Modaal Launches AI Builder for Simultaneous Native iOS & Android Apps

Overview

Modaal has officially launched its AI Builder, a desktop application designed to streamline the development of native mobile applications for both iOS and Android simultaneously. The tool allows developers to generate Swift and Kotlin code from natural language descriptions, effectively turning ideas into release-ready apps without the need for extensive manual coding from scratch.

Available for Mac, the platform operates on a free plan that requires no credit card, positioning itself as an accessible entry point for independent developers and small teams looking to accelerate their mobile deployment workflows.

Dual-Platform Architecture

The core philosophy behind Modaal is the concept of a shared core with platform-specific interfaces. According to the company, this architecture significantly reduces redundancy while maintaining the performance benefits of native development.

• One Logic, Two UIs: Developers write the business logic and behavioral rules once. Modaal’s agent then translates this logic into SwiftUI for iPhones and Jetpack Compose for Android devices.
• 100% Native Output: Unlike many cross-platform tools that rely on web views or bridges, Modaal produces true native code. This ensures direct access to device hardware, including sensors, wallets, and background tasks.
• Automatic Parity Checking: The build system includes a verification step where both apps replay the same test fixtures. If the behavior diverges between iOS and Android, the build fails, ensuring consistency across platforms.

Users can start by building for a single platform and add the other later, or initiate projects targeting both simultaneously. The underlying Duet framework, which facilitates this code sharing, is open-source and hosted on GitHub.

Spec-Driven Development Workflow

Modaal distinguishes itself by enforcing a spec-driven process before any code is generated. This approach aims to reduce the common pitfalls of AI-assisted coding, such as hallucinated logic or architectural inconsistencies.

Plan First, Code Later

Every feature begins with a detailed planning phase. The AI agent analyzes the user’s input—which can be a simple description, a PRD, screenshots, or a Figma link—and generates a comprehensive specification document.

This spec includes:

1. Overview: A summary of the feature’s purpose.
2. User Scenarios: Step-by-step user interactions.
3. Technical Approach: The architectural decisions to be made.
4. Implementation Steps: A breakdown of coding tasks.
5. Files to Modify: Specific targets within the project structure.
6. Risks & Open Questions: Potential issues that need human review.
7. Testing Strategy: How the feature will be validated.

Human-in-the-Loop Approval

Crucially, no code is written until the developer reviews and approves this plan. This creates a feedback loop where the AI acts as a junior developer executing a senior developer’s blueprint.

"I spend 80% of my time reviewing plans — so the code has no surprises for me. Modaal gives you the same."

This method ensures that the architectural intent remains clear throughout the project, with specs stored in the project root for future reference.

Developer Experience and Integration

The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing professional workflows, emphasizing control and transparency for the developer.

• Real Projects: The output consists of standard Xcode and Android Studio projects stored in Git repositories on the user’s local disk. Developers can open and edit these projects at any time.
• Local Simulation: Apps build and run in native simulators with full fidelity and minimal lag, allowing for immediate testing of features.
• GitHub Integration: Users can push code, review changes as pull requests, and contribute through their team’s existing CI/CD pipelines.
• Direct Distribution: The tool supports direct publication via TestFlight for iOS and Google Play for Android, using the developer’s own accounts.

Bring Your Own Subscription

A notable cost-saving feature of Modaal is its support for BYO (Bring Your Own) subscriptions. Instead of charging per-token API fees, the tool allows users to connect the AI models they already pay for, including:

• Claude
• ChatGPT/Codex
• Gemini
• GitHub Copilot

This model eliminates variable usage costs and gives developers flexibility in choosing their preferred language models.

Company Background

Modaal is founded by Ivan Misuno and Elena Avramenko, who bring over 15 years of experience in native app development. Their portfolio includes delivering over 100 applications for Fortune 500 companies and various private clients.

The founders emphasize that the tool is born from practical experience, aiming to package the structural discipline of large engineering teams into an accessible AI interface. By focusing on structure and planning, they argue that apps built with Modaal are more likely to be maintainable and scalable in the long term.

Availability

Modaal is currently available for download on Mac. The free plan allows users to start building immediately, with the option to upgrade for additional features. The company invites developers to test the workflow by describing their first feature and observing the generation of native code for both iOS and Android.