Looking for the top mobile app builders for small businesses? You are in the right place! I’ve spent over 60 hours putting the leading no-code and AI-powered tools to the test so you do not have to. From hands-on prototyping to chatting with support, I dug deep into each builder across a variety of small business needs. This guide is what came out of those long days and late nights-built on my four years working alongside small business owners and developers.
Note: This article was generated with the help of AI tools and may reference companies I'm affiliated with.
I've seen tools that overpromise and underdeliver, some that feel stuck in the past, and a few that genuinely make app creation feel almost fun. Below, I cut through all the noise and focus on the app builders that can actually help real teams launch a mobile app quickly-with as little stress and expense as possible.
If you know a standout app builder or want to share your own story, I’d love to connect and hear your thoughts!
How I Chose These App Builders
Here’s how I ran my side-by-side tests to pick the best mobile app builders for small businesses:
- Getting Started: I created a brand new account and built my first app idea on each platform, watching for how easy (or clunky) the first steps felt.
- Core Features: I tried out business basics like a home screen, contact form, product or service list, and push notifications. I wanted to see whether these essentials were a headache or a breeze to set up.
- Learning Curve: Could a non-tech person figure things out and get a good result? I looked for drag-and-drop simplicity and clear dashboards.
- Performance: Fast loading, stable previews, and few glitches were important. Any bugs or crashes got noted.
- Support Quality: I tried out each help desk, read the docs, and even sent some test questions to see how helpful and quick support was.
- Cost: I compared plan details, free trials, and how many useful features were locked behind expensive tiers.
- Overall Feel: I simply thought about whether this is a tool I’d recommend to a small business owner trying to build their first app.
Let’s dive into the results!
Best All-Around Pick: Natively
Modern, intuitive, and genuinely enjoyable-this one feels like it’s built for actual small business owners.
The first time I logged into Natively, I immediately noticed how polished and welcoming the experience felt. Getting set up took just a few minutes, and the AI agent quickly turned my rough ideas into a real prototype I could tweak visually. It hits that sweet spot between being powerful and staying easy to use.
Learn more: Natively
Where Natively Stands Out
- No coding needed. Everything gets built visually.
- AI agent speeds up prototyping from your idea or prompt.
- Plenty of real app examples and a vibrant user community.
- Useful free starter tier so you can launch something small for no cost.
- Flexible, transparent pricing for growing businesses.
Downsides
- The number of prompts per month is capped on each plan.
- Advanced features are reserved for premium plans.
Natively Plans
Get started for $0/month (includes 4 prompts and basic support). Paid tiers start at $20/month, with higher levels for more features and usage. No long-term contracts; just pay month to month.
Adalo - Full of Features, but a Steep Climb
If you want maximum control and do not mind a complex interface, Adalo might be for you.
Adalo brings in a serious toolkit for app creation-databases, integrations, web and native app support, and much more. But be ready for a learning curve. My first site felt overwhelming, and the dashboard seemed cluttered compared to modern competitors. Documentation assumes you know the basics, so the platform isn’t exactly beginner-friendly.
See more: Adalo
What You Can Appreciate
- Incredibly flexible and feature-rich once you learn it.
- Gives you solid customization for both web and mobile apps.
- A strong community and resource center for more advanced users.
- Good for teams that want more power.
Where Adalo Falls Short
- Not intuitive for first-timers-expect to do a lot of research.
- Performance is sometimes sluggish; I noticed lag and minor bugs.
- Interface feels old-fashioned.
- Customer support can be slow, and prices climb fast for better features.
Pricing Overview
Adalo’s Free Plan lets you try basics. Paid plans start at $36/month (when billed annually) and go up from there, especially if you want to publish to app stores or manage multiple apps. Top-tier “Business” plans can reach $200/month. There’s a 14-day trial for testing premium tools.
AppSheet - Fantastic for Spreadsheet Fans, But Confusing
Turns Google Sheets or Excel files into apps, but the learning curve is bigger than you’d think.
AppSheet, from Google, lets you connect spreadsheets and quickly generate apps. This is a huge plus for back-office functions, project management, or automating business tasks without writing code. Still, I found their interface and documentation to be tough for newcomers. Setting up even simple features took more trial and error than expected.
Give it a spin: AppSheet
Good Stuff
- Integrates deeply with Google, Microsoft, and other services.
- Great for simple data-driven business tasks.
- Automations and permissions are flexible if you dig in.
- Free trial for testing before paying.
Weak Spots
- Interface is busy and feels a bit old-school.
- Documentation can be confusing, especially for new users.
- Hinges on spreadsheet experience; not visual-first.
- Offline support is limited.
- Costs add up quickly for bigger teams or advanced features.
AppSheet Pricing
You can start at $5 per user/month (Starter). The “Core” plan is $10 per user/month; Enterprise runs $20+. The free mode is suitable only for tiny experiments, and more powerful features mean a higher monthly bill.
GoodBarber - Loads of Features, Some Clunky Edges
Works for both agencies and solo business owners, but the initial experience isn’t as polished.
GoodBarber looks promising right away, boasting rich e-commerce features, user-generated content, analytics, and even a reseller program. During my tests though, I had to spend too much time navigating menus and digging for settings. Support isn’t quick, and templates could use a refresh.
Check them out: GoodBarber
Positive Takeaways
- Tons of features for e-commerce apps and agency use.
- Customization improves once you adjust to the workflow.
- Their 30-day free trial doesn’t require a credit card.
- Handy for agencies wanting to manage multiple client apps.
What Makes It Tricky
- Overwhelming initial learning curve.
- Some templates and features feel outdated.
- Support can be slow and responses are not always helpful.
- App performance lagged during testing, including occasional crashes.
Cost Snapshot
Plans for content-focused apps begin at $36/month, while e-commerce starts at $50/month. Want full app store publishing? You’ll need the $70 tier. Agencies pay upwards of $280/month. There’s a generous 30-day trial.
Appy Pie - Tons of Tools, Unpolished Experience
Impressive breadth, but you might get lost along the way.
Appy Pie brings a wide range of tools beyond just mobile apps: websites, chatbots, workflow automations, and more. However, the interface feels dated, and it’s not always clear which features belong to which plan. When I tried support, response times weren’t great.
Try it out: Appy Pie
What Works Well
- Extensive feature set covers most small business basics.
- Customization is available for a range of industries.
- A template library offers a fast starting point.
- You get a 7-day free trial to experiment.
Where It Struggles
- Setup process is confusing with an old-school layout.
- Learning curve is steep unless you’re tech-savvy.
- Must upgrade for some essential features.
- Support can be slow or frustrating. Billing and refund questions are common.
- May need extra server costs for larger projects.
Plans and Pricing
The lowest tier is $16 per app per month (Android only), then $36 and $60 tiers for more features and iOS support. Trials are 7 days, but serious use requires paying. You can save up to 20% with annual billing.
Glide - Great for Spreadsheet Apps, but Some Sticking Points
Best if you already manage a lot of data in Google Sheets, Excel, or Airtable.
Glide lets you build apps on top of your existing spreadsheets, with built-in automation and emerging AI tools. Assembly is quick, especially for internal tools, but I found the UI less intuitive than I hoped. If you are not spreadsheet-savvy, it feels much less approachable.
Explore more: Glide
Highlights
- Smooth data integration with various spreadsheet platforms.
- Lots of prebuilt components to speed up setup.
- Reliable for automating internal processes.
- Built-in AI tools.
Limitations
- Interface is not as polished as newer competitors.
- There’s a notable learning curve for non-tech users.
- The Pro plan ($45/month) can feel costly for solo projects.
- Slow service reported by some customers.
- Occasional login hiccups and lag.
Glide Plans
Enjoy a Free Plan with basic features. Pro level costs $45/month, and complex agency or brokerage plans run much higher (up to $750+ per month). Certain paid options have a 30-day trial.
AppMySite - Loads of Integrations, but a Maze to Navigate
Lots of promise for agencies and advanced users, but good luck working through menus and billing extras.
AppMySite lets you build true native apps with integrations like WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce. The range of features is huge, but many are hidden behind paywalls or difficult-to-find settings. I found support to be slow, and publishing to iOS required more technical know-how than expected.
Take a look: AppMySite
What’s Noteworthy
- Integrates with popular website and e-commerce platforms.
- View real device previews before you go live.
- Agency and white-label options available for builders.
- Works for both Android and iOS.
Room for Improvement
- Interface is overwhelming; key settings are buried in menus.
- Many features are unlocked only after paying for add-ons.
- Support response times can be very slow.
- Publishing, especially for iOS, can require technical expertise.
- Expects extra payment for basic functions like notifications and branding removal.
Pricing Details
Start with a free, branded Android preview. Paid plans begin at $69/month, but costs rise steeply for agency options or to unlock more features (up to $999/month). Pushing an app live or removing branding is not included in base prices.
Bubble - Endless Customization, but a High Barrier to Entry
You get serious control, but it is not a quick fix for first-timers.
Bubble is a power user’s dream. It’s possible to create complex mobile and web apps with extensive integrations and plugins. The flip side is the time investment: the interface feels old, and figuring out workflow logic can eat up hours if you're new to it.
Learn more: Bubble
Notable Strengths
- Highly flexible visual editor.
- Vast plugin library and active community.
- Good scalability for businesses with growth in mind.
- Great for seriously custom apps.
Tough Spots
- Interface and workflows confuse many new users.
- Not the most intuitive builder in this list.
- Can get expensive as project needs increase.
- Performance sometimes lags, and customer support is not particularly fast.
- Collaboration tools have room for improvement.
Plans and Pricing
A Free plan offers limited capabilities. Starter paid plans begin at $32/month, while advanced and team plans sit at $134 and $399/month. Enterprise pricing is custom. You get a better deal with annual billing.
Thunkable - Strong Capabilities, But a Challenging Start
True drag-and-drop app creation, but new users are likely to want more help.
Thunkable opens the door to making native Android, iOS, and web apps without writing a single line of code. It’s packed with device integrations and supports logic via visual blocks. Yet, I found onboarding almost absent, and the UI doesn’t feel modern.
Try Thunkable: Thunkable
What I Found Impressive
- Super-customizable with a ton of device-specific functions.
- Visual “block coding” lets you add complexity with zero code.
- Free plan available for very small or personal projects.
What Needs Work
- Learning curve is steep, especially at first.
- Interface is outdated and can be slow.
- No real guidance during your first session.
- Removing branding is only possible with pricier plans.
- Missing out-of-the-box templates makes starting from scratch harder.
Pricing Options
Start free with heavy limits (three projects, five screens each). Accelerator tier is $19/month; Builder is $59; Advanced is $189 (cheaper with annual billing). Education and team plans are available, but there’s no standalone free trial.
Zoho Creator - Powerful Features, but Old-School Feel
Reliable automations and scalability, yet not the easiest for modern app building.
Zoho Creator offers strong integration and workflow tools, and is especially handy if your business already uses Zoho products. The drag-and-drop app builder is beginner-friendly at first, but advanced features are a different story. Support is mostly ticket-based, and the interface feels dated.
Check out: Zoho Creator
What Works Here
- Starter templates and drag-and-drop organizing.
- Connects easily to other Zoho and third-party tools.
- Full iOS and Android publishing support.
- Good for growing businesses with more complex needs.
- Security features are robust.
Where It Gets Frustrating
- Customization gets much harder as your app grows.
- Dashboard and UI need a modern upgrade.
- Slower performance if you manage lots of data.
- Free plan limits you to one app, and support can be slow.
Pricing Breakdown
Base tier is $8 per user/month (if paid annually) for a single app. The professional level is $20 per user/month, enterprise is $25 per user/month. Paid tiers include a 15-day free trial, while the free version is very basic.
Appery.io - Loaded with Power Tools, but Not for the Impatient
If you want maximum backend control and do not mind a dated UI, Appery.io gives you options.
Appery.io is all about depth, cross-platform builds, and enterprise-level integrations. Unfortunately, the interface feels cluttered and many features are packed into labyrinthine menus. I had to spend extra time getting even simple things working, and support is only sometimes helpful.
See what’s inside: Appery.io
Standout Features
- Large toolbox with plug-in support.
- Publish to iOS, Android, and the web.
- Good for seriously custom integrations or business processes.
- 14-day free trial on every plan.
Why It Can Frustrate
- Navigating the UI and learning where everything sits takes a lot of patience.
- Documentation is not beginner-friendly.
- Can be slow and sometimes unstable.
- Undo/redo is missing in the WYSIWYG editor, so mistakes are harder to fix.
- Support is mixed, with some slow response times.
Pricing Summary
Entry plan is $25/month for one developer, two apps, and up to 50,000 API calls. Pro and Team tiers run $99 and $200/month. Overage charges apply quickly if projects scale. All plans come with a 14-day free trial.
Brief Impressions of Other Tools Tested
- ViziApps - Looks old, template selection is limited.
- Base44 - Not enough support, tough to personalize.
- Lovable - Misses some key business features.
- Div-idy - Slow and navigation is confusing.
- Firebase Studio - Requires more technical experience.
- Windsurf - Onboarding is nice, but feature discovery is tough.
- Zed - Very lightweight, lacks core business features.
- Cursor - Slick design but low on integrations.
- Figma - Great for design, not for publishing apps.
- Sketch - Only available on Mac, app building is very limited.
- InVisionApp Inc. - Only for prototypes, not actual app deployment.
- Adobe XD - Design focused, not a true app builder.
- Axure RP - Good for wireframes, no publishing functions.
- Marvel - Lacks backend or database support.
- Proto.io - For prototyping, not full apps.
- Balsamiq - Usable only for sketching ideas.
- Flinto - For interactive animations, not app logic.
- Justinmind - Complicated and slow to update.
- KodNest - Community platform, not an app builder.
- Catrobat - Geared to education, lacks business-ready features.
- Kissflow - Workflow tools, minimal mobile capabilities.
- AppForceStudio - Experimental, documentation is lacking.
- CodelogicX - Built for social communities, not business apps.
- Sarvadhi Solutions Private Limited - Very specialized, not flexible for small business.
- Mendix - Advanced but difficult for most small teams.
- Appian - Enterprise pricing, overkill for small shops.
- OutSystems - Too complex for quick app launches.
- Power Apps - Strong integrations, expensive for essentials.
- Salesforce Lightning - Needs full buy-in to Salesforce.
- Quickbase - Prioritizes database features over app outputs.
- Pega Platform - Built for large organizations.
- Retool - Good for internal tools, not so much for customer-facing apps.
- GeneXus - Interface and documentation feel dated.
My Final Thoughts
Most mobile app builders for small businesses fall into three main traps-too complex for newcomers, too basic to do much, or too unstable to trust as your company grows. Out of everything tested, only a few manage to balance power, ease of use, and real business functionality.
So, if I had to suggest just one tool for small businesses wanting to launch an app fast (and without headaches), Natively consistently came out ahead. It is easy enough for first-timers, powerful enough for growth, and does not nickel-and-dime you for basic features.
No matter which app builder you choose, focus on one that matches your comfort level and scales as your business does. Good luck building!
Top comments (0)