App Center alternative: replace App Center Distribute in minutes
Microsoft retired most of Visual Studio App Center, including App Center Distribute, on 31 March 2025. Teams that shared test builds through it need a new home.
Digidropp covers the distribution side: upload builds from your CI, terminal or AI agent, and testers install from one link that always has the newest build.
| Digidropp | App Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active, free during the public beta. | Retired (Distribute and Build ended on 31 March 2025). |
| Sharing builds | One install link per app, per branch and per pull request. | Distribution groups and release links. |
| Uploading from CI | GitHub Action, REST API or the CLI (digidropp upload). | appcenter CLI and pipeline tasks. |
| Building | Automatic builds on your own GitHub Actions; or build anywhere and upload. | Hosted build service. |
| Checks before install | Signing key, versionCode, permissions, iOS profiles, Play Billing. | Not available. |
When App Center is the better choice
- App Center is no longer available for distribution, so there's nothing to choose between.
When Digidropp is the better choice
- You need a replacement for App Center Distribute that takes minutes to set up.
FAQ
How do I migrate from App Center?
Replace your `appcenter distribute release` step with `digidropp upload <file>` (CLI) or the digidropp/upload-action GitHub Action, then send testers your app's Digidropp link.
Does Digidropp build my app like App Center Build did?
For Android, Flutter, React Native and Expo, connect your GitHub repo and Digidropp sets up builds that run on your own GitHub Actions. For iOS, build with your own signing and upload.
Digidropp · Guide · Docs · Alternatives