How to Choose the Best App Builder
The "best" app builder varies based on what you are building. A simple internal tool has different requirements than a consumer app headed for the App Store. This comparison helps you match platforms to your specific needs.
We evaluated app builders across five dimensions: output quality (native vs web wrapper), ease of use, pricing, code ownership, and deployment options. No single platform wins in every category.
App builders fall into three categories: drag-and-drop visual builders (Adalo, Glide), code-generation platforms (FlutterFlow, Draftbit), and AI-powered builders (Fastshot). Each approach has trade-offs worth understanding.
This guide covers the leading platforms honestly, including their limitations. Our goal is to help you pick the right tool—not to push you toward any single option.
Best App Builders Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fastshot | FlutterFlow | Adalo | Glide | Thunkable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development method | AI from text | Visual + code | Drag-drop | Spreadsheet | Drag-drop |
| Output type | React Native | Flutter | Web wrapper | PWA | Web wrapper |
| Native performance | Yes | Yes | No | No | Limited |
| Code export | Full | Paid plans | No | No | Limited |
| Learning curve | Minutes | Days | Hours | Hours | Hours |
| Best for | Native apps | Custom apps | MVPs | Data apps | Simple apps |
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose Fastshot for Native Apps
Best when you need real iOS/Android apps with native performance, push notifications, and App Store deployment. AI handles coding so no technical skills needed.
Choose FlutterFlow for Custom UI
Best for developers who want visual building with code access. Steeper learning curve but highly customizable. Requires some technical knowledge.
Choose Adalo for Quick MVPs
Best for rapid prototyping when native performance is not critical. Easy to learn but apps are web-based, limiting device features.
Choose Glide for Data-Driven Apps
Best when your app is essentially a frontend for spreadsheet data. Very fast to build but limited to PWA output.
Choose Thunkable for Education
Best for learning app development concepts. Block-based programming is beginner-friendly but output quality is limited.
Choose Traditional Development for Complex Apps
Best for apps with unique requirements, complex algorithms, or extreme performance needs. Requires developers and larger budgets.
App Builder Comparison FAQ
About the Author
Elvira Dzhuraeva is an expert in AI mobile app development and React Native. A former Senior Product Manager at Google specializing in AI/ML and Generative AI, she is the Founder of Fastshot (YC-backed) and a founding contributor to Kubeflow.