Updated Dec 09, 2024

15 Best Low-Code Platforms for Building Apps 🏆

Table of Contents

There are many tools for low-code (and even no-code) development today, like Adalo for power and ease, Draftbit for agencies, and Retool for internal business apps.

Read on to explore the following:

Our 15 favorite low-code and no-code app-building platforms

How we chose each platform

Each platform’s functionalities, features, intended audiences, and pricing

How to select the ideal platform for your app development needs

Note: We also added the top no-code tools since most low-code users will appreciate the benefits of these easy-to-use platforms.

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15 Best No-Code and Low-Code Development Platforms: TL;DR

Adalo is the best overall platform

Draftbit is ideal for agencies

Retool is for internal business tools

FlutterFlow is for individuals and techies

Nintex is best for retail, healthcare, and financial services apps

Backendless is best for customizable backends

Voiceflow is for AI voice tools

Softr is for building an app from a database

Appian is for large organizations

Bravo Studio is for Figma designers

Bubble boasts the best ecosystem

Budibase is for easy business web apps

Glide is for first-in-class aesthetics

Noloco is best for easy business tools

AppSheet is best for the Google ecosystem

How We Chose Our 15 Favorite Platforms

Today, there are loads of app-building platforms for users who prefer either low-code or no-code. While sifting through all the available app builders, we kept the following in mind when creating our list:

Sleek and modern templates: The no-code and low-code development platforms we picked all provide a wide selection of templates to kickstart your app building.

You’ll find good-looking templates to build an app for executing any job, from internal business tools like CRM and project management boards to external apps for anonymous users like booking or ordering apps.

Customization: All the app development platforms on our list allow you to reconfigure the template you select so the final product, your app, features your preferred colors, layout, and functions.

Ecosystems: Want to learn more about leveraging every unique feature and functionality of your selected platform? Because all the app builders on our list have robust ecosystems, you can.

Each platform provides loads of tutorials, YouTube videos, help documentation, and much more, allowing you to master even the more challenging aspects of your chosen tool.

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Top 15 Low Code Development Platforms

#1 Adalo: Best Overall

Overview

Adalo is a no-code native mobile app builder that’s easy enough for nearly anyone to learn but provides enough power to bring nearly any app idea to life.

Features

Choose from nearly 40 templates and create an app for almost anything, including ordering, e-commerce, data dashboards, and more.

When you finish building your app, you’ll be able to publish on the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store, so you’ll have the opportunity to get your app in front of a genuinely enormous audience.

You can supercharge your app with over 1,000 third-party integrations, enabling you to transfer data from tools like QuickBooks, MailChimp, Zapier, and many more.

Adalo has one of the most generous free versions available: You can publish your app to the web so users can access it via their browsers, accept payments with Adalo’s Stripe integration, and execute a few more tasks.

Ideal Users

We’ve recommended Adalo more than any other platform to individuals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small and medium businesses. Ultimately, we have yet to discover a platform that blends nearly pixel-perfect design freedom with intuitive ease.

Pricing

Start using Adalo for only $45/month (billed monthly).

The Bottom Line

With flexibility, stupidly simple ease of use, and jaw-dropping levels of customization, Adalo is our favorite overall app-building platform.

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#2 Draftbit: Ideal for Agencies

Overview

Draftbit is a low-code app builder that provides techies with a highly flexible platform.

Features

Draftbit lets you keep your app’s source code so you can continue to develop your app with coding or have someone else build your app for you.

You’ll get an integration with GitHub, so you can patch in other developers’ code to add some specific features to your app.

Draftbit has a helpful AI tool for generating images or programming commands from simple prompts. Use this to create unique pictures and functionalities that only your app can feature.

Ideal Users

Since Draftbit is a low-code platform, you’ll need to bring some tech skills, such as knowing how the logical structure of code works, how to mark up database schema, and more. Draftbit offers a pricing tier for nearly any business size, from tiny startups to multi-national behemoths.

Pricing

Start using Draftbit for only $29/month (billed monthly) and publish a live app of 25 screens. If you’re an agency, check out the plan that starts at $399/month, providing up to 10 workspaces and 15 published apps. You can also hire Draftbit’s development team, which starts at $2,000, and they’ll build your app for you.

The Bottom Line

Draftbit is a super flexible, low-code development platform that allows techies to build nearly any app they can customize with their programming skills.

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#3 Retool: for Internal Business Tools

Overview

Retool is a low-code development platform that can be used to create nearly any internal business application.

Features

You can create all 3 parts of your app with Retool: Your database, frontend, and backend. This means you won’t have to worry about getting a separate frontend or backend building, saving you loads of time.

Retool’s building interface allows you to see how your frontend’s architecture appears in JavaScript — so if you’re familiar with JavaScript, Retool might be a breeze.

You’ll also be able to inject your own lines of JavaScript code into your frontend so you can sprinkle in specialized widgets, elements, and other functionalities to make your app stand out from the crowd.

Ideal Users

Retool is designed for medium to large-sized organizations. It requires some technical knowledge, especially in JavaScript.

Pricing

Get started with Retool for only $12/month per app editor and an additional $7/month per logged-in user (billed monthly), and automate up to 5,000 monthly workflows. Larger organizations should consider the $65/month per app editor and $18/month per logged-in user (billed monthly), as it provides permission controls and audit logging.

The Bottom Line

Retool is an excellent low-code development tool that allows you to create as many internal business tools as you can shake a stick at.

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#4 FlutterFlow: Good for Individuals and Techies

Overview

FlutterFlow is aimed at those with some coding experience who want to create a native mobile app for nearly any application.

Features

FlutterFlow comes packed with technical features like a visual logic builder and state management that allow you to build out your backend logic so your app functions exactly as you wish.

You’ll be able to publish your app to the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store, allowing you to get your app in front of millions.

FlutterFlow provides one of the largest template libraries compared to other low-code development platforms, so finding the right template for your building needs should be a piece of cake.

Ideal Users

You can create an app for almost anything with FlutterFlow, but you’ll need to bring some programming experience to use the platform.

Pricing

Get FlutterFlow for only $30/month (billed monthly), and download your source code. The $70/month (billed monthly) version allows for publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store — plus, you can share your app’s code on GitHub.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a truly flexible, low-code development platform to develop, test, and publish your app, give FlutterFlow a go.

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#5 Nintex: Best for Retail, Healthcare, and Financial Services Apps

Overview

Nintex is a no-code workflow automation and process management platform that offers tools to empower organizations to automate and streamline their business processes.

Features

Nintex can be HIPAA compliant, which allows clinics, hospitals, and other medical professionals to automate processes, potentially reducing errors and freeing up time.

Got tons of repetitive tasks? Nintex might have you covered. It leverages robotic process automation, which executes tasks by mimicking actions like keyboard inputs. This allows for seamless data entry and much more.

Ideal Users

Nintex appeals to big companies that need their tasks automated. Its streamlined solutions directly apply to the retail, government, finance, and manufacturing sectors.

Pricing

Because the company doesn’t publish its pricing, you’ll need to contact Nintex directly through their site for a quote.

The Bottom Line

While neither is a no-code nor low-code development platform, Nintex is a tool for executing repetitive tasks, saving time and money.

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#6 Backendless: Best for Customizable Backends

Overview

Backendless is a low-code app builder that lets you create an app for nearly any purpose, like booking, e-commerce, finance, project management, etc.

Features

Build your very own backend logic using Codeless, Backendless’s programming language. While it’s a visual coding language that pieces blocks together, you’ll need to know how coding is structured to use it.

Backendless also supports custom frontend design, allowing you to create unique functionalities using your own Python or JavaScript code.

As we mentioned, you can create an app for almost any purpose. Backendless allows for publishing in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, so your customers can find your app without searching for a link or fiddling with a QR scanner.

If you’re a large company that wants to run your app on-prem (on your own server), Backendless lets you do so — this gives you loads of control over your security, scalability, and deployment.

Ideal Users

Backendless has plans for everyone, from brand-new entrepreneurs to mammoth corporations.

Pricing

Backendless’s pricing starts at $15/month (billed monthly), providing unlimited API requests and 10GB file storage. You can also add on functionalities, like an extra 10GB of storage, for only $20/month — check out the site for exact pricing details.

Large companies can start running their app on-prem for as low as $7,200/year. For precise information, contact Backendless’s sales team.

The Bottom Line

Backendless is the perfect low-code development tool for companies and individuals who know their exact app requirements and which features they will create.

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#7 Voiceflow: Best for AI Voice-Apps

Overview

Voiceflow is a platform that allows teams to build, deploy, and scale AI agents that can automate interactions between app users and your database. It aims to transform how businesses engage with customers.

Features

You’ll be able to control your development of AI agents with tools that reduce hallucinations and implement guardrails, so you don’t need to worry about your AI providing inaccurate information.

Voiceflow comes with several API integrations that allow you to transfer information from various web sources directly to your app, providing tremendous flexibility and functionality.

Ideal Users

Any company that wants to bolster how they interact with the database will find value in Voiceflow.

Pricing

Get Voiceflow for $50/month per app editor (billed monthly) and create up to 20 different AI agents to work with 5,000 database rows. The $125/month per app editor (billed monthly) lets you make unlimited AI agents that can work with 1 million database rows.

The Bottom Line

Voiceflow is a great tool that can bolster your customer service or automate repetitive tasks with its AI tools.

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#8 Softr: Good for Building an App From a Database

Overview

Softr is a no-code web app-building platform that allows you to create a frontend from a pre-existing database with minimal effort.

Features

While you’ll need a database before you can use Softr, the platform integrates with several popular database builders, including Google Sheets, SmartSuite, HubSpot, Airtable, and many more.

Softr provides loads of visualization tools to spark life into your database, such as Kanban boards, heaps of graphs and charts, timelines, and more.
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Don’t like any of the templates? You can leverage Softr’s AI builder and type in a prompt that best describes the frontend you want to build.

Ideal Users

While Softr provides plans and features for businesses of all sizes, we must emphasize that you need a database to use the platform. Thus, Softr is geared mainly toward creating internal business and interactive data apps.

Pricing

Get Softr for $59/month (billed monthly), and you can build up to 3 apps with 20 logged-in users. The $167/month (billed monthly) version lets you make unlimited apps with up to 100 logged-in users, and users can also download your app to their phones from a direct link.

The Bottom Line

Softr is excellent for businesses strapped for time but need to build their internal tools quickly.

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#9 Appian: Good for Large Organizations

Overview

Appian is a low-code app development platform for creating internal business apps at scale.

Features

While Appian is great for building customized internal tools, it comes with a learning curve. However, you can enroll in several Appian courses and get certified in specific roles, like an Appian analyst, developer, and others.

Appian provides several tools and features for large companies, such as workflow automation, data management, and integrations with robotic manufacturing tools.

Ideal Users

With all its enterprise-level features and complexity, Appian is for the big kids only — if you don’t consider yourself an enterprise, you probably won’t need Appian’s extensive features.

Pricing

Appian doesn’t make its pricing public — you’ll need to contact their sales team to learn about it.

The Bottom Line

If you want to create powerful, enterprise-level apps for manufacturing, healthcare, or other large-scale industrial operations, you should shortlist Appian.

#10 Bravo Studio: Good for Figma Designers

Overview

Bravo Studio is a no-code native mobile app builder that lets you create unique, one-of-a-kind apps from Figma designs.

Features

With Bravo Studio, you’ll get more design freedom than nearly any other no-code or low-code development platform. That’s because you create your own templates with Figma and then transform them into an app with Bravo.

Bravo allows you to publish your app to the web and app stores — if you’re looking at selling your app, this is a major plus, as it’s easily accessible.

Ideal Users

Although Bravo Studio can appeal to businesses of all sizes, to fully take advantage of the Bravo platform, you’ll need to have Figma experience and, preferably, pre-made Figma designs.

Pricing

Start using Bravo for only $21/month (billed monthly) and make an unlimited number of 30-screen apps. To remove the Bravo branding and create your own white-label app, go with the $99/month (billed monthly) version.

The Bottom Line

Bravo Studio is the perfect tool for you if you’re looking to transfer your design skills to the app development world.

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#11 Budibase: Good for Easy Business Web Apps

Overview

Budibase is a no-code web app builder that simplifies the creation of internal business apps.

Features

Pick from over 50 premade templates to get your app-building off to a stellar start. You’ll find many business-specific ones like customer portals, inventory management, etc.
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While Budibase is a no-code platform, it provides low-code development features, like the ability to download your app’s source code, insert your code to create customized features, and much more.

Calling all non-profit organizations: Budibase provides a 20% discount to businesses that qualify as nonprofits, which can save you costs in the long run. Contact the Budibase sales team through the website for more information.

Ideal Users

Budibase is for building internal business apps only, but it provides plans for nearly any size and type of business, from enterprising freelancers to long-established enterprises.

Pricing

Budibase pricing starts at $60/month per editor with $6/month per logged-in user (billed monthly), providing customized branding and allowing for synchronized automations. Contact Budibase to learn about their Enterprise Version if you need more features.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a no-code platform that simplifies creating an internal business tool, go for Budibase.

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#12 Bubble: Best Ecosystem

Overview

Bubble is a no-code web app development platform that has existed since 2012, making it one of the most battle-tested app builders in the space.

Features

Although Bubble has a difficult learning curve, the platform is super flexible — enough for you to create nearly any app you can imagine.

Bubble provides you access to an enormous suite of over 3,000 third-party plugins, which can add unique power and flexibility to your app.

Need help overcoming that tough learning curve? Bubble’s got your back. Because it has been around for so long, Bubble has developed an impressive resource-abundant ecosystem full of tutorial videos, help documents, and other pointers to ensure you learn every little intricacy of the building interface.

Ideal Users

Bubble has a plan for everyone, from freelancers to Fortune 500s. Even though you won’t need any technical skills to use the platform, you’ll still need to learn how the platform works, which can take a few months.

Pricing

Get Bubble for only $32/month (billed monthly), and you’ll be able to leverage Bubble’s new AI-building tools to speed up your app development. Bubble’s $132/month (billed monthly) version allows for advanced security scanning to ensure your app is always locked down, as well as weekly notifications about security updates.

The Bottom Line

Bubble is a fantastic app builder for folks craving both flexibility and security.

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#13 Glide: First-In-Class Aesthetics

Overview

Glide is a no-code web app builder that provides truly breathtaking components that allow you to create super aesthetically pleasing apps.

Features

While you need to create a database before building your frontend, Glide has its own built-in database-building tool, Glide Tables, which is super intuitive and as easy as Google Sheets or Excel.

If you have an external database, you might be able to connect it to your Glide account, as Glide has several database integrations with Airtable, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, and several others.

You won’t have to worry about hackers, as Glide comes equipped with security features like FedRAMP, ISO27001, and more.

Ideal Users

Because it can’t be published directly on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, Glide is best for building apps that users will access using their web browser. It plans to allow unlimited app creation, making Glide ideal for medium to large organizations.

Pricing

For $86/month (billed monthly), you can create up to 3 apps with 50,000 rows of data. If you need to build more apps, the $249/month (billed monthly) provides unlimited apps and up to 100,000 data rows. Like Glide, but don’t want to build an app? Then, contract out Glide’s team to develop your app for you, starting at $2,000 per project.

The Bottom Line

Glide is the go-to no-code development platform for building apps for those who prioritize looks.

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#14 Noloco: Best for Easy Business Tools

Overview

Need a powerful app-building platform but don’t have the technical expertise for a low-code development tool? Then give Noloco a shot.

Features

Noloco provides a simple platform for executing task management without any fuss. It excels at creating workflow automations, bulk actions, and more, freeing up time so you can focus on more important matters.

While Noloco integrates with several database builders, like SmartSuite, MySQL, Airtable, Xano, and others, you can start from scratch and create your own database using Noloco Tables.

One of the most generous platforms available, Noloco lets you create an unlimited number of apps on every pricing plan.

Ideal Users

Noloco appeals to small and medium businesses, providing the opportunity to create nearly any kind of internal business app. The platform doesn’t, however, support the creation of external client-facing apps, like those for e-commerce, booking, or more.

Pricing

For $49/month (billed monthly), you can build as many apps as you wish with up to 5,000 rows of data per app. The $149/month (billed monthly) version lets you create apps with up to 50,000 rows of data per app.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a no-code tool for building any sort of internal app for your small or medium-sized business, check out Noloco.

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#15 AppSheet: Best for the Google Ecosystem

Overview

Google-owned AppSheet provides a cost-effective platform for individuals and small businesses to create native mobile apps for their internal operations.

Features

Because it’s part of the Google ecosystem, AppSheet features built-in integrations with nearly everything Google has to offer: Google Sheets, Docs, Forms, Calendar, and more. Use this to manipulate, visualize, or provide easy access to your Google data.

You’ll also get top-notch security features like secure app sign-in and sensitive data management so you can sleep easy knowing that your info is out of the reach of hackers and other cyber-clowns.

Ideal Users

While individuals and small businesses on a budget or with a small number of apps are the ideal users, AppSheet does have an enterprise version with advanced features like improved security, team collaboration tools, and others.

Pricing

Start using AppSheet for $5/user per month to automate basic business tasks or create other internal applications. The $10/user per month version provides more automation controls and advanced security features.

The Bottom Line

For a cheap and easy no-code app builder that allows you to publish your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, look no further than AppSheet.

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Next Steps: Choosing the Right Development Tool

Whether you opt for a no-code or a low-code development platform depends on your level of technical expertise, the complexity of your app idea, and the time you have to create it.

It goes without saying, but if you don’t have any coding or tech experience, developing an app with a low-code platform might be a frustrating slog. We recommend that non-techies try out a no-code platform like Adalo or Glide.

And if you’re aiming to develop a super complex app over a more extended period, picking a low-code tool might be the way to go. Low-code tools let you structure your data and backend more intricately than no-code tools, while they also allow you to patch in your own coding commands for extra functionality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cheapest Platform?

AppSheet is the cheapest platform at $5/month per user, followed by Retool at as little as $10/month and Bubble at $32/month (all billed monthly). Yet, AppSheet only allows for building internal business tools, Retool is for low-code developers (meaning you’ll need to be a techie), and Bubble has a difficult learning curve to master.

If you’re looking for a cheap, simple, and powerful app builder, try Adalo at only $45/month (billed monthly).

Do I Need Tech Skills To Use a Low-Code Development Platform?

You'll need to know a few technical concepts to fully understand and reap the benefits of a low-code development tool. While each platform differs, you can probably get by with knowing the logic behind coding languages (and how to write a few commands), how APIs work, and the basics behind SQL (Structured Query Language or database programming).

If low-code development seems out of reach, use a no-code tool like Adalo. Adalo provides templates, design freedom, integrations, and other features to spark life into nearly any app idea.