Visual Builder vs. AI Generator

Natively vs. Draftbit:The Battle for Speed

Draftbit revolutionized visual app building. But in 2025, dragging and dropping components is no longer the fastest way to build. Discover how Natively's AI allows you to generate full React Native apps in minutes for a fraction of the cost.

Start Building from $5/mo See the Comparison

The Draftbit Way

Visual Assembly. You manually drag components onto a canvas, configure properties in a sidebar, and visually wire up actions.

Great for designers who want pixel-perfect control without code.
Time Consuming: Complex logic requires connecting dozens of nodes and configuring properties one by one.
Platform Lock-in: While you can export code, the "source of truth" is their visual editor.

The Natively Way

AI Generation. You describe what you want in plain English. Our AI writes clean, production-ready React Native code for you instantly.

Speed: Generate entire screens, data flows, and backend logic in seconds via text prompts.
Native Code First: You get standard React Native code using Expo. No visual abstraction layer to fight against.
Full Integration: Seamlessly connects with Supabase for auth and database out of the box.

Feature by Feature

See how Natively stacks up against Draftbit's visual builder model.

Comparison Point

Draftbit

Natively

Development Method

Manual clicking vs. instant generation.

Visual Drag & Drop

AI Text-to-Code

AI Capabilities

Draftbit uses AI to help; Natively is built on AI.

Assistant (Helper)

Core Engine (Generator)

Learning Curve

You have to learn Draftbit's UI. Natively just understands English.

Medium (Learn the Tool)

Low (Natural Language)

Code Ownership

Natively gives you clean code from day one.

Exportable (Locked in Editor)

Native Source (Immediate)

Logic Complexity

Visual logic gets messy fast ("spaghetti code"). Text is precise.

Visual Nodes/Actions

Standard JS/TS Code

Pricing Model

Starts at $5/mo. Pay for value, not seats.

Tiered Subscription

Usage Based / Flat

Backend Integration

Natively generates the full Supabase backend connection code.

Rest API / Connectors

Supabase Integration

Maintenance

If Draftbit disappears, your "source" is gone. Natively code is just React Native.

Dependent on Platform

Standard Ecosystem

Ship Real Apps to Real Stores

Unlike web-based builders that often rely on wrappers, Natively gives you the actual React Native code. This means you can deploy directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

iOS Deployment

Push your code directly to TestFlight and the App Store using Expo Launch. No Mac required for builds.

Standard .ipa builds via Expo EAS
Over-the-air updates supported

Android Deployment

We generate the APK for you with a single click in the dashboard. Or use Expo to manage your Play Store releases.

Download APK directly from Natively
Upload directly to Play Console

Deploy apps built with Natively to App Store and Google Play via Expo Launch

The Truth About Draftbit AI Features

Draftbit has introduced AI features to generate screens, but it's grafted onto a legacy visual builder. Natively was built from the ground up for the AI era.

Draftbit AI Reality

Generates visual components, often requiring manual cleanup.
Limited understanding of complex app logic or state management.
Restricted by the visual builder's constraints.

Natively AI Reality

Writes complete, semantic React Native code directly.
Handles complex logic, hooks, and API integrations seamlessly.
Unbounded capability—if LLMs can write it, we can build it.

Why Developers Switch from Draftbit

The "Visual Wall"

Visual builders are fast for the first 80%, but the last 20% of custom logic becomes a nightmare of spaghetti wires. Natively stays in code, where logic belongs.

Clean Code Export

Natively generates human-readable, idiomatic code that you would write yourself—integrated with Expo and Supabase from the start.

Cost & Scale

Draftbit gets expensive as you add team members. Natively starts at just $5/month and scales with your usage, not your headcount.

Frequently Asked Questions

What actually is Natively?

Natively is an AI-powered platform that builds native iOS and Android apps from simple text descriptions. Unlike visual builders, it generates real React Native code using Expo, giving you a production-ready codebase that you fully own.

Do I need to know how to code?

No coding experience is required to build your app. You describe your idea in plain English, and our AI handles the rest. However, since you get the source code, developers can also use it to jumpstart complex projects.

How do I get my app on the App Store?

For iOS, you can use Expo Launch to build and submit your app to TestFlight and the App Store. For Android, Natively can generate an APK for you directly, or you can use Expo's build service.

Is this just a web wrapper?

No. Natively builds true native applications using React Native. Your app has full access to device features like the camera, biometrics, and push notifications, offering performance that web wrappers cannot match.

References & Further Reading

React Native Documentation Expo Framework Guide Supabase Database Expo Launch Service

Stop Dragging. Start Generating.

Experience the freedom of text-to-app generation. Build faster, cleaner, and cheaper with Natively.

Start Building from $5/mo

Plans start at $5/month.