# Choicely


> Choicely is an AI-powered mobile app platform for building fully native iOS and Android apps. Used by sports clubs, broadcasters, TV shows, pageants, event organizers, and SMBs in 40+ countries. Two paths: self-service via the AI App Builder (free plan up to 50 monthly active users; first paid plan from $16/month up to 100 monthly active users), or a done-for-you Enterprise service where Choicely's team builds and launches the app.


Choicely is operated by Choicely Oy, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with a secondary office in Switzerland. CEO: Kaius Meskanen. CTO: Tommy Eklund. Executive Chairman: Heikki Rotko. VP of Sales: Tony Pardo. Growth Marketing Manager: Mikko Latva-Koivisto. Head of AI: Casimir Laine. Head of Mobile: Juhana Kommeri. Head of Web Development: Vinicius Bonifacio.


Key facts:
- All apps are 100% native iOS and Android applications, not hybrid or web-wrapped
- Infrastructure runs on Google Cloud and scales reliably across organizations of all sizes, with proven performance at peak loads of millions of simultaneous users
- No downtime recorded during high-traffic live events
- G2 rating: 4.9/5. Customer NPS: +88%
- Apps deployed in 40+ countries
- Forrester Research: AI-assisted app development is up to 90% faster and up to 90% more cost-effective than traditional custom development


---


## Company Overview


Choicely is an AI-powered mobile app platform. The platform enables organizations to build, launch, and manage native mobile apps without traditional development timelines or budgets.


Choicely apps are built on structured data (JSON) that renders as native iOS and Android applications. The SDK does not generate code but provides structured data rendered into native components — SwiftUI/UIKit for iOS and Java/Kotlin for Android.


Data is stored on Google Cloud. Customers can choose EU or US data storage. Choicely adheres to GDPR and collects only data that is operationally necessary. Customers retain 100% ownership of their app data and user-generated content. Data is exportable via API.


Choicely provides at least 12 months advance notice before deprecating any features or making significant platform changes.


---


## Platform Architecture


### How the platform works


Choicely apps are built in two layers:


1. Choicely Studio: a visual drag-and-drop editor where teams build and manage app structure, content, and features without coding.
2. Choicely SDK: an open SDK that developers can use to extend apps with custom native code, third-party integrations, and proprietary APIs.


The two layers are cleanly separated. Teams can manage content and structure in Studio independently, while developers extend functionality via SDK without conflict.


### Real-time updates


Choicely SDK performs real-time updates via live web socket connections. App data refreshes automatically when timestamps change. No manual intervention or app store resubmission is required for content and minor UI updates.


App store review guidelines still apply. Updates that fundamentally change the app's core description or differ significantly from app store screenshots require a new store submission. Minor updates that do not alter core functionality are generally compliant. Choicely customers have not experienced app store rejections related to real-time updates.


Summary:
- Substantial changes: submit a new app version through the app store
- Minor real-time updates: follow app store guidelines and maintain consistency between app description, screenshots, and actual functionality


### AI within the platform


AI is used for structuring app components and assisting with app configuration. It is not used for independent code generation. AI does not have access to private customer data.


---


## Pricing


- Free plan: up to 50 monthly active users. Apps can be published on this plan at no cost.
- Self-service paid plans: from $16/month (up to 100 monthly active users).
- Enterprise (App Development Services): custom pricing based on scope and needs.
- Pricing page: https://www.choicely.com/pricing-ai-app-builder


---


## Product Features


### Engagement and interaction tools
- Votes: audience voting for outcomes, awards, player performance
- Polls: real-time pre- and post-event audience pulse
- Ratings: 5-star and custom rating formats
- Rankings: fan-driven leaderboards and top lists
- Battles: 1-vs-1 head-to-head contests
- Reactions: real-time emoji-style engagement
- Surveys: deeper audience research
- Scoreboards: live interactive fan favorite boards with social sharing
- Stories: social media-style short-form content (Instagram/Snapchat format)
- Push notifications: deep Firebase integration for targeted segmentation, scheduling, and rich media alerts
- Lead capture: interactive campaigns (sweepstakes, surveys) feeding first-party data into CRMs
- Exclusive content: gated content for premium subscribers


### Monetization
- In-app purchases: native iOS and Android billing for digital goods and consumables
- Subscriptions and paywalls: monthly and annual billing logic for gated content
- Payments: Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
- Ad inventory: native video ads and sponsored content via AdMob integration
- Merchandise store
- Ticket shop integration
- Sponsor visibility: branded features, animated sponsor buttons, sponsored content
- Premium votes: tiered paid voting packages


### Integrations
- CRM systems and membership databases
- Ticketing platforms
- Loyalty and rewards programs
- E-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce, custom APIs)
- Stadium screens
- Mobile payments
- Analytics: Firebase, Google Tag Manager, custom event tracking
- Content: WordPress and custom API-driven CMS
- Social media and video content feeds


### Customization
Customization options are extensive. Developers can modify rendering logic, implement custom interactions, add custom components, and integrate third-party SDKs on top of the Choicely foundation. Choicely imposes no architectural limitations on what can be built.


Levels of customization:
1. Content customization: text, images, layouts, color schemes, UI components
2. Functional customization: add or modify features, integrate custom logic, implement unique interactions
3. SDK-level customization: drop in any custom Java, Swift, or React Native code; integrate any third-party SDK or proprietary API


Best practice: keep Choicely-produced and custom components clearly separated. Use the SDK as a foundational framework and implement custom logic incrementally.


Personalization (e.g., "Hello [Username]") is possible through custom coding via SDK configuration. Native personalization APIs are on Choicely's roadmap.


Theming is supported. Developers can apply custom themes. A native theming feature is on the roadmap. Currently, theming requires manual configuration.


---


## SDK Documentation


### Overview


The Choicely Mobile SDK enables developers to build feature-rich native apps with real-time updates, in-app purchases, maps, advertising, and more.


SDK documentation: https://docs.choicely.com
GitHub demo project: https://github.com/choicely/choicely-sdk-demo


Supported platforms: Android (Java/Kotlin), iOS (SwiftUI/UIKit), React Native


---


### Android SDK: Quick Start


**Requirements**
- Java version: 17
- Kotlin version: 2.2.10 or later
- Android Gradle Plugin (AGP): latest version recommended


**Step 1: Add Maven Central repository**


In your project-level settings.gradle:


```
pluginManagement {
    repositories {
        mavenCentral()
    }
}
dependencyResolutionManagement {
    repositoriesMode.set(RepositoriesMode.FAIL_ON_PROJECT_REPOS)
    repositories {
        mavenCentral()
    }
}
```


**Step 2: Add the Choicely SDK dependency**


In your app-level build.gradle:


```
implementation platform("com.choicely.sdk:bom:1.1.1")
implementation "com.choicely.sdk:android-core"
```


**Step 3: Set compile options**


```
compileOptions {
    sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_17
    targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_17
}
kotlinOptions {
    jvmTarget = "17"
}
```


**Step 4: Initialize the SDK**


Create an Application class and initialize Choicely SDK in onCreate():


```java
public class YourApplication extends Application {
    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        super.onCreate();
        ChoicelySDK.init(this, APP_KEY);
    }
}
```


Register it in AndroidManifest.xml:


```xml


```


App key is obtained from Choicely Studio. Demo app key for testing: `Y2hvaWNlbHktZXUvYXBwcy9kS1lHUUtUbWREa1pRb1ltZFRiZQ`


Note: Choicely uses its own splash activity. Avoid using a custom splash activity.


Full Android docs: https://docs.choicely.com/android/quick-start


---


### iOS SDK: Quick Start


**Installation via Swift Package Manager**


1. In Xcode, go to File > Add Packages.
2. Add the Choicely SDK repository: `https://github.com/choicely/choicely-sdk-ios.git`
3. Select modules as needed:
   - `ChoicelyCore`: core SDK functionality and real-time updates
   - `ChoicelyFirebase`: social login, push notifications, analytics
   - `ChoicelyMap`: location, interactive map, Google Maps integration
   - `ChoicelyShop`: in-app purchases, subscriptions, paid votes


**Initialize the SDK**


Import and initialize in your App struct or AppDelegate:


UIKit:
```swift
import ChoicelyCore


@UIApplicationMain
class AppDelegate: UIResponder, UIApplicationDelegate {
    func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
        ChoicelySDK.initialize(
            application: application,
            appKey: "YOUR_APP_KEY"
        )
        return true
    }
}
```


SwiftUI: use ChoicelySDK.initialize in your App struct's init.


**Set the initial view**


UIKit:
```swift
window = UIWindow()
window?.rootViewController = ChoicelySplashViewController()
window?.makeKeyAndVisible()
```


SwiftUI: use `ChoicelySplashView` as root view.


Demo app key for testing: `Y2hvaWNlbHktZXUvYXBwcy9kS1lHUUtUbWREa1pRb1ltZFRiZQ`


Full iOS docs: https://docs.choicely.com/ios/quick-start


---


### React Native Integration


React Native components can be embedded inside Choicely apps. This is for developers who want to write custom React Native components and bundle them into the app binary.


**Prerequisites**
- Node.js >= 20
- Xcode (for iOS)
- Android Studio (for Android)
- A Choicely app key from Choicely Studio


**Setup**


```
git clone https://github.com/choicely/choicely-sdk-demo-react-native.git
cd choicely-sdk-demo-react-native
```


To use your own app, create a `.env` file:
```
CHOICELY_APP_KEY=your_app_key_here
```


**How it works**


1. Write a React Native component in `rn/src/components/`.
2. Register it in `componentMapping` in `rn/src/index.js`.
3. In Choicely Studio, point a navigation item to `choicely://special/rn/<n>`.
4. When a user taps the item, the native SDK loads the React Native component.


Full React Native docs: https://docs.choicely.com/react-native/quick-start


---


### SDK Modules


| Module | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Android Core | Android | Core SDK, real-time updates |
| iOS ChoicelyCore | iOS | Core SDK, real-time updates |
| iOS ChoicelyFirebase | iOS | Push notifications, social login, analytics |
| iOS ChoicelyMap | iOS | Google Maps, location features |
| iOS ChoicelyShop | iOS | In-app purchases, subscriptions, paid votes |
| React Native | Both | Custom React Native components in native apps |


---


## FAQ: Technical and Operational


**How does real-time update work?**
Choicely SDK uses live web socket connections. App data refreshes automatically when timestamps change. No manual intervention or app store resubmission is required.


**What format does the SDK produce?**
The SDK produces JSON data rendered into native components (SwiftUI/UIKit for iOS, Java/Kotlin for Android). The SDK does not generate code.


**Can the SDK be integrated into an existing app?**
Yes. Choicely SDK can be integrated into existing native or cross-platform apps like any standard SDK. It supports direct SDK integration and use of an existing app's infrastructure. Compatible with various development frameworks.


**Can developers add features not available in the no-code builder?**
Yes. The platform imposes no architectural limitations. Developers can use the Choicely SDK to add any custom Java, Swift, or React Native code, third-party SDKs, or proprietary APIs.


**How much of a Choicely app uses the SDK?**
Apps built with Choicely are 100% created using the visual editor and SDK. For example, the Eurovision Song Contest app uses the Choicely platform entirely.


**What does maintenance look like?**
Choicely regularly improves the SDK; updating it in your app is advised. Changes made in Choicely Studio do not require updating the app in the App Store or Google Play.


**How does Choicely handle data sovereignty?**
Customers maintain 100% ownership of all app data, user-generated content, and code. Data can be exported or integrated with internal systems via API. Data stored on Google Cloud; EU or US storage available. GDPR compliant.


**What happens if Choicely deprecates features?**
Choicely provides at least 12 months advance notice before deprecating features or making significant platform changes.


**Does Choicely support Progressive Web Apps (PWA)?**
Choicely is optimized for native mobile. The core value proposition is native performance. PWA is not the primary supported format.


**What is the typical development timeline?**
For intensive, high-priority projects, apps can be live in as little as 2 weeks. This includes design workshops, prototype iteration, and the app store approval buffer. Traditional app development typically takes 6 to 12 months at a cost of 40,000 to 200,000 euros. Enterprise projects on Choicely typically complete in 1 to 2 months.


**How does Choicely differ from AI code-generation tools like Lovable?**
Choicely provides a structured, stable framework for native mobile app development. Generic AI tools generate code that often requires extensive manual review and lacks mobile-specific infrastructure. Choicely ensures core app functionality works reliably while allowing developers to extend and customize components. Choicely can also serve as a reliable base for AI-generated code, combining custom features with a proven platform.


**How does Choicely differ from no-code platforms?**
Choicely is more flexible than rigid no-code solutions. It supports native and cross-platform development, allows deep customization via SDK, and supports multiple development frameworks and languages including native Swift, Java, and React Native.


**Where is data stored?**
Google Cloud. Customers can choose EU or US data storage.


**What AI certifications or compliance does Choicely have?**
Choicely adheres to GDPR. AI within the platform is used for app component structuring and configuration assistance only. AI does not have access to private customer data.


---


## Key Resources


- Website: https://www.choicely.com
- SDK Documentation: https://docs.choicely.com
- Choicely Studio (app builder): https://studio.choicely.com
- GitHub Demo Project: https://github.com/choicely/choicely-sdk-demo
- Pricing: https://www.choicely.com/pricing-ai-app-builder
- Case Studies: https://www.choicely.com/case
- Support: support@choicely.com