Best Low-Code Tools for Beginners Who Want to Build Apps

In today’s fast-moving digital world, having an app is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a startup idea, a student working on a project, or a small business owner looking to reach more customers, apps have become the modern gateway to users.

But here’s the challenge: learning to code can take months or even years. Hiring a developer is expensive. That’s where low-code tools come in.

Low-code platforms allow you to build fully functional apps with minimal coding knowledge. You don’t need to be a programmer—you just need an idea. These platforms provide drag-and-drop builders, templates, integrations, and automation tools so you can turn your idea into a real app quickly.

In this article, I’ll walk you through:

What low-code tools are (and how they differ from no-code tools)
Why beginners should use low-code platforms
The 10 best low-code tools for beginners in 2025
Real-world examples of what you can build
FAQs about low-code development

By the end, you’ll know exactly which low-code tool is right for you.

What Are Low-Code Tools?

Low-code tools are platforms that make app development faster and easier by reducing the amount of manual coding required. Instead of writing hundreds of lines of code, you use visual editors, drag-and-drop components, and prebuilt templates.

For example, you can:

Design a mobile app screen using a visual editor
Connect it to a database with a few clicks
Add logic (like forms, authentication, or payments) with simple rules

Unlike no-code platforms (which require zero coding and are usually more limited), low-code tools allow you to add custom scripts or extend functionality with coding if you want to. That’s why low-code is perfect for beginners—you can start without code but grow into coding when needed.

Why Beginners Should Use Low-Code Platforms

Here are the biggest reasons why beginners should start with low-code tools:

No Technical Barrier – You don’t need years of coding experience.
Faster Development – Apps can be built in days instead of months.
Lower Costs – No need to hire expensive developers.
Learning-Friendly – You get hands-on experience with real-world app logic.
Scalable – Many platforms allow you to grow into more advanced features later.

In short: low-code tools are the fastest way to bring your app idea to life without getting stuck in technical roadblocks.

The 10 Best Low-Code Tools for Beginners in 2025

Now let’s dive into the best low-code platforms you can use as a beginner. I’ve included mobile app builders, web app creators, and workflow automation tools.

1. Appgyver (by SAP)

Best for: Beginners who want to build professional-grade apps for free.

Drag-and-drop interface for iOS, Android, and web apps.
Powerful logic editor (no need for heavy coding).
Integrates with APIs and databases.
Completely free (SAP acquired it and made it free forever).

Pros:
✅ Free forever
✅ Works for enterprise-level apps too
✅ Great community support

Cons:
❌ Slightly advanced for absolute beginners

2. Thunkable

Best for: Building Android & iOS apps without coding.

Visual drag-and-drop app builder.
Prebuilt blocks for navigation, APIs, and animations.
Publish directly to Google Play and App Store.

Pros:
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Great for educational and personal apps
✅ Cross-platform support

Cons:
❌ Free plan has watermarks
❌ Limited customization compared to full coding

3. Glide

Best for: Turning Google Sheets into apps.

Connects directly with Google Sheets or Excel.
Build apps by mapping spreadsheet data to UI.
Perfect for internal tools, employee apps, and simple mobile apps.

Pros:
✅ Very easy for beginners
✅ Great for quick prototypes
✅ Free plan available

Cons:
❌ Not for complex apps
❌ Limited offline functionality

4. Adalo

Best for: Beginners who want sleek, modern mobile apps.

Visual drag-and-drop editor.
Built-in database + external integrations.
Supports payments, authentication, and push notifications.

Pros:
✅ Clean UI
✅ Easy to publish to app stores
✅ Good for MVPs (Minimum Viable Products)

Cons:
❌ Advanced features require paid plans
❌ Performance can be slower on large apps

5. OutSystems

Best for: Beginners who plan to scale to enterprise apps.

Powerful low-code platform with enterprise features.
Drag-and-drop + coding extensions.
Great for large organizations.

Pros:
✅ Highly scalable
✅ Robust and enterprise-ready

Cons:
❌ Can feel overwhelming for beginners
❌ Free plan has limitations

6. Bubble

Best for: Beginners who want to build web apps (like marketplaces or SaaS apps).

Drag-and-drop interface for web applications.
No need for backend coding—database built-in.
Plugins for payments, APIs, and more.

Pros:
✅ Extremely flexible
✅ Great for startups and SaaS ideas
✅ Large community and plugins

Cons:
❌ Steeper learning curve than Glide/Thunkable
❌ Not optimized for native mobile apps

7. Mendix

Best for: Beginners building business apps.

Offers both low-code and no-code options.
Supports web, mobile, and enterprise apps.
Built-in AI and automation tools.

Pros:
✅ Supports both beginners and advanced developers
✅ Good for business workflows

Cons:
❌ Pricing is high for scaling
❌ Requires learning time

8. Kodular

Best for: Android apps built by beginners.

Very similar to MIT App Inventor.
Drag-and-drop Android app builder.
Monetization options included (AdMob integration).

Pros:
✅ Easy to use
✅ Great for hobby apps or prototypes

Cons:
❌ Android-only (no iOS support)

9. Zoho Creator

Best for: Beginners creating business workflow apps.

Part of the Zoho ecosystem.
Build apps for CRM, inventory, and data management.
Integrates with other Zoho tools.

Pros:
✅ Business-focused
✅ Easy automation workflows

Cons:
❌ Less flexible for creative apps
❌ Best suited for business users

10. Appgyver vs Thunkable vs Adalo vs Bubble (Quick Comparison)

Platform	Best For	Platforms	Free Plan	Learning Curve	Publishing
Appgyver	Professional apps	Android/iOS/Web	✅ Yes	Medium	✅ Yes
Thunkable	Beginner mobile apps	Android/iOS	✅ Yes	Easy	✅ Yes
Glide	Spreadsheet apps	Mobile/Web	✅ Yes	Very Easy	✅ Yes
Adalo	MVP mobile apps	Android/iOS	✅ Yes	Easy	✅ Yes
Bubble	Web apps (SaaS)	Web only	✅ Yes	Medium	❌ Web Only

Real-World Examples of Apps You Can Build

Student Project App → Attendance tracker using Glide.
Small Business App → Food ordering app using Thunkable.
Startup MVP → Marketplace app with Bubble.
Enterprise Tool → Employee task manager with OutSystems.
Personal Project → Hobby project app with Kodular.

FAQs

Q1: Are low-code tools really free?
Yes, most have free plans, but publishing or advanced features may require paid upgrades.

Q2: Can I publish my low-code app to the Play Store or App Store?
Yes—platforms like Thunkable, Adalo, and Appgyver support publishing to both stores.

Q3: What’s the difference between no-code and low-code?

No-code: Zero coding required (limited flexibility).
Low-code: Mostly drag-and-drop, but allows custom code if needed.

Q4: Which low-code tool is best for absolute beginners?
If you want the easiest start, use Glide or Thunkable.

Q5: Can low-code apps handle millions of users?
Yes, platforms like OutSystems and Mendix are built for scalability.

Conclusion

Low-code tools are breaking down the barriers to app development. Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, or a beginner who wants to bring an idea to life, these platforms let you build apps quickly, affordably, and without advanced coding skills.

If you want mobile apps → Start with Thunkable or Adalo.
If you want web apps → Try Bubble.
If you want spreadsheet-powered apps → Use Glide.
If you’re thinking enterprise scale → Look at OutSystems or Mendix.

The world of app development is no longer just for professional coders. With low-code tools, anyone can build, test, and launch their app idea into reality.

So pick a tool today, and start building—the best way to learn is by doing.

Top No-Code and Low-Code App Builders

Best Low-Code Tools for Beginners Who Want to Build Apps

What Are Low-Code Tools?

Why Beginners Should Use Low-Code Platforms