Monaca is a hybrid mobile app development platform and cloud tool suite built around HTML5, JavaScript, and Apache Cordova. Its browser-based Cloud IDE supports Cordova development without local setup; Monaca Localkit and the Monaca CLI offer local development companions. Developers can use Angular 1, Angular 2+, React, or Vue.js, or bring another JavaScript framework. Monaca provides remote cloud builds and continuous integration for Cordova, including hook scripts, custom plugins, and flexible configurations. Its Debugger supports breakpoints, stepping, and profiling, including iOS and Android debugging on Windows and Mac without installing SDKs. Cordova backend APIs cover push notifications, user management, remote databases, and email delivery. The Free plan is 0.00 USD per free and includes the Cloud IDE, debugging, three projects, and three remote builds per 24 hours. Terms restrict corporate use of Free to non-commercial purposes, excluding commercial and paid app development. PRO is 22.00 USD per month; BUSINESS is 55.00 USD per month; ENTERPRISE is 110.00 USD per month. Monaca says transmission uses HTTPS and SSL/TLS, but data is not encrypted at rest.
Who it is for
Monaca suits developers building hybrid mobile apps with Cordova and JavaScript frameworks. Its cloud IDE supports work without local setup, while local tools and cloud builds serve different development workflows.
What is good
- Cloud IDE supports Cordova development without local setup.
- Supports Angular, React, Vue.js, and other JavaScript frameworks.
- Cloud remote builds and continuous-integration features are available.
- Debugger includes breakpoints, stepping, and profiling.
- Free plan includes three projects and three daily remote builds.
What to know first
- Corporate use of Free is limited to non-commercial purposes.
- Data is not encrypted at rest.
- PRO costs 22.00 USD per month.
- BUSINESS and ENTERPRISE cost 55.00 and 110.00 USD per month.
Verdict
Monaca combines a browser-based IDE, local development tools, cloud builds, and Cordova backend APIs. Check the Free plan's corporate-use restriction and the stated lack of encryption at rest when assessing fit.
Monaca plans and pricing
All plansCompared on mobile development IDEs
- Free plan
- Yes
- Mobile targets
- Android, iOS, Windows
- Desktop platforms
- Windows, macOS
- Emulator or simulator
- Yes
- App packaging
- Yes
- Supported languages
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript
