React Native onboarding comparison
Expo OTA vs Recus
Both let you update without App Store review. They solve completely different problems.
Last updated: May 2025
TL;DR
Expo OTA pushes new JavaScript to your app without App Store review. It still requires a developer to write the code.
Recus lets your PM change onboarding flows from a dashboard in 60 seconds. No developer, no code, no OTA push.
They are not alternatives. Many teams use both.
What Expo OTA actually does
Expo EAS Update pushes a new JavaScript bundle to your app. Users download it in the background and get the new version on next launch.
It solves App Store review wait time. It still requires a developer to write the new code, a build step, a push step, and users to relaunch the app.
- It does not solve PM self-serve because a developer still writes code.
- It does not solve structured data collection because it is not a form engine.
- It does not solve navigation enforcement because it has no guard logic.
- It does not solve field-level analytics because it has no tracking layer.
- It does not make every change instant because rollout and relaunch behavior still matter.
What Recus does that OTA cannot
PM self-serve: a PM opens the dashboard, changes a field, and publishes. No code, no OTA push, no relaunch requirement beyond the next app open.
Add new field types without a release: OTA cannot add native components that are not in the binary. Recus's component registry lets you activate registered components from the dashboard.
Navigation guard: OTA has no concept of blocking a user from Main until required fields are complete. Recus enforces onboarding requirements at the navigation layer.
Structured data storage: OTA is a deployment mechanism. It has zero awareness of what users submit, where they drop off, or what fields they filled. Recus stores and analyzes that.
Instant 100% rollout: Recus schema fetches on every app open, so all users get the published change immediately on next open.
When to use each
Use Expo OTA when you need to ship a JavaScript-only bug fix or code change fast and a developer has already written the update.
Use Recus when your PM needs to change onboarding without a developer, add or remove required fields remotely, understand drop-off, enforce completion, and make changes instant for users.
Use both when you want OTA for general app updates and Recus for onboarding specifically. They do not conflict: Recus works inside an Expo app.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Recus React Native onboarding | Expo OTA updates |
|---|---|---|
| Bypasses App Store review | Yes for onboarding schema | Yes for JS bundle updates |
| Requires developer for changes | No | Yes |
| PM self-serve dashboard | Yes | No |
| Server-driven form schema | Yes | No |
| Add required fields remotely | Yes | Requires code |
| Navigation guard | Yes | No |
| Structured data storage | Yes | No |
| Field-level analytics | Yes | No |
| Needs app relaunch for update | Next app open fetch | Yes |
| Best use case | Onboarding flows | Code updates |
Who should choose what
Choose Expo OTA if:
- You need to ship a bug fix fast.
- You want to push a JavaScript-only code change.
- You want to bypass App Store review for code changes.
- A developer has already written the update.
Choose Recus if:
- Your PM needs to change onboarding without a developer.
- You need to add or remove required fields remotely.
- You need to know where users drop off.
- You need to enforce mandatory completion.
- You want onboarding changes to be instant for users.
Bottom line
Expo OTA and Recus are complementary. OTA removes App Store review from code changes. Recus removes the developer from the onboarding change loop.
Use EAS Update for your app's general JavaScript updates. Use Recus for onboarding.
Try Recus freeFAQ
Is Recus an alternative to Expo OTA updates?
No. Expo OTA updates ship JavaScript bundle changes. Recus controls onboarding schema, enforcement, analytics, and data collection. Teams can use both.
Can Expo OTA let PMs change React Native onboarding without developers?
Not by itself. A developer still has to write and push code. Recus gives PMs a dashboard for onboarding changes.
Does Recus work in Expo apps?
Yes. Recus works inside Expo apps and can be used alongside EAS Update.