Using applications is sometimes much more convenient than using websites. Therefore, it is important for businesses to capture the audience that prefers to read and order through mobile apps. The number of app downloads is continuously growing every year. In 2023, 110 billion Android apps were downloaded. This is 30% more than the number of downloads in 2020. But there is not always time and money for development. In this case, a no-code app builder is of great help. In this article, we will talk about the best no-code app builder and discuss their costs, features, and platforms they operate on.
Table of Contents
What is a no-code app builder?
App builders are a convenient tool for fast and inexpensive development. They are based on a graphical interface with a set of ready-made elements that applications usually have. For example, the main screen or the registration form. The user can edit them to suit their needs and delete or add new details.
Here are the basic features that most app builder platforms have:
- Visual interface editing. You can create an interface by dragging ready-made elements on the screen.
- Editing application logic. Some app designers allow you to create logic and specify conditions and actions for the application using graphic elements.
- Integration of third-party services. Many app builder platforms offer integration with various services and APIs. For example, with payment and analytical systems.
- Ready-made templates. You can use ready-made screens as a basis for your projects.
- Using code. Some designers support custom code. You can use it to add additional functions: connect databases, link the application to online maps, etc.
- Support for different mobile platforms. Many tools provide the ability to develop applications for iOS, Android, and the web.
Types of mobile app builders
There are three types of app builders: no-code, low-code, and template. We explain how they differ.
No-code: Allows you to create an application without knowing the code. No-code platforms have a graphical interface in which you can drag and customize ready-made interface elements. Users can independently think through the logic of the application and customize the blocks and elements. Examples of no-code app builder tools are Appstylo, Bubble, and Adalo.
Low-code: When creating applications, you need to use minimal code. Unlike no-code, you can add your own scripts here. For example, Appery.
Template app builders: There are ready-made application templates, the components of which can be customized and combined. The user can choose a ready-made layout, the functions of the future application and the style. Examples of template app builders are Appy Pie and BuildFire.
The main difference between a no-code and a template builder is that on a no-code platform, the user can build an application from scratch. They design it themselves and assemble it from elements that they can edit to suit their needs. Template app makers are suitable for applications with standard functions: a blog, the ability to submit a request for a consultation, etc. However, some platforms like Appstylo provide you with the ability to create an app in both ways, i.e., using a template or from scratch.
Pros and Cons of App Builders
App builders are convenient and fast, and you don’t need to know how to program. However, customization options in no-code platforms are limited to some extent. Let’s consider the pros and cons in more detail.
Pros of Builders for Android and iOS
- Ease of use: You don’t need to be a programmer to create apps. You can focus on design and functionality.
- Speed up development: The application components are already ready, so it will be possible to create apps faster.
- Cost-effectiveness: To develop an application, you need to involve developers, a designer, a manager, and a tester. If you create an app with a no-code platform, you can build an app yourself. As a result, the costs are much lower.
- Cross-platform: To create applications for iOS and Android, you need different developers. That is, the costs for them double, and you also need to spend time finding experienced specialists and developing two products. On the other hand, using an app maker, you can create an application for all platforms at once.
- Integration with other tools: In-app creators, you can integrate familiar tools into the application: analytics, CRM, databases, etc.
- Ability to quickly test a product. The app maker allows you to quickly create a prototype, model ideas for an application, and test it on real users. The ability to quickly test and verify ideas saves time and resources and improves the quality of the final product.
Cons of Android and iOS App Builders
- Limited customization: It is unlikely that you will be able to create an application 100% tailored to your needs. There are limitations in the design and functionality of your app.
- Scalability issues: App makers are suitable for applications with a simple set of functions. If more complex functions are needed. You might face some issues regarding the scalability of your mobile application.
- Dependence: They may stop supporting the platform or providing hosting. Any problems or changes on the platform may affect the application. It turns out that you have limited control over it.
15 Best No-Code App Builders
| Name | App Type | Platform Type | Cost Starts From |
| Appstylo | Android, iOS, Web. | No-code, Template. | $14/month |
| Bubble | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $29/month |
| Appy Pie | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $16/month |
| BuildFire | Android, iOS. | Template. | $16/month |
| GoodBarber | Android, iOS. | No-code. | €30/month |
| AppMaster | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $165/month |
| Mobincube | Android, iOS. | Template. | €2.99/month |
| Draftbit | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $19/month |
| AppsGeyser | Android. | Template. | $1.5/month |
| Kodika | Android, iOS. | No-code. | €14.9/month |
| Appery | Android, iOS. | Low-Code. | $25/month |
| App Institute | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $67/month |
| MobAppCreator | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $24.17/month |
| Shoutem | Android, iOS. | No-code. | €49/month |
| App Inventor | Android, iOS. | No-code. | $0.00/month |
Appstylo – #1 No-Code App Builder
App type: Android, iOS, Web.
Platform type: No-code, Template.
Cost: You can have a 7-day free trial using which you can create an app of any type, such as iOS, Android, and web app. It is one of the most convenient and easy-to-use platforms, having the most number of features and lowest price packages. Its basic package starts from $14 per month and goes up to $39 per month on yearly plans. With the most expensive plan of $39/month, you can create all three types of apps and publish them.
Features: You can edit ready-made templates or create an app from scratch using drag-and-drop elements. You can also add your own code if you want. There are templates for more than 20 types of businesses, such as cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, and businesses. You can add online chat, navigation, and registration forms to applications and much more.
Bubble
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: The limited version works for free, and you can build a simple application. Paid plans start from $29 per month. The higher the price, the more tools are available, the load on the application, and the longer the information about users and server operation is stored.
Features: You can extend Bubble’s functionality with custom plugins. It also has its own plugin store and the ability to connect apps to other services via API. The builder has interactive tutorials that help you understand how it works.
Appy Pie
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: Starts from $16 to $60 per month. An iOS app can only be created with the most expensive plan. The price determines the possible number of downloads per month, the number of push notifications, and access to additional features, such as an e-wallet.
Features: Large library of ready-made templates. You can customize branding elements and color schemes. It is possible to connect e-commerce and analytical tools.
BuildFire
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: Template.
Cost: There is no free plan; you need to pay from $100 to $499 per month. There is a trial period of 14 days. The plans differ in storage capacity, number of app downloads, and the ability to connect analytics and integrations.
Features: BuildFire is more suitable for creating e-commerce stores. There is a dashboard, which is convenient for analyzing user behaviour. You can connect plugins that will expand the functionality, such as a progress tracker or music streaming. You can create plugins yourself.
Good Barber
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: Depends on the purpose of creating the application, for content projects price starts from €30 per month. For commercial projects, the price starts from €40. There are separate tariffs for each type of application. The price depends on the storage volume, functionality, and number of projects. It also provides you with a 30-day trial.
Features: There are templates for applications of any type. A proprietary design system is built-in and includes font and colour palette standards. Each constructor template is based on them. Each element can be customized. It is an easy-to-use no-code app builder software for creating small-scale apps.
AppMaster
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: You can create one mobile app and two web apps for free. Only one developer can work in the system. Pricing plans cost from $165 to $855 per month. You can only create an iOS app for a fee.
Features: There are no templates, there are ready-made modules that can be edited to suit your needs: export and edit source code, integrate many external services. The backend code is generated with artificial intelligence.
Mobincube
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: Template.
Cost: With the free plan, you can create an unlimited number of apps, send push notifications, and collect analytics. However, the app cannot be monetized, and you cannot disable Mobincube advertising. You can also optimize the app for promotion only with a paid plan. Depending on the features, the plans cost from €2.99 to €99.99 per month.
Features: There are ready-made examples for applications for renting and searching for apartments, a hairdresser, and a cafe. Ready-made templates can be customized down to the fonts. Third-party services can also be connected.
Draftbit
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: You can create an app with five screens for free. For more, you need to pay from $19 to $199 per month.
Features: You can customize everything: select and edit modules, themes, buttons, fonts, and icons. You can view open-source code while editing. There is integration with external services. Several people can work on the project at the same time. In paid plans, you can export and finish your code and conduct testing on iOS and Android simulators.
AppsGeyser
App type: Android.
Platform type: Template.
Cost: You can create and release an APK application for free. There are paid plans that cost from $1.5 to $10 per month. For a monthly fee, you can remove built-in ads and the AppsGeyser icon and send push notifications.
Features: More than thirty-five templates for applications of different categories such as games, work, leisure, and education. It is possible to send push notifications and monetize the project. It is possible to transform the site into a mobile application.
Kodika
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Price: Free with limitations, the splash screen will have the Kodika icon, only five screens and no possibility for third-party integrations. The unlimited plan costs €14.9 per month or €149 per year.
Features: Hundreds of blocks, templates, and icons are available, which can be edited to suit your needs. The logic of the application can be customized using programming languages or algorithms. For inspiration, the site has a section on Kodika with already-to-use app templates. The application can be monetized using advertising and in-app purchases.
App Institute
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: The plan starts from $67 to $280 per month. The $67 plan allows you to create apps for both mobile platforms and web apps. The price includes push notifications and analytics. More expensive plans include sales tools and customer interaction tools.
Features: Many ready-made templates with pre-installed options. Many functions for commercial applications are available, such as online payments, loyalty programs, integration with social networks, etc. An affiliate program is available. It is among the top no-code app builder platform with great features for app development.
Appery
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: Low-code.
Cost: There is no free plan. Paid plans range from $25 to $135 per month. The price determines the number of applications, how many developers can connect to the account, and the load. The most popular plan for $70 has a trial period of 14 days.
Features: It is possible to add your own code and edit the existing one. You can connect third-party services for greater functionality. Without a minimum knowledge of programming languages, it will be difficult to understand how to create applications.
MobAppCreator
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: Price starts from $24.17 per month. An iOS app can only be created in plans starting at $40.83. Plans differ in the number of notifications, storage space, and some features. For example, you can’t enable video streaming in the free version.
Features: Applications are created by dragging and dropping ready-made elements. There are tools for marketing.
Shoutem
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: There is no free plan. The cheapest plan is €49, which only allows you to work with Android projects. To work with both Android and iOS, you need to pay €79 or €149 if you need more features. Each plan has a trial period of 14 days.
Features: There are several templates for applications on popular topics and tools for automatic testing. You can connect integration with Git and services for analytics and promotion.
App Inventor
App type: Android, iOS.
Platform type: No-code.
Cost: Free. All you need is a Google account.
Features: A large set of ready-made modules that can be edited. The business logic of the application can be assembled from simple algorithms. Projects are saved in the cloud so they can be edited from different devices.
Summary of the Best No-Code App Builder
An app maker is a tool that allows you to create an application without programming knowledge. You can change templates to suit your needs or assemble an application from ready-made elements. In most app creators, templates and ready-made elements can be changed down to the smallest detail, such as the font.
You can also add your own code and integrate third-party services. No-code app builder saves time and money and allows you to quickly test your app. And you don’t need to know how to program to use a template. But there are also disadvantages. App customization is limited by the capabilities of the builder.
| Name | Description |
| Appstylo, Bubble, AppMaster, and Draftbit | Overall, these are the best no-code platforms among the list of all 15 listed above. |
| App Inventor | Completely free among the options above. |
| AppsGeyser | Best for ready-made templates. |
Conclusion
Most app makers have a free plan with limitations. For example, they cannot integrate third-party services or send push notifications. The top no-code app builder includes Appstylo, AppMaster, Bubble, and Draftbit. The completely free builder is App Inventor. You can create an application from a ready-made website via AppsGeyser.