No-code development is the process of creating software using basic drag-and-drop tools or any visual alternatives, without writing code. No-code builders are an easy way for technical and non-technical people to create and launch apps very quickly.
Most adopters of no-code users already have some knowledge of programming. Developers who use these tools can quickly create all the basic functionality of an app (saving hours of coding) and therefore spend more of their time writing code for more complex application features.
Among the benefits of using no-code app builders, we can mention:
- Faster time to launch: You can create custom apps in a fraction of the time, letting you work out sooner whether your app has product-market fit.
- Lower cost: Developers are not cheap. By eliminating the need for specialised developers and reducing the amount of custom code required, no-code platforms can lower development costs and accelerate time-to-market.
- Reduced communication barriers: Non-technical people can build and iterate on their ideas without having to explain exactly what they want to a developer.
- Easier to test new ideas: You can experiment with different features and designs without spending too much time or money on coding.
- Increased ROI: When teammates are given new tools that allow them to expand their contribution to the organisation, they collectively make more impact. Duplicate this over time — teammates making more impact with less input and time — and you’ll see meaningful results.
No-Code App Builders for Developers
In this article, we are going to talk about 8 no-code app builders that you can use to create apps and processes. There are three things that we are going to talk about to demonstrate the effectiveness of each tool: 1) ease of use, 2) pricing, and 3) notable applications that have been created with the tool.
1. Softr
Softr is an ideal no-code app builder for those who have zero or very little coding knowledge. It offers pre-built and functional blocks like Lists, Charts, Forms, Tables, Calendar, and Maps out of the box, so you don’t need to reinvent them from scratch. You can put together your app in a few minutes with drag and drop — and you won’t need assistance from a developer (hopefully).
Ease of use:
- Softr has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that guides you through the app creation process.
- Softr provides tutorials, documentation, and support to help you get started and troubleshoot any issues.
Pricing:
- Free plan for individuals building passion projects.
- Paid plans for entrepreneurs, SMBs, agencies, and teams building more advanced apps, which range from $49 to $269 per month (or less if billed annually).
- Enterprise plan for larger companies that want extra volume, security, and support, which is custom-priced based on the needs of the customer.
Notable apps built with it: Les No-codeuses, Le Job Vélo, Gloednieuw, WeUkraine, Quarantine Chef, homeRx, Bold Horizons, Cronos Research, Airtweet.
Click here to learn more about these apps.
2. Bubble
Bubble is a platform that allows you to design, program, host, and scale web applications. It offers a drag-and-drop editor for creating pixel-perfect designs without any knowledge of HTML or CSS. You can build interactive, multi-user apps for desktop and mobile web browsers. Bubble handles deployment and hosting for you, and there are no hard limits on the number of users, volume of traffic, or data storage.
Ease of use:
- Bubble’s user interface lowers the difficulty when developing something.
- It has a super simple editor that helps avoid slip-ups.
- You can manage a database with Bubble’s intuitive, fully customisable platform.
Pricing:
- Free plan for learning how to use the platform.
- Paid plans range from $29 to $349 per month (or less if billed annually).
- Enterprise plan for larger companies which is custom-priced based on the needs of the customer.
Notable apps built with it: Codemap, GoodGigs, Income, Beelango, Strabo.
Visit this site to see more.
3. Glide
Glide is a no-code app builder that specialises in creating mobile apps directly from Google Sheets. It's known for its simplicity, speed, data-driven apps and unique integration with Google Sheets, which make it a valuable tool for individuals and small teams looking to create mobile apps quickly and without the need for extensive coding.
Ease of use:
- Glide is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. It uses a drag-and-drop interface to build and customise app layouts, making it accessible to users with little to no coding experience.
- It offers numerous resources to help developers create apps quickly and easily: templates, tutorials, community forums, and user support.
- It is one of the simplest and most user-friendly app builders on the market.
Pricing:
- Free plan for individuals creating their first apps.
- Paid plans of $25 per month for professionals and teams building apps for work and $99 per month for growing teams building apps and internal tools to streamline workflows.
- Business plan starting at $249 per month.
Notable Apps Built with Glide: GigLaw, Conscience Cart, AfricaEverAfter, Napps, My Shoots.
Get to know them better here.
4. Backendless
Backendless is a platform that allows you to design, program, host, and scale web applications. It offers a visual approach and pre-built APIs. Here’s more about it:
Ease of use:
- Backendless was designed from the backend first, making it a perfect backend complement to any coded or no-code frontend.
- The platform’s visual approach and pre-built APIs make it easy to build the backend of any app up to 10 times faster than with traditional coding solutions and at a fraction of the cost.
- Developers can customise Backendless applications via manual codes or using the built-in codeless logic builder.
Pricing:
- Free plan just to explore and learn the platform.
- Scale Plan: it allows you to develop your application, publish it, and manage it once it’s live, starting from $15 per month.
- Backendless Pro is the Limitless Edition of the Backendless Platform that can be installed anywhere. It ranges from 10k to 50k per year.
- Backendless Managed is the Fully Managed Edition, which is custom-priced based on the needs of the customer.
Notable Apps Built with Backendless: BTC Market Ticker, YTCount, Beenode.
You can learn more about them and find more examples in their gallery.
5. Adalo
Adalo simplifies app development with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, supporting the creation of both mobile and desktop applications. It offers straightforward data and user management, making it accessible to a wide range of users. You can easily publish your apps on the web or app stores and start your project with well-designed templates. For those seeking more advanced functionality, Adalo provides options for integrations and APIs. Keep in mind that you may encounter design limitations, and complex custom actions might require coding knowledge (that’s also a positive if you want to add customisation outside of templates).
Ease of use:
- It offers numerous resources to help developers create apps quickly and easily: templates, tutorials, community forums, and user support.
- Because of its complexity, Adalo can create more complex apps and workflows, but it's also harder to use.
Pricing:
- Free plan for beginners.
- Paid plans range from $36 to $160 per month.
- Business plan for $200 per month.
Notable Apps Built with Adalo: Scholarcash, Counselora, Lloyd, Mnemonics, Peculiar Yogi.
Read about them here.
6. Draftbit
Draftbit is ideal for creating powerful apps. It offers significant advantages, including a powerful and user-friendly proprietary design tool, akin to Webflow, thanks to its React Native foundation, which grants access to numerous custom NPM packages for enhanced customisation. The platform supports custom components effectively and excels in API tools for data management. Its GUI-based development process simplifies logic and actions, and it allows project source code export in React Native for added flexibility and customisation outside the platform. Strong documentation further bolsters its appeal among low-code tools.
Ease of use:
- Drag-and-drop interface which makes Draftbit very user-friendly.
- Visual development tools which make it handy for coders and no-coders.
Pricing:
- Free plan for starters.
- Paid plans range from $19 to $199 per month.
Notable apps built with Draftbit: It is a very new platform, so we could not find any notable examples.
7. Bildr
Bildr is a no-code web app builder that simplifies software development without coding. Its user-friendly interface supports complex apps, including user management, databases, and APIs. Bildr excels in visual design, native databases, and API integration. It offers responsive customer service, real-time collaboration, and Chrome extension creation. However, there's a learning curve, and the community is limited, as it has recently been launched.
Ease of use:
- Totally flexible when it comes to using data and backends from anywhere.
- Complete CSS and web design tools.
- Designed to make the traditional framework of developing software visual, not rewrite the book on creating software.
Pricing:
- Free plan for beginners.
- Paid plans from $29 to $119 per month.
- Scale up plan from $500 per month.
Notable apps built with Blidr: It is also a very new platform, so we could not find any notable examples.
8. FlutterFlow
FlutterFlow offers both advantages and challenges in app development. It speeds up basic app creation and allows custom code integration. The platform fosters collaborative development and receives frequent updates. It suits early-stage companies for quick market entry and supports analytics tools. However, generated code may need adjustments, and updates can be unpredictable. It lacks support for different environments and has limitations, making project estimation complex. While ideal for initial validation, long-term development may require transitioning to Flutter. Collaboration with mobile and backend developers and quality assurance are recommended for project success.
Ease of use:
- Visual drag-and-drop builder for designing apps.
- Allows for the addition of custom code.
- Active community support.
Pricing:
- Free plans for individual starters.
- Paid plans from $30 to $70 per month.
Notable Apps Built with FlutterFlow: COIN, TAGALONG, Kawenter, Ampower, Notre Tribu Santé.
Read more about them here.
