No-code is the future of the internet.
If we were to rewind 10 years from now, even though it feels like yesterday, many web and application designs would depend on developers who had to work day and night to make a code work. Fast-forward to 2020, the developers’ job is to code a tool that we can use just the way we need without coding!
You may not realize it, but you’ve probably used a no-code or low-code tool already.
The chances are even higher if you are a creator on the web. And if you think you haven’t used them, you definitely came across one.
Even something as challenging as creating a website or building an app can be possible thanks to no-code tools. But what are no-code tools exactly?
What is no-code?
The short answer is; no-code is a method and a movement of programming that does not necessarily involve writing code but instead works with GUI (Graphic User Interface) tools.
However, if we were to look into it, we must make something clear.
“No-code” doesn’t really mean no-code. In fact, there is coding, and that is the coding the people who developed the tool did. However, for an easier and cheaper experience for the user of the tool (meaning most businesses today), all you need to do is click, scroll, and/or drag and drop.
Thus, the process of coding and programming is made more accessible for the masses and a new era of technology has arrived.
What can I do with a no-code tool?
There is no limitation to what you can create with a no-code tool.
In fact, you can count a lot of things you already did without knowing it was no-code. From creating a website to building an app, there are so many possibilities. You can automate your work or home tasks, you can organize your data, or you can get paid via no-code.
Remember that one time you created a survey online? That was no-code too.
No-code is not focused on one specific field or area of work, there are many kinds of tools. However, on the list down below, you can find prominent examples of different types of no-code.
Enjoy and don’t forget to note them down, you may need it later.
Before we start, we’ve attended TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin 2019 last year and compiled a list of the best low/no code startups from the event.
1- Bubble
If you need to build a web app, Bubble is your new best friend.
Bubble gives you the opportunity to prototype a whole app, build and launch in hours, and scale your growth efficiently. With a powerful set of internal tools, it is functional and easy to use at the same time.
However, what really made me fall in love with the product was the opportunity to edit the main page, which showcases how easy it is to create and edit a website while gaining further admiration with this clever trick.
Pricing
Bubble has a free tier version as well as 3 more paid tiers.
- Hobby: Free
- Personal: $25 a month (paid annually) or $29 a month (paid monthly)
- Professional: $115 a month (paid annually) or k$129 a month (paid monthly)
- Production: $475 a month (paid annually) or $529 a month (paid monthly)
2- UserGuiding
Now that you have developed your website or web app using a no-code tool such as Bubble or with the hard work of your developers, you will need a way to onboard new users.
What would you say if I told you there is no need to code at this stage too?
UserGuiding is a user onboarding tool to create the best user onboarding experiences for your product. Without any coding, UserGuiding helps you with various features such as:
- Interactive Product Tours,
- User Guides,
- Onboarding Checklists,
- Feature Highlights,
- NPS Surveys,
- In-App Messages.
The product works as a browser extension and works directly on your product:
In addition, you can segment users to create personalized experiences and have them go through only the necessary onboarding elements based on their purposes.
Also, UserGuiding enables you to track the performance of your creations with an in-depth analytics tool.
Pricing
- 14-Day Free Trial
- Start-up: $99/month
- Growth: $299/month
- Enterprise: Quotations must be requested
- Bootstrap plan for early stage startups
3- Voiceflow
After Siri’s debut as a voice assistant in 2011, we’ve come a long way. With Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant taking their place right next to Siri as the most prominent voice assistants, it was high time voice tech became a no-code tool.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to customize your voice assistant more?
Voiceflow does exactly that.
With Voiceflow you can prototype on the browser or try it on the actual voice device, thanks to the feature that lets you upload with one click. Voiceflow can be used for Alexa or Google Assistant, and if you are working with a team, there’s a space in the tool just for that purpose.
What makes Voiceflow especially good is probably the UI. With the drag and drop method, the tool lets you visually prepare your voice app in a very efficient and fun way.
Pricing
- Starter: Free
- Pro: $40 editor/month
- Team: $140 editor/month
- Enterprise: custom
4- Webflow
Webflow is a website building platform that lets you design and launch responsive websites. You may have had experiences with other website builders but Webflow will feel really special.
I’ll give you 3 reasons why:
Details, details, and details.
Most website builders will let you customize to a certain extent, but with Webflow, it’ll feel as cool as if you are coding and as easy as if you are just clicking and scrolling.
Furthermore, it is very customizable. You can choose to start from scratch and build a fully responsive website just the way you like, or you can use a template if you want to go the quicker way. It won’t disappoint you.
Pricing
Webflow has different tiers and prices for individual and site plans. For an individual account, you can start for free and then upgrade to Lite for $16 monthly or to Pro $35 monthly. For site plans, you may want to check Webflow.com.
5- Carrd
Imagine Webflow but in a quicker and easier way.
Carrd is a perfect no-code tool for building simpler websites. Yet, don’t let that mislead you, Carrd is just as powerful as the other tools, but with a different aim.
Carrd is designed to build one-page websites that you can customize using templates or from scratch. Thanks to its simplicity and price, Carrd finds a spot on this list.
It will let you have 3 websites and use all the core features for free and if you want to go pro, it’ll cost you only $19 a year. Yes, a year!
6- Airtable
I don’t know about you, but every time I use a spreadsheet it feels like coding.
However, this spreadsheet and database hybrid tool doesn’t need you to code at all. Airtable is a tool that looks like a spreadsheet, but it is way more than that.
Being mostly used for project management, Airtable provides a very needed workspace for all the members of your team. Apart from the ease of use it offers thanks to the blocks and labeling system, Airtable is fun to use (if you ever worked on a project before, you’d know that fun UI is a mood booster).
Also, you might want to keep in mind that Netflix, Buzzfeed, and Medium work with Airtable. Yup, some big game out there.
Pricing
- Airtable has a free tier that offers the essential features as well as unlimited bases, and 2 GB space and 1200 records per base.
- Plus: $10 user/month (paid annually)
- Pro: $20 user/month (paid annually)
- Enterprise: custom
7- Zapier
Zapier is an automation dream.
Many users describe Zapier as a swiss knife that helps so much in a simplistic yet effective way. It saves time, money, and a huge headache.
Zapier integrates apps and tools in a way that they perform specific tasks like a domino effect. With more than 2.000 apps like Google Suite, Slack, Twitter, and Gmail ready to be chained up for your best interest, Zapier creates a seamless experience.
One of the most appreciated features is the quick setup. The tool is not a complex one and it is easy to learn, so it saves time and money.
Pricing
- Zapier has a free tier that lets you perform 100 tasks a month.
- Starter: $19,99/month (750 tasks)
- Professional: $49/month (2000 tasks)
- Team: $299/month (50.000 tasks)
- Company: $599/month (100.000 tasks)
8- Buy Me a Coffee
Buy me a coffee is a payment tool that is not very well-known, but it is the go-to payment for designers and creators.
I’ve interacted with it a lot so it’s half favoritism, half legit.
You may think it’s an actual request for coffee (like I did) but it is actually a platform you can support people whose creativity you cherish. Whether you are an artist, designer, model, programmer, online tutor, or whatever creative genius you are, you can make payment and support easier with this no-code tool.
Just choose the price for your coffee and let people get you some!
Conclusion
Whether it is website launching or payment services that you need help with, you are no longer at the mercy of developers (or rather, at the mercy of no-code tool developers).
No-code surely changes businesses, understanding of work, technology, and lives. What you can do to benefit from these tools is to take a look at this list with various kinds of no-code and enhance the way you work.
No-code, no panic!