5 No-Code Web Development Tools to Build Your SaaS MVP

December 9, 2021
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Leadership
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10
MIN

Development is not cheap.

 

Especially if you're a non-technical SaaS founder, hiring a developer to build your project can cost a ton.

 

At the least, you should be ready to spend $15,000 to get your MVP built, and I'm not even talking about the further improvements, maintenance, and customization.

 

That's probably the reason the no-code movement started, with dozens of new apps launching every month for building websites and web apps without coding.

 

In this quick list, I'll go over the 5 tools that are worth your time, and can help you build your SaaS MVP from scratch.

 

1- Bubble

 

Bubble has been in the game for years, and honestly, the capabilities of their product aren't matched to this day.

 

With Bubble, you can create any web app you have in mind, with features as simple as dragging and dropping.

 

Or, you can choose from the hundreds of templates available in their marketplace, and save yourself both design and development. In a week or so, you can have a simple MVP that does the job for you.

 

Bubble has a free plan you can test out right now.

 

And their best plan (in my opinion) is the $129/month Professional Plan that comes with:

✅ 3 units of server capacity

✅ 2 application editors

✅ 2 development versions

✅ Custom Domain

✅ And Bubble API

 

Bubble lets you build literally any app you have in mind, however, this range comes with the platform's only downside; compared to its alternatives, Bubble is much more complex and there is a steep learning curve.

 

 

2- Code2.io

 

Code2.io is another popular platform that lets you create apps without writing any line of code.

 

It has very similar features to Bubble, with pre-built templates and components as well as an option to create it all yourself.

 

With Code2, you'll be getting a built-in database to store and manage your own data with your app, so it's not going to be a neck pain in the future to process your data in the future.

Also, Code2 stands out with the responsiveness of the apps you make on the platform, providing a smooth experience for all platforms your app is played on.

You can start with the Free plan of Code2, and move on to the paid plans per your needs.

 

The Standard plan for $49 provides you with:

✅ 5 Live Apps

✅ Custom Domain

✅ 10GB Storage

✅ 100K Requests

✅ A Private Discord Channel for Support

 

 

3- Softr

 

Softr is possibly the easiest-to-use among all the tools on this list, and as they call it, it's "as simple as building lego".

 

If you're going for a web app that's going to be more like a marketplace, and there won't be much going on in the background, you should give Softr a try.

 

It lets you build apps such as client portals, internal tools, marketplaces, communities, and websites from your own data, and works especially great with the widely-used no-code platform Airtable .

 

You can easily integrate your creations with the popular SaaS platforms and get a whole business going in a matter of minutes.

 

Unlike other tools on the list, the free plan of Softr actually offers a custom domain along with unlimited integrations. To me, the Starter plan for $24/month is the best for value with:

✅ Removed Branding

✅ 1000 Airtable Records

✅ Ability to Customize the Code

✅ Live Chat Support

 

 

4- Thunkable

 

If your SaaS app is going to be mobile-first, Thunkable might be the no-code building platform you're looking for.

 

It lets you build Native apps for mobile devices without any coding through the visual programming language off App Inventor.

 

Thunkable doesn't provide the capabilities platforms like Softr, Code2, or Bubble provide; rather it gives you the ability to quickly develop simpler mobile apps through a simple interface. 

 

With Integrations to popular tools used in mobile development such as Airtable, Figma, Webflow, Google Sheets, and Firebase; Thunkable can help you start a business or extend your business to mobile platforms.

 

The Free plan of Thunkable is mostly for trying out the tool and developing your platform, but you can't keep your business going from there.

 

You'll need to get the Pro Plan for $38/month to get the features such as:

✅ 50 Private Projects

✅ 1GB Data Storage

✅ Unlimited Downloads

✅ Messaging Support,

✅ App Store + Play Store Publishing

✅ 2 Web Apps

✅ In-App Payments

 

 

5- Adalo

 

Adalo works as a lighter version of Bubble.

 

If you have a micro-saas in mind or don't see yourself improving and extending your business idea in the future, Adalo can work wonders for you.

 

It's one of the easiest app development platforms that can directly launch into the Apple and Android Stores, as well as your custom web domains.

 

Adalo also provides its users with a huge marketplace of components and templates, as well as a solid network of designers that can help you perfect your app. It heavily aims to turn the idea you have into an app and get it live.

 

And one of the best features, in my opinion, is the custom actions and components you can create with low-code, enabling you to make your app light yet customized exactly to your own needs if you want to.

 

The Free plan is the starting point for any Adalo user, and you should upgrade to the Pro Plan for $50/month to launch and get your business going with features such as:

✅ Unlimited Apps

✅ Assisted Publishing to Android and iOS stores,

✅ Publishing to Custom Domains

✅ Connection to Your External Database

✅ Unlimited Custom Actions

✅ 5GB Data Storage

 

What's the Best Option?

 

Get Bubble if you are serious about developing a complex app and willing to invest the time to master the product.

 

Get Adalo if you have a lighter idea in mind that will work on both mobile and web, and are looking for a little bit of customized action going on.

 

Get Code2 if you're going to develop a web app that is heavily working with data sets in the background.

 

Get Softr to easily create simple apps from your Airtable database, in the quickest time.

 

Get Thunkable if you need a quick way to create and publish a simple mobile app.

 

But, since all these platforms offer free plans and trials, try to give each one a try to see which one fits better with your needs.

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