IssuePass vs PassAndroid
PassAndroid is a free open-source library, but IssuePass offers a fully managed service with professional support, automatic updates, and enterprise features without the maintenance burden.
| Feature | IssuePass | PassAndroid |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | $29-199/month SaaS | Free (self-hosted) |
| Server Setup Required | ||
| Professional Support | Email, chat, phone | Community only |
| Automatic Updates | Manual | |
| HubSpot Integration | Native (built-in) | Build yourself |
| Security Patches | Automatic | Manual |
| Scalability | Auto-scaling | Manage yourself |
| Visual Editor | Yes | No |
| Template Library | 50+ templates | Build from scratch |
| Analytics Dashboard | Built-in | Build yourself |
| Uptime SLA | 99.9% (Business+) | You manage |
| Code Customization | API + webhooks | Full source access |
Managed Service vs DIY
Focus on your business, not infrastructure
1. Zero Infrastructure Management
IssuePass: Fully managed SaaS. No servers to configure, no databases to maintain, no SSL certificates to renew. We handle all infrastructure, scaling, and maintenance.
PassAndroid: Self-hosted open source. Set up servers, configure databases, manage SSL, handle backups, monitor uptime, scale infrastructure yourself.
2. Professional Support Included
IssuePass: Email, live chat, and phone support. Response time SLAs on higher tiers. Dedicated success managers for enterprise. Implementation assistance available.
PassAndroid: Community support via GitHub issues and forums. No guaranteed response times. Troubleshoot and fix issues yourself.
3. Automatic Security Updates
IssuePass: Security patches applied automatically. SOC 2 compliance (Q2 2026). Regular security audits. Zero-downtime updates.
PassAndroid: Monitor for vulnerabilities yourself. Apply security patches manually. Manage compliance requirements. Risk of running outdated versions.
4. Business Features Included
IssuePass: Visual editor, 50+ templates, analytics dashboard, HubSpot integration, webhooks, bulk operations, and more. Everything you need out of the box.
PassAndroid: Core pass generation only. Build analytics, admin interface, integrations, and business features yourself. Weeks or months of development.
5. Hidden Costs of Self-Hosting
IssuePass: Predictable monthly cost. All-inclusive pricing with hosting, bandwidth, storage, and support.
PassAndroid: Free software, but: Server costs ($50-500/month), SSL certificates, backup storage, monitoring tools, developer time for setup/maintenance (20-40 hours), security audits. Total cost often exceeds managed service.
When to Choose PassAndroid
PassAndroid makes sense if you:
- Have strong DevOps expertise and prefer full control
- Need to host on-premises for compliance reasons
- Want to heavily modify the core codebase
- Have a technical team dedicated to infrastructure
- Generate passes at very high volume (millions per month)
Total Cost of Ownership Comparison
IssuePass (Managed)
PassAndroid (Self-Hosted)
Self-hosting costs 4-6x more when factoring in infrastructure and developer time
Skip the infrastructure hassle
Get a fully managed wallet pass platform with professional support and automatic updates. Start creating passes in 5 minutes.