AppInstitute has its selling points: It offers a simple building interface and doesn’t need an external database.
But if you’re like many others, you know AppInstitute falls short in several key areas. Most likely, you’ve already started to search for a new app builder.
Your search can end here because you’ve hit the jackpot. For over 10 years, I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of different no-code app builders. I’ve also helped entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes find the app builders best suited to their needs.
In this article, I’ll show you my 5 favorite AppInstitute alternatives.
Why Choose an AppInstitute Alternative?
Many people dive right into AppInstitute with high expectations. Right from the start, they’re given a large template selection. But when they start putting their app together, they run into the following problems:
Very Little Flexibility
AppInstitute doesn’t have integrations with third-party apps like Airtable or Zapier. When you can’t integrate with popular external tools and apps, you’ll be limited to building just a few types of apps. And you’ll find it very difficult to create sophisticated ones.
Solution: Get an app builder, like Adalo or Bubble, that comes packed with integrations and third-party APIs. These will help make your app more powerful, and they’ll give you the flexibility to create an app that executes the exact task you want.
High Pricing
While AppInstitute does have a free version that really lets you learn the ins and outs of the app-building interface, its cheapest tier is downright shocking at $67/month (billed monthly).
Factoring in AppInstitute’s limited flexibility, AppInstitute’s benefits don’t outweigh those of similar or cheaper versions.
Solution: Choose an app builder that comes with a competitively priced lower tier, such as Adalo at $36/month or Bravo Studio at $23/month.
Subpar Looking Apps
AppInstitute’s building interface is very easy to use. But this ease comes at a cost: It doesn’t allow for sleek or modern-looking apps. The building interface itself is dated and a bit unresponsive to commands, and its components, like buttons and fonts, don’t have a modern look or feel.
Solution: Get a highly responsive, modern app builder with sleek templates and elements. An app’s appearance and user experience are super important — who wants a clunky and ugly app?
I ensured that each AppInstitute alternative on my list had a responsive building interface and modern elements. They are all capable of producing slick, aesthetically pleasing apps that look and feel like they were made in 2024.
The Top 5 AppInstitute Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall AppInstitute alternative
- Glide, the AppInstiute alternative for gorgeous apps
- Bravo Studio, the AppInstitute alternative for designers
- Softr, the best AppInstitute alternative if you want to build an app from your database
- GoodBarber, the cheapest AppInstitute alternative
#1 The Best Overall AppInstitute Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a no-code native mobile app builder with a super-simple building interface that lets you create your own app to your exact tastes.
What does it do better than AppInstitute?
Adalo is the AppInstitute alternative that offers the most flexibility. It features integrations with over 5,500 third-party apps. For instance, you can create an internal app for your sales team using MailChimp.
Or, you can create a restaurant delivery app that shares locations using Google Maps data and takes payments with Stripe.
Adalo has one of the most generous free versions, which includes features like Stripe integration. Overall, Adalo is competitively priced. For instance, its mid-tier version, at $45/month, is $22 cheaper than AppInstitute, and it allows you to publish up to two apps.
Who is it best for?
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small to medium business owner, you’ll feel right at home with Adalo. You’ll have the design freedom and flexibility to build almost any type of app you can imagine.
Pricing
Adalo starts at $36/month (billed monthly).
Final Verdict
Because it’s a flexible app builder capable of creating super modern-looking apps that you can publish in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Adalo is the best overall AppInstitute alternative on my list.
#2 The AppInstitute Alternative for Gorgeous Apps
Glide
What is it?
Glide features sleek tools and templates for building attention-grabbing business web apps.
What does it do better than AppInstitute?
While Glide’s interface has a bit of a learning curve, you’ll have access to a nearly endless list of tutorials and guides to get you started. Glide has a highly responsive interface with an enormous selection of slick elements and features, allowing you to create remarkable-looking apps.
Glide offers a wide selection of APIs and third-party integrations that will give your app flexibility. It also provides its users with one of the largest template libraries in the app-building space.
Who is it best for?
Businesses of all sizes, from scrappy startups to established enterprises, will find a use for Glide. Glide excels at creating internal business tools to enhance operations like CRM and project management.
Pricing
While Glide is priced at the higher end, at $60/month (billed monthly), you can create your own custom white-label app, and you’ll get unlimited personal users (members who sign in with an external email). Glide is still $7/month cheaper than AppInstitute.
Final Verdict
With over 100 aesthetically pleasing templates and features that pass the eye test, Glide is the AppInstitute alternative that lets you build an app that will turn heads.
#3 The AppInstitute Alternative for Designers
Bravo Studio
What is it?
Bravo Studio is a no-code app builder that lets designers create stunning native mobile apps from their Figma projects.
What does it do better than AppInstitute?
Bravo offers the most design freedom of all the app builders on my list. It gives you true pixel-perfect control over every part of your app, enabling you to create insanely beautiful and unique-looking apps.
But Bravo doesn’t sacrifice flexibility for design power, either. You’ll find integrations to Stripe for payments, Airtable for a database, and Zapier for connecting to over 5,500 external apps. When you use Bravo, there’s really no limit to the type of app you can build.
Who is it best for?
Designers who use Figma will be right at home with Bravo Studio. Since you’ll need Figma designs to start, Bravo might be difficult for non-designers to learn.
Pricing
Build out your app for only $21/month (billed monthly) and publish it in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you want to remove the Bravo Studio branding, you’ll have to pay $117/month, but you’ll also get access to Admob to monetize your app with ads.
Final Verdict
Bravo Studio is the best AppInstitute alternative for designers because it offers nearly unlimited design freedom.
#4 The Best AppInstitute Alternative If You Have a Database
Softr
What is it?
Softr is a web app builder that provides an easy app-building experience by transforming databases into apps.
What does it do better than AppInstitute?
Although you need to bring a database for the best results, Softr provides a much simpler building experience than AppInstitute. After connecting your database, seamlessly piece together your app’s elements, called “blocks,” to build your app.
Softr also offers a wide assortment of good-looking templates for several different app types. Can’t find a template to match your taste? Use Softr’s AI app generator to create your own template with a 200-word prompt.
Who is it best for?
If you need to build a web app, which is an app that users access through their browsers, look no further than Softr. Businesses of all sizes will find it easy to transform their pre-existing databases into apps using Softr.
Pricing
Softr offers a free version that lets you publish your web app with your own domain (i.e., your web address) and allows unlimited anonymous visitors. For $59/month (billed monthly), get Softr’s basic version, which gives you more internal users (users who sign in).
Final Verdict
If you want to transform your database into a web app that can reach a large audience, Softr is the AppInstitute alternative for you.
#5 The Cheapest AppInstitute Alternative
GoodBarber
What is it?
GoodBarber is a no-code native mobile app builder that’s specifically designed for creating e-commerce apps.
What does it do better than AppInstitute?
GoodBarber is ideal if you want to transform your online store into an app that your customers can download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Start by choosing from dozens of fresh-looking and attention-captivating templates.
You’ll have the option to add many integrations and features that are specific to an online store. For instance, GoodBarber has location features for connecting to third-party delivery platforms and integration with Square for accepting payments.
Who is it best for?
Choose GoodBarber if you want to build an app for your online store. GoodBarber provides an app-building platform for all e-commerce apps, including subscriptions to newsletters and other types of paid content.
Pricing
If you’re a content creator, you can build your app on GoodBarber for $30/month (billed monthly). For those looking to sell physical goods, GoodBarber is only $10 more, at $40/month (billed monthly).
Final Verdict
With a wide variety of templates catered to those wishing to create an e-commerce app, combined with the lowest prices out of all the app builders on my list, GoodBarber is the cheapest AppInstitute alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AppInstitute Alternative Has the Best Building Interface?
Because of its modern appearance, quick design response, and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, Adalo has the best building interface. It’s also very easy to learn — most people can start building their apps immediately after signing up for the platform without watching any tutorials.
What is the Cheapest AppInstitute Alternative?
At $21/month (billed monthly), Bravo Studio is the cheapest option. However, you must bring your Figma designs to use Bravo — non-designers without Figma experience will be hard-pressed to build an app.
For non-designers selling content, check out GoodBarber, at $30/month (billed monthly).
If you want an app builder that’s flexible enough to create almost any type of app, like a sales funnel, an e-commerce app, or an app for your yoga studio, check out Adalo for only $36/month.
Which AppInstitute Alternative Makes the Best-Looking Apps?
While each app builder on my list has the potential to create more aesthetically pleasing apps than AppInstitute, Glide consistently makes the best-looking apps. Glide also has one of the largest template selections in the no-code app building space.
If you’re a designer, Bravo Studio allows you to build your own unique app from your Figma designs. Many designers are able to use Bravo for creating stunning, one-of-a-kind apps.
