Updated January 2025
Best No-Code App Builder
2025 Comparison
The best no-code app builder depends on your specific needs. This comprehensive comparison covers Adalo, Bubble, Glide, FlutterFlow, Thunkable, and how AI-native tools like Natively are transforming the landscape. Find the perfect platform for your project.
What is a No-Code App Builder?
A no-code app builder is a development platform that enables anyone to create mobile and web applications without writing traditional programming code. These platforms use visual interfaces, drag-and-drop components, and pre-built templates to democratize app development.
According to Gartner, by 2026, 75% of new applications will be built using low-code or no-code technologies. The market is projected to reach $264 billion by 2032, growing at an exceptional 32.2% CAGR.
The landscape has evolved significantly in 2025. While traditional platforms like Bubble and Adalo continue to dominate with visual drag-and-drop interfaces, AI-native builders are emerging that let you describe your app in plain English and have AI generate the entire application.
Visual Builders
Drag-and-drop interfaces like Adalo, Bubble, and Glide where you manually design every screen and workflow.
Low-Code Platforms
Tools like FlutterFlow that combine visual building with code access for developers wanting more control.
AI-Native Builders
Emerging platforms like Natively that use AI to generate entire apps from natural language descriptions.
Top No-Code App Builders
Compared
Detailed comparison of the best no-code app builders based on features, pricing, ease of use, and output quality.
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Native Apps | Code Export | Learning Curve | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N Natively AI-Powered | Fast native app development with full code ownership | From $5/month | Very Easy | 4.9 (847 reviews) | ||
B Bubble Traditional No-Code | Complex web applications, SaaS, marketplaces | From $32/month | Steep | 4.4 (2145 reviews) | ||
A Adalo Traditional No-Code | Simple native mobile apps, MVPs | From $45/month | Easy | 4.2 (567 reviews) | ||
FF FlutterFlow Low-Code | Developers wanting visual building with code access | From $30/month | Moderate | 4.5 (892 reviews) | ||
G Glide Traditional No-Code | Data-driven apps, internal tools, quick prototypes | From $25/month | Very Easy | 4.5 (634 reviews) | ||
T Thunkable Traditional No-Code | Education, beginners, simple prototypes | From $37/month (annual) | Easy | 4.1 (423 reviews) |
Natively
AI-Native App Builder
Best for: Fast native app development with full code ownership
Pros
- 10x faster development with AI
- Full React Native source code ownership
- Supabase backend included
- One-click Expo deployment
- No coding required
Cons
- Newer platform in the market
- Less community content than established players
Bubble
Visual Web App Builder
Best for: Complex web applications, SaaS, marketplaces
Pros
- Most powerful for complex web apps
- 1000+ plugins available
- Strong community and resources
- Flexible database system
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- No native mobile apps
- No code export (vendor lock-in)
- Performance issues at scale
- Workload-based pricing can get expensive
Adalo
Drag-and-Drop Mobile Builder
Best for: Simple native mobile apps, MVPs
Pros
- Easy drag-and-drop interface
- True native app publishing
- Good for beginners
- Zapier and API integrations
Cons
- Charges per published app
- No code export
- Performance issues with 1000+ records
- Limited custom logic
- Action limits on lower tiers
FlutterFlow
Visual Flutter Builder
Best for: Developers wanting visual building with code access
Pros
- Full Flutter code export
- Cross-platform native apps
- GitHub integration
- Strong design control
- No vendor lock-in
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Generated code can be bloated
- Requires Firebase/Supabase setup
- More technical knowledge needed
Glide
Spreadsheet to App
Best for: Data-driven apps, internal tools, quick prototypes
Pros
- Easiest learning curve
- Beautiful default designs
- Excellent for data apps
- AI features built-in
- Connects to Google Sheets, Airtable
Cons
- PWA only (no native apps)
- No code export
- Limited customization
- Not for complex apps
Thunkable
Block-Based App Builder
Best for: Education, beginners, simple prototypes
Pros
- Block-based programming (easy to learn)
- Great for education
- Native device features
- Cross-platform publishing
Cons
- Limited for complex apps
- No code export
- Performance limitations
- Less professional output
Best Platform for
Your Use Case
Different projects have different requirements. Here is our recommendation for each common use case.
Building an MVP Quickly
AI-powered development gets you from idea to working app in hours, not weeks. Full code ownership means you can scale without rewriting.
Complex Web Application
Unmatched flexibility for web apps with complex workflows, user roles, and integrations. Steep learning curve but most powerful.
Internal Business Tools
Transforms existing spreadsheets into functional apps instantly. Perfect for dashboards, inventories, and team tools.
Educational Projects
Block-based programming teaches app development concepts. Special educational pricing and curriculum resources.
Code Ownership Required
Both offer full code export. Natively generates React Native/Expo code via AI. FlutterFlow generates Flutter code with visual builder.
Enterprise Scale
Both offer enterprise plans with advanced security, SSO, and dedicated support. FlutterFlow for mobile, Bubble for web.
AI-Powered vs Traditional
No-Code Builders
Traditional No-Code
Bubble, Adalo, Glide, Thunkable
Visual drag-and-drop building
Manually design every screen, component, and workflow
Learning curve required
Hours to days learning the platform interface
Granular control
Full control over every detail (with more effort)
Best when: You want precise control over every element, have time to learn the platform, or are building something highly custom that AI might not understand.
AI-Native Builders
Natively and emerging platforms
Natural language input
Describe your app in plain English, AI builds it
Zero learning curve
Start building immediately, no interface to learn
10x faster development
From idea to working app in hours, not weeks
Best when: You want the fastest path from idea to app, prefer full code ownership, or do not have time to learn complex visual builders.
The Verdict
Traditional no-code platforms remain powerful for those willing to invest time learning their interfaces. However, AI-native builders like Natively are democratizing app development further by removing the learning curve entirely. For most new projects in 2025, starting with an AI-native approach and iterating is faster and more cost-effective than traditional visual building.
Pricing Comparison
2025 Plans
| Platform | Free Plan | Starter | Pro/Growth | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natively | Limited | $5/mo | $29/mo | Custom |
| Bubble | Yes | $32/mo | $134/mo | $399/mo |
| Adalo | Limited | $45/mo | $65/mo | $250/mo |
| FlutterFlow | Yes | $30/mo | $70/mo | $150/mo |
| Glide | Yes | $25/mo | $99/mo | $249/mo |
| Thunkable | Yes | $37/mo | $59/mo | $500/mo |
Prices shown are for monthly billing. Annual billing typically offers 15-20% savings.
Data sourced from official pricing pages as of January 2025.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Which no-code app builder is easiest for beginners?
Natively is the easiest option for absolute beginners—just describe your app in plain English and the AI builds it for you, requiring no technical knowledge at all. For those who prefer traditional drag-and-drop interfaces, Glide transforms spreadsheets into apps with minimal learning curve, while Adalo offers intuitive visual building.
What are the pros and cons of each major no-code platform?
Natively offers the fastest development with AI-powered generation and full code ownership, making it ideal for those who want speed and flexibility. Bubble excels at complex web apps but has a steep learning curve and no native mobile support. Adalo is great for native mobile apps but charges per published app and has performance limits. Glide is perfect for data-driven apps but only creates PWAs. FlutterFlow offers code export and cross-platform apps but requires more technical knowledge.
Which no-code platform is best for mobile apps?
Natively is the top choice for native mobile apps—it uses AI to generate React Native code with Expo, offering the fastest development time and full source code ownership. FlutterFlow is another strong option, using Google Flutter framework with code export for developers who want visual building with code access. Adalo also creates native apps but with more limitations on customization.
How do AI-powered app builders differ from traditional no-code?
AI-powered builders like Natively let you describe your app in natural language, and the AI generates the entire application including UI, database schema, and business logic. This approach is typically 10x faster and requires zero technical knowledge. Traditional no-code platforms like Adalo, Bubble, and Glide use visual drag-and-drop interfaces where you manually design every screen and logic flow, offering more granular control over every detail.
Can I export my code from no-code platforms?
Natively provides complete React Native source code ownership from day one, so you always own your code. FlutterFlow also allows full Flutter code export. However, Bubble and Glide do not offer code export and lock you into their platforms. Adalo has announced code export features but they remain limited. If code ownership and avoiding vendor lock-in are priorities, Natively or FlutterFlow are your best choices.
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