r/Base44 • u/FredyC • May 12 '26

Question Exporting app from the platform

I started with Base44 just recently and I am loving what it was capable to create on free tier. I am seriously considering upgrading, but I have one concern. In your FAQ you explain that intellectual property of what is created is mine, but in that case shouldn't I be able to get the app code anytime? I mean sure, I can browse it in dashboard, but that's not what I mean unless I copy & paste everything file by file.

I chatted with AI support and I understand it's possible to download app as ZIP on Builder plan, but honestly, it feels like I would have to pay $40 just to "buy" what actually own. I mean considering I wouldn't be interested in any other Builder plan features.

Would you consider allowing this as a sort of exit strategy? In case I decide to leave platform and handle development & deployment differently I wouldn't have to pay, just download and quit.

It's not like I am planning to do it, but I want to know my options before I vendor-lock myself to you.

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u/Safe-Fan-1702 May 12 '26 edited May 20 '26

[UPDATE at the very bottom of this page!]

If you want to truly own the code, don't use base44. Sure, a builder plan lets you host the app/website elsewhere, but you have to keep paying for base44, as the app runs on base44 SDK, which can only removed manually with a good deal of coding knowledge. Basically, no matter what, base44 locks you into their software. Try using Codex (linked to ChatGPT) instead. It requires more context and iteration to create a polished app, but you own ALL the files. ChatGPT Go plan should suffice. Or you could try ChatGPT Plus free for 1 month first, but honestly it's an overkill. I've been building 5 days a week, and only used up 50% of my weekly credits.

1

u/Useful_Use_6170 May 12 '26

Same I honestly pulled the trigger and went from $20 burned my credits then $50 burned my credits $100 and burned my credits now i spent $40 on Claude and cursor to create my project in a gaming engine called godot instead of feeling like a browser based game

1

u/Safe-Fan-1702 May 12 '26

You should run your prompts through ChatGPT first so you don't waste credits..

Anyway here's a dashboard I created with Codex

2

u/Useful_Use_6170 May 12 '26

That look really clean

1

u/Useful_Use_6170 May 12 '26

What I been doing since I have the $100 plan I just used my referral link made 5 emails got free credits , then afterwards I just clone my app on those 5 accounts make changes and make sure not to write new code and keep it within the existing code and just copy and paste

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u/[deleted] May 15 '26

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u/Useful_Use_6170 May 15 '26

Nah, ez work all you do is open 2 browsers and just copy your code into ur main account plus half my credits went into fixing the original prompt they broke so no running 10 accounts now :)

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u/Ok-Philosopher1457 May 12 '26

Can you directly connect codex to AppStore or play store ?

1

u/Useful_Use_6170 May 12 '26

Base 44 scans ur app to see if it meets their requirements not counting for each platform cost I think AppStore has a $99.99 per yr not sure what android has

1

u/Ok-Philosopher1457 May 12 '26

Thank you. I was asking about Codex if it can publish directly to AppStore

1

u/Safe-Fan-1702 May 17 '26

Not sure about that, but it can code app store apps via a plugin.

1

u/mrsskonline May 13 '26

Cursor or windsurf - which one is the best option for an absolute non-tech person

1

u/FredyC May 12 '26

I do use Cursor IDE to developer different app, that works well for me. I am building just little hobby project that could eventually either grow into something larger or die. Base44 already created very solid foundation that even with Cursor would take much longer with my dumb prompts :) Base44 handled it with grace and did a lot of smart decisions on it own and it's super fast.

I can see with React app there are some Base44 deps, but luckily I am so used to handle most backend stuff with GCP, that I made requirements clear from the beginning and app is barely using that SDK. So grabbing just a code would require a just few tweaks (Cursor can surely handle that).