Choosing the right no-code platforms for app-building requires careful evaluation of pricing models, feature sets, and scalability. The software market offers solutions ranging from free tiers to enterprise platforms costing thousands per month.

This comparison ranks the best no-code platforms platforms based on value for money, ease of implementation, and specific capabilities needed for app-building use cases. We've analyzed pricing structures, hidden costs, and real-world deployment experiences to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Answer

The best no-code app builder in 2026 is Bubble for complex web applications with full database and workflow capabilities. For native mobile apps, Adalo lets you build and publish to app stores without code. Retool is the top choice for internal business tools and admin dashboards.

Last updated: 2026-01-15

Our Rankings

Best Overall

Bubble

Most powerful with visual programming for complex logic, database relationships, and API integrations that can replace traditional full-stack development, free to start with production hosting from $29/mo

Price: Free tier available, then $399/month
Pros:
  • Competitive pricing for the feature set
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
Cons:
  • Some advanced features on higher tiers only
Best Value

Adalo

Easiest for mobile apps with native iOS/Android publishing, pre-built components for common features like user profiles and payments, and simple drag-and-drop interface from $36/mo including app store deployment

Price: Free tier available, then $250/month
Pros:
  • Competitive pricing for the feature set
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
Cons:
  • Some advanced features on higher tiers only
Best for Teams

Glide

Best for quick prototypes turning Google Sheets into mobile apps in minutes, perfect for internal tools and MVPs, with generous free tier and paid plans from $25/mo for custom branding and more rows

Price: Free tier available, then $199/month
Pros:
  • Competitive pricing for the feature set
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
Cons:
  • Some advanced features on higher tiers only
Best for Enterprise

Retool

Best for internal tools with drag-and-drop UI builder, native database connections, and enterprise-grade security including SSO and granular permissions, starting free with production hosting from $10/user/mo

Price: Free tier available, then $50/user/month
Pros:
  • Competitive pricing for the feature set
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
Cons:
  • Some advanced features on higher tiers only
Best Budget Option

AppSheet

Google-backed platform with exceptional data integration across Sheets, SQL databases, and APIs, plus offline mobile app support and automated workflows, free to start with production apps from $5/user/mo

Price: $5-$10/user/month
Pros:
  • Competitive pricing for the feature set
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
Cons:
  • Some advanced features on higher tiers only

Evaluation Criteria

  • App Types

    Evaluation of app types capabilities

  • Ease Of Use

    Evaluation of ease of use capabilities

  • Features

    Evaluation of features capabilities

  • Pricing

    Evaluation of pricing capabilities

How We Picked These

We evaluated 10 products (last researched 2026-01-30).

Price Weight: 5/5

Total cost including licensing, hidden fees, and implementation

Features Weight: 4/5

Core functionality relevant to this use case

Ease of Use Weight: 3/5

Learning curve, setup time, and interface intuitiveness

Scalability Weight: 3/5

Ability to grow with organizational needs

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What's the difference between no-code app builders?

Bubble builds web apps with complex logic. Adalo creates native mobile apps. Glide converts spreadsheets to apps quickly. Retool specializes in internal tools. AppSheet integrates tightly with Google Workspace.

02 Can no-code apps be published to app stores?

Yes, Adalo and Glide can publish to iOS App Store and Google Play. Bubble creates web apps that work in browsers. Some tools offer wrapping services to convert web apps to native.

03 Which no-code builder has the best free plan?

Bubble's free plan is most generous for web apps with unlimited development. Glide offers free apps with usage limits. Adalo's free tier allows testing but requires paid plan to publish.

04 How do no-code app builders handle databases?

Bubble has a built-in database with visual designer. Glide and AppSheet connect to Google Sheets or Airtable. Retool connects to external databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL.

05 Are no-code apps scalable?

Yes, with limits. Bubble apps can handle thousands of concurrent users on higher plans. For millions of users or complex real-time features, you may need custom code eventually.

06 What is the average cost of no-code platforms?

Pricing varies significantly based on features and scale. Entry-level plans typically start at $5/month, while enterprise solutions can cost $10000+ per month. Most organizations spend between $10-$3000/month depending on their size and requirements.

07 What hidden costs should I watch for?

Common hidden costs include implementation and onboarding fees, training expenses, premium support tiers, API access charges, storage or usage overages, per-user fees beyond base limits, and integration costs with existing systems. Always request total cost of ownership estimates for year one and beyond.

08 Do I need app-building features or will standard plans work?

Most organizations find mid-tier plans sufficient initially. Consider premium tiers only if you need advanced compliance, dedicated support, complex integrations, or specific capabilities not available in standard offerings. Start with a pilot to validate requirements before committing to enterprise contracts.

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