: The Full Breakdown

Expo and Kotlin Multiplatform are both popular choices in the mobile category, but they serve different types of developers. Expo is framework and platform for universal React Native apps, with over-the-air updates, managed builds (EAS), and a large library of native modules. Meanwhile, Kotlin Multiplatform is jetBrains' technology for sharing business logic between iOS, Android, web, and desktop while keeping native UIs.

Both tools offer free tiers, which means you can try each one before committing. Expo's paid plan starts at $99/mo, while Kotlin Multiplatform's starts at $0.

Expo stands out with React Native framework and EAS build & submit, while Kotlin Multiplatform differentiates itself through Shared business logic and Native UI per platform. The right choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow. Ultimately, teams building React Native apps who want managed builds and OTA updates without touching Xcode/Gradle daily, while Kotlin Multiplatform is best for teams with Kotlin/Android expertise who want to share logic with iOS without rewriting everything.

Pricing Comparison

Expo: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/mo. Enterprise pricing: Custom.

Kotlin Multiplatform: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0.

Our Verdict

Choose Expo if you value react native framework and eas build & submit. Go with Kotlin Multiplatform if teams with Kotlin/Android expertise who want to share logic with iOS without rewriting everything. Both are solid mobile options in 2026 — the best pick depends on your team size, budget, and technical requirements. We recommend trying both (especially if they have free tiers) before committing to one.

Other Mobile Tools to Consider

Not sold on either Expo or Kotlin Multiplatform? Check out these other mobile tools:

See all Expo alternatives or Kotlin Multiplatform alternatives.

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