The Top 5 AppMachine Alternatives in 2024 (Expert Review)

While AppMachine has a simple building interface, many users find that it lacks several features needed to create an app, pushing them to find an alternative app-building platform. If you’re looking for an AppMachine alternative, you’ve come to the right place. 

For over a decade, I’ve reviewed a growing list of app-building tools and consulted with individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses to help them find the best app-building platform for creating apps that enhance their businesses.  

‍In this article, I’ll unveil and discuss my top 5 AppMachine alternatives.

Why Choose an AppMachine Alternative? 

While AppMachine is a very simple app builder that lets you build an app at lightning speed, many people find it constraining. Here are the common problems that AppMachine users encounter: 

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Very Few Third Party Integrations and APIs 

AppMachine gives you integrations with WhatsApp, Firebase, Google Sheets, and others, but that’s about it. Several app builders have integrations with several thousand other applications, like Quickbooks, Xano, and Zapier. These can make the apps that you build very powerful.

AppMachine’s third-party APIs, which developers make, are also scarce. Similar to integrations, third-party APIs allow your app to execute more tasks, like a tool that lets you swipe your screen right or left for a different outcome (think Tinder) or a customizable signature pad. 

While AppMachine is working on building an API library, at the time of writing this article, an AppMachine API Library is unavailable.     

Solution: Pick an app-building platform, like Adalo or GoodBarber, that comes with many integrations and third-party APIs. Adding more APIs and integrations to your app will give it more power and provide a smooth and enjoyable user experience (UX).   

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Limited Ecosystem

While AppMachine does have an academy, it only contains 11 simple tutorial videos. You won’t find any advanced deep dives about optimizing special app features. It also doesn’t have a forum where users can get expert answers to their app-building questions. 

Unsurprisingly, AppMachine also lacks a developer community contributing to creating APIs, which is probably why AppMachine doesn’t have many APIs available.   

Solution: Get an app builder, like Bubble or Adalo, that has a thriving ecosystem. You’ll be able to get answers to questions and learn about new tools and features for making a supercharged app.  

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High Pricing 

And then there’s pricing, which is probably the most important detail people consider when getting an app-building platform. While AppMachine does have a $19/month version (billed monthly), it offers little power, a stingy 200MB of storage space, and the inability to publish to the app stores. 

The next version costs an eye-watering $79/month (billed monthly). You do get 5GB of space and the ability to publish to the app stores, but if you want to remove the AppMachine branding, you’ll need to pay an additional $10/month.

Solution: Get a competitively-priced app builder. Every AppMachine alternative that I’ve selected has a version that’s cheaper, more powerful, and able to build a more flexible app.  

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The Top 5 AppMachineAlternatives 

• Adalo, the best overall AppMachine alternative
• GoodBarber, the easier AppMachine alternative
• Softr, the AppMachine alternative if you have a database
• Bubble, the AppMachine alternative with the biggest ecosystem  
• FlutterFlow, the best AppMachine alternative for developers

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#1 The Best Overall AppSheet Alternative 

Adalo

What is it? 

Adalo is an easy-to-use app builder that lets you create an app exactly how you want it without sacrificing flexibility and power. 

What does it do better than AppMachine? 

Packed with over 5,000 integrations, Adalo gives you the power and support to create dynamic apps. Through integrations with platforms like Quickbooks, Zapier, Airtable, and more, you can create an app that can execute almost anything. 

Adalo also has a robust ecosystem. When you encounter hurdles while building your app or have a question about using a specific integration, you can find answers on Adalo’s forum. 

If you want to master Adalo’s app-building platform, check out The Adalo App Academy. It’s brimming with over 70 tutorials and lessons that teach you new tricks and tips.    

Who is it best for? 

Adalo is the app-building platform I’ve recommended the most. Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small to medium businesses can use Adalo to bring almost any app idea to life. 

Pricing 

Get Adalo starting at $36/month. 

Final Verdict 

Because of its simplicity, huge ecosystem, and flexibility, Adalo is the overall best AppMachine alternative on my list. You’ll also be able to publish your apps to the Apple App Store or Google Play store with the $36/month version — that’s $43/month less than AppMachine. 

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#2 The Easier AppMachine Alternative 

GoodBarber

What is it? 

GoodBarber is a simple app-building platform that is especially useful for those wishing to build e-commerce apps and online stores. 

What does it do better than AppMachine? 

If you’re looking to quickly create an e-commerce platform that looks better than AppMachine-made apps, try out GoodBarber. It comes with dozens of templates for online stores. To help you get started, GoodBarber has a sizable academy filled with lessons. 

GoodBarber’s building interface is intuitive enough to use right out of the box. You’ll also discover several APIs and integrations that appeal to online stores, like an order-management API for takeout and integration with Stripe for payments. 

Who is it best for? 

Look no further than GoodBarber if you need an app-building platform to sell your products or content. While you can build other app types, GoodBarber is specifically designed for creating e-commerce apps. 

Pricing 

GoodBarber has a 30-day free trial. For those wanting to sell content, you can get GoodBarber starting at $30/month (billed monthly). If you want to create an online store, GoodBarber charges $40/month (billed monthly) — nearly half the cost of AppMachine. 

Final Verdict 

GoodBarber lets you create an online store or e-commerce app packed with unique features and APIs at a much lower price than AppMachine. 

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#3 The AppMachine Alternative If You’re Bringing a Database

Softr

What is it? 

Softr is a simple-to-use no-code app builder that lets you create a powerful web app, which users access through their browsers from a database. 

What does it do better than AppMachine? 

While you can create an app from your database with AppMachine, it only integrates with Google Sheets. Softr eliminates this problem by integrating with not just Google Sheets but three other database sources: Hubspot, Airtable, and SmartSuite. 

Softr also has an abundant ecosystem, rich with resources. You’ll find workshops, courses, and templates cobbled together by Softr developers.  

Who is it best for? 

Pick Softr if you have an existing database that you want to transform into an app. Softr is great for creating useful internal business tools like CRM, accounting, and project management apps.  

Pricing

Softr's free version gives you a custom domain and unlimited visitors. Its Basic Version, at $59/month (billed monthly), gives you up to 1,000 logins and the ability to embed your app in other websites. 

Final Verdict 

If you want to build any type of app from a database, Softr is the best AppMachine alternative. It can integrate with not just Google Sheets, but three other database sources. 

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#4 The AppMachine Alternative with the Biggest Ecosystem 

Bubble

What is it? 

Bubble has allowed people to create powerful and unique apps for over 10 years — it’s one of the first movers in the no-code app building space. 

What does it do better than AppMachine? 

Since it’s been around for so long, Bubble has developed an abundant ecosystem. There is no shortage of tutorials, guides, and lessons. Bubble has also fostered a thriving community of developers who create useful third-party APIs and tools. 

While Bubble’s building interface does take some time to learn, once you've mastered it, you’ll have nearly unlimited power at your fingertips. Bubble’s super flexible interface lets you build any type of web app you can imagine. 

Who is it best for? 

Anyone who has time to invest in learning Bubble’s building interface will be pleased. While you can’t use Bubble to create native mobile apps, businesses of all sizes can create almost any web app they need.  

Pricing 

Build and publish your own branded app with Bubble for $32/month (billed monthly) — cheaper than AppMachine’s comparable version by almost $40/month. 

If you want more features, like 100GB of file storage and the capability for a team to create your app in real-time, you’ll have to pay $134/month (billed monthly).  

Final Verdict 

Bubble is the AppMachine alternative that features a powerful app-building interface with the strongest ecosystem in the app-building space. 

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#5 The Best App Machine Alternative for Developers 

FlutterFlow

What is it? 

FlutterFlow is a low-code app-building platform that lets developers use their technical experience to help create their apps. 

What does it do better than AppMachine? 

FlutterFlow provides everything AppMachine offers: An integration with Firebase, push notifications, and a connection to payment platforms, all in the free version. When you want to add your own unique features, FlutterFlow lets you write lines of code. 

It also has a unique ecosystem, which features not only the regular stuff like tutorials, lessons, and a forum but also its Ambassadors Program. This program features experts who share how they use FlutterFlow in their YouTube communities.  

Who is it best for? 

Anyone with coding, programming, technical, or development skills will be right at home with FlutterFlow. The coolest thing about FlutterFlow: You can keep your own code when you finish building.   

Pricing 

FlutterFlow comes with a very generous free version. Publishing a web app with your own custom domain will cost you $30/month (billed monthly), $49/month less than AppMachine. 

For $70/month (billed monthly), which is still $9/month cheaper than AppMachine, you’ll get to publish your app to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.  

Final Verdict 

If you’re a developer, FlutterFlow is the no-brainer AppMachine alternative. It comes packed with features and powers specifically designed for people with tech knowledge. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Cheapest AppMachine Alternative? 

GoodBarber’s Content Plan and FlutterFlow’s Standard Version are both $30/month. But, these have limited audiences, as GoodBarber’s plan is best for selling content, and non-techies will struggle with FlutterFlow. 

At $32/month, Bubble is a great all-around app builder, but it takes some time to learn, and you can’t publish native mobile apps in app stores. Adalo, at $36/month, is an easy-to-learn native mobile app builder that you can use right out of the box. 

Which AppMachine Alternative has the Most APIs and Integrations? 

Because it’s been around since 2012 and has an ever-growing and enormous ecosystem, Bubble has the most APIs. Many of Bubble’s APIs are made by its large community of developers. Bubble also has a Zapier integration, which connects it to over 5,000 external apps. 

While not as big as Bubble’s, Adalo comes with an API library that can give your apps a serious boost in power. Adalo also has a Zapier integration.

Which AppMachine Alternative is the Easiest to Use? 

If you already have a database and know how to use it, you can use it to create an app with Softr. But if you’re unsure how to use a database, look no further than Adalo. Adalo has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface — you’ll have the power to start building your app without constantly referring to guides and tutorial videos.