Best AI app builders of 2025: What makes Appy Pie a top contender

Business Insider

3 days ago

The no-code revolution continues to reshape app development in 2025, empowering individuals and businesses to build sophisticated applications without writing a single line of code. Platforms like Appy Pie, Bubble, Glide, Appery.io, Zoho Creator, Adalo, and Softr are leading the charge by making app creation faster, more accessible, and more affordable than ever.
In the sections ahead, we evaluate how these AI app builders compare—and why Appy Pie is emerging as a preferred choice for a broad range of users.
1. Design Customization: Flexibility Meets Simplicity
Appy Pie: With its Snappy 3.0 IDE, Appy Pie offers an intuitive drag-and-drop experience and a wide variety of customizable templates—enabling users to create professional, branded apps with no coding knowledge.
Bubble: Arguably the most powerful in design freedom, Bubble offers full control over layout and styling. However, the learning curve can be steep.
Glide: Optimized for spreadsheet-driven design; clean and simple but limited in advanced customization.
Appery.io: Offers solid UI capabilities and hybrid app support, though advanced design work may need technical skills.
Zoho Creator: Includes visual tools and templates, though design flexibility is less than in creator-focused platforms.
Adalo: Simple and visual builder that works well for beginners, but less suited to advanced UI customization.
Softr: Extremely easy to use, but design is bound to preset layout structures.
Verdict: Appy Pie offers the most extensive design flexibility for experienced users, while Bubble strikes a valuable balance between customization and simplicity—ideal for a broad spectrum of users.
2. Performance: Speed and Reliability
Appy Pie: Its optimized backend and cloud infrastructure ensure fast load times and minimal downtime across devices.
Bubble: Can handle complex operations but sometimes suffers from performance bottlenecks with heavy workflows.
Glide: Performs well with lightweight apps; speed can slow with complex data structures.
Appery.io: Efficient for hybrid apps, though resource-intensive apps may need tuning.
Zoho Creator: Reliable for business automation but may lag with layered workflows.
Adalo: Good for small apps but performance drops as logic and data volume increase.
Softr: Performs best for internal tools and simple portals; scalability can be limited.
Verdict: Appy Pie's responsive infrastructure ensures smooth performance across use cases, particularly for mobile apps, giving it an edge in overall reliability.
3. Pricing: Value Without Compromise
Appy Pie: Known for transparent, affordable plans that include AI features and backend integration—even at mid-tier pricing.
Bubble: Pricing scales quickly with app complexity and user demands.
Glide: Free to start, but costs rise with added features and storage.
Appery.io: Offers tiered plans; enterprise-grade features come at higher tiers.
Zoho Creator: Well-priced for basic business use, but extra tools incur added fees.
Adalo: Affordable starting point; critical features like app publishing require upgrades.
Softr: Great entry-level value, though more advanced tools require premium plans.
Verdict: Appy Pie provides a compelling mix of affordability and advanced features—especially for users seeking AI tools and backend services at mid-tier pricing.
4. Advanced Functionalities: Building for the Future
Appy Pie: Offers AI integration, IoT support, real-time updates, and a robust backend—all accessible without writing code.
Bubble: Excels in building logic-heavy web applications, including dynamic content and custom APIs.
Glide: Best suited for spreadsheet-based workflows, with limited access to deeper integrations.
Appery.io: Offers advanced backend options and API integrations, but often demands technical expertise.
Zoho Creator: Well-equipped for business automation; less mobile-first and more enterprise-focused.
Adalo: Perfect for building simple to moderate apps; not geared toward complex architectures.
Softr: Capable for portals and dashboards; less so for intricate app logic.
Verdict: Appy Pie enables powerful features like AI, IoT, and backend integration with minimal technical effort, making it a standout for non-developers tackling complex use cases.
5. Ease of Use: Built for Everyone
Appy Pie: The Snappy 3.0 IDE is designed for ease and speed, making it possible for users at any skill level to launch fully functional apps.
Bubble: Offers unmatched control, but is best for those with technical backgrounds.
Glide: Among the easiest platforms for creating simple apps—ideal for spreadsheets and databases.
Appery.io: Visual development tools help, but some workflows require technical understanding.
Zoho Creator: Business-friendly UI; general users may find some parts complex.
Adalo: Very easy to start with and well-suited for straightforward applications.
Softr: Minimal learning curve, especially for internal or web-based tools.
Verdict: With an intuitive interface powered by Snappy 3.0, Appy Pie remains one of the most user-friendly platforms, appealing to beginners and experts alike.
6. Innovation: Driving the Future of No-Code
Appy Pie: Actively rolling out AI-driven updates, automation workflows, and platform integrations—especially in the mobile space.
Bubble: Leading edge in web innovation, especially for developers building powerful, browser-based applications.
Glide: Continually improving spreadsheet-based app experiences.
Appery.io: Adds backend features and AI tools but with a developer-centric approach.
Zoho Creator: Focuses innovation on enterprise productivity and AI-assisted automation.
Adalo: Adds features regularly, albeit at a moderate pace.
Softr: Incremental improvements targeted at internal tools and portals.
Conclusion: Appy Pie Among the Best AI App Builders of 2025
In a dynamic and growing ecosystem of no-code platforms, Appy Pie stands out as a versatile and forward-thinking solution. While others excel in specific niches— Bubble for web flexibility, Glide for spreadsheet simplicity— Appy Pie combines ease of use, robust functionality, reliable performance, and cutting-edge AI tools in one integrated platform.