What Are No-Code App Builders?

Key takeaways

No-code application (app) builders make it possible to build an app, website, or automate workflows with easy-to-use tools, with zero coding needed. Here are some important facts to know:

• The no-code app platform market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.6 percent through 2030, bringing it to an estimated worth of $24.42 billion in 2030, up from $4.93 billion in 2024 [1].

• Some of the world’s leading technology companies also provide no-code app platforms, with key players in the market including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

• You can use no-code app builders to automate workflows and business processes, create internal or customer-facing apps, manage data, and build prototypes to test new ideas. 

Learn about no-code app builders, including what they are, how you can use them to your advantage, and how to choose the right platform. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of user-experience (UX) design and how you can apply it to your no-code application designs and strategies, consider enrolling in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. This eight-course series can be completed in just six months, with 10 hours of work per week, taking you from beginner to job-ready. 

What is no-code app development?

No-code app development makes app building accessible to nontechnical users. Think of these tools like building a bed frame or bookshelf from a furniture website, using all pre-cut pieces and clear instructions, rather than having to mill the wood and drill all the holes to transform the raw materials yourself. 

You ultimately end up with a product that may be less customized than if you had transformed the raw materials yourself, but it functions well and looks pleasing. Even better, it typically saves you considerable time and money in the process. 

That’s the beauty of no-code app builders. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other professionals outside of the information technology (IT) department can swiftly design and deploy apps in a fraction of the time of the traditional software development life cycle. Traditional methods typically average four to nine months to go from planning through implementation and deployment. No-code tools can reduce that timeframe to days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the project. 

A quick history of no-code app builders

No-code technology’s roots can be traced back to the 1980s and 1990s, an era marked by visual programming tools, HTML, and early programming languages like Objective-C and Perl. One of the earliest no-code tools may have been Microsoft Excel, a tool that allows everyone to work with data without having to use any code. Six years after Excel’s release in 1985, the World Wide Web went live. Cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and user interface (UI) design paved the way for the rise of visual app builders and, eventually, modern no-code app development.

Benefits and limitations of no-code app builders 

No-code platforms empower nontechnical people, giving them the tools they can use to make an app without having to learn programming languages. That increased accessibility is a significant draw, as is the faster development timeframe. Additional benefits include:

• Cost savings: Because you can build an app without involving professional developers, no-code platforms are efficient from a budgeting standpoint, freeing those financial resources for other uses.

• Less worry about technical debt: While some quick software solutions can lead to bugs and maintenance issues in the future, no-code app builders provide access to high-quality code with fewer vulnerabilities. This helps reduce the need for troubleshooting and other maintenance tasks.

• Productivity boost: Users can build apps tailored specifically to their needs and goals, helping to increase their ability to solve problems and challenges by building a relevant app without having to wait for the IT department to step in.

• Rapid prototyping: With a no-code app builder, you can take an idea from a random concept to a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) quickly and efficiently, helping businesses test their ideas faster to gain feedback and optimize accordingly to ultimately get apps out faster. 

Still, no-code app builders also have some limitations. For example, inexperienced app developers may inadvertently overlook the user experience and factors that could impact it. Additionally, no-code app builders typically lack the ability for extensive customization, making them less suited for building complex or highly specialized applications. 

Learn more: A Guide to the UX Design Process

How to make a mobile app without coding

Making apps using no-code app builders can be fast and relatively easy, but you need to start by choosing the right no-code app builder. Each option on the market offers unique strengths, with some catering to specific uses. For example, no-code app builders like Zapier and Adalo offer drag-and-drop interfaces with access to pre-built components for building and arranging app layouts. 

Other platforms may offer the ability to build websites, automate workflows, and integrate e-commerce platforms. It’s also important to note that some offer standout features. For example, Bubble stands out for its full-stack visual development features, making it an excellent choice if you want to build logic-based, scalable mobile and web apps, while Glide offers data integration with Google Sheets, making it a good option to build business applications powered by AI.

Once you’ve chosen your platform, begin building. Experiment with the features available, leverage the free resources the platform provides, and document your progress along the way. Collaborate with others when needed, and seek feedback often to help refine your app as you go. Test the app on various devices and use it on screens of varying sizes to ensure seamless performance before deploying it for use.

No-code AI app builders vs. no-code AI builders

No-code artificial intelligence (AI) app builders integrate AI into no-code software development, allowing you to supercharge your app-building experience with features like access to pre-built AI models, sample AI prompts, and enhanced integration capabilities that can help you better connect with application programming interfaces (APIs) and external services. 

You might also find no-code AI builders, which are programs that facilitate the implementation and deployment of machine learning and AI models within an organization’s infrastructure. These platforms enable employees to leverage AI benefits without technical or coding requirements, delivering improved data-driven insights and workflow automation. 

What's the best no-code app builder?

The best no-code app builder meets your specific needs, with the features and capabilities to help you seamlessly build solutions. 

The no-code app platform market has been growing steadily over the past few years. Experts predict that it will continue at a rate of 30.6 percent. What’s more, the market, valued at $4.93 billion in 2024, will likely reach a worth of $24.42 billion by 2030 [1]. Many of the biggest names in technology are players in the no-code market, including familiar companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. 

A few of the leading options on the market include the following:

Is there a free AI app builder without coding?

Yes, you can choose from several free no-code AI app builders to begin your journey with no-code app building. For example, Adalo offers a free plan with access to unlimited test apps and screens [7]. The free plan does limit customization options, but it can help you explore and experiment. Other free AI app builders include:

• Budibase: This open-source app builder can help you turn your database into business apps like customer relationship management (CRM), database, and project management tools.

• SAP Build Apps: If you are an existing SAP user, this free platform may be ideal. It allows for easy prototyping and building web and mobile apps, integrates with several SAP tools, and offers a fair amount of design flexibility.

• Jotform: Ideal for simple apps, the free plan option offers a large library of templates and a user-friendly interface that makes the learning curve relatively short. Although the free plan limits the number of forms you can create and the available space, you can scale up to paid plans when you’re ready.

Adalo

Adalo stands out for its geolocation features, which make it easier for you to build location-based no-code apps. This platform also features drag-and-drop components, custom icons and fonts, flexible database options, and the ability to publish across various app stores and domains. Adalo’s pricing structure with a free option that can help you begin, and four paid options based on your unique usage needs. Geolocation features come with the Professional, Team, and Business tiers, which range from $65 to $250 per month [7].

Getting started in no-code app builders

To begin your no-code app building journey, you’ll need to choose a platform that offers the features you need at the price point you can fit into your budget. Consider factors like:

• Scalability: Will the app remain reliable even as the number of users increases? This could be a particularly important consideration if you build a customer-facing app.

• Platform security: One of the potential limitations of no-code apps is the potential for security vulnerabilities. Understanding the security measures in place and how the platform handles sensitive information is critical to overcoming security concerns. 

• Integrated resources: Many no-code app builders offer tips and instructions to help you begin using the platform. Consider the templates and pre-built components included in the platform and the tools for customization, all of which help make app building simpler. 

Once you’ve chosen the platform you’ll use, consider testing it out with something other than the app you want to build. This can help you learn the features. It’ll also give you something to go back to when you encounter a challenge with your primary app and an area to test possible solutions without impacting your app. 

No-code app builders: Typical use cases

You can use these tools for various types of apps. They particularly excel when building simpler programs that don’t need extensive customization. No-code app builders offer rapid prototyping and additional uses, such as: 

• Automating processes and workflows for streamlined internal operations

• Managing data and creating data-driven applications for more informed decisions

• Supply chain and inventory management applications 

• Enterprise resource planning for improved interdepartmental coordination

• Customer-facing web and mobile apps, including self-service portals

Explore free resources to strengthen your skill set

Whether you’re looking to develop your no-code skills or advance some of your other capabilities, free resources like Career Chat, our weekly newsletter, can help you stay on top of trends in technology and careers alike. You might also check out:

• Build your prompting skills: ChatGPT Prompt Cheat Sheet

• Watch a video: Why Software Developers Need to Understand AI

• Learn from an insider: AI Creativity Unleashed: Expert Insights from Vanderbilt’s Dr. Jules White

You might also consider exploring the options Coursera Plus provides. With a monthly or annual subscription, you can access more than 10,000 flexible programs from over 350 leading companies and universities. 

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