The Rise of No-Code Mobile App Builders in 2023

The speaker introduces the concept of building mobile apps without writing code using no-code mobile app builders. These builders allow users to create fully functioning native mobile apps for Android and Apple Stores without the need for coding or hiring expensive developers.

The speaker discusses 'power builders,' which offer deep functionality and can serve as both no-code and low-code solutions. These builders provide extensive features and functionality, allowing users to transition to custom code or developer assistance when needed.

Flutter Flow is highlighted as a mobile and responsive app builder based on the Flutter framework developed by Google. The framework is cross-platform, optimized for performance, and allows seamless app development across desktop, mobile, and web platforms. Flutter Flow operates as a no-code builder, enabling users to create mobile apps for Android and Apple without coding.

Flutter Flow offers features like animations, push notifications, light and dark mode functionality, collaborative development, and clean code generation. Users can integrate with Firebase, Google Maps, Stripe, and other services. The platform generates clean Flutter code that can be exported for hosting or further development.

The speaker demonstrates using Flutter Flow to build a health app. The platform features a drag-and-drop interface for adding elements like text and images. Users can edit elements' functionality and appearance easily. Flutter Flow includes a widget tree for element hierarchy, a storyboard for visualizing app pages and interactions, database integration with Firebase, API calls, automated tests, and theme settings.

In FlutterFlow, users can export the code of their app by clicking on 'view code' within the app interface. This feature allows users to access and modify the code, making it convenient for collaboration with Flutter developers to add new features. Additionally, users can connect their app to GitHub for version control and hosting on other platforms.

FlutterFlow offers an AI generation feature where users can input prompts, such as creating a profile page for a specific theme like yoga t-shirts. The AI quickly generates design options with different color palettes, providing users with creative suggestions that can be easily inserted into their projects.

Several applications have been developed using FlutterFlow, including 'Gifted' for anonymous gift recommendations, 'Atlas' for credit card management with over 5000 app store ratings, 'Backer' for following athletes, and 'Park Church' for locating EV chargers. These apps showcase the versatility and functionality of FlutterFlow in diverse use cases.

FlutterFlow offers a free membership with full access to its visual application builder, allowing users to create up to 100 pages. The standard membership, priced at $30 to $15 depending on the region, includes code export capabilities. Premium memberships at $35 or $70 enable app deployment to Apple and Google stores, providing comprehensive features for app development.

Draftbit, a competitor to FlutterFlow, operates on the React Native framework and emphasizes faster app development. It offers a visual interface for building native mobile apps, responsive web apps, and internal tools. With low-level and higher-order components, Draftbit enables users to create complex interfaces and connect to APIs for data integration. While not as visually intuitive as FlutterFlow, Draftbit provides a robust platform for app creation.

Draftbit allows users to create entire apps with style sheets, live preview, and code export. It offers a live streaming app example, a mental health support app, a betting tracking app, and a local business support app. The pricing includes a free plan with limited features and paid plans with more screens, APIs, and publishing options.

Choosing between Flutter Flow and Draftbit depends on the required functionality and user experience. Flutter Flow offers storyboard features for visualizing page interactions and native functionality like Firebase. Draftbit is preferred for more complex apps due to its functionality.

Adalo is a native mobile app builder that is simpler to use for users with limited technical experience. It allows for building custom and responsive apps without any code. Features include a drag-and-drop freeform Builder, geolocation, custom actions, component Marketplace, templates, and integrations with Zapier and Zano.

Adalo offers various features such as different databases for users, trips, and destinations, the ability to connect external databases, a branding tab for color customization, a version history tab, and components with different actions like creating, updating, or deleting components. Integration with tools like Chair GPT and over 5000 different apps is possible. Adalo has a free membership for learning, a professional tab for app store publishing at $52 a month, and a team membership at $160 a month with Xano integration.

Adalo's database performance may not be the fastest, prompting the use of external database tools like Xano. The $160 monthly fee for Xano integration in the team membership tier may seem underwhelming considering the database performance.

Adalo showcases various tools like Kotao Dive Site Reports, Joy Blossom, and SommeliApp, demonstrating diverse functionalities such as dive reports, mindfulness tools, and a social network for wine lovers. Adalo's extensive plugin library, templates, and large community are highlighted as strengths, although the inability to export code and some limitations compared to other platforms like DropBit or Flutter Flow are noted.

Thunkable is described as one of the easiest and fastest platforms to learn for building mobile apps without code. It emphasizes custom mobile app development with pre-built components, targeting MVPs, education software, and business software. Thunkable offers drag-and-drop building, advanced logic, device-native features, integrations with various services like Airtable and Google Sheets, direct publishing, and workspace collaboration. The platform's intuitive interface allows for easy component addition, screen creation, data source connection, and logic implementation, resembling Scratch for logic building. Thunkable also supports app features like speech, sound, and camera integration for diverse functionalities.

There is a free project option for app development tools where users can start learning and work on up to 10 projects. The $15 a month plan allows up to 20 projects with community support, live testing, and private projects. The $45 a month plan enables publishing to the App Store and Google Play Store, with custom branding available for $200 a month.

Good Barber is an app development tool known for its focus on user interface (UI) design. It simplifies the app building process, making it easy to create visually appealing apps without the need for extensive design experience. Good Barber emphasizes creating beautiful apps with no code, catering to users serious about user experience (UX). The tool is trusted by big brands, offers a good design system, and provides templates for various app categories like non-profit organizations.

Good Barber allows users to select templates, themes, and navigation styles for their apps easily. Users can customize colors, fonts, and components without coding. The tool provides a clear view of app hierarchy and page interactions, making it simple to add new sections like a blog. Good Barber also offers extensions for additional functionality, such as integrating with services like Airtable, Active Campaign, and Instagram.

Good Barber's pricing starts at 30 Euros a month, covering various needs like online courses, newspapers, and content creation. The pricing varies based on the type of app being built, with straightforward options for e-commerce stores, online courses, and more. The tool's website categorizes solutions based on app functionality, simplifying the selection process for users.

For users looking to launch a basic app or minimum viable product (MVP) quickly without extensive design knowledge, Good Barber is recommended. The tool's simple builder interface allows users to create decent-looking apps that are user-friendly and visually appealing. Good Barber is ideal for users who need to launch apps efficiently and ensure a good user experience.

Glide is not a native app builder and does not support publishing apps to the App Store. It is designed for building internal tools rather than consumer-facing apps. Glide is a suitable solution for creating internal tools within organizations, offering a different approach to app development compared to traditional app builders.

The Glide Builder allows users to create tools for field operations, event management, customer portals, employee portals, and inventory management. Users can easily add components like images, customize styles, navigate between pages, manage data, integrate external databases like airtable, and automate actions with tools like open AI and Gmail. The app offers a free membership with limitations and paid plans for more features.

Glide offers a free membership with up to three private users, free apps, a thousand updates a month, and 500 rows of data. Paid plans include a $25 per month plan with web embeds and custom domain, and a $100 per month plan with unlimited apps, 50 private users, Glide API, and powerful integrations. The Pro or Business plan is recommended for professional settings due to the need for powerful integrations and the Glide API.

Glide provides templates for various apps like inventory management systems, company CRMs, room reservations, accidents and incidents managers. While Glide doesn't support native apps and has a simple builder, it is still a powerful tool for businesses to quickly create internal apps that are functional and efficient.

Bravo Studio stands out as a unique mobile app builder that takes a different approach by allowing users to build their app designs in Figma first. Users can then import their Figma projects into Bravo Studio, add functionality, and easily publish the app to Google Play and Apple Store. This approach appeals to designers familiar with Figma and promises to convert designs into publishable apps quickly.

Bravo Studio enables the creation of CRM apps, meditation apps, fitness apps, restaurant apps, school apps, and event apps. The apps built with Bravo Studio are visually appealing and professional-looking, as they are essentially Figma projects converted into functional mobile apps. This unique feature makes Bravo Studio a game-changer for designers seeking to create high-quality apps.

Bravo Studio allows users to add functionality like data integration, Firebase authentication, custom logins, chats, and analytics. Users can preview their apps on their phones before publishing. The pricing starts at $23 a month for individuals with unlimited projects and up to 30 app screens per project. For teams, the price is $426 with up to 10 collaborators and 50 app screens per project.

Several apps have been built on Bravo Studio, including Min gas, Swimming Team, and Cut My Garden. These apps showcase the versatility and design capabilities of Bravo Studio for various purposes like gardening, sports, and more.

For startups needing complex functionality and future scalability, Flutter Flow or Draftbit are recommended. For quick MVP development, Adalo or Thunkable are suitable choices. Glide is ideal for building internal tools, while Bravo Studio is perfect for experienced designers looking to bring their designs to life without code. Each tool caters to specific needs and expertise levels in app development.