How Sharetribe mobile app customization really works
Let’s be real: most of your users are likely already on their phones. While Sharetribe’s responsive web is excellent for getting started, there is a limit to what a mobile browser can do. Eventually, to keep users engaged, you need the speed, push notifications, and smooth experience of a real native app.
But here is the dilemma: Building an app from scratch usually takes months and costs a fortune. On the flip side, simple "web wrappers" often feel clunky and struggle to pass App Store reviews.
Is there a middle ground? Yes. This guide explores Sharetribe mobile app customization - the smart middle ground. As an official Sharetribe partner, Journeyhorizon helps founders navigate this path, offering both a robust Mobile App Template and the custom development services needed to build a seamless, scalable experience.
To get the full picture of the Sharetribe template, check out this article: Overview of Sharetribe Templates: Web and Mobile Marketplace Solutions
1. How Sharetribe marketplaces can go mobile: Three practical approaches
There is no single best solution for every marketplace. The right approach depends on your current business stage, product complexity, and long-term goals. In practice, most Sharetribe founders consider one of the following three options.
1.1. Mobile wrapper
A mobile wrapper takes an existing Sharetribe web marketplace and displays it inside a mobile container, allowing it to be published to the App Store and Google Play with minimal changes to the original product.
This is typically the fastest and most cost-effective way to convert a Sharetribe marketplace to a mobile app, especially during early stages.
Key characteristics:
- Reuses the existing web experience
- Minimal development effort
- Short time-to-market
Inherent limitations:
- Limited access to deeper native mobile capabilities
- User experience remains largely similar to the web version
- Native performance optimizations are constrained
Best suited for:
Early-stage marketplaces prioritizing speed and cost efficiency over advanced mobile features.
1.2. Fully custom mobile app built on Sharetribe Marketplace API
A fully custom mobile app is built directly on top of the Sharetribe Marketplace API, typically using React Native or native iOS and Android technologies. In this model, the mobile app is treated as a first-class client experience while continuing to rely on the same Sharetribe backend.
This approach provides the highest degree of flexibility and control.
Key characteristics:
- Full control over mobile user experience and interface design
- Custom transaction flows and business logic
- Deep integration with native mobile features
Inherent limitations:
- Higher development and maintenance cost
- Longer planning and development timeline
Best suited for:
Established marketplaces with complex workflows, sufficient budget, and a clear long-term product roadmap.
1.3. Sharetribe mobile app template with customization
This approach uses a Sharetribe mobile app template as a production-ready foundation, which is then extended through customization based on the marketplace’s specific requirements.
It offers a balance between speed and flexibility, without starting from a blank slate.
Key characteristics:
- Faster launch compared to a fully custom build
- Stable and proven mobile architecture
- Customizable branding, features, and mobile-specific logic
Inherent limitations:
- Customization scope is influenced by the underlying template structure
- Advanced features may still require additional development effort
Best suited for:
Marketplaces seeking a scalable mobile app with native experience, while managing cost and time-to-market effectively.
Learn more about mobile app templates by Journeyhorizon, as featured on Sharetribe’s official website.
1.4. Comparing mobile app approaches for Sharetribe marketplaces
This comparison is intended as a reference to help founders understand typical trade-offs between different mobile app approaches. Actual cost, timeline, and capabilities may vary depending on your marketplace model, technical requirements, and how Sharetribe is configured. Each approach can be valid in the right context, and the best choice depends on your specific goals and constraints.
Explore typical costs to develop a marketplace mobile app, based on insights from Journeyhorizon experts.
2. Sharetribe mobile app customization: What can actually be customized?
Sharetribe mobile app customization involves extending standard functionality through the Marketplace API, adapting interfaces for mobile behavior, and integrating native mobile logic. For non-technical founders, this can sound abstract, so it helps to break it down into concrete areas.
2.1. Visual and user interface customization
Visual customization ensures the mobile app reflects your marketplace identity and feels professional from the first interaction.
Typical customization areas include:
- App icon, logo, and brand color palette
- Splash screen and onboarding experience
- Listing layouts such as grid, list, or map views
- UX patterns adapted to different marketplace models, such as rentals, services, or product marketplaces
These elements shape first impressions and influence how easily users navigate the app.
2.2. Functional customization using Sharetribe Marketplace API
Functional customization is powered by the Sharetribe Marketplace API and supports business-specific logic.
Examples include:
- Custom transaction flows such as request-to-book, instant booking, or hourly scheduling
- Advanced search and filtering using extended data fields
- Integration with third-party services such as payment providers, mapping tools, analytics platforms, or customer support systems
This layer allows the mobile app to accurately reflect how your marketplace operates, while core business rules and transaction logic continue to be managed in Sharetribe
2.3. Mobile-specific logic and features
Mobile apps enable capabilities that are not available on the web.
These typically include:
- Push notification workflows for bookings, messages, reviews, and reminders
- Location-based listing recommendations
- Mobile-only UX optimizations that improve speed and usability
When designed carefully, these features help users return to the app and complete transactions more easily.
3. Why React Native is a practical choice for Sharetribe mobile apps
React Native aligns well with Sharetribe’s JavaScript and React-based ecosystem, making it a practical and widely adopted choice for mobile development.
Key benefits include:
- Near-native performance suitable for production marketplaces
- A single codebase that supports both iOS and Android
- Lower maintenance complexity compared to maintaining separate native apps
Journeyhorizon’s React Native Sharetribe mobile app template is officially featured on Sharetribe’s website, reflecting its suitability for real-world marketplace use cases.
4. Real-world examples: Sharetribe mobile apps built with Journeyhorizon
To make these concepts more concrete, here are examples of how Journeyhorizon has supported different types of marketplaces using Sharetribe mobile app customization.
4.1. Kifaayat (Fashion marketplace)
A two-sided fashion marketplace focused on South Asian brands in Australia.
Journeyhorizon implemented a customized mobile app based on the Sharetribe mobile app template, including UI refinements and account features.
The app was published on both iOS and Android and gained early traction shortly after launch.
See full case study of Kifaayat.
4.2. Bub Street (Activity and community marketplace)
BubStreet is a React Native, based marketplace app that enables parents to create listings and join activities.
The mobile app includes messaging, notifications, calendar features, and multiple listing types, built on top of Sharetribe.
This project highlights how mobile-first features can be integrated into a Sharetribe marketplace experience.
See full case study of Bub Street.
4.3. Joie (Coworking space marketplace)
Joie is a marketplace app for discovering and booking coworking spaces.
Journeyhorizon delivered a Sharetribe-powered mobile app with core booking, communication features, and additional user experience enhancements such as wishlists and social login.
See full case study of Joie.
These examples highlight a few of the mobile marketplace apps built with Journeyhorizon. We have worked with many other founders who have successfully launched and scaled their marketplaces using Sharetribe.
You can explore more detailed case studies and real-world implementations on our case studies page.
5. From template to App Store: A simplified mobile app workflow
For non-technical founders, mobile development can seem complex. In practice, the process follows a structured sequence:
- Define customization requirements and priorities and align them with your business goals.
- Set up the Sharetribe mobile app template as the foundation.
- Implement branding and feature customization according to your marketplace model.
- Test on real iOS and Android devices to ensure stability and usability.
- Submit your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for review.
- Respond to feedback from the app stores and optimize as needed, then publish the app live for users to download.
This workflow helps reduce risk and ensures a smoother path to launch while preserving long-term flexibility.
Explore the full 6-step guide to building a Sharetribe mobile app.
6. Journeyhorizon - a verified Sharetribe Expert Partner specializing in mobile app customization
Journeyhorizon is a verified Sharetribe Expert Partner specializing in building native mobile apps for Sharetribe marketplaces using a template-based approach with targeted customization.
We help marketplace founders extend their existing or newly created Sharetribe marketplaces to mobile by providing a production-ready app foundation that connects directly to the Sharetribe Marketplace API. This ensures web and mobile experiences stay fully aligned while allowing flexibility for future growth.
As part of its Sharetribe mobile app services, Journeyhorizon provides:
- A production-ready Sharetribe mobile app template for iOS and Android
- Native mobile apps connected directly to the Sharetribe Marketplace API
- Brand and UI customization aligned with each marketplace’s identity
- Custom feature development for specific marketplace workflows
- Core marketplace functionality on mobile, including listings, search, bookings, messaging, and payments
- Mobile essentials such as push notifications and social login
- App Store and Google Play publishing support
Explore Journeyhorizon’s Sharetribe mobile app service on our website.
7. Conclusion
Mobile is no longer just an extension of a marketplace; it is often where users engage, return, and complete transactions. Sharetribe mobile app customization gives founders a practical way to move beyond the limits of mobile web without committing to the cost and risk of a fully custom build.
By understanding the available approaches, what can realistically be customized, and how mobile apps fit into the Sharetribe ecosystem, founders can make informed decisions that support both short-term launch goals and long-term growth.
As a Sharetribe Expert Partner, Journeyhorizon supports this process by helping founders bring their marketplaces to mobile using a balanced, template-based approach with targeted customization.
Ready to put your marketplace in your users' pockets? Let’s discuss your custom mobile strategy today!
8. FAQs
1. What is a Sharetribe mobile app template?
A Sharetribe mobile app template is a ready-made foundation developed by Journeyhorizon that enables a Sharetribe marketplace to launch a fully functional native iOS and Android app without building one from scratch.
2. How quickly can I launch a Sharetribe mobile app using the template?
In many cases, once your Apple Developer and Google Play accounts are set up, a Sharetribe mobile app can be published on iOS and Android app stores in as little as one day using the template.
3. Can I customize the mobile app as my marketplace evolves?
Yes. You can start with a no-code setup and later extend your app with custom features, workflows, or integrations as your marketplace grows and requirements evolve.
4. Do I need to know how to code to deploy a Sharetribe mobile app?
No. Journeyhorizon builds and deploys the mobile app for you. You only need to manage your Apple Developer and Google Play accounts; the rest is handled by the template delivery and deployment process.
5. Are there additional costs to get my mobile app live?
Yes. In addition to the mobile app setup and subscription, you will need an Apple Developer account subscription and a Google Play account fee to publish the app in the respective stores.
People also ask: Do I need to have a website before building Sharetribe mobile marketplace app?
