Building Business Tools on Your Terms

Build a business you love with no code tools

C. L. Beard
ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR
5 min readFeb 14, 2024

--

Photo by Taylor Wright on Unsplash

No-code tools are software that allows users to create applications and other digital products without the need for traditional programming skills. These tools use visual, drag-and-drop interfaces that enable users to build and customize their projects by simply selecting and configuring pre-built components, such as pages, forms, and other elements.

No-code tools have become increasingly popular in recent years as they democratize the app development process and make it accessible to anyone with a good idea and a willingness to learn. They enable businesses and individuals to create custom solutions for their needs, from simple websites and landing pages to complex, data-driven applications.

Some famous examples of no-code tools include Bubble, Glide, AppSheet, and Wix. These tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities, making them suitable for various use cases and users with different levels of technical expertise.

Below is a list of cheaper and more powerful tools than the most common no-code tools out there.

What can No code/Low code be used to build?

Dynamic Web Applications: Low code can create dynamic web applications with rich frontends, custom styling, themes, events, cookies, and storage management.

Mobile Applications: The platforms support the development of responsive mobile applications, allowing users to visually create projects for mobile devices.

Desktop Applications: No code enables the development of responsive desktop applications, providing a visual interface for building projects without extensive coding.

E-commerce Solutions: No code can be utilized to develop e-commerce applications and solutions, including custom e-commerce platforms and integrations with e-commerce services.

Custom Business Applications: The platform is suitable for creating custom business applications, such as workflow management systems, data management tools, and reporting engines.

Educational Applications: They can be used to develop educational applications, including school management systems, e-learning platforms, and educational resource management tools.

Productivity Tools: Low-code tools can create productivity tools, such as attendance management systems, automated payroll applications, and collaboration platforms.

Content Management Systems (CMS): Low code can be used to build custom content management systems for various purposes, including websites, intranets, and knowledge bases.

Custom Web Services: The platforms allow for the development of custom web services and APIs, enabling users to create and integrate their backend services with other applications.

These examples demonstrate the wide range of applications that can be developed using Wappler, making it a versatile solution for various development needs.

Noodle — built with AI assistance.

Noodl is a low-code to no-code platform that offers a unique visual development model, providing the same power and flexibility as regular code to build applications. And have I features built in?

It provides over 90 core building blocks for UI and Logic, all using fast JavaScript code behind the scenes. Noodl’s visual development model allows highly customizable UI elements with advanced styling, animation, and layout options. The platform also offers pre-made components called Prefabs and templates that can be used in projects. Noodle provides built-in backend capabilities, easy access to a database for apps, and the ability to create and manage workspaces for different teams.

It is designed to support Continuous Design & Development processes, enabling users to build what they need quickly without significant tech investments. Noodl’s unique approach uses data and nodes as its central building blocks, allowing for more granular control and creating powerful custom apps without sacrificing functionality or user experience.

Noodle AI’s core feature, the AI Bar, automates tasks from UI creation and content development to API integrations and complex queries, revolutionizing app development by empowering non-coders and subject matter experts to build custom functionality for business-critical applications.

The platform empowers users across skill levels, from non-coders to low-coders and regular coders, by providing them with the same power and capabilities. Noodle AI is currently in closed beta, but users can join the waitlist to experience this revolutionary leap in low-code app development.

Wappler — with a customizable back end

Wappler is a full-featured low-code software development platform that stands out due to its ability to create a complete backend with databases, workflows, functions, user management, and cron jobs, along with a rich frontend featuring custom styling, themes, events, cookies, and storage management. It offers a visual web and mobile applications builder, allowing users to develop responsive web, desktop, and mobile applications without extensive coding.

Wappler’s unique features include an actual live design panel, the ability to preview the result directly in the platform, and the complete integration of basic web page design, Server Connect, and App Connect. Additionally, Wappler provides visual analytics, social media integration, and design management capabilities.

The platform is known for its wide extensibility, frequent updates, and the ability to make changes in code by hand when needed. While it has been noted to have some UI/UX issues and a lack of built-in integrations with external tools, Wappler’s powerful features and flexibility make it a valuable tool for various development needs.

Softr -Web applications

Softr is a no-code web application builder that empowers users to create customized web applications without coding. It is best at building various solutions, including internal tools, client portals, community hubs, and progressive web apps (PWAs). The platform offers a comprehensive range of features, including user authentication, payment processing, SEO options, and robust data source integration with Airtable and Google Sheets.

Softr provides customization options, enabling users to personalize design and layout according to specific requirements. While it has been praised for its ease of use and the ability to prototype and launch web applications rapidly, some users have expressed limitations regarding custom functionality and design elements. Therefore, it is essential for users to carefully assess their specific needs and the platform's capabilities before choosing it for their projects.

Toddle — best for complex front-end tools

And it is free to start building.

Toddle is a no-code platform best used for building complex web applications, specifically focusing on the front end of web applications. It is designed to enable the creation of very complex applications without the need to write any code. The platform is aimed at the more professional end of the spectrum, and it is built to support scalability as companies and products grow.

Toddle’s unique approach allows users to stay with the platform as their company and product scale, making it a valuable tool for building and maintaining web applications as businesses expand.

--

--

C. L. Beard
ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR

I am a writer living on the Salish Sea. I also publish my own AI newsletter https://brainscriblr.beehiiv.com/, come check it out.