Is there an app creator without code?
Of course! It's 2023 and drag and drop app builder platforms have become increasingly more popular and advanced. Without any coding skills or needing the ability of writing code, you can build custom apps such as native mobile apps, iOS apps, android apps, and more using drag and drop app builders.
Again - we want to stress that you do not need any coding knowledge, not a single line of code is needed to build apps.
Is there a free app creator?
While most app development platforms allow you to build apps without paying upfront, most will charge you a subscription fee to deploy and host your application.
The drag and drop app builder is providing you value, and it needs to generate revenue to stay afloat and keep providing you value, so free app builders are hard to come by, if not impossible.
We've only come across one free app builder across our research, and we'll highlight it below.
Can I build mobile apps using drag and drop builder software?
Yes! This was something that was not possible just a few years ago. However with that said, no code app builder platforms have become very advanced in recent years, meaning you now can build mobile apps and submit them to the Apple app store and Google play store.
You simply do not need to hire an outside development firm anymore. We highly recommend you check out our list of 5 best drag and drop app builder platforms below and start with them first.
What features are in the app building software?
Depending on the drag and drop app builder platform, most will provide the essential native app experience.
For example, push notifications, app monetization, and drop elements are all included in most solutions. In an intuitive user interface, you'll be able to drag and drop these advanced features right into your own app.
Are there app templates available?
Most platforms offer a marketplace or section where you can browse and install an app template. Understand that there are both paid and free app templates.
The more advanced and feature rich the template, the higher likelihood of it being paid.
As you install the template, you can easily modify it by using the drag and drop interface in the no code platform.
The 5 best drag and drop app builder platforms
Let's now explore the top online app builders to help you and other app makers build powerful web apps and native apps.
One word of note here is that we will focus solely on drag and drop app builder software. Some no code app builder platforms are not drag and drop, which we will not include in this list.
1 - Bubble.io
Our go to drag and drop app builder for app building, Bubble is our top choice when it comes to no code platforms. The drag and drop interface is built intuitively with one place for design in the Bubble editor.
App creation is great in Bubble's no code platform. With no coding knowledge needed, you'll be able to easily build great UI, complex workflows, and use Bubble's in-house database for storage.
In our view, Bubble is the best app builder out there today. No matter what you are trying to build, a social network, SaaS, or business app, Bubble's all in one solution has everything yu need regarding app development for your project.
Learn more about why we believe Bubble.io is the best app builder and how to get started with Bubble.io app development.
2 - Webflow
When your app does not need to be a complex web app with many workflows and database CRUDs, Webflow has everything you need and more.
With Webflow, you can use the drag and drop capabilities to build what in our opinion is the prettiest websites with no code. Webflow truly has perfected incredible design for websites.
Additionally, Webflow has the most optimized SEO settings for your website. There's no better app builder when it comes to SEO than Webflow.
With a smooth, modern intuitive interface, Webflow has all the benefits you need for website development.
One thing to note - we would not recommend Webflow for complex web apps, mobile apps, and the like. You can pair Webflow and another no code platform like Bubble to get the SEO benefits and the powerful app builder.
If you are looking to create mobile apps, we'd suggest our next product in the list.
3 - FlutterFlow
Hands down in our view the best mobile app builders out there today, FlutterFlow is a powerhouse when it comes to building your own mobile apps using drag and drop.
With FlutterFlow, you have an incredible app builder that allows you to build a native iOS and Google play app instantly. Again, no coding skills required as you can simply drop features right into your app's canvas.
FluterFlow offers an external database connection with Google's Firebase, making app development extremely easy. You can also add push notifications with FlutterFlow, making the user engagement higher for your target audience.
We highly recommend checking out FlutterFlow as an app maker for mobile apps. You will save time with FlutterFlow app development over traditional app development means.
4 - Thunkable
With Thunkable, the drag and drop app builder software is very simple to use and can build native apps including mobile business apps, SaaS, and more.
Thunkable's app maker is great for small businesses and small business owners who need more simple mobile applications for their existing business. Instead of using complex drag and drop app builder platforms like Bubble or FlutterFlow, Thunkable makes the process of building an app more simple with pre-built components and selections.
Understand that the best apps are not built with Thunkable, but more so for small businesses that need a quick and easy app to complement their existing businesses for business growth.
5 - Appy Pie
We're including Appy Pie's drag and drop app builder in our list because of its ease of use for first-time developers.
With Appy Pie, you can create mobile apps and more using drag and drop. Like Thunkable, Appy Pie is targeted towards small businesses who need a quick and simple app for their users or audience.
You can use Appy Pie for a storefront, online shopping experience, or even customer relationship management for your small business.
For a mom-and-pop shop, using Appy Pie can drastically help with digital transformation for your business.
Free app maker
As we stated above, it's almost impossible to come across a free app builder as they need to generate revenue to survive. With that said, however, there is AppGyver Community which claims to be free for individual app makers and citizen developers.
We have not vetted or checked out AppGyver, but if you're looking for an app builder that is completely free, it's worth checking out. Just understand that the feature set and product offerings from AppGyver may be limited in nature.
What do I need to do to get started with a drag and drop app builder?
First, we recommend doing research and exploring the various app builder platforms out there available for you.
Decide if you are building a web app, mobile apps, or both. Knowing which platform(s) you are offering your app is important as certain app building platforms are better than others for a specific device.
Once you've made your decision on device(s) and no code app builder, you can then proceed to drawing out your application's UI and frontend.
It's important to know how your app will look like before you get started on building it out using drag and drop.
Note down both the features you need for your MVP and have the UI mocked up and ready.
Then - all it takes is getting started! The faster you get started using the drag and drop app builder, the faster you'll learn it and become an advanced developer.
What's the typical cost for a drag and drop app builder?
While monthly costs vary across different platforms, a fair estimate is between $30 per month to $115 per month.
For example, Bubble's monthly cost for an app (the personal plan) is $29. This is rather inexpensive when you consider everything you are receiving. You can check out our review of Bubble's pricing here.
For a more expensive platform, FlutterFlow's pricing is $70 a month. However when you think about the ability to build and launch mobile apps with a backend (Firebase), it's again rather inexpensive in our view. Understand that you are building powerful applications that can be monetized, with no other product needed.
Do I need to pay separately for database storage?
The answer comes down to which solution you are using.
For example, with Bubble you do not need to pay extra for your database storage. Your application's monthly plan includes a certain amount of database storage. Only when you need to can you pay for more storage with Bubble.
For no code app builders that connect to external database solutions, then most likely you will need to pay separately.
If you're building on FlutterFlow, by connecting to Google Firebase, Google will charge you separately for database CRUDs. With that said, however, as long as you optimize your app, you shouldn't be paying much for storage. Most apps will range in the area of $15-25 for external database storage.
If I get stuck with my app development, where can I look to find help?
Once you start building your custom apps and find yourself having trouble, you can get help from a few different resources.
First, you can try searching the internet to see if the solution to your problem has already been solved. Chances are, if you ran into an issue, someone else did too. Do a search on Google or the platform's forum/community page to see if a solution has been suggested.
If you can't find your solution online, take a quick look at Youtube. For most app builder software, there are Youtube videos helping guide new users into development.
Lastly, you can consider hiring a no code mentor or coach. They will work with you to develop your app and get it launched quickly.
Mentors are great as they not only solve the issues you are facing, but also provide general advice and suggestions for proper development and scale.
Take a look at our breakdown of Bubble.io coaching and mentoring to see if it would be helpful for you.
All in all, what's your recommendation for the best drag and drop app builder?
To all of our members at Nocodify and clients we mentor and coach, we almost always suggest building on Bubble and Webflow.
Why?
Simply put, you get the best benefits no code platforms can offer you today.
First, with Bubble you are able to build the most complex and advanced no code solutions and apps. We haven't seen a no code drag and drop app builder that allows you to build as advanced apps such as Bubble.
Next, by using Webflow for your landing pages, you get to have the best and most optimized SEO settings.
Webflow has completely dominated both the SEO and UI design perspectives for no code platforms.
When you combine the two, you get all the benefits you need to build incredible web apps and mobile apps.
How much does it cost to use Bubble and Webflow?
When you combine the two platforms for your app idea, it should cost you under $100 to run both platforms.
With Bubble, you are looking at spending $29 monthly to run your app.
With Webflow, you'll need a CMS plan which is also around $29 per month. A CMS plan allows you to have dynamic content in your Webflow website and blog.
If you are still stuck on where to begin or need general advice, consider booking a session with us for general suggestions on how to get started.
