When starting your app development journey, a crucial early decision is how to build your app.

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There are many criteria to consider in choosing the best approach for app development. In our last post, we covered the costs associated with development, which can significantly influence your choice of development method.

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In this post, we focus on one of the development methods mentioned in our cost analysis: no code. Specifically, we highlight two no-code platforms that are excellent alternatives to AppLaunch’s rapid app development. These tools allow you to export your application code, so if you encounter limitations, you can continue building your app outside the platform.

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Quick Introduction to No Code

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No-code platforms enable you to build mobile and web applications without writing any code. They typically offer a drag-and-drop interface for creating screens and various integrations to connect services like Supabase for your app's backend.

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No-code tools are ideal if you don’t have the budget to hire an app development team like AppLaunch. While there can be limitations, such as integrating specific services or achieving a particular interface look and feel, no code is a great starting point if you’re on a tight budget.

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Without further ado, here are two no-code platforms we recommend as alternatives to AppLaunch.

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Draftbit

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Draftbit is a no-code mobile app builder that enables users to create mobile applications without extensive coding knowledge. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to design and develop apps visually, great for rapid prototyping and iteration. Draftbit supports cross-platform development, allowing you to build apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously.

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If you encounter any limitations within the platform or require more advanced customisation, you can export your code and continue development outside of Draftbit. The platform utilises React Native, a popular framework for building mobile applications, which ensures that your exported code is based on industry-standard technology. This is particularly beneficial if you plan to transition to in-house development or involve a development team at a later stage.

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Draftbit also integrates with various backend services and APIs, allowing you to connect your app to external data sources and functionalities seamlessly. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for creating dynamic, data-driven mobile applications.

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WeWeb

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WeWeb is a no-code platform for building web applications. Like Draftbit it offers a drag-and-drop interface that enables non-technical users to create fully functional web apps with ease. WeWeb excels in its ability to integrate with a wide range of services, including Supabase, Airtable, and REST APIs.

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One of WeWeb’s advantages is its developer-friendly nature. While it caters to non-technical builders, it also provides the tools and capabilities that developers need for more advanced customisation. When you reach a point where WeWeb’s built-in features no longer suffice, or you need greater control over your codebase, you can export your application. WeWeb exports web applications as Vue.js projects, which can be deployed on AWS or your preferred hosting service. This export capability ensures that your project can evolve beyond the limitations of the no-code platform and continue to grow and scale.

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WeWeb’s extensive library of integrations and its flexibility make it a strong alternative to AppLaunch's rapid web app development.

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Conclusion

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If AppLaunch’s rapid app development isn’t the right fit for your project and you prefer a no-code solution, these are our top recommendations. Additionally, we can support applications built on these platforms. If you create your MVP with DraftBit or WeWeb, our engineering team can support the exported codebase and help elevate your application to the next level.

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