The bottom line: Bravo Studio is hands-down the best no-code mobile app builder for Figma users, but beware of the learning curve beyond the user interface.
Pros:
- Incredibly slick Figma integration means your designs are pixel-perfect every time.
- One of the most affordable no-code tools on the market.
- Refreshingly-helpful support team.
Cons:
- Almost unapproachable for non-designers or those with low computer skills.
- Functionality and capability are limited without using an additional backend tool.
‍Pricing: The free plan lets you get started and build a small app. The Solo plan at $21/month is suitable for many use cases, though the $117/month plan removes the Bravo branding and is the sweet spot for most users.
What is Bravo Studio?
If you’ve ever used a no-code app builder or a no-code website builder before, you’ll know that every tool has a different approach to building the user interface or visual part of your app.
For example, some tools will let you drag and drop a limited number of pre-made components onto a canvas, then color them and otherwise configure them to look however you like. Others will give you basic shapes - like a rectangular box - and ask you to turn this into a full layout.Â
Worse still, some tools will only let you change the words and colors on an otherwise pre-made template.
Bravo Studio rejects this approach and instead places you in the driver’s seat.Â
Specifically, Bravo Studio allows you to take an already-made Figma design and turn it into an app with a few clicks. You can create your own visual components, control the design to the pixel level, and - best of all - you can do all this from the comfortable interface of Figma (Or, Adobe XD, if you’re still clinging onto the past).Â
This makes Bravo Studio my go-to choice for anyone who demands complete control over their design - no other platform comes anywhere near Bravo’s level of customization.Â
That doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing, though. Designing your user interface is only one part of the equation - you’ll also need to create a backend to power the logic, decision-making and functionality within your app.
Unlike popular mobile app builders, like Adalo and Bubble, Bravo comes with a very limited backend, and is designed to be used with either a custom-coded, API-based backend, or a no-code backend builder like Xano or Backendless.
On top of that, Bravo Studio only builds native mobile apps. While many no-code mobile app builders (like Adalo) can create mobile apps and web apps at the same time - expanding your app’s reach and saving you a ton of time - Bravo focuses only on what it does best. And in fairness, it does build native apps well.Â
Thankfully, Bravo Studio isn’t completely handicapped in the backend department. The platform comes with various pre-built actions and components, like:
- A Stripe-powered checkout for taking payments
- Firebase-powered social login/authentication system
- QR scanning system
- A real-time chat system, with calling and video chat built-in‍
On top of that, there are a few particular Bravo Studio features I really like:
- Bravo Tags: Rather than mess with variables and data inside Bravo Studio, the platform gives you “Bravo Tags” which you can add to your Figma design to help show Bravo how your app should work.
- Bravo Vision: You don’t need to mess with the app stores to get you into the hands of your testers, stakeholders and encouraging mothers. Instead, Bravo Vision lets anyone download your app and try it out as a prototype.
- Great Support: Bravo’s small and tight-knit team are often on hand to onboard you, help you get your head around the platform and build your first app. There’s a better level of support here than you’ll find with most no-code tools, and you can pay a small monthly fee for priority support.
- Versioning: This incredibly important feature allows you to create multiple backup versions of your app, then return to older versions if you ever need to undo a mistake you made or recover some old work you deleted. Most no-code tools don’t offer this, so it’s a nice tool on any no-coder’s utility belt.Â
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Is Bravo Studio right for you?
Bravo Studio is one of my favorite no-code app builders, but it’s not necessarily for everyone. In my opinion, you should choose Bravo Studio if:
- You’re experienced with Figma
- You’ve struggled to achieve the right design in other app builders
- You’re a backend developer in need of a frontend
- You’re struggling with other forms of app builders and want to try a design-led tool instead
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On the other hand, you should look elsewhere if:
- You need a web app rather than a mobile app
- You’re not comfortable with APIs or backends
- You’re not quite a dab hand at Figma
- Design isn’t important to your app
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What kind of apps is Bravo Studio best at building?
The good thing about Bravo Studio is that unlike other no-code app builders we’ve featured on this site before, Bravo is flexible enough to tackle most kinds of apps.Â
In particular, Bravo Studio is a good choice for any app where design is a priority. This is likely to be consumer (B2C) apps that need to look on-trend, eCommerce apps that have a very specific brand to match, or apps for larger companies where their brand is known and maintaining brand equity and awareness is important.
Bravo Studio is less of a fit for internal business apps where design is not important. In these cases, you would be better off using a no-code mobile app builder which prioritizes function over form.
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Bravo Studio pricing: Is it worth it?
Overall, Bravo Studio’s pricing is very competitive, and I would call it both affordable and good value for money. The team pricing is particularly competitive at only $144/month for 10 seats.
Bravo’s pricing is primarily based on monthly subscription tiers, with some additional support and feature add-ons available. There is also per-seat team pricing available.Â
On the free tier, you can build an app of up to 15 screens (IE different pages of your app that the user sees) and share it with up to 3 people using Bravo Vision.
Once you’re ready to actually publish your app, pricing starts at $21/month. For that, you’ll be able to publish your app to the Apple iOS and Google Play (Android) stores. In addition, you’ll be able to create up to 30 screens on your app and share it with as many people as you’d like.Â
At this price point, Bravo Studio is one of the cheapest no-code mobile app builders on the market. The catch? Your app will retain some Bravo Studio branding.
To remove this branding (and gain a few extra features like support for QR codes and NFC tags), you’ll need to choose the Advanced pricing tier:
- Individual: $117/month, for solo users.
- Team: From $144/month (Team pricing, plus $10/seat, with a minimum of 10 seats).
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This might feel like a steep step up from $21/month - and it is - but Bravo does pack in quite a few extra features to soften the blow:
- Versioning
- Up to 80 app screens
- A free 1-2-1 onboarding session with the Bravo team (and I can confirm they’re very helpful folks!)
- Google Analytics, Facebook App Analytics + AdMob built-in
- Real-time chat functionality for your app
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Bravo Studio alternatives: What other tools should you try?
If you’ve read this far, you’ll know that I recommend Bravo for designers in particular - But you’ll also know that I don’t think Bravo Studio is for everyone. Here are some alternative tools to consider:
- Adalo, if you want a truly no-code experience that doesn’t require other tools or Figma.
- Glide, if you want good design but don’t have the skills to pull it off yourself (and you’re okay with not being able to publish your app in the app store).
- Flutterflow, if Bravo doesn’t sound hardcore enough for you and your programming skills.
You can also check out more of my no-code mobile app builder recommendations out here.
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Verdict
So what’s my verdict on Bravo Studio? Should you avoid it, shortlist it or sign straight up?
If you’re a Figma user, I would go ahead and sign straight up to Bravo Studio. There’s no better tool for someone who wants to bring a Figma file to life, and while the pricing can get steep, Bravo offers a level of design freedom that no one else can.
If you’re not a designer, but you do have some development skills or an existing backend, Bravo Studio is probably still a good fit and you should shortlist it. Once you wrangle a Figma design together (or use their pre-built UI kit), you’ll find Bravo is one of the easier no-code tools to connect a backend to.
And if you’re not a designer or a techie? Then a truly no-code app builder like Adalo might be a better choice for you instead.
