# Buildstash vs Expo EAS comparison

Buildstash is a build-to-release and binary artifact management platform for software teams. This page compares Buildstash to Expo EAS for teams considering alternatives.

**Buildstash is better for:** Teams outside the Expo ecosystem, non-mobile binaries, QA and sign-off steering, branded portals and distribution groups, and connecting your own storage.

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## Summary

Expo Application Services (EAS) is a set of cloud services provided by Expo to build, submit to stores, and push OTA updates for mobile applications, specifically for Expo and React Native projects.

It consists of a number of tools. EAS Build compiles your app builds in the cloud; EAS Submit sends builds to the App Store and Play Store; EAS Update delivers OTA updates to published apps.

Buildstash focuses on build-to-release management for any kind of software: storing binaries across all mobile apps, desktop, games, and embedded; steering builds through QA and sign-off; and distributing to testers and distribution platforms.

For anyone who either isn't already building using Expo, have cross-platform needs, or want a platform for collaborating on binaries and steering through to release, Buildstash is a better fit.

## Key differences

- EAS is for Expo and React Native; Buildstash is framework-agnostic and supports any software binary (mobile, desktop, games, embedded).
- EAS includes integrated CI/CD for Expo projects. Buildstash focuses on integrating with any CI/CD to handle binary management, collaboration, and distribution.
- Buildstash offers more powerful integrated disribution including branded download portals.
- EAS supports OTA updates, and direct serving of web apps.

## What people like about Expo EAS

- Very easy to get started for Expo and React Native projects.
- Removes much of the complexity around mobile builds and app store submission.
- Good developer experience and clear documentation.

## What people don't like about Expo EAS

- Limited to Expo and React Native workflows.
- Less control over build infrastructure compared to self-managed CI.
- Not designed for broader release management and collaboration workflows.

## Feature comparison

| Feature | Buildstash | Expo EAS | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Universal software binary management | ✓ | ✕ | EAS is for Expo/React Native app builds; Buildstash supports any binary |
| Extensive CI/CD integrations | ✓ | Limited | Expo has more limited external CI/CD support |
| Integrated CI/CD | ✕ | ✓ | Expo Workflows provide a React Native only CI/CD tool |
| QA & sign-off workflows | ✓ | Partially | EAS has channels; Buildstash has more flexible QA workflow and promotions |
| Agnosic distribution targets | ✓ | Partially | EAS is React Native only (iOS/Android); Buildstash supports any channel |
| Artifact promotion workflows | ✓ | Partially | EAS has channels and submit; Buildstash has full promotion |
| Metadata management | ✓ | Partially | Buildstash has more flexible custom metadata management |
| Retention policies | ✓ | Partially | Buildstash flexible retention |
| Share links | ✓ | ✓ | EAS has install links for within your team |
| Branded download portals | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash offers branded download portals |
| Distribution groups | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash has distribution groups for both internal and external testers |
| iOS & Android beta distribution | ✓ | ✓ | Both support mobile beta |
| OTA updates | Not yet | ✓ | Integrated support for OTA updates is on our roadmap |
| Connect your own storage | ✓ | ✕ | EAS is Expo-hosted; Buildstash can use your storage |
| Powerful API | ✓ | ✓ | Both have APIs |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✓ | Both support webhooks |
| Automations | ✓ | Partially | EAS runs builds; Buildstash has complex workflow automations |
| Enterprise SSO | ✓ | ✕ | Buildstash supports enterprise SSO options |

## Key facts: Expo Application Services (EAS)

- **Around since:** 2021
- **Similar to:** App Center, fastlane, Firebase App Distribution
- **Best known for:** Cloud builds and store submission for Expo and React Native apps
- **Useful for:** Expo and React Native only teams who want a simple build workflow and store submission
- **Buildstash is better for:** Teams outside the Expo ecosystem, non-mobile binaries, QA and sign-off steering, branded portals and distribution groups, and connecting your own storage.

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Try Buildstash: https://app.buildstash.com/register
Docs: https://docs.buildstash.com