Many people looking to build their own app using a no-code app builder hesitate to dive straight into a paid plan. Understandably, they don’t want to risk finding out the app builder doesn’t fit their needs after paying for a year upfront.
The solution to this problem? Pick a free no-code mobile app building platform. Doing this will let you “test drive” the app-building interface while leaving your bank account out of the equation.
But with so many free no-code app builders out there, how do you choose the right one?
That's where I come in. For over 10 years, I’ve tested, critiqued, and recommended over 250 no-code app builders, both free and paid.
In this article, I’ll review my 5 favorite free no-code mobile app-building platforms.
The 5 Best Free No-Code Mobile App Builders
- Adalo, the best overall free no-code mobile app builder
- Budibase, the best free no-code business tool builder
- FlutterFlow, the best free app builder for developers
- AppGyver Community Edition, a free no-code app builder for prototypes
- Jotform, the easiest free no-code mobile app builder
How I Chose The 5 Best No-Code Mobile App Builders
After reviewing and testing several platforms, I’ve found that the best free no-code app builders share a few features. The app builders on my list all feature the following:
- No Credit Card Commitment: There are quite a few free no-code app-building platforms that come with a glaring asterisk. To access the free version or free trial, you’ve got to enter your credit card information.
When you do this, the app-building platform can charge you as soon as the trial version ends, when you exceed your allotted storage space, or when they want to charge for whatever term and condition you might or might not have met.
Rest assured that when you choose one of the free no-code app-building platforms on my list, you can keep your credit card tucked away in your wallet. All you’ll need to sign up is an email address, a password, and the curiosity to learn something new!
- Free Version, not Free Trial: While a no-code app-building platform that offers a free trial is better than one that doesn’t offer a free trial, most free trials expire after about 14 days.
This puts a lot of pressure on you to learn as much as possible about the app-building platform in a limited time. With a limited free trial, you might not be able to discover what you like and don’t like about an app-building platform.
All the app-building platforms I chose have a free version with no trial period. This allows you to get comfortable with the interface on your own time.
- Actually No-Code: Sometimes, you’ll find a free no-code app builder that requires you to enter lines of code if you want to build a certain feature. Such an app builder is not no-code.
The free no-code app-building platforms that made my list can all be used with any prior programming knowledge. You’ll leverage a drag-and-drop or point-and-click interface to cobble together your app.
I Also Considered
- Ease of Use: When you sign up for a free no-code app builder, you’ll want to jump in and start making your app ASAP. I ensured that each app builder on my list has a low learning curve that you can pick up either through intuition or after a few tutorial videos.
- A Strong Ecosystem: An app builder’s ecosystem means the sum of all its supportive features, like tutorials, guides, forums, developer-made tools, and more. The free no-code app builders on my list all have thriving ecosystems you can lean on while learning how to use their app-building interfaces.
- Paid Version Can Publish to App Stores: While most free no-code app builders don’t allow you to publish to the app stores, their paid tiers do. When you publish your app to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you expose it to a larger audience, making it much easier for them to download.
Are These App Builders Truly Free?
A free no-code app builder lets you get comfortable with its building interface so you can decide if it’s a good fit. While you’ll be able to feel out the app-building platform, you won’t be able to unleash the full potential of a paid version.
Here are some of the limitations free versions come with:
- App Actions: These are the tasks your app can execute, like accessing a database, connecting with an external site, signing up users, and more. Most free versions come with just a few actions your app can complete. If you want more, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version.
- Storage Space: When you build an app, you’ll also build a database with information like text, photos, videos, and so on. This information takes up storage space. Free no-code app builders usually come with a small amount of storage space, which limits your app’s size.
- Internal and External Users: Most free no-code app builders allow for a maximum number of internal users. These are users who sign into your app and use member-specific features, like data tools or the ability to share photos.
Some, but not all, free no-code app builders also allow a maximum number of external users. These folks can visit your app using a web browser, but they’re restricted to just a few actions, like viewing videos or reading sample articles.
- Integrations and Plugins: Free no-code app builders don’t allow for as many integrations as their paid tiers. For instance, you’ll most likely be unable to use a Zapier integration, which gives you access to thousands of third-party apps and software.
Most no-code app-building platforms have developer communities that create plugins, such as a PDF converter, scheduler, and more. However, many free no-code app builders restrict the number of plugins you can build into your app.
What Types of Apps Can You Create?
The free no-code app builders on my list can build progressive web apps (PWAs). You can download them onto your phone’s home screen directly and use them like a native mobile app.
You can also use these free no-code app builders to make web apps. Web apps are apps you access through your phone's web browser, but you don’t download them. You execute all the tasks in the app using your browser.
Web apps aren’t as powerful as PWAs, as they won’t integrate with your phone’s hardware, like your camera or GPS.
Free no-code app builders won’t allow you to build an app that you can publish on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (called a “native” app). Publishing to app stores involves passing a compliance test.
However, most of the free no-code app builders on my list have paid versions allowing publishing to the app store.
#1 The Best Overall Free No-Code App Builder
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a no-code app builder with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that you can start using right away.
Why does it stand out?
I’ve recommended Adalo more than any mobile app builder over the years due to its refreshing simplicity and sheer power. It comes packed with functionality, like a responsive design interface that lets you see how your app will appear on mobile and desktop devices as you build it.
Adalo lets you resize images, text, and other components right on your screen using your mouse. And if you run into any speed bumps, Adalo has abundant tutorials, guides, and an active forum in its thriving ecosystem. When you build your app with Adalo, you’ll become part of a community.
What’s the free plan?
Out of all the free no-code app builders on my list, Adalo’s free version is the most generous. You’ll get an unlimited number of prototype apps, and you’ll even be able to use Zapier in a limited capacity.
Adalo’s free version integrates with Stripe so you can run a prototype of your app with existing customers. You’ll also get 200 database records, which is enough to experiment with different features.
What are the limitations?
If you are bringing an external database, you won’t be able to connect it to Adalo’s free version. You’ll also need to upgrade to a higher-level pricing tier to access data from external sources using a REST API.
#2 The Best Free No-Code Business Tool Builder
Budibase
What is it?
Budibase is a no-code app builder that transforms databases into apps.
Why does it stand out?
If you’re a business and want to create an interactive app from some of your spreadsheets, look no further than Budibase. No matter where your data lives, be it on a Google Sheet, SQL database, or any other database, you’ll be able to connect it to Budibase and make an app out of it.
Budibase comes packed with workflows and templates to suit almost any app idea. It also has a REST API that lets you connect to most web data sources and a Zapier integration. To the delight of your IT team, Budibase lets you host on-prem (on your own server) — even for the free version.
What’s the free plan?
The free plan allows you to integrate with unlimited data sources to build an unlimited number of apps. You also get single-sign-on (SSO) for Google and Microsoft platforms.
What are the limitations?
Budibase’s free version only allows up to 5 users, which could be a hangup for larger teams. The free version also doesn’t allow you to brand your app.
#3 The Best No-Code Mobile App Builder for Developers
FlutterFlow
What is it?
FlutterFlow is an app builder that’s geared towards developers and techies.
Why does it stand out?
If you’ve got a bit of technical or coding experience, FlutterFlow is right up your alley. When you want to create special features or your own plugin unique to your app, FlutterFlow gives you the option to enter your needed feature’s code.
FlutterFlow also has one of the largest template libraries out of all the free no-code app builders on this list, giving you an array of choices to get your app idea rolling.
What’s the free plan?
Build a native mobile app, PWA, or web app and deploy it on the web. FlutterFlow’s free version also gives you a full design package, including animations for smooth transitions between screens and haptic touch if you want to add vibration or motion to your app.
What are the limitations?
If you want to keep your own code, you’ll have to go with the $30/month version. Many other techie-attracting features, like a GitHub integration and automated testing, aren’t included either. And when you publish to the web, you’ll have to do so under FlutterFlow’s subdomain.
#4 The Free No-Code Prototype Builder
AppGyver Community Edition
What is it?
AppGyver Community Edition is a free, no-code app-building platform that lets you build native mobile and web apps with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface.
Why does it stand out?
After watching AppGyver’s very short tutorial, you’ll be able to start building your app in no time. You’ll have quite a bit of design freedom when building your app, and the building canvas makes it very easy to add logic and commands.
AppGyver also appeals to all the SAP users out there, as SAP acquired AppGyver in 2021. Because AppGyver shares several integrations and tools with SAP, those familiar with the SAP ecosystem will find AppGyver quite accommodating.
What’s the free plan?
The entire AppGyver Community Edition is free. It gives you the power to publish your app as a web app and a native mobile app to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. AppGyver also has a useful REST API that lets you easily gather data from web sources.
What are the limitations?
If you want to use those SAP integrations, you’ll have to upgrade to SAP Build Apps, which can cost $1,000s per month — there’s no lower-tier pricing available. And because AppGyver hasn’t been updated much since the SAP acquisition, it functions like a dying platform.
#5 The Easiest No-Code Mobile App Builder
Jotform
What is it?
Jotform is a no-code mobile and web app builder that lets you create simple apps with no fuss.
Why does it stand out?
Jotform is super easy to learn, and you don’t need to spend much time on tutorials to pick up the app-building interface. You’ll also find an enormous template selection, so you won’t have any problems finding the perfect fit for your app idea.
If you need to create a small, simple app for appointment booking, scheduling, or takeout, Jotform has the tools to build it quickly. As an added bonus, Jotform's paid version is HIPAA compliant, a feature most no-code mobile app builders lack.
What’s the free plan?
Jotform’s free no-code app building plan lets you create a small app with up to 5 screens. It also allows you to accept up to 10 payments monthly.
What are the limitations?
While the free version offers a great opportunity to learn the app-building interface, it only allows for a minuscule 100MB of storage, which constrains the type and number of pictures or videos you put on your app. The free version also doesn’t allow you to brand your app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Can I Use a Free No-Code Mobile App Builder?
None of the app builders on my list come with a trial period limit. When you sign up for the free version of each app, you can use it for as long as you wish.
Do I Need to Provide My Credit-Card Info to Sign Up?
To start using the free no-code app builders on my list, you will need to provide only your email address and a password — not a credit card. Some app builders might ask you about your profession, how you discovered that particular app builder, or what kind of app you intend to build.
Can I Publish My App?
The app builders on my list allow you to publish your app to the web, but not with your own domain (www.yourdomain.com). AppGyver is the only free no-code app builder that lets you publish to the app stores, but you’ll still have to pay the app store fees, which are $99 yearly for the Apple App Store and $25 (one-time) for the Google Play Store.
What Free No-Code App Builder Has the Most Benefits?
Adalo is the most generous free no-code mobile app builder on my list. It allows you to use APIs and plugins developed by the Adalo techie community, provides a decent amount of storage space, and lets you build unlimited apps for testing.
And, with the Adalo free Stripe integration version, you can even take payments from your clients.
