Low-code platforms let non-technical users build apps with visual builders, templates, and drag-and-drop logic instead of writing code. Softr starts at $19 per month and Glide at $25 per month, while Bubble starts at $32 per month and Airtable at $20 per user per month. Bubble is the strongest choice for a full web app, while Glide and Softr are faster for internal tools built on a spreadsheet.
Low-code platforms sit between a spreadsheet and a development team. They give a non-technical user a visual canvas, ready-made components, and simple logic rules, so a real app can exist without a programmer. The seven tools below cover different goals: a customer-facing web app, a mobile app, an internal tool, or a database with a friendly front end.
On this page
Best low code platform for non technical users: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubble | Full web apps | $32 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 2 | Glide | Spreadsheet-based apps | $25 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | Adalo | Native mobile apps | $65 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | Softr | Client portals and internal tools | $19 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | Airtable | Data-driven apps | $20 per user per month | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | OutSystems | Enterprise applications | quote only | No | Visit |
| 7 | Mendix | Enterprise low-code development | quote only | No | Visit |
The 7 best best low code platform for non technical users, in detail
Bubble
Best for: Full web apps
Bubble is the most powerful no-code builder in this list, and it is the best pick when the goal is a real web app with users, logins, and payments. The visual editor covers pages, workflows, and a built-in database, and a large library of plugins and templates extends it further. The free plan is for building and testing, while the Starter plan costs $32 per month billed annually for a live web app, with Growth at $119 and Team at $349.
- The limit is the pricing model.
- Bubble meters usage in workload units, so a busy app costs more than the plan price, and the builder itself takes time to learn.
- A non-technical user should expect a few weeks of practice before building something serious.
- For a founder who wants to launch a product without hiring developers, that effort is worth it, since Bubble can carry an app from prototype to real c
Pros
- Most capable visual builder here
- large plugin and template library
Cons
- Usage-based workload units can raise the bill
- learning curve is real
Glide
Best for: Spreadsheet-based apps
Glide turns a spreadsheet into a working app, which makes it the fastest tool here for a non-technical user. The newer GlideOS product uses AI to build apps from a prompt or a spreadsheet, with plans from Basic at $25 a month to Pro from $125 a month, billed by credits. The original builder, now called Glide Classic, is priced separately, with Explorer at $19 a month billed annually and Business at $199 a month.
- The main drawback is the split product line.
- GlideOS and Glide Classic have different plans, limits, and billing, so a buyer should check which product a quote covers.
- Design freedom is also narrower than Bubble, since apps follow Glide layouts.
- For an internal tool, a directory, or a simple customer app built on data a team already keeps in a sheet, Glide is the quickest route from idea to wo
Pros
- Turns a spreadsheet into an app in minutes
- simple credit-based plans
Cons
- Two products with separate pricing can confuse buyers
- design options are limited
Adalo
Best for: Native mobile apps
Adalo is a visual builder for native mobile apps and web apps, with a built-in database and publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play. The free plan is for building and testing, while the Builder plan costs $65 a month, or $52 a month billed yearly, for 2 published apps, and the Business plan costs $200 a month for 5 published apps. There are no usage-based charges, so the bill does not grow with app actions.
- The price is the main limit.
- At $65 a month, Adalo costs more than most tools here for a first app, and its database is simpler than Airtable or Bubble.
- It wins for a non-technical user whose goal is a real app in the stores, since publishing is built in rather than bolted on.
- For a web-only tool or an internal app, a cheaper builder will do the same job.
Pros
- Publishes to the App Store and Google Play
- no usage-based charges
Cons
- Builder plan at $65 per month is steep for a first app
- database features are basic
Softr
Best for: Client portals and internal tools
Softr builds web apps and client portals on top of Airtable or Google Sheets, and it is the cheapest entry point in this list. The free plan covers small projects, Basic costs $19 a month billed annually, Pro costs $99 a month, and Business costs $329 a month. Prices are per workspace, not per seat, and each tier caps database records, workflow actions, and app users, so a buyer should check those limits against real usage.
- The trade-off is the data source.
- Softr is a front end, so the data lives in Airtable or Sheets, and that tool may carry its own cost.
- The upside is speed: a portal with logins, permissions, and payments can be live in days.
- For a freelancer or small business that needs a client portal or an internal tool, Softr is the best value here.
Pros
- Lowest entry price here at $19 per month
- strong client portal features
Cons
- Needs a separate data source such as Airtable
- record and workflow caps apply
Airtable
Best for: Data-driven apps
Airtable looks like a spreadsheet but works like a database, which makes it a natural first step for a non-technical user. Tables link to each other, views show the same data as a Kanban board or calendar, and automations can send emails or update records when something changes. The free plan covers 1,000 records per base, Team costs $20 per user per month billed annually, and Business costs $45 per user per month.
- The limit is the seat bill.
- Airtable charges per billable collaborator, so a team of 10 on Team costs $200 a month before any other tool.
- The free plan is also small, which pushes growing teams to a subscription quickly.
- For a solo builder or a small team that needs a structured base with a friendly interface, Airtable is an easy recommendation, and it pairs well with
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface with real database power
- strong automations
Cons
- Per-seat pricing adds up fast
- free plan caps at 1,000 records per base
OutSystems
Best for: Enterprise applications
OutSystems is a low-code platform for large companies building business-critical applications. It covers visual development, integrations, deployment, and monitoring, with governance features that IT teams need at scale. The platform can handle complex workflows, large data volumes, and strict security rules, which is why banks, insurers, and government agencies use it.
- The drawback for a non-technical user is the audience.
- OutSystems is sold to enterprises, priced by quote, and works best with IT staff guiding the build.
- A solo builder or a small team will find the sales process slow and the platform more than needed.
- For a large company that wants to build many apps on one governed platform, it is a serious option, but it is not a tool for a first side project.
Pros
- Full enterprise platform with strong governance
- handles complex apps
Cons
- Pricing is only available by quote
- needs IT involvement to run well
Mendix
Best for: Enterprise low-code development
Mendix, part of Siemens, is an enterprise low-code platform for building web and mobile apps with IT oversight. It offers visual modeling, reusable components, AI-assisted development, and deployment options that include cloud and on-premises. The platform suits companies that need many apps built to the same standards, with version control, testing, and release management built in.
- Like OutSystems, Mendix is priced by quote and aimed at organizations, not individuals.
- A non-technical user without IT support will find the platform heavy and the learning curve steep.
- For a company with a development team that wants business users involved in building, Mendix can speed up delivery.
- For a solo builder, Bubble, Glide, or Softr will get an app live far sooner and at a known price.
Pros
- Strong for enterprise apps with IT governance
- Siemens backing
Cons
- Pricing is only available by quote
- learning curve for non-technical users
How we chose
We compared low-code platforms that a non-technical user can learn without a programming background, then checked each vendor pricing page and product documentation for starting prices, free tiers, and limits. Prices come from vendor pricing pages checked on 2026-11-12, and where a vendor does not publish a price, we say quote only rather than guessing. We did not test any product hands-on, and we did not count vendor marketing claims as facts. Developer-only frameworks and tools that need code to build a first screen were left out.
What to check before you buy
Start with the app you want to build, since a mobile app, a portal, and a database tool need different platforms. Check the free tier limits, including records, users, and published apps, and confirm what happens when you pass them. Ask whether the price is per workspace, per seat, or per app, since the same headline number can mean very different bills. Test the template library, because a good template can save days. Finally, check how you export your data, so a move to another tool later is possible.
Frequently asked questions
What is a low-code platform?
A low-code platform lets you build software with visual tools instead of writing most of the code. You drag components onto a canvas, connect them to data, and set rules for how the app behaves. Some coding may still be needed for advanced features, but a first app is possible without it.
Can a non-technical person really build an app?
Yes, for many common apps. A directory, a booking form, a client portal, or a simple store can be built with templates and visual tools. A complex product with custom logic still benefits from a developer, but a non-technical builder can often launch a first version alone.
Are low-code apps real apps?
Yes. Apps built on Bubble, Adalo, or Glide run on real infrastructure, support user accounts, and can take payments. The difference from coded apps is who builds them and how much custom logic they can carry, not whether they work.
What does low-code cost per month?
Entry prices here run from $19 to $65 per month, plus usage or seat charges on some tools. Bubble starts at $32 a month, Softr at $19, Glide at $25, and Airtable at $20 per user a month. Enterprise platforms are priced by quote.
Can I move my data out of a low-code platform later?
Most tools let you export data as a spreadsheet or through an API, but the app design and workflows usually stay behind. Check the export options before you build, and keep a copy of your data outside the platform.
Sources
- https://bubble.io/
- https://bubble.io/pricing
- https://www.glideapps.com/
- https://www.glideapps.com/pricing
- https://www.adalo.com/
- https://www.adalo.com/pricing
- https://www.softr.io/
- https://www.softr.io/pricing
- https://www.airtable.com/
- https://airtable.com/pricing
- https://www.outsystems.com/
- https://www.outsystems.com/pricing/
- https://www.mendix.com/
- https://www.mendix.com/pricing/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.