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How many times have you come up with a brilliant idea for a mobile app or platform and have wished you knew how to build an app so you could become the next Instagram?
Or, maybe more reasonably, so you could design the application needed for your company, or help streamline some business processes?
These no-code development platforms are truly industry-changing, giving the non-techies the opportunity to design and produce applications, and providing businesses with almost endless options to improve operations.
Table of Contents
What is a No Code App Builder?
No-code application builders are platforms that allow designers, artists, creatives, SEOs–whoever–to develop usable software quickly without coding. Originally made for team members without coding experience who were part of product creation, no-code development platforms help anyone make fully functional apps using straightforward visual editors that offer pre-coded elements like text boxes, videos, buttons, etc.
With drag-and-drop tools, WYSIWYG editors (what you see is what you get), workflow automation, beautiful design, and cloud-based spreadsheets to house your data before it’s displayed…no-code development platforms do a couple of things.
- Streamline business operations: Some no-code platforms are used most often for business and project management.
- Build actual applications: Others are truly just to help you build mobile or computer applications for your company.
How Do No-Code App Builders Work?
No-code development platforms will vary, but most of them follow similar steps to build your application or workflows:
- Prepare your data: It’s helpful to prepare whatever data you are trying to organize before designing your app. Some app builders might require this, but in general it will be easier to design an app when you know what information you’re including in it.
- Design your app: Choose with pre-made templates or start right from scratch with the text, images, and other elements you want.
- Add various elements, automations, and actions: After you have the design layout, how do people use your app? What buttons do they press and what actions should they take? And does your app allow them to get where they want to go? Many no-code development platform have various views you can use to
- Test & deploy: Or deploy and test! Whichever the direction, get feedback on how your app is being used and what edits you have to make before sharing with the public.
The Best No-Code App Builders
Bubble is a seriously incredible product that enables you to make any app with absolutely zero code. You build a prototype to test out your idea and then share it with your customer-facing platforms–all without any HTML or CSS. Bubble hosts and deploys your application for you, so you don’t need a web server.
They even let you see how it works by editing their own homepage: https://bubble.io/. Pretty cool.
Along with Airtable and Appy Pie, Bubble is a best-in-class no code app builder. Venture capitalists agree. Bubble has raised over $100 million to bring its no code app builder to life.
- Mobile-friendly and dynamic content
- No hard limit for number of users, volume of traffic, or data storage
- Password or OAuth 2.0 logins
- Email, SEO, analytics, and other integrations
- Dynamic and static content elements for increased interaction
Bubble offers a free option and agency subscription model, as well as discounts for students and nonprofit options, so anyone can get started app-building in no time. Annually, membership options include:
- Personal: $25/month
- Professional: $115/month
- Production: $475/month
Bubble is going to be for direct app building more than product development. It’s also relatively new, so they are still working out the kinks as they grow and improve.
2. Appy Pie
Appy Pie is another very strong no-code app builder that allows you to create multifunctional native apps using pre-set templates and color themes that you can customize for your needs. Whether you’re building a shopping app, dating app, delivery app, or others, Appy Pie is one of the best no-code app makers in the game. They also offer courses on building applications for users from students to professionals at all skill levels.
- Real-time interface edits
- Application testing and analytics
- Offline usage and updating
- Works for iOS & Androids and built-in app store publishing
- Conversion option from websites to apps
Appy Pie starts with a free option, and then you can upgrade for complete features.
- Basic: $16/app/month (supports Android)
- Gold: $36/app/month (supports Android)
- Platinum: $60/app/month (also supports iOS apps)
Like all technology, there are bugs sometimes, and some users noted they wished there could be more options for what types of ads are included.
Airtable is an extremely powerful app builder that large businesses and enterprises use to manage their data, similar to a project management tool. Based on spreadsheets, Airtable helps you create solutions tailored exactly for what teams need–no more, no less. Their pre-made templates and intuitive design help marketing, product, operations, HR, sales, and finance teams reach new levels of organization and productivity.
- Various views of each project
- Workflow automations & integrations
- Over 50 pre-built apps to include in your own
- Real-time editing
Airtable offers a free plan best for individuals or those just starting out, and an Enterprise option for more specific needs.
- Plus: $10/seat/month
- Pro: $20/seat/month
Airtable is more rudimentary than Bubble and Appy Pie in that it’s more for project management based on spreadsheets, rather than building out a usable product application. That being said, it shines as one of the best project management platforms out there.
ClickUp is a full service application with the ambitious motto to be the “one app to replace them all.” With 35+ “ClickApps,” 50+ action points for automations, documents, reports, project management and more, ClickUp is a virtually limitless platform. It also offers a great no-code tool that connects different sources of information to create funnels and workflows for the ultimate efficiency.
- Nested documents and wikis with real-time collaboration
- 1,000+ native integrations
- Pre-built templates and drag-and-drop capabilities
- Link all of these features together within the editor
- Coaching and course options to become a ClickUp expert
ClickUp offers a free forever plan and an enterprise option for large teams.
- Unlimited: $5/member/month
- Business: $9/member/month
- Business Plus: $19/member/month
ClickUp is going to be best for project management within smaller businesses. Some users also note that though lots of options are nice, sometimes things can get a little confusing.
AppSheet is another no-code app builder where you can design and create a full-service app in days without any code. With over 3.5 million apps created, AppSheet applications can capture images, log locations, scan barcodes, generate reports, send emails, apply logic, and much more. With an easy how-to guide and videos to follow along with, AppSheet makes it easy for you to get your application made.
- Multi-platform app in real time
- Rich data collection
- Capture & display geographic or indoor location data across devices
- Machine learning & process automation
- Access via web and mobile platforms
AppSheet allows you to start building and testing apps with up to 10 users for free, using features from any plan. Once you’re ready to bring in your full team, you choose one of these two plans, or contact them directly for Enterprise pricing:
- Starter: $5/user/month
- Core: $10/user/month
There can be a bit of a learning curve when starting with AppSheet.
Ninox is an app-building platform designed to improve business processes through a customizable platform built from drag-and-drop spreadsheets, forms, charts, and reports. Streamline your workflows on everything you use while collaborating with your team from anywhere. Serving industries all over the map, from IT to real estate to med-tech to construction, any organization is able to build an app to serve their customers.
- No Internet connectivity needed
- Kanban, Gantt, Cards and Diagrams views
- Various templates for contacts, meetings, events, invoices, accounting, timesheets, and more
- Accessible on the Cloud, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android, and others
Ninox offers individual and team pricing options.
- Individual for Macs: 35 euros, one time purchase
- Individual for iPad: Free
- Individual for iPhone: Free
- Ninox Cloud: 10 euro/user/month
There are some limited features and since it’s a newer platform it does need some finishing.
QuickBase is another no-code platform that provides workflows to enhance business and IT team collaboration. Made up of an ecosystem of applications, QuickBase allows even those of us with a minimal technical background to manage and scale across one platform. Businesses efficiently transform their ideas into applications, using QuickBase’s no-code or low-code solution.
- Both no-code and low code options
- Real-time roll outs without Internet connection needed
- Strict security and compliance certifications
- Tracked changes across all platforms
QuickBase is has two paid plans and then an Enterprise option.
- Team: $600/month, priced annually
- Business: $2,000/month, priced annually
They don’t have personal pricing options, just for larger businesses. And as like other no-code platforms, there are some limitations.
BettyBlocks shortens your time to market by allowing businesses to build complex applications without any coding. With the User Interface Builder, you drag and drop any front end you like, or combine it with any JS framework for complete flexibility. Process and manage data, develop new capabilities, and put it all together with BettyBlocks.
- Duplicatable app features
- Citizen Developers that build applications within Betty Blocks
- 100% cloud-based
- Automatic updates even while apps are running
- Flexible UI-builder
Betty Blocks offers three plans, Single, Standard, and Enterprise, but you must contact them directly for pricing.
Betty Blocks might be a little basic for some no-coders with experience or looking for a range of capabilities.
Quixy helps you design high quality applications without the need to learn complicated design tools. Whether it’s an interactive app project, business process management, or building a digital platform, Quixy allows you to do it all without design or technical skills.
- Design UI on a six-column layout
- Multiple form fields including fields to capture geolocation, e-signature, audio, video and much more
- Options including calculate fields, grid controls, sub-forms, facial recognition, and QR code scanning
- Various app previews on different device options
- Unlimited workflow steps in sequential, parallel, or conditional modes
Quixy offers two paid plans, as well as a customizable Enterprise option. Their plans are better depending on if you have a large team or lots of apps.
- Solution: $1000/month, billed annually
- Platform: $18/user/month
As a younger platform, Quixy can still build out it’s customer support and help options.
Benefits of No-Code App Builder
The main benefit of no-code app builders is right in their name: you don’t need knowledge of coding to get your work done! You can make apps just like Airbnb or Facebook without THIS.
No-code app builders allow for:
- Improved workflows
- Quicker to market
- Easier collaboration
- Reduced costs
- Easier to test, edit, and update
- Less blockers
- Stronger collaboration
A downside to no-code app builders? Without coding capabilities, there might be some limitation to what the app builder offers. If you have some coding knowledge, or team members that do, using a low-code version can give you the best of both worlds. Some no-code platforms also offer code modification capabilities, so check that out before making your decision.
No Code vs. Low Code App Builders
What is the difference between no-code and low-code development platforms? Like we just touched on, no-code builders will have slightly less functionality and customizability, because they provide tools to to quickly organize information rather than input unique code.
No-code app builders:
- Are best for non-developers and business creators without coding knowledge
- Have great UX & UI
- Provide drag-and-drop elements to design usable applications
- Allow non-technical users that don’t have coding knowledge to build applications
- Integrate with databases, web services, or APIs to integrate data without needing code
Low-code app builders are in between no-code and completely manual coding. They help speed up application building so developers don’t have to continuously replicate code. You can create software with a minimal amount of programming.
- Are best for techies and developers that want to sped up their craft
- Require coding knowledge, but also provide drag-and-drop elements
- Look to solve various software solutions
- Might have an open system platform, which might cause bugs when updating your apps
However, many no-code application builders also allow for coding modifications, so that their pre-configured blocks can be edited, and new elements can be created. Developers can still code to support the unique needs of their business, but the non-developers of the business can provide their insight.
No-code development platforms allow anyone in part of any part of a business to design the application of their dreams, to either create a new product or streamline operational processes.
Any of the no-code applications on this list can be a great fit depending on your businesses needs, so take advantage of any free trials or plans before making the final purchase. And if you do have some coding knowledge in your back pocket, make sure they have a low-code options to get ultimate app-building experience.