Draftbit vs Flutterflow — Future of No-Code?

Agastya Khatri
Predict
Published in
5 min readJan 2, 2024

There was a time when developing an app or website would need hours of coding and a deep understanding of advanced programming languages. But now you can develop and deploy an app within a few hours if not minutes with the help of no-code platforms.

Today, it has become possible to build visually stunning and fully functioning web and mobile applications without even writing a single line of code. The tools that help you achieve that are called no-code platforms. There are many no-code platforms available, but to obtain the best results, you need to pick the best.

Two contenders are vying for the title of the best no-code platform; FlutterFlow and Draftbit. Both possess amazing capabilities and are easy to use.

To weigh in on the debate and clear some air of confusion, here, we provide a side-by-side comparison of the platforms against some standard parameters.

FlutterFlow vs Draftbit — A side-by-side comparison

Ease of use

Being no-code platforms, Draftbit and FlutterFlow come with pre-built components that enable even non-technical users to build a fully functional application. However, the similarities end there.

FlutterFlow provides a drag-and-drop workspace, a clean and modern interface with an organized menu, and intuitive tools. Working with it is easy for beginners but if you are going to use its custom code options and other advanced features then you will need better technical understanding.

On the other hand, Draftbit provides drag-and-drop functionality and a minimalistic interface. But they are enough for rapid prototyping. Although this no-code platform is easier to learn than FlutterFlow, it also has greater limitations as it doesn’t offer many options for customizations.

‍Design capabilities

FlutterFlow’s Visual Editor offers a large array of customizable UI components and tools. You can leverage them to create flawless UIs. it also allows you to customize your app further using custom CSS. Additionally, FlutterFlow provides customizable templates for various categories and functionalities.

Meanwhile, the pre-built components and drag-and-drop interface may allow you to build a prototype quickly. But the design would be simple or basic. Draftbit does not support building intricate or unique design elements and concepts. Although the pre-built templates of the platform are design-focused and come in a variety of styles and layouts, they need to be more flexible for customization to suit your specific design requirements.

Coding flexibility

Pre-built components from FlutterFlow’s Visual Builder simplify the development process. If you are looking for extreme customization then you can do so using its Dart code. It is easy to integrate the custom code with FlutterFlow and its interaction with the platform’s features is also clean.

Moreover, with FlutterFlow, you can export the whole codebase from FlutterFlow including the Flutter assets and Dart code. This not only allows you to customize your application outside FlutterFlow but also offers complete control and ownership over it.

Draftbit’s pre-built components and user-friendly interface also make the development process effortless for you. But the platform heavily favors no-code. So, when it comes to customization, you not only need to have advanced technical knowledge but the integration of code is also limited to a few features of the platform.

Tasks such as building custom components, or APIs will be much more challenging and overwhelming while working in Draftbit. In addition to that, you can only export the React Native code from Draftbit. This should limit your coding and customizing abilities outside the platform.

Security and privacy

FlutterFlow provides a comprehensive suite for security including modern access control mechanisms, data encryption, and user authentication. Implementing these measures ensures the security of your application. It provides fine control over data collection and its usage. So. complying with GDPR and CCPA privacy regulations becomes seamless.

On the other hand, Draftbit comes with essential security features. But if you want to imply advanced privacy control or security measures then you have to seek out third-party integrations or need advanced coding skills.

Deployment

FlutterFlow

  • Manual Deployment: It allows you to download your code and then deploy it to the hosting platform of your choice. This option allows both flexibility and control over deployment.
  • One-click Deployment: FlutterFlow also provides one-click deployment for Firebase hosting. This allows you to have simple yet rapid deployment.
  • Custom Domain Integration: If you want to promote your brand then FlutterFlow also allows you to use your domain name for the application.

Draftbit

  • Platform-managed deployment: If you don’t want to handle the hassles of deployment then this option allows the Draftbit platform to take care of app deployment for you.
  • Limited custom deployment: You can download the code of your app. But sometimes they aren’t enough and need additional configurations for custom app deployment.
  • Limited domain support: You can use a custom domain name with Draftbit but the platform provides fewer options in comparison to FlutterFlow. ‍

Pricing models

FlutterFlow

  • Free plan: Provides limited features to learn and use the platform for building simple applications.
  • Hobby plan: $29/month. Unlimited features and native support for both Android and iOS. Mostly appropriate for smaller projects or individuals.
  • Professional plan: $99/month. Ideal for those working in teams or organizations. Offers additional features like API integrations, white labeling, and team collaboration.
  • Enterprise plan: The price is decided on the dedicated support and number of features you use. Suitable for complex projects and large businesses.

Draftbit

  • Free plan: Provides adequate features for learning to use the platform and build basic prototypes.
  • Pro plan: $49/month. Provides advanced features including integrations and custom domains.
  • Enterprise plan: Intended for large projects and businesses. The custom price is decided upon the number of features and dedicated support you want for your application.

Community and support

FlutterFlow enjoys the support of a large community with vast resources. If you have any query or problem, their dedicated team is available 24*7 to help you out. On the other hand, the Draftbit community is still growing. So they are still smaller in comparison to FlutterFlow. But they provide support via emails and forums. ‍

Conclusion

There is no doubt that no code is the future of app development. FlutterFlow and Draftbit are among the best no-code platforms that enable you to build robust, reliable, and fully functional applications.

The decision of picking one of them would depend largely upon your requirements. But after reading this article, I’m sure you have realized by now that utilizing FlutterFlow has more upsides in comparison to using Draftbit.

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Agastya Khatri
Predict
Writer for

Lifelong Learner | Web Developer | Writer 💻✍️