The Monaca homepage
Score7.4
Rank#6 of 37
From$22/mo
Free planYes
Free trialYes
Runs onAndroid, API, Browser extension, iOS, macOS, Self-hosted, Web, Windows

Summary

Monaca is a cross-platform 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, while Monaca Localkit and the Monaca CLI provide local development options. Developers can use Angular 1, Angular 2+, React, Vue.js, or bring another JavaScript framework. Monaca provides cloud remote builds and continuous-integration features, 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 includes the Cloud IDE, debugging, three projects, and three remote builds per 24 hours. The terms limit corporate use of Free to non-commercial purposes, excluding commercial and paid app development. Paid plans start at $22/mo; PRO is $22.00 USD per month. Monaca says data 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 Free plan is restricted for corporate users to non-commercial use, while paid plans add development capacity and tools.

What is good

  • Cloud IDE supports Cordova work without local setup.
  • Supports Angular, React, Vue.js, and other frameworks.
  • Cloud builds include continuous-integration features.
  • Debugger supports iOS and Android on Windows and Mac.
  • Backend APIs cover notifications, users, databases, and email.

What to know first

  • Free plan is limited to three projects.
  • Free plan allows three remote builds per 24 hours.
  • Corporate Free use is restricted to non-commercial purposes.
  • Data is not encrypted at rest.

Verdict

Monaca brings browser-based Cordova development, local tools, debugging, and cloud builds into one suite. Review the Free-plan corporate-use restriction and data-at-rest limitation against your project needs.

Monaca plans and pricing

All plans
FREE Free Cloud IDE · Debugging tool · 3 projects · 3 remote builds/24hrs · Online Community Support monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
PRO $22/mo /mo or Annually: $220 Enhanced Cloud IDE with integrated terminal · CLI and Localkit · Custom Cordova plugins · 10 projects · Unlimited remote builds monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
BUSINESS $55/mo $55/mo + Base usage: $22/mo/team; or Annually: $550+$220 Enterprise plugins · Account management · Project sharing · 100 projects · Technical support ticket monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
ENTERPRISE $110/mo $110/mo + Base usage: $550/mo/org; or Annually: $1,100+$5,500 Unlimited Enterprise plugins · On-premise deployment options · Customized support · Minimum purchase of 5 licenses monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on mobile development IDEs

Free plan
Yesmonaca.io
Mobile targets
Android, iOS, Windowsmonaca.io
Desktop platforms
Windows, macOSmonaca.io
Emulator or simulator
Yesmonaca.io
App packaging
Yesmonaca.io
Supported languages
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScriptmonaca.io

Facts

What it does
Monaca is a cross-platform hybrid mobile app development platform and cloud tool suite built around HTML5, JavaScript and Apache Cordova.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Cloud IDE
Its browser-based Cloud IDE lets developers perform Cordova development without local setup.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Local tools
Monaca provides Monaca Localkit desktop GUI software and the Monaca CLI as local development companions to the Cloud IDE.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Frameworks
Monaca supports Angular 1, Angular 2+, React and Vue.js, and allows developers to bring another JavaScript framework.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Build and CI
Monaca offers secure cloud remote builds and continuous-integration features for Cordova, including hook scripts, custom plugins and flexible configurations.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Debugging
Monaca Debugger supports breakpoints, step in/out and profiling, including iOS and Android debugging on Windows and Mac without installing SDKs.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Integrations
The product site lists integrations with Onsen UI, Monaca CI, Monaca Power Plugin and product partners.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
GitHub
The pricing comparison lists GitHub support for public, private and organization repositories plus Git SSH support.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Backend APIs
Monaca provides Cordova backend APIs for push notifications, user management, remote databases and email delivery, along with backend management APIs.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Enterprise security
Enterprise plugins include app logic encryption, secure storage and an in-app updater.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Data security
Monaca says data transmission uses HTTPS and SSL/TLS, while data is not encrypted at rest.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Hosting location
Monaca states that its service is hosted in Japan and may transfer, store and use information in Japan and other countries where it operates.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Support
Support includes advanced technical support with code review, a monitored community forum, general questions and product documentation.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Free-plan restriction
The terms restrict corporate use of the Free plan to non-commercial purposes, excluding commercial app development and paid app development.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026
Customer base
Asial says Monaca has over 200,000 users worldwide, ranging from independent developers to major enterprises.monaca.io · 2 Oct 2026

Company

Founded
2009monaca.io · 28 Sept 2026
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japanmonaca.io · 28 Sept 2026

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