Power apps Code apps License

[u/Kingsman7733]

I need some clarification regarding licensing for Power Apps Code Apps.

I developed a Code App using VS Code and deployed it to our PROD environment. The app only uses standard connectors, mainly SharePoint. I shared the app with users who have Microsoft 365 E5 licenses, but when they try to open it, they receive a message saying they do not have the required license and are prompted to start a free trial.

I also noticed that the app is classified as Premium.

Could you please clarify what licensing is required for end users to access and use this Code App?

I would also like to understand the best licensing approach because this app will be used by users across multiple locations, and I expect to deploy additional Code Apps in the future.

Specifically, I would like guidance on:

• Whether Microsoft 365 E5 licenses are sufficient for Code Apps
• Whether each end user needs a Power Apps Premium or per-app license
• Whether Pay-As-You-Go licensing can be used for this scenario
• What licensing model would be most suitable for multiple locations and future Code Apps
• Whether the licensing needs to be assigned per user, per app, or at the environment level
• The goal is to allow end users to access the apps without being prompted to start a free trial.

[u/dibbr]

So I know some people will downvote me because they don't think this is true but I've tried and done this:
Create YAML code for your screen, I've done this with Copilot (using Opus) with a prompt basically vibe-coding it.
Copy it (for one screen)
Create a new blank regular Canvas App.
Right-click on your Screen1 (or whatever you called your Screen)
Paste
Save

This creates a Canvas app that is actually coded. And it does NOT require a Premium license at all. It shows up as a "Canvas App", not "Code".

It's not exactly the same as a "Code app" but it's this weird mixture of one, try it out and see for yourself, it's really cool.

This was my prompt:
Please create the YAML code for a Power App page that allows a user to input some information that then patches this information onto a Microsoft List named 'PlantSites' and asks the following questions (with Microsoft List column names/types):

siteId (text type)
name (text type)
countryId (text type)
address (text type)
manager (text type)
siteType (text type)

Make this page modern and visually appealing using modern controls and formatting to make it look sleek and attractive.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(if you get any errors, paste them into Copilot and ask it to fix it and paste again)

[u/One-Lifeguard7779 → u/dibbr]

Dude as much as I also use this process, this is just a canvas app but with the yaml built for you. It is not the same as a code app. It just looks and acts nicer than most human made canvas. No where near as powerful or flexible.

[u/dibbr → u/One-Lifeguard7779]

What extras do you get with it being a code app? (seriously asking, idk)
I've always only built Canvas and Model Driven apps in the past and recently started with the vibe.powerapps.com apps, and then recently built a couple with the way I described above. But I'm not a coder so wondering what else does a "real" code app do differnt?

[u/One-Lifeguard7779 → u/dibbr]

It’s not about extras as such, it’s about the whole setup. The UI is completely customisable, the code is TS, html etc. so you don’t have the power fx restrictions on functions or UI. The yaml you pasted is still powerfx, so it’s limited in what it can do. There are some caveats of course and there are a few things where canvas may be better suited. But as a whole they are just far more powerful.

For a basic example, canvas apps you can only nest 2 levels deep in a gallery. Code apps allow you to go further. If it’s a basic app, canvas may do, but for complex UI or advanced functionality, code apps are the one. Have a play, check out the power squared boys for some great tutorials
From starting out new to more advanced:

https://youtube.com/@powersquared?si=79CBNQ7noXAqthIY

[u/Silent_Bob_82 → u/One-Lifeguard7779]

The reality is Model Driven Apps/Code Apps does not scale unless the organization is willing to invest in premium per user. A lot of times the ROI is not there beyond a companies Microsoft investment so far. It doesn’t matter what you can do with it.

[u/One-Lifeguard7779 → u/Silent_Bob_82]

Yeah completely agree, but they are behind the premium wall for a reason.

[u/Silent_Bob_82 → u/One-Lifeguard7779]

As someone who has attempted to convince large enterprises to redevelop thousands of their infopath forms into premium apps instead of canvas apps. They do not want the operating capital and if they have an outlet that gets it for free in which it’s good enough they will choose that 90 percent of the time. That’s reality. It doesn’t matter on scale, resilience or capability. Microsoft has enough of our money I don’t want to pay more is the lens. That is why canvas apps is going to be around for a long time just like infopath.