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Are you looking to make your app without knowing about the coding techniques? Drag and drop mobile app builders might sound perfect for you. Drag and drop mobile app builder presents an economical solution for mobile application development as compared to traditional development methods. This also allows even the small scale businesses and startups to create quality apps within their budget by avoiding the need for extensive coding. In this article, we will share the top 7 drag and drop app builders that will get you developing and releasing your app with absolutely no knowledge of coding.
What is a Drag and Drop Mobile App Builder?
A drag and drop app builder lets users visually drop pre-engineered elements, including buttons, images, or even text boxes on the page, all without having to do a single line of code. Such no-code drag and drop mobile app builders primarily assist entrepreneurs, designers, and startups with poor knowledge of programming in building applications.
Here are some of the most important features in a drag and drop mobile app builder:
- Intuitive user interface: A straightforward and well-organized interface enables developers of any level to work with the tool and turn their idea into a working application with ease.
- Wide range of pre-built templates: Varieties of templates will let users initiate projects right away and customize applications without needing to build from scratch. Applications will be viable on a broad range of industries and use cases.
- Responsive design capabilities: A drag drop mobile app builder also provides responsiveness, with which users can create applications that automatically adapt to screen size and orientation for a seamless user experience on both smartphones and desktops.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Cross-platform capability allows users to expand their reach by deploying apps on iOS, Android, and the web using a single build and without having to maintain multiple versions of an app.
- Integration options: Integration options allow users to enhance their apps by embedding in them external data and functionalities, such as payment systems, social media services, and cloud storage. This makes the applications more strong and versatile.
Top 8 Drag and Drop Mobile App Builders
SimiCart Mobile App Builder – Best for creating mobile shopping channels
SimiCart Mobile App Builder is a free no-code Shopify Mobile App Builder, offering an easy setup for creating powerful mobile shopping channels. Fully integrated with Shopify, SimiCart Mobile App Builder delivers a rich and engaging shopping experience, enhancing customer loyalty and retention, all without the need for coding expertise. With an intuitive interface, streamlined app creation, and customizable features, you can build and launch your app in minutes.
Key features
- Use directly in Shopify admin
- Real-time sync with Shopify store
- Customizable app themes and design elements
- Create multiple app drafts for different ideas
- Unlimited real-time push notifications
- Multi-language support for global stores
Zoho Creator – Best for business process apps
Zoho Creator is a cloud-based platform intended to help businesses build custom applications to smooth out particular operations. Due to the enterprise process orientation, it has been very useful to businesses for building applications that suit their unique operation requirements.
Key features:
- AI-Assisted Migration Tools
- Dashboards
- BI & Analytics
- 600+ Ready to Integrate Apps
- Top Grade Security
Plans:
- 15-day free trial
- Standard – $8/user/month billed annually
- Professional – $20/user/month billed annually
- Enterprise – $25/user/month billed annually
- Flex – Tailored plan (contact for detailed price)
Pros:
- Complete integration with the Zoho suite of applications and third-party integrations.
- Strong automation of business processes.
- Drag-and-drop design without needing to code.
Cons:
- Some clients report occasional software glitches.
- Advanced development requirements may not be satisfied.
- Less intuitive if one does not have prior experience with Zoho products.
>> Read more: How to Turn Shopify Store into Mobile App
Mobincube – Best for multi-platform publishing
Mobincube is a zero-coding mobile app creation platform. The main distinctive feature is the possibility to publish an application on multiple platforms, and hence, it will be more suitable for those who want to reach a bigger audience using different devices.
Key features:
- Online store integration
- Monetization with in-app ads
- Advanced customization
- Database integration
- 3rd party solution integration
Plans:
- Free
- Small – €4.99/month
- Medium – €14.99/month
- Large – €29.99/month
- XL – €69.99/month
- XXL – €149.99/month
Pros:
- A lot of templates targeted different niches.
- A fully featured visual editor, perfect for developers who are not seasoned coders.
- Publish multiple platforms with a single build.
Cons:
- Some of the advanced features are only available on higher plans.
- There is limited customization on the basic plan.
- The interface may appear overwhelming to new users.
Discover: Top 12 Android Application Builders for Beginners and Experts
GoodBarber – Best for visually stunning designs
GoodBarber is a development platform that simplifies the task of developing a mobile and web application with several businesses in mind. It is great at making aesthetically pleasing designs, so great for brands who want their apps to function fluidly as well as be captivating to the eyes.
Key features:
- Geofencing
- Sales Optimization Features
- Monetization Features
- Authentication
- Community & Chat
Plans:
- 30-day free trial
- Content – €30/month
- eCommerce – €40/month
- Reseller – €215/month
Pros:
- Deep integration with popular social networks
- Advanced features include geofencing
- Huge library of design-centric templates
Cons:
- There have been some reports that customer support can be slow to respond at times
- Advanced developers may find the deep customization options lacking
- It is somewhat overwhelming for true beginners
BuildFire – Best for customizable app templates
BuildFire gives users the power to create truly unique applications while relying on a strong base of templates. Ideal for those who need a starting point but wish to extend their customization options, it effectively balances template-based creation with personal design touches.
Key features:
- Interactive Emulator
- 150+ Plugins
- Intro Slides Development
- One-click App Publish
- Performance Management
- Prompt Customer Support
Plans:
- MVP – $100/month billed annually
- Growth – $159/month billed annually
- Starter – $299/month billed annually
- Standard – $424/month billed annually
You may concerned: Progressive Web App (PWA) vs Native App
Pros:
- A plethora of third-party integrations with a wide variety of tools
- Easy to use by even unskilled people
- Deeply customizable with a wide range of templates
Cons:
- Price range-from low to high-can be unaffordable for bootstrapped projects
- Native functionality for some features available with third-party plugins
- Deeply customizable hence can be overwhelming for a complete novice to handle
AppInstitute – Best for SMBs wanting mobile presence
AppInstitute helps businesses, especially small to medium-sized ones, build their mobile applications on its platform. For this fact alone, considering businesses are increasingly dependent on mobile devices to communicate their engagement, AppInstitute becomes an essential tool for any SMB wanting to carve out a niche in the mobile sector.
Key features:
- Calendar and Booking System
- Full Brand Control
- Social Media Integration
- GEO Listings
- Online Payments
Plans:
- 30-day free trial
- Instant – $39/month billed annually
- App Stores – $84/month billed annually
- App Stores Premium – $125/month billed annually
Pros:
- Smoothen integration with ecommerce and CRM platforms
- Industry-specific templates are proposed to fit a wide array of business needs
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface for inexperienced users.
Cons:
- Regular users may need to get used to changes whenever the platform is updated
- Advanced features related to customization are not as strong compared to the competition in some cases
- It is costly for very small businesses or startups
AppMachine – Best for code-free native apps
AppMachine represents an all-in-one platform meant for native mobile app creation with no coding experience. It allows businesses, individuals, and developers to build professional-looking apps without getting bogged down with the complexity of coding.
Key features:
- App Previewer
- Live Updates
- Advanced Design Options
- Automatic App Updates
- Analytics
Plans:
- 30-day free trial
- Instant – $15/month billed annually
- Professional – $63/month billed annually
- Agency – $159/month billed annually
Pros:
- Powerful integrations with third-party services to further extend app functionality
- Variety of templates for different business needs
- Drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to use
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for complete beginners
- Building the app requires access to the internet
- Advanced customization options may be a bit too restrictive for power users
Appy Pie – Best for those new to app building
Appy Pie introduces beginners to the world of app development with a bang. Owing to an intuitive interface and easy designing tools, it definitely ranks amongst the top platforms for beginners. The tool is designed in such a manner that it leads to the fulfillment of all expectations concerning its being friendly to beginners in creating apps.
Key features:
- Intuitive Interface
- Offline Mode
- Easy App Submission and Publication
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Real-Time Updates
Plans:
- Free trial
- Basic – $16/app/month
- Gold – $36/app/month
- Platinum – $60/app/month
- Enterprise – Tailored plan (contact for detailed price)
Pros:
- Smoothened integration with third-party popular tools
- Variety of design templates to suit different industries
- User-centric interface is perfect for beginners
Cons:
- Pricing can be a bit expensive if you are working on smaller projects
- Templates will limit your creativity if you have a very unique design in mind
- Might not offer advanced features to seasoned developers
How to choose a drag and drop mobile app builder
Selection criteria for drag and drop app builders
Drag and drop mobile app builders are selected after much functionality testing and consideration for a particular business context in which they could be applied. The following are some of the key criteria to look out for while assessing the best drag and drop android app builders:
Core drag-and-drop app builders functionality:
- Rapid prototyping for quick feedback cycles
- Business app development for internal use
- E-commerce platform creation
- Educational app development
- Personal project or hobby app creation
Additional standout features:
- Customization without coding complexity: Modifying the application’s branding designs (brading logo, font, color, app icon, etc.); Customizable themes; Various design elements.
- App builders allow the creation of multiple drafts for testing;
- It involves special integrations, such as the ability to connect IoT devices or blockchain-based functionality.
- Research those builders that offer advanced collaboration features for team-based development beyond basic sharing and commenting.
- Solutions by default that provide advanced analytics and user behavior tracking.
- Builders distinguished for offering strong accessibility features to make apps more usable for people with different types of disabilities.
Usability:
- Depth of functionality vs ease of use: functions are powerful, yet easy to access.
- Intuitive interfaces, clean, with reduced cognitive load, allowing users to be really creative and productive.
- Drag-and-drop interfaces that are responsive, offering immediate visual feedback to enhance user experience.
Onboarding:
- Comprehensive training should be made available in video and interactive tutorial format to onboard the user as fast as possible.
- Prebuilt templates that serve as practical examples to make new users understand how the builder can be put to work in projects.
- Interactive product tours or chatbots onboard the users through features of the tool so that they can start leveraging the capability of the platform from day one.
Customer support:
- Responsive and knowledgeable customer service teams available on multiple touchpoints-live chat, email, and phone.
- A community forum or user group where users can share tips, distribute solutions, and support one another on a peer-to-peer basis.
- Regular updates and clear, transparent communication from the development team concerning new features, bug fixes, and enhancements.
Value for money:
- Competitive pricing with respect to the features and functionality offered; buyers must get value for money spent, with a good return on investment.
- Flexible pricing plans for different user needs, from individual developers to big enterprises.
- Free trials or demos that offer some kind of avenue for a user to assess the tool’s value prior to financial investment.
- No hidden cost when publishing an app.
Customer reviews:
- Positive customer feedback from a wide variety of industries-that just goes to prove it is flexible enough to serve a wide range of purposes.
- Ease of use with quality customer support and problem-solving on behalf of the developer.
- Critical feedback-this will give insight into where it may have room for improvement, thus giving a view of the capabilities and limitations of the tool.
Steps to Select the Best Drag and Drop App Builder for Your Needs
As you go about shortlisting, trialing, and selecting drag and drop mobile app builders, consider these points:
- What problem are you trying to solve – First, identify the app-building feature gap you are trying to fill to better provide clarity on the features and functionality the tool needs to provide.
- Who will need to use it – To gauge the cost and requirement, identify who is going to use the platform and the number of licenses you require. In this, you may assess whether it is just the product development team or the whole organization that needs access. When it is clear, then it will be nice to consider if one is prioritizing ease for all or speed to your technical power users.
- What other tools it needs to work with – Clearly define what tools you are replacing, what tools are staying, and the tools you will need to integrate with. This may include your current app development infrastructure, various sources of data, and overall technology stack. You may also want to determine if the tools will need to integrate with one another, or alternatively, whether you can replace a number of different tools using one streamlined drag drop mobile app builder.
- What outcomes are important – Step back and consider what the tool needs to deliver in order for it to be a success. Think about capability wanted or what you want to improve, and how you will measure the success. You can compare features of drag-and-drop app builders until you are blue in the face, but unless you are thinking about the outcomes you want to drive, you might as well be wasting a lot of time that is really valuable.
- How it would work within your organization – Consider the solutions alongside your workflows and delivery methodology. Assess what’s working well, and the areas that are causing issues that need to be addressed. Remember every business is different – do not assume that just because it is a popular tool that it will work in your organization.
Bottom Up
This concludes our list of top 7 drag and drop mobile app builder reviews. Choose wisely and choose well after doing some research since the app builder you will choose will substantially affect your mobile app and its performance. Give this part of the process some time since this is the base of your mobile app. If you find our blog helpful, then do not hesitate to check out BSS Commerce for more reviews and tips.
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