I Tried 15+ No-Code App Builders — These Ones Build Incredibly Real AppsThese are the no-code app builders I’d use if I couldn’t write code.Image generated by Leonardo AIWe all know that ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI chatbots can help you build websites and simple apps just by writing a prompt.But when it comes to building complex apps, it’s not as easy as typing a prompt and getting exactly what you want.Why? First, AI chatbots can make mistakes. So if you don’t have programming experience, debugging those issues can be overwhelming.Second, complex apps require handling things like state management, APIs, databases, authentication, and user flows.And that’s not all. These AI tools can’t set up your local development environment, configure CI/CD pipelines, manage version control with Git properly, deploy your app, or monitor it in production.So, what’s the solution? Use “no-code app builders” — they let you design your app exactly the way you want, with all the features and functionalities you need.Now you might ask, “But Nitin, there are so many no-code app builders — which one should I use?”That’s exactly why I’m writing this post — to share the best no-code app builders after testing 15+ options.Table of Contents:· Before You Try No-Code, Here’s an Easier Way· How I tested the no-code app builders?· 1. Bubble· 2. FlutterFlow· 3. Thunkable· 4. Bravo Studio· 5. Glide· 6. Softr· 7. Adalo· 8. Draftbit· FAQsBefore You Try No-Code, Here’s an Easier WaySince I’m not promoting any no-code app builder, I need to tell you — it’s not as easy as it sounds to use a no-code app builder and create the app you want.But why? Well, it takes a good amount of time to learn, and then further design the app, set up navigation, integrate a database, connect REST APIs, test your app, and much more.You’ll also need a paid subscription to that specific app builder if you want to export your code, use advanced features, or publish your app.So, if you don’t have that much time and want to build your app the easier way, you can simply hire an expert from Fiverr or any other freelancing platform. I suggest Fiverr since it’s a bit more affordable, and they have pro experts if you want the best.But how? Well, you just need to visit Fiverr and search for “app development”, “Shopify app developer”, or “mobile app development”.Source: FiverrThen you will see a lot of experts, and you can select the one you prefer based on their past work, ratings, your budget, and more.Also, I suggest everyone at least check out the Fiverr Vibe Coding category — it’s perfect for the individuals already building no-code apps but needing a professional developer’s touch to complete or polish the process.That’s all — now let’s talk about the best “no-code app builders” and how I test them.How I tested the no-code app builders?Obviously, I can’t just write about any no-code app builder, since some don’t work, others aren’t very good, and some charge way too much.So, I spent two full weeks testing 15+ no-code app builders to find the best ones I can confidently recommend in this post.Sure, it was easier for me since I’ve already tried a number of website and app builders in the past. I just needed to design the app, use the features, and see whether it works properly or not.And to identify the best no-code app builders, I focused on several key factors, such as:The no-code app builder should have a clean, intuitive interface and offer full control over design elements — layout, spacing, colors, typography, and responsiveness.It should support advanced features like conditional logic, custom workflows, and dynamic data handling.It should include templates, tutorials, documentation, training, and videos so users can learn without issues.It should allow integration with popular databases like Airtable or Supabase, or offer its own robust backend, as well as connect with external tools like Zapier, Make, Stripe, Google Sheets, etc.It should offer an option to export code, have at least a free plan to get started, and AI features are a bonus.With that said, let’s jump into the recommendations.1. BubbleWhen I was doing the research for the best “no-code app builders”, this is the one that was recommended by most of the blog posts on the internet.And yes, I’ve tried this one a lot previously.I’m talking about Bubble, and you can generate full-stack web and mobile apps, deploy, and scale all from this AI app builder.To get started, you need to visit their website and click on the button, “Start building for free”.Then you can start from scratch, use a template, or generate one with AI. And the best part is that you can create any type of app with this no-code builder.As for pricing, it provides a free plan to get started along with features like API connector, 6 hours of server logs, 50k workload units/mo, and more.2. FlutterFlowThis one lets you build mobile, web, and desktop apps incredibly fast with tons of features, and without writing a single line of code.I’m talking about FlutterFlow — a no-code/low-code solution for building Flutter apps, built by two former Google engineers.Getting started is easy.You just need to visit their website and click on the button “Start for Free” to create an account. Then it will ask a couple of simple questions (just the basic details).After that, you can create your first project and start building your app by dragging and dropping elements, then applying additional settings to customize it.Talking about the features, you can preview your app, do instant reloading, connect databases with ease, and more. And the best part? It provides you with tutorials, guides, docs, templates, and more to learn and make the process simpler.Pricing: You can start for free and build your app with API and data integration, web publishing, and more.And if you want to download the code, test it on local devices, or access advanced features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.3. ThunkableNow, it’s time to talk about a slightly more complex no-code app builder that helps you build better and more advanced apps with logic.I’m talking about Thunkable, which lets you build custom apps for everything. Yes, you can create apps for your MVP, organization, business, or even for educational purposes.The process to get started is simple — just visit their website and click the “Get Started” button.After that, you can create your app by dragging the components to the app screen the way you want, and make the CSS style. Yes, it’s easy to design your app.But you need to spend a good amount of time adding logic with blocks, and need to test it out further. That’s all — after designing your app, adding the logic, and testing it out, you can launch it to use.Talking about the pricing, you can get started for free and create up to 3 public projects.And if you want to create some private projects, you need to go with a paid plan.4. Bravo StudioNow, I want to talk about a no-code app builder that lets you turn your Figma design into native apps for iOS and Android.I’m talking about Bravo Studio, and if you are a designer, this can be your go-to no-code app builder.And the best part is that you can use OpenAI, Claude, or your preferred AI to seamlessly create HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code in one file.To get started, simply visit their website and click on the button “Start Building for Free” to sign up with Figma.Then you need to click on the button “Create a new app” and paste the Figma design URL you want to create an app for.Further, you can add your data, integrate with multiple apps, publish your app, view your analytics, and more.As for pricing, you can get started for free and generate unlimited app projects.But to publish it, and to use other features, you need to upgrade to the paid plan.5. GlideNow, the next one helps you build modern, AI-powered apps that turn scattered data into actionable insights. In simple terms, it helps you build modern business software like CRMs, portals, dashboards, and more, all based on real-time data.I’m talking about Glide.You just need to visit their website and click the “Start for free” button to create your account and get started.It will ask you a couple of questions, and then you can create an app by selecting one of the available options.After that, you can add components as you like, edit styles, and add your data to make the app real-time. I wasn’t able to drag and drop directly inside the canvas, so I don’t think that feature is available.And the best part is that you can create automation workflows based on certain actions to automate tasks in your Glide app without doing them manually.Regarding pricing, you can get started for free, create unlimited draft apps, and publish one app by connecting your data and more.If you want to create automation workflows, need integrations, and additional features, you’ll need to upgrade to one of their paid plans.6. SoftrNow, the next no-code app builder I want to talk about helps you generate your app just by writing a prompt — and it’s much simpler than the others I’ve mentioned in this post.I’m talking about Softr.To get started, just visit their website and click the “Get started free” button.It will ask you a few quick questions, after which you’ll see three options: Start from scratch, Start with a template, and Generate with AI.I chose the “Generate with AI” option, typed in a simple prompt, and here’s what it created:Of course, I can customize it further — add blocks, create new pages, and pull data from Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, and more.As for features, Softr allows you to integrate with popular tools, publish on any device, and embed dashboards, charts, calendars, and more.When it comes to pricing, they offer a free plan with most of the features you’ll need to get started.And if you want to build more apps or access advanced features, you can upgrade to one of their paid plans.7. AdaloWell, Adalo may not be as popular as some other platforms, but after trying it, I liked it so much that I had to include it in this list.First of all, it offers one of the simplest processes — choose your target platform, pick a template, and customize the branding.The best part? You can learn how to use Adalo in less than 5 minutes.To get started, just visit their website and sign up with your email.From there, you can design your app exactly how you want — add multiple screens, connect a database or integrations, and even track analytics.In short, Adalo lets you design, build, publish, and grow your app — all within a single no-code builder.As for pricing — it even offers a free plan that includes unlimited screens and unlimited test apps.However, to publish to the web or app stores, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid plans.8. DraftbitNow, the next no-code app builder I want to talk about is Draftbit.This one even provides all the features one needs, from team collaboration, advanced logic, multiple integration support, REST APIs, adding custom code, code export, and even app store publishing.To get started, head over to their website and click on the button “Start for free!” to create an account.It will then ask a number of questions, and you can even get a 1-on-1 Draftbit walkthrough (a quick introduction).There are some issues like: you can’t drag and drop right inside the canvas, and they are trying to hard-sell their paid plan.Well, I’ve simply skipped most of this part and selected a template — here’s what the interface looks like:As for pricing, you can get started for free, and their basic plan starts from $19 per month if you choose to pay annually.Lastly, they even provide a service where you can hire their designers and developers to turn your big idea into a beautiful app.FAQs:1. Can I really build a complete app without writing a single line of code?⟹ Yes — but with a catch. You can build apps without writing code using these platforms, but you still need to understand basic app logic, data flow, and user experience.2. Which no-code app builder is best for beginners?⟹ If you’re just getting started, Softr or Adalo is your best bet. They’re simple, intuitive, and you won’t get lost in complex logic blocks or data integrations on day one. And if you don’t have time and want an expert to build for you, hiring an app developer from Fiverr can be a great option.3. Can I export the code and host the app myself?⟹ Yes, most of these no-code app builders allows you to export code but in their paid plans. But just know that exporting code doesn’t mean you can run it on your own server easily — you’ll need some dev knowledge or hire someone to handle deployment and setup.4. Should I hire a freelancer or use a no-code builder myself?⟹ Depends. If you have time and want to learn, go the DIY route. But if you’re in a hurry or building something for your business, hiring someone (from Fiverr or anywhere else) can save a lot of time .5. Are no-code apps scalable and production-ready?⟹ Yes, you can build MVPs, client apps, dashboards, internal tools, and even production apps with these tools. But if you want to build a very large app with millions of users and complex features, no-code won’t be enough in the long run.Hope you like it.That’s it — thanks.If you’ve found this post helpful, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter, AI Made Simple where I dive deeper into practical AI strategies for everyday people.I Tried 15+ No-Code App Builders — These Ones Build Incredibly Real Apps was originally published in The Startup on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.