Every TestFlight alternative for iOS runs into the same Apple rule: outside TestFlight and the App Store, an iPhone only installs a build that's signed for that exact device. So the real question for each tool is who handles the device ID and the signing.
There are three kinds of tool:
- Hosting tools put an already-signed .ipa behind a link. You still add each new iPhone and rebuild.
- Device provisioning tools register the iPhone with Apple and re-sign the build for it.
- Release platforms add CI, tasks and integrations around distribution.
At a glance
| Tool | Kind | Registers iPhones and re-signs | Android | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BuildFerry | Provisioning | Yes | No | 1 app |
| Diawi | Hosting | No | Yes | Yes, links expire |
| BetaDrop | Hosting | No | Yes | Yes, links last up to 7 days |
| InstallOnAir | Hosting | No | Yes | Yes, links last 7 days |
| Firebase App Distribution | Hosting with UDID collection | No | Yes | Free |
| TestApp.io | Release platform | Not listed | Yes | 1 app |
| Appcircle | CI and release platform | Device registration in its signing tools | Yes | 100 downloads a month |
| Expo EAS | Build service | Rebuilds with new devices | Yes | Limited builds |
BuildFerry
BuildFerry is built for the step every other tool leaves to you. A tester opens your share link and allows a one-time profile. You approve the iPhone, BuildFerry registers it with your Apple account and re-signs your exported .ipa in the cloud. New builds reach the same link.
Best for: iOS developers and small teams whose testers change often. Not for: Android, or betas over 100 iPhones.
Diawi
The original "upload and get a link" tool. Fast and familiar, with password protection and UDID tools. You manage profiles yourself. BuildFerry vs Diawi.
BetaDrop
Free hosting for iOS and Android, with QR codes, feedback, analytics, a GitHub Action, a CLI and an MCP server. It collects UDIDs into a list, but doesn't sign builds. BuildFerry vs BetaDrop.
InstallOnAir
A free link and QR code for each build, with paid extensions when a link needs to last longer than a week. BuildFerry vs InstallOnAir.
Firebase App Distribution
Google's free tool for iOS and Android, tied into Crashlytics and fastlane. It collects UDIDs and emails them to you, then you rebuild. BuildFerry vs Firebase.
TestApp.io
A release workspace with tasks, playbooks and Jira, Linear and Slack integrations. BuildFerry vs TestApp.io.
Appcircle
An enterprise mobile CI/CD platform with testing distribution, signing identities and an enterprise app store. A good fit if you want builds, signing and distribution from one vendor and have the budget for it.
Expo EAS
If your app is built with Expo, EAS can register devices and build an internal distribution .ipa. New devices mean a new build. Sharing React Native builds.
How to choose
- Your testers change every week: pick a tool that registers devices and re-signs, so you don't rebuild for each one.
- You need over 100 testers: use TestFlight. No ad hoc tool can raise Apple's device limit.
- You ship Android too: a hosting tool or Firebase covers both, and you can still use BuildFerry for iOS.
- You want CI, tasks and integrations: a release platform like Appcircle or TestApp.io.
App Center used to fill the provisioning role until it was retired in 2025. Here's what replaced it.
Questions
What is the best free TestFlight alternative?
It depends on whether your build is already signed for your testers. If it is, free hosting tools such as BetaDrop or InstallOnAir work. If new testers join often, BuildFerry's free plan registers each iPhone and re-signs the build for one app.
Which TestFlight alternative registers UDIDs automatically?
BuildFerry registers each approved iPhone with your Apple account through the App Store Connect API and re-signs the build. App Center did this until it was retired in March 2025.
Can any TestFlight alternative go past 100 devices?
No. Ad hoc distribution is limited by Apple to 100 devices per product family, per membership year. For more testers, use TestFlight or an Enterprise account for internal staff.