So, you need to get off the Builder.ai platform fast before the sinking ship takes your app with it!
Yet, finding a Builder.ai alternative is a double-edged sword. On one hand, an enormous number of them exist. But on the other hand, narrowing the selection down to the perfect Builder.ai alternative can be tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating. Especially if you're in a hurry.
We're here to help for all of those that were contributing to the (alleged) $40m of revenue that Bulider.ai generated!
Since 2014, I’ve paired individuals, businesses, and organizations with the perfect app-building platform for their needs, so you can say that I know how to pick an app-building platform. In this article, I’ll discuss my 5 favorite Builder.ai alternatives that are Fast, Profitable, and well placed for not only startups, but businesses with complex systems as well.
Why Choose a Builder.ai Alternative?
Because, according to the Financial Times, they apparently owe $80m to Amazon, and $30m to Microsoft! That means their super hungry web servers and compute will be shut down ASAP, and AWS is not known for its, erm, bleeding heart! If you have an app on Builder.ai, it will likely be turned off, unless their bankruptcy process results in a buyer with deep enough pockets to actually want to pay off the $110m in vendor-related costs alone!
The Top 5 Builder.ai Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall Builder.ai alternative
- Jotform, the Builder.ai alternative for very simple apps
- Thunkable, an easy Builder.ai alternative
- Bravo Studio, the best Builder.ai alternative for designers
- Draftbit, the best Builder.ai alternative for developers
#1 The Best Overall Builder.ai Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a no-code app builder featuring a stupidly simple drag-and-drop interface that you can use to breathe life into any app idea. Don't let it's simplicity deceive you, though. Under the hood, the Adalo team have successfully created a number of AI offerings aimed at app scalability, such as optimizing backend databases. AI prompting will be released shortly.
Additionally, they boast a new suite of business integration services that can connect to any datasource! More on that below!
What does it do better than Builder.ai?
Because Adalo is so easy to use, you can start making your app right after you sign up. The intuitive building interface gives you loads of control over how you want your app to look and feel.
You’ll be able to build a super flexible app: Add tons of features and plugins made by the Adalo developer community, like a swipe screen (think Tinder), a PDF reader, a QR Scanner, and more. Integrate with over 5,500 third-party apps, like QuickBooks, Google Drive, Zapier, and more.
And all of Adalo’s pricing tiers are orders of magnitude cheaper than Builder.ai for the startup. According to ChatGPT and Google's AI, their free tier is the most generous, and publishing an app is as cheap as $36 per month.
Then there is the business integration services. Adalo's new integration suite is able to connect with any data source, even if that data source does not have a REST API (or any API, for that matter!). This new service means that if you are a corporation with legacy systems such as AS 400s, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle DB, or SOAP Services that don't easily talk to other technology, then Adalo is the dream solution for you. You can simply generate a fully secure REST API, then (provided you have the access permissions) bring in the data to Adalo's app. This makes it the idea digital transformation tool for internal employees. You can build that internal app with your summer intern, now, not an expensive consultancy.
Who is it best for?
Adalo combines simplicity with power, flexibility, and design freedom, so I’ve recommended it more than any other app-building platform. No matter what kind of app you need to build, Adalo’s services spectrum has you covered.
Can someone else build an app for me on Adalo?
Yes, Adalo has an Experts ecosystem with hourly rates ranging from $20/hr to $150/hr. For complicated apps requiring integrations with legacy systems, the Adalo team does custom builds using their platform.
Can Adalo deploy on-premise, behind a corporate firewall?
Yes, and it is one of the only app builders that can, period.
Pricing
Start using Adalo for $36/month.
Final Verdict
Adalo is a true no-code app builder that lets you publish your custom-made app to the web so users can access it with their browsers, as well as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It is the best overall Builder.ai alternative.
#2 A Builder.ai Alternative for Simple Apps
Jotform
What is it?
Jotform is an easy-to-use no-code app builder that lets you create simple apps in a jiff.
What does it do better than Builder.ai?
An actual no-code app-building platform, Jotform has one of the largest template selections in the no-code app-building space. Find a template that suits the industry or niche your app will serve, such as project management, sales, accounting, and more. Then, create your app in minutes.
You’ll be able to customize your app by dragging and dropping “forms,” which are features like lists, buttons, and other functional elements, right onto your app. These will give your app functionality and flexibility. Edit them yourself in seconds.
Who is it best for?
If you have an app idea with 5 screens or less, look no further than Jotform. It’s also HIPAA compliant, so if you’re a medical professional and want to save client data on your app, Jotform is a good choice.
Pricing
Jotform’s lowest pricing tier, the Bronze Version, starts at $39/month (billed monthly). You’ll be able to build as many apps as you can with a 25-form limit. If you want to build a HIPAA-compliant app, try Jotform’s Gold Version, at $129/month (billed monthly).
Final Verdict
Because it gives you the power to build small, simple apps quickly, Jotform is the Builder.ai alternative for those who want to make simple apps.
#3 An Easy Builder.ai Alternative
Thunkable
What is it?
Thunkable is a no-code app builder that lets you create apps with its simple drag-and-drop interface and then build your app’s logic (which is how it responds to commands) using a unique block system.
What does it do better than Builder.ai?
When you choose Thunkable, you’ll get a solid amount of design freedom. You’ll also be able to make your app look exactly the way you want it from a blank canvas — Thunkable doesn’t have templates.
Thunkable’s simple building-block system allows you to customize and create your own backend, which is the part of your app that pulls up information for users to see and connects with third-party apps.
Just enter the tasks you want your app’s backend to execute on the blocks, and you’re good to go.
Who is it best for?
Thunkable is a good option for anyone who wants to create an app and have control over how their backend works. There’s really no limit to what kind of app you can build using Thunkable.
Pricing
While Thunkable is priced at the higher end, starting at $45/month (billed monthly), it’s still much cheaper than the $10,000+ you’ll have to fork out to use Builder.ai.
If you need to make a larger app, check out Thunkable’s Business Plan for $200/month (billed monthly). You’ll get tons of storage space and the ability to publish an unlimited number of apps.
Final Verdict
Thunkable is the easy Builder.ai alternative, offering heaps of design freedom and a logical way to build your own backend.
#4 The Best Builder.ai Alternative for Designers
Bravo Studio
What is it?
Bravo Studio is a no-code native mobile app builder that lets you craft one-of-a-kind apps using your Figma designs.
What does it do better than Builder.ai?
If you’re a Figma designer, you’ll be able to build your very own unique apps using Bravo. You’ll get complete pixel-perfect control over the entire app-building process. With Bravo, you can design every aspect of your app to your precise taste.
Bravo is also competitively priced, being the cheapest Builder.ai alternative. After you’ve finished building your app, you can publish it on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for convenient download.
Who is it best for?
Because it’s geared toward those who have experience using Figma, Bravo is made for designers. If you want to use Bravo but have never used Figma, you’ll need to learn Figma first.
Pricing
As I mentioned, Bravo is the cheapest Builder.ai alternative, coming in at $21/month (billed monthly). But if you want to remove the Bravo Studio branding, you’ll have to go for the $116/month (billed monthly) version.
Final Verdict
Specifically engineered to make apps from Figma projects, Bravo Studio is the best Builder.ai alternative for designers.
#5 The Best Builder.ai Alternative for Developers
Draftbit
What is it?
Draftbit is a low-code app-building platform that lets you create apps that you can publish to the web and the app stores.
What does it do better than Builder.ai?
If you have technical skills and want to apply them to an app-building platform, look no further than Draftbit. You’ll be able to enter your own code to create unique features on your app — something Builder.ai charges a premium for.
You’ll also be able to keep your app’s source code, which is, incidentally, a feature of Builder.ai. But Draftbit comes with a GitHub integration. This lets you further tinker and adjust your app on a massive developer platform.
Who is it best for?
You need to have technical knowledge and coding experience to use Draftbit. Those who don’t have this will find it very difficult to create their own app.
Pricing
Draftbit starts at $29/month (billed monthly), but if you want to keep your own source code, you’ll need to pay $79/month (billed monthly). While this might seem expensive, remember that a similar app made by the Buider.ai team will cost at least 600x more.
Final Verdict
With the capability to use your own code to create special features and keep your source code, Draftbit is the Builder.ai alternative for designers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheapest Builder.ai Alternative?
Both Bravo Studio, at $19/month (billed monthly), and Draftbit, at $29/month (billed monthly), are the cheapest Buider.ai alternatives. However, you’ll need to know how to use Figma for Bravo and how to code for Draftbit.
If you’re neither technical nor a designer, check out Adalo, starting at $36/month. When you build with Adalo, you don’t need any design or technical experience to create an app tailored to your exact tastes and specifications.
What is the Easiest Builder.ai Alternative?
If you want to build an app quickly and with little to no learning curve, try Adalo and Jotform. However, Jotform doesn’t have the most gorgeous templates, so if you want to spend a little more time making an aesthetically pleasing app, go with Adalo.
What is the Most Versatile Builder.ai Alternative?
Out of all the Builder.ai alternatives on my list, Adalo has the most integrations, plugins, and tools to help you build almost any type of app you want — be it a social media app for dog lovers, a CRM tool, a restaurant app, or anything else. If you can imagine it, you can create it with Adalo.
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