Best CodePush Alternative in 2025 — React Native OTA Updates with Stallion

Introduction

CodePush was historically the default OTA solution for React Native apps. For years, it was the go-to choice for teams looking to deliver over-the-air updates without going through app store reviews.

But times have changed.

In 2024–25, CodePush is effectively unmaintained and the hosted service has been shut down. Teams can only self-host CodePush on Azure, which can be complex and expensive, and it still carries many long-standing issues that have never been resolved.

Developers and enterprises are now actively searching for a modern CodePush alternative that can meet the demands of today's React Native applications. They need a CodePush replacement with hosted service, patch updates, advanced JavaScript API, and active development—everything CodePush no longer provides.

React Native Stallion introduces a significantly more advanced OTA system designed for production apps in 2025—with hosted service, patch updates, advanced controls, and active development that CodePush simply cannot match.

Get started with React Native Stallion today

Why Teams Are Moving Away From CodePush

The writing has been on the wall for CodePush for some time. Here's why teams are actively seeking alternatives:

No Hosted Service; Self-Hosting Required

CodePush's hosted service has been shut down. Teams must now self-host on Azure, which means:

• Complex infrastructure setup and maintenance
• Ongoing operational overhead
• Additional costs for Azure resources
• No "out of the box" solution

Azure Setup Can Be Complex, Slow, and Expensive

Self-hosting CodePush on Azure is far from straightforward:

• Requires significant Azure expertise
• Complex configuration and setup process
• Ongoing maintenance and monitoring
• Higher costs than managed solutions

Many Long-Standing Bugs Remain Unresolved

CodePush has accumulated technical debt over the years:

• Known bugs that have persisted for years
• No active development to fix issues
• Limited community support
• Workarounds become permanent solutions

No Active Development or New Features

CodePush is effectively in maintenance mode:

• No new features being added
• No improvements to existing functionality
• No adaptation to modern React Native patterns
• Stagnant technology in a rapidly evolving ecosystem

Very Limited JS API

CodePush's JavaScript API is basic and restrictive:

• Limited control over update flow
• Few customization options
• Difficult to implement advanced update strategies
• Not designed for modern React Native patterns

Limited Install Strategies

CodePush supports mostly immediate or next restart strategies:

• Limited flexibility in how updates are applied
• Difficult to implement user-controlled updates
• No background download options
• Poor support for staged rollouts

Only Full Bundle Updates

CodePush requires full bundle downloads for every update:

• Large download sizes even for tiny changes
• Slower update delivery
• Higher bandwidth usage
• Poor user experience on slower connections

What a Modern CodePush Alternative Must Provide

If you're evaluating CodePush alternatives, here's what you should expect from a modern OTA solution in 2025:

Hosted Service That Works Out of the Box

You shouldn't have to set up and maintain infrastructure. A modern solution should offer a fully managed hosted service that works immediately with zero setup.

🐝 Patch Updates (Small, Fast, Incremental Updates)

The ability to ship only changed files, not entire bundles. This means:

• Updates that are 90–95% smaller than full bundles
• Faster delivery and installation
• Lower bandwidth usage
• Dramatically better user experience

A More Powerful JS API for Update Customization

Fine-grained control from JavaScript to:

• Trigger downloads and installs manually
• Decide when updates apply
• Control how the app restarts
• Customize user notifications
• Implement advanced update flows

Flexible Install Strategies

Support for multiple install strategies:

• Background downloads
• Install on next app start
• Install immediately with optional UI
• Fully customizable per release
• User-driven update flows

Internal Testing Channels for Staging and QA

Dedicated workflows for:

• Internal testing channels
• QA and staging environments
• Safe promotion from internal → beta → production
• Team-based testing workflows

Better Reliability, Observability, and Automation

Modern OTA solutions should provide:

• Comprehensive analytics and metrics
• Automatic rollback capabilities
• Phased rollout controls
• Detailed release insights
• Automation-friendly APIs

Optional On-Prem/Self-Hosted Solution for Enterprise Teams

For enterprises with specific requirements:

• Flexible self-hosting options
• Not limited to a single cloud provider
• Full control over infrastructure
• Compliance and security support

Clear Documentation and Active, Ongoing Development

A solution that's actively maintained with:

• Regular updates and new features
• Clear, comprehensive documentation
• Active community support
• Long-term commitment to the platform

Introducing React Native Stallion

React Native Stallion is a modern OTA update platform built to replace CodePush for today's React Native ecosystem. It's the best CodePush alternative for teams looking for a CodePush replacement with modern features.

Offers full + patch updates, advanced controls, and a powerful developer workflow.

• Hosted service available immediately with zero infrastructure setup—no Azure self-hosting required
• Designed to be fast, reliable, secure, and future-proof for production React Native apps
• Actively developed with regular updates and new features, unlike CodePush
• Enterprise-ready with both hosted and on-premise options for all team sizes

React Native Stallion fills the gap left by CodePush's decline, providing everything modern React Native teams need for production-grade over-the-air updates, hot updates, and incremental deployments.

Explore React Native Stallion's features

Key Features That Make Stallion the Best CodePush Alternative

🐝 Patch Updates (Prime Feature)

React Native Stallion's Patch Updates is a game-changing feature that CodePush simply doesn't offer:

• Automatically generates and ships only the changed files
• Updates are often 90–95% smaller than full bundles
• Faster delivery, lower bandwidth usage, and dramatically better user experience

Instead of downloading a 20 MB bundle for a tiny bug fix, users get a 400 KB patch that downloads in seconds. This is revolutionary for React Native OTA updates and something CodePush does not support.

Advanced JavaScript API

React Native Stallion provides fine-grained control from JavaScript that far exceeds CodePush's limited API:

• Trigger downloads and installs manually
• Decide when updates apply, how the app restarts, and how users are notified
• Access to update metadata (version, release notes, mandatory flags)
• Event listeners for download progress and completion
• Custom update flows tailored to your app's needs

This level of control enables sophisticated update strategies that CodePush simply cannot support.

Flexible Install Strategies

React Native Stallion supports multiple install strategies that you can customize per release:

• Install in background: Download updates silently without user interruption
• Install on next app start: Apply updates when users restart the app
• Install immediately with optional UI: Show custom update prompts and controls
• Fully customizable per release: Different strategies for different release types

CodePush supports only limited strategies, making it difficult to implement modern update flows.

Internal Testing + Promotion Flow

React Native Stallion provides dedicated workflows for internal testing:

• Create internal testing channels for your team
• Test updates with employees/QA before production release
• Promote builds safely from internal → beta → production
• Zero rollout testing for internal validation

CodePush does not provide a dedicated internal testing workflow, making it difficult to safely test updates before production.

Hosted + On-Prem Options

React Native Stallion offers flexibility that CodePush cannot match:

• Fully hosted cloud version requires zero setup and works immediately
• On-Prem/self-host available for enterprise needs with flexible deployment options
• Not limited to a single cloud provider—deploy on AWS, Azure, GCP, or your own infrastructure

CodePush's on-prem hosting is limited to Azure and requires heavy manual setup, making it complex and expensive.

Actively Maintained

React Native Stallion is actively developed with:

• Frequent updates and new features
• Long-term support and commitment
• Clear documentation, examples, and real-world guidance
• Responsive support for issues and questions

CodePush, by contrast, is effectively unmaintained with no active development.

CodePush vs React Native Stallion (Comparison Table)

Migrating From CodePush to Stallion

Migrating from CodePush to React Native Stallion is straightforward:

Straightforward Integration

• Familiar API patterns make the transition smooth
• Works without any Azure setup—just use the hosted service
• Similar concepts with enhanced capabilities
• No breaking changes to your existing React Native codebase

Clear Migration Documentation

React Native Stallion provides comprehensive migration guides:

• Step-by-step instructions for migrating from CodePush to React Native Stallion
• Code examples showing side-by-side comparisons between CodePush and Stallion APIs
• Best practices for modern update strategies and OTA workflows
• Support during the migration process from our technical team

Benefits You'll Gain Immediately

Once migrated, you'll immediately benefit from:

• Patch Updates: Dramatically smaller update sizes
• Better Analytics: Comprehensive release insights
• Advanced Controls: More flexible update strategies
• Active Support: Responsive team and community
• Future-Proof: Ongoing development and improvements

Conclusion

CodePush's shutdown and lack of active development have left a significant gap in the React Native OTA ecosystem. Teams need a modern, reliable, and actively maintained solution that can meet the demands of today's production applications.

React Native Stallion fills that gap with a modern, hosted, patch-enabled, highly customizable OTA platform designed specifically for 2025 and beyond.

For developers looking to move beyond CodePush in 2025, React Native Stallion is the clear and future-proof choice. With hosted service, revolutionary Patch Updates, advanced JavaScript API, flexible install strategies, internal testing workflows, and active development, React Native Stallion provides everything CodePush offered—and much more.

Don't let CodePush's limitations hold your React Native app back. Get started with React Native Stallion today and experience the future of OTA updates.

The best CodePush alternative is here, and it's built for modern React Native teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best CodePush alternative in 2025?

React Native Stallion is the best CodePush alternative in 2025, offering hosted service, Patch Updates, advanced JS API, flexible install strategies, and active development—all features that CodePush no longer provides.

Is CodePush still maintained in 2025?

No, CodePush is effectively unmaintained in 2025. The hosted service has been shut down, and teams must self-host on Azure. There's no active development or new features being added.

How do I migrate from CodePush to React Native Stallion?

Migrating from CodePush to React Native Stallion is straightforward. Check out our comprehensive migration guide for step-by-step instructions. The API patterns are familiar, making the transition smooth.

Does React Native Stallion support patch updates?

Yes! React Native Stallion's Patch Updates feature provides differential updates that are 90-98% smaller than full bundles. This is a revolutionary feature that CodePush does not support. Learn more in our Patch Updates documentation.

Can I use React Native Stallion as a CodePush replacement?

Absolutely. React Native Stallion is designed as a complete CodePush replacement with all the features CodePush offered, plus modern enhancements like Patch Updates, advanced JS API, and active development.

Does React Native Stallion offer hosted service?

Yes, React Native Stallion offers a fully managed hosted service that works immediately with zero setup. Unlike CodePush which requires Azure self-hosting, React Native Stallion provides both hosted and on-premise options.

What makes React Native Stallion better than CodePush?

React Native Stallion offers Patch Updates (98% size reduction), hosted service, advanced JS API, flexible install strategies, internal testing channels, comprehensive analytics, active development, and both hosted and on-premise options—all features CodePush lacks or no longer provides.