Crowdcube ditches app

Crowdcube has ditched its apps amid poor reviews and is focusing on “optimising” its website to attract potential investors.

The UK crowdfunding platform launched its iOS app in October 2016 and Android app in January 2018.

But closed them on April 11 this year.

Crowdcube says the apps “have been successful” but is concentrating on its web offering.

Crowdcube said: “While the apps have been successful, we have decided to focus our efforts on optimising the web experience across all devices and building the best possible experience for our community. 

“As a result, it has become difficult to ensure our apps are optimised at the same pace and have the same high level of functionality as our web platform, particularly as we continue to expand into Europe.”

Reviews of the Crowdcube apps have not been kind.

Recent reviews on Google Play, Google's app distribution service, call the app “poor” and “inconsistent” and also that investors can't invest via the app.

Jimmy Lee said: "Can't invest using the app. Please please fix the in app investing. It crashes when I select the invest option. Cmon, such a simple and most important part of the app.”

Oliver Watson said: “Faulty and full of bugs. It's also really slow and often crashes and does not update with correct investments (e.g. if you cancel or if the business doesn't reach the target.). Web version is better.”

The reviews on Apple’s App Store are more mixed, with a 4.7 rating out of five with one person calling it a “really good app” but others have highlighted bug issues with the app.

Crowdcube is planning to launch across Europe following new rules in the European Union simplifying the rules governing crowd fundraising finally launching.