TL;DR: The best no-code web app builders are here for any project: Zapier (automation), Bubble (powerful ease), Glide (mobile). Whether you're a novice/advanced (AI with Momen, scale with WeWeb/Xano), there's something for everyone!
Have a vision for an app but no coding knowledge? The best no-code web app builders make it easier than ever for anyone to bring an idea to life without ever writing a single line of code. Instead, you can use drag-and-drop features and pre-existing templates to get your web app off the ground in no time. If you desire a marketplace, social network or internal tool, the best no-code web app builders fulfill any need.
This guide highlights the best options currently available, why they're the best of the best, and which one may be the best for your needs.
What is a No-Code App Builder? A no-code app builder is a platform that allows users to create digital applications - apps - without knowing a single thing about coding. Rather, it's like a LEGO set that gives you all the pieces to put something together, without ever having to worry about all the complicated processes that may be happening behind the scenes.
No-code app builders have everything you need - from databases to the required server infrastructure - so you're free to explore the user experience and front-end design without worrying about what goes on behind the curtain.
How We Chose the Best No-Code App Builders There are several key factors to consider when rounding up options.
First, ease of use is essential. If a no-code app builder is too confusing or complicated to use, what's the point? Next, flexibility and power go a long way. The right option should empower the user to create down to the minutiae, with database management and integrations.
Then, does it scale? The scalability of use matters as well. If you start with one app and then grow to a thousand or more, it should be able to keep up.
Finally, what's the community? The community/support is also an important factor to prevent issues if guidance or troubleshooting is needed.
How We Test Apps and Review Apps Testing is through trial and error as well as reviewing options online to see tutorial guides and experiences before compiling our findings.
Best No-Code App Builders At A Glance If you're looking for a quick overview before diving deeper into the ideal choice for you, here are the highlights of who we've selected:
Zapier is known for its automation-related efforts - but recently has expanded into an amazing no-code option through Zapier Interfaces. This gives users the ability to create web pages and interactive apps that communicate with other tools (thousands) via performance triggers. For example, if you're looking to integrate a multitude of services through your app - and essentially automate the need across platforms - Zapier can easily allow you to set this up.
Softr is a great beginner no-code web app builder that has a gentle learning curve; Softr allows you to integrate Airtable as your database (or even Google Sheets) to generate client portals, internal tools and marketplaces. Plus, Softr comes with built-in blocks and templates, so it's easy to get started.
Bubble may be the most powerful and popular option across the board. It's perfectly in between easy to use and powerful enough where you can create marketplaces, social networks and SaaS products without the need to sacrifice quality of personalization. Bubble will give you complete control over your app's design and logic without ever writing a line of code.
Glide is ideal for mobile-friendly web apps created from existing web pages or spreadsheets. If you have a lot of data on Google Sheets, Excel or Airtable, you can transform them into something beautiful and usable, creating polished apps (inventory systems, employee directories, etc.) that look good on mobile devices.
Momen is created to develop AI-based platforms via a no-code approach. This creation allows AI implementations including content generation, image recognition and data analysis through pre-existing offerings from OpenAI and other providers.
Bildr is as flexible as it gets for founders trying to develop custom built web apps. Bildr blends a visual development environment with no-code building tools where anyone can use data from any source. Although Bildr may be steeper of a learning curve than other options, it's perfect for those seeking freedom of design from simple landing pages to complex SaaS builds.
If you're seeking a powerful UI builder that exists within a backend visual development space, Backendless is an amazing option. It's able to exist behind the no-code experience but also offers a full-on backend including real-time database capabilities, cloud code configurations and user management systems. For those seeking scalable apps with back-end functionality built in, this is your creator.
WeWeb will give you pixel-perfect control over your user interfaces like never before. Enter the world of front-end development, creating beautiful web applications that fit your every vision without writing a single line of code quickly and efficiently.
Need an app for mobile? FlutterFlow allows you to build yours by quickly designing your front-end without coding requirements for native experiences like no other.
Want serverless cloud functions? BuildShip will allow any creator making an application beautifully on the front end to connect seamlessly with server-side functions without any difficulty.
Create an App Without Coding No-code web app builders have created an opportunity for anyone in today's digital landscape to launch beautiful creations - functionally sound - and get them scaled without ever needing to worry about building code from scratch.
The tools we've discussed today exemplify the best of the best opportunities created on no-code app builders today that allow novice to seasoned professionals to take their ideas from concept to reality through simple navigation and trial and error we hope works out for you along your journey!
Be sure to assess what fundamentals are best so you can project the necessary options in line with your project and find the easiest platform you feel comfortable using to bring your ideas to life!
When in doubt, a free trial will do! You'll see your ideas come to life as long-awaited products you've hoped for materialize before your eyes!
Credit for Cover Image: Photo by Mikhail Nilov on pexels