Frequently Asked Questions

We build it for you. Our team handles the entire process, including app setup, configuration, design implementation, and publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play.

You’ll have a dedicated account manager who guides you through the process and ensures your app reflects your station’s brand, content, and goals.

If your station has a developer team or technical resources, they can also build the entire app themselves. But most stations prefer our full-service approach so they can focus on running their station while we handle the technical work.

Most radio station apps launch in approximately 6–8 weeks.

The timeline depends on your station’s specific needs, features, and current project queue. Because we use proven plugins and workflows designed for radio stations, we can launch significantly faster than traditional custom development.

Your account manager will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth launch.

No technical experience is required. As part of your onboarding, our team of experts will guide you through your app and train your team so you can easily manage your app. 

Once your app is live, you can easily update content, publish announcements, manage events, send notifications, and more through a simple dashboard.

You stay in full control without needing developers or technical staff.

With Buildfire, your app can be published to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Listeners can stream your station (or your group of stations) live, directly inside your branded mobile app. Streaming integrates with your existing setup, including YouTube streams and other supported streaming sources.

You can include:

• Podcasts
• Recorded shows
• Interviews
• Segments
• Special content
• And more! 

Listeners can access everything in one place, inside your station’s app. This helps extend engagement beyond live broadcast hours.

Yes. You can display playlists, featured content, and curated programming inside the app. This gives listeners more ways to engage with your station and discover content beyond the live stream.

Yes. Push notifications are your way of keeping your community informed and up to date. You can send push notifications to your users and listeners to promote: 

• Shows
• Contests
• Breaking news
• Events
• Announcements

Push notifications are one of the most effective ways to bring listeners into your app and increase engagement. 

Yes. Your app can include event calendars, announcements, and local content that reinforces your station’s role as a community hub.

Yes. Depending on the plan you choose, Buildfire supports monetization options like in-app purchases, gated content, and subscription-based access.

Unlike traditional custom development where every feature is coded from the ground up, Buildfire provides a robust pre-built infrastructure that accelerates development while reducing cost and complexity. Core functionality such as user authentication, push notifications, content management, analytics, and integrations are readily available, allowing you to focus on customizing the features that truly differentiate your app.

Buildfire also streamlines the publishing process, guiding you through iOS and Android deployment at no additional cost. We also ensure your app complies with Apple App Store and Google Play requirements.

Post-launch, Buildfire empowers you to manage content, push updates in real time, and scale functionality without ongoing reliance on developers. This not only lowers maintenance costs but also shortens time to market, increases agility, and provides long-term flexibility as your radio station’s needs evolve.

Yes. Buildfire integrates with many popular tools out-of-the-box. You can connect external systems like Zapier and Segment, giving you the flexibility to extend and grow your app. 

Yes. Zapier is a supported integration, this enables you to connect Buildfire with tools like Google Sheet.

Yes. Buildfire offers multiple options for secure authentication:

• SSO – Single Sign On is supported with all plans. Login via Google, Facebook, X, Apple, and other accounts you already use. 
• Custom SSO (such as Microsoft Azure AD, Okta, or your internal identity provider) is also available on select plans. This allows employees to access the app with the same credentials they use for your other systems.

Yes. Publishing can be challenging, but our team supports you through the process, guiding you through setup, compliance, and approvals. 

While no platform can guarantee approval, Buildfire’s publishing team works with you to meet all requirements and resolve issues if they arise. 

No. You can use Buildfire from any device. We take care of the iOS and Android-specific build and publishing process on your behalf.

Buildfire constantly monitors changes to mobile platforms. If an update affects your app, our team ensures it continues to function properly. 

All plans include customer support. Select plans offer dedicated account managers and additional guidance.

Yes. Buildfire is hosted on AWS and follows strict security practices, including redundancy and data backups.

BuildFire does not hold official HIPAA, GDPR, or CCPA certifications at this time.

However, our platform and infrastructure can be configured to support customers who need to meet those standards.

This typically involves custom architecture (e.g. dedicated databases, additional security controls) and legal agreements handled on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, but these apps require additional setup. Our team can help design your app to meet specific compliance needs.

App data for Buildfire is primarily hosted on AWS (Amazon Web Services). Additionally, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is used as a secondary hosting option. These servers are securely located in the United States. 

All plans include core app features, publishing support, and access to our plugin marketplace. Higher-tier plans unlock additional plugins, monetization tools, and admin controls.

Yes. You can upgrade or adjust your plan at any time as your app grows.

Yes. Annual plans offer a lower monthly cost compared to month-to-month billing.