No code app builders are the new trend. Popular among coders and non-coders, these visual editors have made it possible for anyone to build apps. In fact, no code apps are much easier to create than traditional coding.

But here’s a challenge: There are many no code builders to choose from. So, how do you determine which one is suitable for you? Let’s uncover your answer in this guide.

What is a No Code App Builder?

A no code app builder is a tool that allows you to create applications using visual editors without writing code. Such tools have the drag-and-drop functionality to add elements and visualize your app.

There are different types of no code app builders for different goals. Some are easy to use but with limited features and data sources, they are suitable for building personal apps. Others can help businesses build functional mobile apps for the App Store and Play Store.

No code app builders are mainly popular for their ease of use. They have a learning curve but are much easier to build apps with than traditional coding. It is also much cheaper and faster to build apps this way.

No-Code vs. AI App Builders: What’s the Difference?

It may come as a surprise but AI app builders and no code app builders are almost similar. Neither of them need you to code. Creating apps is easy, cost effective, and quick with both of them.

If they are so similar, then what’s the difference? It lies in the way the two of them work.

No code app builders use visual editors with drag-and-drop functionality to build apps. You have to manually design the app the way that you want. In addition, there’s a learning curve for anyone who wants to use the tool.

On the other hand, AI app builders like Natively take user prompts and turn them into a functional app. All you have to do is write your app idea describing the features you want and let the AI build your app.

Since you’re writing simple prompts to use AI app builders, there’s almost no learning curve. Thus, you get the app with minimal effort and time. It makes them an excellent choice.

7 Questions to Ask Yourself When Building No Code Apps

The app builder that you choose determines your app’s scalability, user experience, and overall functionality. That’s why it’s important to try out various tools before starting your project.
Here are 7 questions that you can consider when choosing a no code app builder.

1. What are your business’s needs?

Start by addressing all the things that you need to accomplish with your app. It could include factors such as:

App Idea: Think of the problem you aim to solve with your app. Define your target audience, the problem statement, and then you’ll get to the final idea.
Features: List down the features, design, and functionalities that you want to add to your app. You should be clear about the layout for when you’re actually building the app.
Timeline: Although no code is faster than traditional coding, how quickly you can build an app with it varies. For instance, some no code tools may help you move quickly while others may take time to design the same app.
Type of App: There are types of apps — progressive web apps (PWAs) and native apps. PWAs are web apps that can be accessed through browser on any device while native apps are mobile-only and software-specific apps. You must consider the type of app you want to build when choosing an app builder.
Scalability: Choose an app builder that maintains your app’s stability as you scale and lets you add new features as you grow.

Address these factors to get a clearer vision of how you want your app to be. Once that is done, we move to the complexity.

2. How complex is your app’s idea?

As you define your app’s idea, you will also list out its features and architecture. This determines how complex your app will be. Hence, it also leads to how much time and effort it will take for you to build the app.

Consider the integrations with other tools and database. You may want to add AI features to the app. All such considerations will help you understand how complex the app will be to build.

3. Is no-code easy to learn for your team?

While no code app builders don’t require coding knowledge, there is still a learning curve as you get familiar with the app builder’s interface. It also depends on your app’s complexity.

For instance, if your idea needs an extensive architecture but you haven’t built any, it will be challenging for you to organize. Consider planning the UI/UX design and features to avoid such a situation.

There is also a chance that you might accidentally choose a low code platform instead of no code. Here’s an explanation: Low code platforms have a similar drag-and-drop interface combined with custom code functionality.

Unlike no code platforms, low code platforms are specifically designed for technical teams to help them build faster. Check on the platform’s website whether it’s low code or no code.

4. Does it use adaptive design for apps?

Good design is more than just user interface. It is also about adaptive design that builds user experience. If you’re building PWAs, the app must have a great experience across all screens.

Choose a no code app builder that can intuitively adapt your app’s design to work across various devices. Without such a tool, you’d have to design separately for different screen sizes. Thus, increasing the time to design the app and leading to inconsistent experiences.

5. Can it add AI functionalities to your app?

If you want to add any AI capabilities in your app, do you have to code? Actually, no. Some no code app builders can help you add integrations that can eventually add AI functionalities to your app.

You can use these features to add a customer support chatbot or personalized recommendations for users, based on your app idea. It can enhance the user experience and boost engagement.

6. How does the pricing model work?

Most no code app builders have a tiered pricing structure that are based on the number of apps you can build or tokens you can use. The more expensive plans get, the more integrations and features you can access.

In addition to the features, the number of apps you can build also varies with the plan you choose. You can choose the platform that suits the best to your business needs.

7. What other features does it have?

No code builders often have more features than they can list out. You should clarify your plans about your app, and the features you will need to execute those plans. As you go through no code builders, choose the one that checks all the boxes.

Conclusion

No code app builders are exceptionally good for non-technical teams. They can help you validate and test ideas without having to write extensive code. It simplifies processes, reduces costs and time taken to build apps.

At the same time, no code builders have a challenging learning curve. If you want to test multiple ideas within a short timespan, you can use AI app builders such as Natively instead. There is no learning curve and you can create an app within a few minutes!