Best No-Code Web App Builder: How to Choose The Right Tool and Build Your Web App Fast
Narek Bayadyan • Updated May 2, 2022 • 12 min read
You don’t have to be a programmer to build a web application.
Thanks to no-code web app builders with drag-and-drop functionality, custom code blocks, and intuitive interfaces, you can easily create elegant web applications without writing a single line of code.
Sure, a lack of technical know-how won’t get in the way of your vision. But how do you know which no-code platform is right for you? Before you even get started actually building your app, you’re facing a lot of time and effort spent choosing your software.
So, if you want to build web apps but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll show you the best no-code web app builders of 2023 and walk you through our step-by-step guide to building your web app fast.
Table of contents:
1. No-code tools for creating web apps:
a. Softr
b. Bubble
c. Webflow
d. Adalo
e. Bildr
f. ShareTribe
Tired of steep learning curves and hiring expensive developers?
Start and launch your web app today. No designer or developer needed.
6 of the best no-code web app builders
While there are many no-code tools out there, the following 6 are highly versatile and effective and will let you build as many web apps as you need.
Compare the pricing of each tool below, as well as its ease and speed of use. Then, get inspired and scroll away through some examples of great web app ideas.
1. Softr
Softr is an easy-to-use no-code web app builder that can turn your Airtable databases into powerful web apps and client portals. You can easily create a web app with Softr by combining existing building blocks from Airtable.
With Softr, you can transform your Airtable data within minutes, using pre-built layouts.
Create professional and high-quality web apps with responsive designs, and feel like you’re just playing with LEGO. Major companies such as Apheris and Evermind have made their web apps with Softr.
You can choose from dozens of integrations, including Mailchimp, Stripe, Crisp, Airtable, HubSpot Chat, Zapier, and Hotjar.
Mailchimp, in particular, allows for the collection of waitlists or email subscriber details. Stripe, on the other hand, handles online purchases—a useful feature for business owners.
With zero technical know-how required, users can have their web apps up and running literally in minutes.
Features:
- Various payment integrations
- Gated content
- Server-side authentication
- Video embedding
- 100+ pre-built blocks
- Custom form builder
- Dynamic search and filtering capabilities
- Custom code blocks
Pricing:
- Freemium!
- Starter: $24/mo
- Professional: $65/mo
- Business $165/mo
Cons
Softr is a new and fast-growing platform that’s always adding new features and making improvements. That said, the templates and pre-designed blocks available are relatively limited. So, if you’re an avid designer with some technical know-how looking for high design customizability, Softr may not be for you.
As of right now, users can’t link to other data sources apart from Airtable. Although, more data sources are going to be added soon.
Tired of steep learning curves and hiring expensive developers?
Start and launch your web app today. No designer or developer needed.
2. Bubble
Bubble is an interactive web app and website builder that lets users create multi-user apps for desktop and mobile browsers. The platform includes pretty much all the tools you need to build web apps like Facebook or Airbnb.
Like Softr, Bubble allows you to design mobile-friendly layouts and dynamic content.
Bubble has been around for a long time and is a great tool for building complex software. The no-code web app builder allows you to design mobile-friendly layouts and dynamic content to give your product the final touches. You can customize the UX, manage data and accounts, and connect to any API with Bubble’s API connector.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Design templates
- Collaboration tools
- Workflow management
- Custom domains available
- 800+ plugins
- Automatic backups
- Multiple payment integrations
Pricing:
- Free!
- Personal: $25/mo
- Professional: $115/mo
- Production: $475/mo
Cons
Bubble’s learning curve is pretty steep and at times, it can feel similar to writing code. While there are some tutorials available on the website, and they cover a vast variety of questions, they are still quite technical and hard to learn.
You should be ready to spend quite a bit of time getting familiar with the user interface and mastering the platform before you can get your web app up and running. If any of the above-mentioned aspects is a deal-breaker for you, check out our list of the top Bubble alternatives to consider.
3. Webflow
Webflow is perhaps the most customizable and design-oriented website and web app builder out there. Used by teams at Discord, Dell, and Ted, this application development platform offers enterprise-grade scalability and security, as well as pixel-perfect visuals.
Webflow is a no-code website and web app builder made for designers and marketers.
Webflow eliminates the need for siloed working between different departments, by making it easy for designers and marketers to translate their ideas into apps without relying on the engineering team.
Features:
- Real-time visual builder
- Total creative control
- Advanced SEO control
- Automatic backups
- Free SSL certificate
- Social media integration
- Multiple payment options
- Password protection
Pricing:
- Free until publishing
- Further pricing depends on user needs and desired combinations. Check out Webflow’s pricing page for more information.
Cons
Despite, or perhaps due to, Webflow’s advanced capabilities, the platform doesn’t have a high ease of use and isn’t recommended for beginners. Targeted mainly to designers and advanced users, Webflow’s learning curve is quite steep.
Users can take advantage of Webflow University’s wide variety of courses and tutorials. However, if you don’t have a lot of time to invest in learning how to use the platform, Webflow is probably not for you.
If Webflow doesn't seem to be the right fit for you, here are some Webflow alternatives to consider.
4. Adalo
Named after Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer, Adalo is a gender-inclusive and progressive company that helps developers build flexible web and mobile apps using drag-and-drop elements, templates, and payment integrations.
Adalo is an interactive and visual web and mobile application builder that allows users to turn their ideas into reality without coding.
With this frontend-oriented no-code solution, users can publish their apps on a custom web domain, the App Store, or Google Play. The platform offers its own spreadsheet-style database and uses “Actions” to link the app’s pages together and to trigger backend events.
Features:
- Native device actions
- Stripe integration
- User authentication
- Workflow management
- Push notifications
- API integration
Pricing:
- Free!
- Pro: $50/mo
- Business: $200/mo
Cons
Compared to other no-code tools like Bubble or Softr, Adalo’s features are limited. And many of the platform’s key features are only available from the Pro plan, which makes Adalo not the most cost-effective app builder if you’re just starting out.
While the platform is pretty user-friendly, it does have a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to the no-code world.
If any of the above-mentioned aspects is a blocker for you, check out our Adalo alternatives overview to find some better matches.
5. Bildr
Bildr is another visual no-code web app builder that allows users to build web apps and launch SaaS products. Users can extend the software in any direction with custom JavaScript and connect to any APIs. It offers interesting collaboration tools allowing you to work cohesively with both designers and developers during the creation process.
Bildr allows users to work cohesively with both designers and developers during the creation process.
Additionally, Bildr markets itself as an open-ended web app builder, which gives users extensive flexibility in terms of design.
Features:
- Export CSS or HTML using pro plan
- Built-in data collections
- User authentication
- Third-party authentication
- Real-time visual builder
- Stripe integration
- Airtable integration
Pricing:
- Free!
- Launch: $9/mo
- Pro: $29/mo
Cons
Much like Bubble, Bildr has a steep learning curve, making it difficult for users with no coding or technical background to really hit the ground running with their web apps.
Additionally, users start their designs from a blank slate, making it hard to create the web app you’re envisioning if you’re not already an expert graphic designer. In this sense, even if you have access to no-code resources, learning to use Bildr can feel similar to learning how to use Photoshop.
6. ShareTribe
ShareTribe is a no-code online marketplace builder which is optimized for building two-sided marketplaces like eBay or Airbnb. The platform offers users the option to custom-build their marketplace using ShareTribe Flex, or to quickly launch their MVP using ShareTribe Go.
ShareTribe allows entrepreneurs to easily build their marketplace business applications.
Features:
- User authentication
- Stock management
- Search Engine
- Stripe integration
- Review system
- Email notifications
- Multiple languages and currencies available
- Custom design
Pricing:
- ShareTribe Go:
- Hobby: $99/mo
- Pro: $149/mo
- Growth: $199/mo
- Scale: $299/mo
- ShareTribe Flex:
- Free to start
- Monthly fees apply once MVP is launched
Cons
While the different products offered by ShareTribe make it easy for users to get started, ShareTribe Go’s pricing makes it a fair investment. When it comes to ShareTribe Flex, in addition to monthly fees, the costs of hosting your frontend and hiring a developer still apply (and might be considerable).
Lastly, while ShareTribe Go is no-code, ShareTribe Flex requires users to have at least some basic technical knowledge.
How do I make a web app with no-code?
Here are five streamlined steps involved in the process of creating no-code web apps.
Step 1: Find your idea
It’s challenging, especially for entrepreneurs and busy founders, to accomplish competitive goals using traditional app ideas. If you understand your audience, you can stray from traditional app ideas while ensuring a successful product.
Instead of straining, trying to figure out a creative web app idea with no user research to go on, look at the problems your audience has.
Once you identify a few core problems, start figuring out how you can solve or alleviate that problem. This guarantees you’ll be developing a product with an actual use case. It also showcases how you can market your web app.
Once you’ve identified the problems your users have and figured out a niche solution to those problems, you’ve found your idea and are ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Design your web app
When designing a web app, focus more on creating a list of features that will set your app apart from potential competitors. For example, basic features for a charity donation app might include (check out Softr's donation tracker template to see this in action):
- Creating charity profiles or causes that can receive donations
- The option to link a user's credit card to donate money
- The opportunity to see how much money was donated.
Creating wireframes
Producing a mock-up of your final design utilizing the sketches and wireframing as a guide is crucial. It’s the first step of fully visualizing what you want as an end result for your web app.
Professionals can utilize design tools like Figma, Mockingbird, or Balsamiq to produce wireframes quickly and easily.
Depending on the product you’re building, wireframes can be useful to show user feedback to potential clients, and to showcase the product you’re developing.
You could skip the process of creating wireframes and instead mock up your entire product in the no-code tool you choose such as Softr.
Step 3: Validate your idea
If you try to envisage your app in its final form first, you may become distracted by all the features your platform may offer. That’s why it’s preferable to use the concept of an MVP. MVP is a simple version of your web app that highlights one or two key features from Step 2.
No-code tools make the perfect platform for developing your MVP. They’re quick and easy to use which is exactly what you want when making an MVP.
By creating an MVP, you can quickly bring the core features of your product to your target audience and validate your potential. It’s a fast way to determine whether the problem, identified in Step 1, is significant enough to your audience for them to pay for a solution.
Step 4: Build your web app with the no-code tool of your choice
Now that you’ve fully designed and validated your web app idea, it’s time to build your product.
Continue using the tool you used to build your no-code MVP, if it’s still meeting your needs. You can build the entire web app directly within the platform.
When it comes to building your web app, you can either add your intended features as you scale up your product or build out your entire product from the start. There are merits to both methods, so you’ll have to choose which fits your needs best.
When building out the features on your web app, you can expect slower growth with a lower initial investment. Whereas when building your full product, you can look for faster growth. But keep in mind that it’ll take longer to build every feature of your web app.
Step 5: Launch your web app
You have found and validated your idea, and planned and developed your web app. Now you’re ready to launch.
After launching your product, start figuring out how you want to build your customer base and market your product.
There’s no denying the power and simplicity of no-code web app builders. With these tools at your disposal, the opportunities are endless.
You no longer need technical capabilities for building a successful web app business. Nowadays, all you need is an idea, a plan, and the right tools at your disposal, and you can become the next big tech success.
Selecting the right no-code web app builder for you
When it comes to no-code web app development, there are many factors and variables that might influence your decision and in the end, the best web app builder will depend on your specific needs and goals.
But with pricing, ease of use, and features of a platform are always going to be taken into consideration. In this article, we reviewed 6 of the most popular web app builders out there to make the search for the perfect web app builder easier for you.
Before making your choice, remember that the majority of your finite energy, time, and money should be going towards developing your business, and not towards conquering a steep learning curve.
Tired of steep learning curves and hiring expensive developers?
Start and launch your web app today. No designer or developer needed.
Frequently asked questions about no-code web app builders
The best no-code web app builder depends on your use case, time, and investment. But some of the best platforms include: 1. Softr 2. Webflow 3. Bubble 4. Adalo 5. Bildr 6. ShareTribe
Thanks to the no-code movement, anyone can now build an app without knowing how to code. After choosing the right no-code web app builder for your needs, all you need to do is design your platform, add your features, add your branding, and launch! It can be as easy as that.
No-code app builders allow individuals and teams to quickly and easily develop websites, web apps, internal tools, online communities, and marketplaces. If you’re looking to innovate at a lower cost and create an elastic and agile app without needing to hire developers and designers, no-code app builders are perfect for you.
The top benefits of a no-code app builder include: 1. Decreased costs 2. Increased flexibility 3. Faster MVP development and decreased time to market 4. Flexible and easy to update 5. Quick maintenance 6. Elastic growth 7. Future-proof
A web application is a type of program that runs on the internet and performs a wide range of functions using online web technologies. These no-code web apps range from something as simple as a contact form on a website or an online calculator to more complicated apps for specific purposes.
