9 no-code apps and tools to help you build a startup

Before now, if you had little or no coding knowledge and wanted to launch a startup, you would either need to pay an agency, or spend weeks learning how to code. But thanks to no-code apps and tools, those days are long gone.

With apps and tools like the ones listed in this post, you can build, launch and run your startup without writing a single line of code. What’s more, they won’t set you back hundreds of pounds, or take you long to get to grips with.

To help get you started, here are our nine no-code solutions. 

1.  Bubble

Bubble is the go-to choice for designers looking to design, develop and run apps. Thanks to its intuitive drag and drop builder, you can create fully-functioning apps without understanding programming languages.

With a raft of customisable options, including visual elements and mobile-friendly layouts, this powerful tool makes it easy for non-programmers to build a polished, responsive app with ease. Another compelling feature of Bubble is its Academy, which opens a new gateway for creatives to interact.

2.  Mailchimp

To build a successful startup, you need to grow, understand and know how to interact with your audience. Luckily, Mailchimp has all the tools to gather customer insight, identify who they are, and connect with them.

You can launch multi-channel campaigns, conduct surveys, and analyse audience engagement from one place. In essence, Mailchimp is an all-in-one marketing platform. Thanks to a feature-rich audience dashboard, Mailchimp’s app also makes it easier to communicate with your audience.

Better still — and the reason why it features in this list — it offers a variety of no-code integrations to support your website, such as LiveChat and Square.

3.  Glide

Glide enables you to design, build and launch a mobile application in 5 minutes! That means you could have a fully-functioning mobile app in the time it takes to make a cuppa, answer five emails, or listen to your favourite song.

Using Google Sheets, Glide can produce flexible mobile apps with basic features, ideal for those who need to get started instantly. However, there is some manual work involved to add things like galleries and maps.

Once you’ve created your app, you can use it right away on almost any device, including iOS, Android and in a browser. Plus, you won’t need to worry about the performance of your app, as Glide has automatic speed and security updates.

4.  Squarespace

If you’re looking for a website builder with aesthetically pleasing templates, you won’t want to look past Squarespace. With 110 stylish templates, no matter what industry you’re in, or what type of website you need, there’s something for everyone.

For the build, Squarespace uses a simple drag and drop builder that requires zero technical know-how to master. What’s more, with integrations readily available, Squarespace lets you scale your website as your needs grow. Out of the box, this platform has all the tools for a creative type with big ambitions.

5.  Scapic

When we shop on the high street, we look at the product we want to buy at almost every angle. When we shop online, however, we rely on static photos — often one or two. So how good would it be, if people shopping online, could have a 360-degree view of your products in 3D? Well, say hello to augmented reality.

Scapic feels the pain of online shoppers buying products from static images, and using no-code, gives your online store augmented reality. Shoppers will now have a 360-degree view of your products, giving them a much better representation. Therefore, increasing your chances of a sale.

But as well as increasing sales, using AR may also mean you stand out from your competitors. Thanks to Scapic (and the use of no-code), you can add this impressive tech to your startup easily.

6.  Landbot

Relationships start with conversations, and why not have a chatbot take care of them?

Landbot lets you assemble chatbots to prompt conversation and guide the user. Thanks to a simple-to-follow workflow, you can tie in all aspects of a conversation; whether that be support, leads or general information.

Also, with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp integrations, you can connect with fans of your brand on popular instant messaging apps, too.

7.  Webflow

By giving you the option to create almost any website you’d like — from SaaS websites to ecommerce stores — Webflow is one of the most versatile platforms in this list. With an intuitive drag and drop interface, and a wide variety of responsive templates, you can go from plan to launch in no time.

Whether you want to pick a template or build from scratch, Webflow enables you to customise your website’s elements, layouts and pages. Visual coding and development make it easy to turn your ideas and sketches into a real life project.

Once you have built your website, Webflow also handles the boring but essential stuff: testing and maintenance. All in all, if you’re strapped for cash and want a polished website quickly, Webflow is worth a look!

8.  Voiceflow

You guessed it, voice-activated technology. Over the past few years, Siri and Alexa have become our best friends, always there when we need to know the weather, or why fire trucks are red (just me?).

Voice-activated technology isn’t just for those who know how to programme. Voiceflow makes voice app development for Google actions and Alexa tools accessible for everyone — without entering a single line of code.

The Voiceflow interface is easy to navigate and simple to use, thanks to a simple drag-and-drop builder. It features everything you need to build the logic and structure of your voice app. For aspiring app creators who want to work with Google and Alexa, Voiceflow’s no-code platform is a solid shout.

9.  Gumroad

Startups aren’t limited to dropshipping, ecommerce or the glamorous world of tech. Whether you’re a podcast host, an illustrator or a musician, Gumroad offers creatives a straightforward ecommerce solution.

This tool enables you to build a no-code shopping cart for your website and start taking payments immediately. Gumroad has plenty of customisation features that will please creatives. You can edit checkout pages, and create discount codes and coupons.

With affordable plans and low transaction fees, Gumroad is a great choice for anyone just getting started, or startups with low-volume sales.

With no-code platforms, anyone can be a creator

Sure, experienced programmers and developers will always be in-demand. But it’s great to see so many no-code apps and tools that make it possible for non-professionals to follow their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Which of our 9 no-code platforms will you be using for your startup? Let us know in the comments below.