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Best app builders for mobile apps: a guide for 2025

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best app builders for mobile apps

10 criteria to choose the app builder that you need

There are many no code development platforms for mobile apps available on the market, making it harder for users to select the right one.
We started with the idea that there are 10 most important criteria for choosing the best app builder for your needs:

  • ✓  Quality First
  • ✓  Templates Design
  • ✓  Simplicity of use
  • ✓  App builder's CMS
  • ✓  Sharing features
  • ✓  Push Notifications
  • ✓  Mobile app available platforms
  • ✓  Analytics Tools
  • ✓  Monetization features
  • ✓  Cost efficiency
Therefore, we have crafted a benchmark of some of the best app builders to help you choosing the one that fit your needs and expectations. 

GoodBarber

GoodBarber assists users to create iOS, Android and PWA apps without coding. Its app builder is easy to use and intuitive. It's a DIY tool for novice users with no programming skills that gives you access to all the features you need to create dynamic mobile apps without difficulty, using a cloud-based drag and drop editor within a WYSIWYG visual interface that eliminates the complexity of coding.
Its app making software allows you to add products, forms, widgets, Ads and your branding to your app that will be available on both iOS and Android app stores and usable from desktop, smartphone and tablet. 
It also enables to complement your apps with best third-party tools to simplify the workflow, automate tasks saving precious time.
Finally, GoodBarber app builder is the best solution for anyone who wants to create professional apps with the best design [🔗], quickly and securely: everyone can use it! [🔗]

 To date, over 30,000 apps have been published through GoodBarber, and the number continues to grow, making GoodBarber an authority in the app builder industry. The platform is built in France but has expanded its roots in Portugal and the United States of America. 
Moreover, GoodBarber has been reported as an highly trusted No-Code platform by many prestigious product reviews out there.

10 criteria evaluation:

  • Quality First: Excellent quality, emphasizing professional design and robust functionality.
  • Templates Design: A variety of premium, modern, and visually appealing templates.
  • Simplicity of Use: Highly intuitive WYSIWYG editor and drag-and-drop functionality.
  • App Builder's CMS: Comprehensive CMS for managing content efficiently.
  • Sharing Features: Strong integration with third-party tools for enhanced sharing options.
  • Push Notifications: Fully supported, with customizable and segmented notifications.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Both iOS and Android, along with desktop and tablet compatibility.
  • Analytics Tools: Built-in analytics for tracking app performance and user behavior.
  • Monetization Features: Ads and e-commerce features for monetization.
  • Cost Efficiency: Competitive pricing, though not the cheapest option, offering excellent value for its features.

Appy Pie (AppMakr)

Appy Pie App Builder claims to offer a free plan that allows users to develop and test applications for personal, non-commercial use. Actually, we tested the free plan: it returns that it's just a "Free 7 Days Trial". You need to provide your bank account details to start the trial and you are not able to publish native apps. However, you can experience back-office features and themes layout.
Key features include offline capabilities that help users access their apps even without internet connectivity, comprehensive customer support, and AWS security.
 The creation process has now introduced text-to-website tool and AI-powered design assistant, but the user experience might still be somewhat subpar.
It is one of the biggest app maker platforms based in the United States of America [🔗 ].

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: Decent quality but primarily geared towards beginners.
  • Templates Design: Basic templates with limited customization options.
  • Simplicity of Use: Easy to navigate but lacks the polish of competitors.
  • App Builder's CMS: Functional but not as robust or feature-rich.
  • Sharing Features: Limited sharing options compared to premium platforms.
  • Push Notifications: Supported but with basic functionality.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Primarily web-based; native app options are limited without premium plans.
  • Analytics Tools: Basic analytics included.
  • Monetization Features: Some options available, but limited in the free trial.
  • Cost Efficiency: Misleading "free" claim; better suited for entry-level users on a budget.

BuildFire

The BuildFire application development platform helps organizations of all kinds to create custom plugins, or use inbuilt plugins to build their mobile apps. The app-builder is interactive, and requires no coding to create apps. BuildFire is based out of the United States of America and has over 10,000 apps under its belt [🔗].

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: Excellent quality, suitable for custom app needs.
  • Templates Design: High-quality templates that are professional and customizable.
  • Simplicity of Use: User-friendly, with drag-and-drop and plugin-based features.
  • App Builder's CMS: Comprehensive, allowing for advanced content management.
  • Sharing Features: Strong sharing and integration capabilities.
  • Push Notifications: Advanced push notification features included.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Supports both iOS and Android natively.
  • Analytics Tools: Offers advanced analytics for better decision-making.
  • Monetization Features: Extensive options, including ads and in-app purchases.
  • Cost Efficiency: More expensive, but offers significant value for advanced users.

App Institute

Based in the United Kingdom, App Institute is a cloud-based application development platform that offers support for Native apps. Users can create stunning applications as per their business needs without code. App Institute offers a drag and drop editor with multiple premium templates available to build mobile apps. 
Its target is claimed to be busy small business owners specifically [🔗] .

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: High-quality outputs tailored for business apps.
  • Templates Design: Beautiful templates designed for specific industries.
  • Simplicity of Use: Straightforward drag-and-drop builder.
  • App Builder's CMS: Strong CMS tailored for small businesses.
  • Sharing Features: Adequate sharing options but limited integrations.
  • Push Notifications: Fully supported with segmentation features.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: iOS and Android support available.
  • Analytics Tools: Basic analytics tools included.
  • Monetization Features: Includes e-commerce options.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reasonably priced for small to medium businesses.

Andromo

Andromo is mobile app creator for Android apps, but it has now ventured into the iOS space as well (still in beta). The platform helps you create apps with its long list of features, templates, and no coding skills.
Based in the Netherlands.  Andromo's CMS is powered by Google’s Flutter UI tool [🔗]

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: Decent quality, still evolving.
  • Templates Design: Limited templates but functional for Android apps.
  • Simplicity of Use: Very user-friendly for beginners.
  • App Builder's CMS: Basic CMS with limited functionality.
  • Sharing Features: Minimal sharing features.
  • Push Notifications: Supported for Android, limited for iOS.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Primarily Android; iOS still in beta.
  • Analytics Tools: Basic analytics available.
  • Monetization Features: Strong focus on ad-based monetization.
  • Cost Efficiency: Affordable, making it ideal for simple projects.

Builder.ai

Builder.ai helps non-technical entrepreneurs and businesses build custom apps and software, while providing guaranteed pricing and timelines. Many users found Builder.ai's drag-and-drop app builder easy to use and versatile. The large selection of popular app features makes it easier for people without a technical skills to bring their ideas to life.
Builder.ai has enhanced the app creation process with AI tools and assistants to simplify app design with recommended features, layouts, and integrations tailored to users’ projects.

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: Excellent for custom, high-quality apps.
  • Templates Design: Not heavily reliant on templates; focus is on custom builds.
  • Simplicity of Use: Easy drag-and-drop builder.
  • App Builder's CMS: Comprehensive and customizable CMS.
  • Sharing Features: Advanced sharing options.
  • Push Notifications: Supported with advanced options.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Full support for iOS, Android, and web apps.
  • Analytics Tools: Advanced analytics capabilities.
  • Monetization Features: Robust options, including subscriptions and e-commerce.
  • Cost Efficiency: Higher price point, but excellent for businesses needing custom solutions.

Thunkable

Thunkable is a highly beginner-friendly platform that makes building an app accessible for anyone, allowing students to learn and apply programming in all-in-one environment. The platform provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that enables users to design and develop their mobile apps easily, just adding blocks, using app's sensors, Bluetooth, camera and other device's features. Just add the blocks; . Thunkable offers a wide range of pre-built components and supports integrations with many APIs. 

10 criteria evaluation:
  • Quality First: High-quality apps for beginners and educators.
  • Templates Design: Functional templates with basic design options.
  • Simplicity of Use: Exceptionally easy, perfect for students and non-tech users.
  • App Builder's CMS: Limited CMS features.
  • Sharing Features: Basic sharing tools.
  • Push Notifications: Available, but not as advanced.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: iOS and Android support with live testing.
  • Analytics Tools: Basic analytics available.
  • Monetization Features: Minimal monetization options.
  • Cost Efficiency: Very affordable for beginners and educators.

Glide

Glide is an app building software for creating useful data-driven web applications supported by a large choice of tools integrations, an active community of contributors and the regularity of new upgrades. AI integrations, API functionalities and databases integrations make Glide a powerful app builder.
Users are enabled to install the apps they create on their computer or mobile devices in few clicks for testing [🔗 ]


10 criteria evaluation:

  • Quality First: High-quality apps with a focus on data-driven designs.
  • Templates Design: Well-crafted templates optimized for functionality.
  • Simplicity of Use: Extremely user-friendly, with a focus on spreadsheets.
  • App Builder's CMS: Comprehensive for managing database-linked content.
  • Sharing Features: Strong sharing options, including easy URL sharing.
  • Push Notifications: Limited but functional for web-based apps.
  • Mobile App Available Platforms: Web-first, with some mobile capabilities.
  • Analytics Tools: Integrates well with external analytics tools.
  • Monetization Features: Limited but functional for niche use cases.
  • Cost Efficiency: Affordable for users focused on web apps.

Key Questions and Answers

Best app builders free
Contrary to what some app builder websites claim, there are no real free app builders on the market.
They all offer a free trial for a given period. After that, you will receive a prompt to pay for a subscription.
The only app building platform that can be considered as "free" is Flutter, as it is an open-source platform, designed for developers and clearly not recommended for beginners and people who do not have programming knowledge [🔗].
Anyhow, whether you are using an app builder or developing an app on your own, in both cases, once you are ready to publish your app on the app stores, you will be asked to pay some fees by the store.

What is the best website to build apps?
GoodBarber is the most versatile app builder, designed to satisfy all generic needs and purposes

How do beginners create apps?
An app builder is a No-code development platform, a software tool that allows users to create a mobile app without coding and distribute it through different App Stores.
Most app makers provide a visual drag and drop editor and allow users to preview their app as they build it, in real time.
This is the ideal option for beginners to create quality apps.

How much it cost an app builder?
Using an app builder to create your own app costs a few tens of euros/dollars per month, a few hundred per year, depending on the app building platform and the features you want to include in your app [🔗] .
Conversely, developing an app using a professional service (agencies and/or developers) can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $133,000 per year [🔗].

Best app builders for Android
All the app building platforms mentioned above in the article are designed to build Android apps. That said, when choosing the best app builder for Android, consider your project’s scope:
  • For advanced functionality and scalability: platforms like GoodBarber, BuildFire provide robust tools for professional apps.
  • For beginners or personal projects: Thunkable, and Appy Pie offer simplicity with quick deployment.
  • For monetization-focused apps: Andromo and App Institute are ideal for integrating ads or subscriptions.
  • For web-first but Android-compatible apps: Glide is great choices.
Best app builders for iOS
All the app building platforms mentioned above in the article are designed to build iOS apps. However, the best app builder for iOS depends on your goals:
  • For businesses and advanced users: GoodBarber, BuildFire provide professional tools and scalability.
  • For beginners or simple projects: Thunkable, and Glide are affordable and easy to use.
  • For content monetization: Andromo and App Institute offer strong options.
Best app builders for PC
All the app building platforms mentioned above in the article are usable on both desktop and mobile devices

Conclusions

Ultimately, the best no-code app builder is the one that most closely aligns with your goals, skills, and resources. By assessing your priorities based on these 10 criteria, you can make an informed decision and embark on your app development journey with confidence.
For businesses and entrepreneurs looking to develop professional-grade, scalable apps, platforms like GoodBarber and BuildFire offer powerful tools for content management, monetization, and customization. For educational or personal projects, Thunkable and Glide offer an accessible and affordable way to bring ideas to life.
That said, GoodBarber stands out as the most versatile app building platform, offering multiple features, adapting to all devices and all types of businesses: shopping apps for eCommerce, app reseller program, pre-built templates, and over 500 features to customize your app!

Learn more about app builders