Have an amazing idea for an app but no clue how to go about creating it?
We review 10 best mobile app builders for people who want to make their own app and have little to no coding experience.
We looked at leading app making platforms that have a proven track record in developing modern, functional and visually pleasing mobile apps.
This is one of the most popular app makers on the market because it gives complete newcomers a chance to build their very own mobile app in minutes. Also, Appy Pie comes strapped with a host of unique features that allow users to add:
- In-app purchases
- Ads
- Upload eBooks
- Instant messaging apps
Small and medium-sized businesses find this app builder useful because it offers a wide variety of plans to get users started for free. Once users get a feel for creating apps, then there are great subscription plans that can meet all budget sizes.
Appy Pie places strong emphasis on customer service. The app maker includes an exhaustive list of tutorials, which addresses every possible issue that a user may encounter when building their app. Also, there’s a live chat option available to resolve any problems you may encounter when building your app.
This is an ideal app maker for startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
What We Don’t Like
All the templates seem to look the same. While there are options available to help you tinker with layout options and background images, this is not enough; more options should be available.
Verdict
While you won’t be building the next Airbnb app with this product, it nevertheless offers you the ability to create a basic app that will offer all the necessary functionalities.
2. BuildFire
This leading platform is one of the most reliable app builders on the market. Well over 30,000 businesses have used BuildFire to develop their apps. This platform is popular with brands, influencers and small to mid-sized businesses. Within a couple of days, you can publish an app and give your customers access to your product/service resources via the app.
BuildFire is so popular because of its user-friendly interface, easy and fast reconfigurability and virtually limitless customization options. Its intuitive and sleek UI makes building iOS or Android applications a breeze. You can make quick changes and test them in real time.
What We Don’t Like
BuildFire’s billing system doesn’t function clearly; it’s not easy to find previous invoices. The editor should be a little simpler; it may take some time for people to get used to it. Therefore, it would’ve been great to have included additional tutorials on the editor for newcomers to app builders like BuildFire.
Verdict
Even though the editor takes some time getting used to, you’ll build an industry standard app in no time even if you have no coding background.
3. GoodBarber
This app building platform with a curious name is based out of the French island of Corsica and boasts some of the most stunning themes. GoodBarber offers an intuitive and flexible experience when building apps.
And the experience is seamless even if you’ve never coded before. Once you sign up, you can start working on your app immediately. Since the platform is a web utility, you can develop your app across all devices.
However, what really makes this platform stand out from the crowd is the huge list of features it offers including:
- Chat
- Social Networking
- Geofencing
- Push notifications
- iBeacons
The layout of the platform is well designed, so that you’ll be able to see where all the options and add-ons are located.
You can choose whether you want the plan to develop native Android apps for $32 per month or a plan for both Android and iOS apps, which would set you back $96. Both options include an impressively advanced web app.
What We Don’t Like
The app doesn’t provide e-commerce support. It would have been great if the platform had its own online store. However, there is always the option to integrate content from most 3rd-party stores like Amazon or Shopify, and sharing platforms like Youtube, Vimeo or DailyMotion.
Update:
In October 2019, GoodBarber has introduced a “Shopping App” product offering for eCommerce.
Developed for iOS, Android, and mobile web via Progressive Web Apps, GoodBarber Shopping Apps deliver a shopping experience that rivals the most innovative brands among the App builders industry. Awesome designs and built-in eCommerce features complete the eCommerce offering to boost sales conversions
Verdict
This platform offers one of the easiest ways to make an app. We absolutely love that developing an app with GoodBarber is so simple and fun, that every computer user with very basic skills can publish mobile apps.
4. Shoutem
This easy to use platform places a lot of emphasis on design; your app will look stunning and polished with Shoutem’s sleek templates. Therefore, if visually appealing apps are very important to you, then Shoutem should be your choice.
We absolutely love Shoutem’s editor, which is a joy to use. The crystal clear instructions and a beautiful layout give you a preview of how your app will function.
The platform also offers many options to customize so that each app you develop has its own special design and feel. The builder gives users an incredible amount of options to customize themes, layouts, colors and typography. So, your apps will look good and be packed with great features.
Shoutem is perfect for Event apps because of its Social Wall, where users can post pictures and share comments. It also offers great options for retail businesses. In fact, Shoutem’s monetization features such as mobile advertising support give you the option to earn back the money you invested to develop the app. One of the platform’s most attractive features is its integration with Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and WordPress.
What We Don’t Like
The subscription plan is somewhat pricey. Their least expensive plan that allows you to publish apps on the App store starts at $79. This price might be an issue for small to mid-sized businesses and startups. This is in part to cover the cost of manual reviews due to Apple’s 4.2.6. guidelines.
Also, it’s pretty strange that the website and the app editor interface are only available in English.
One of the features we wish Shoutem offered in its latest version is ad support.
Verdict
While the latest release is impressive, it actually comes with less features than previous versions. Shoutem is also on the pricey side. However, the actual process of developing the app makes up for the lack of some features.
It’s great for making small business apps because of its full integration with WordPress blog and Shopify store.
AppMachine is yet another easy and fun to use app maker. A first time app developer will find the process smooth and seamless. This playful platform from the Netherlands comes with a lego-style editor. Well over 200,000 apps have been made with AppMachine. Right now, there are 2 different price plans: Plus at $49 a month and Pro at $69 a month.
What sets this app builder apart from other options on the market is its automation of many tedious processes. For e.g., if you wish to copy all the relevant data from your web page to the app builder, then you can do that by simply adding your URL. You can also transfer information and images from your social media accounts.
The editor with its simple design is both visually pleasing and easy to use. The platform also comes with many beautiful and modern flexible templates to choose from. Also, there are literally hundreds of fonts to make your mobile app unique.
AppMachine is packed with all the necessary app features:
- Ad support
- Push notifications
- Location-based services
- E-commerce options
- RSS feed options
- Social Media Integration
- Loyalty Features
What We Don’t Like
Some of the features offered in the Pro price plans are not yet ready to use. It would have been better had they left them out of the platform until they made them fully functional.
Also, we wish they spent more time improving the performance of the user interface.
Verdict
AppMachine is a great mobile app builder that is easy to use and makes amazing apps. While there are a few features that still need to be introduced, overall this is a phenomenal mobile app builder which will help you develop interactive and modern apps.
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