Want to build an app or a piece of software that actually makes money?
Well then, it never hurts to look ahead and predict the next trend.
2025 will come with big changes to traditional and no code software development.
And here are seven ways we believe those in app development can make bank in 2025.
Well, mayyybeee.
1st Prediction: Bubble Will Be Dethroned
To be clear, Upstack Studio owns no stock in app builders, so we have no hidden agenda here.
In fact, there was a time Bubble was our top recommendation for complex no code web apps!
They’ve always had vendor lock-in, and we didn’t like it.
But back then there was just no alternative.
We recently evaluated and ranked 19 no code web app builders on the market, and there are tons of alternatives, including:
All of which allow non-tech founders to build very robust apps without vendor lock-in!
So 2025 onwards we predict Bubble’s monopoly on non tech founders and projects will loosen.
And as other no code tools rise in popularity, the money will be in becoming experts of how to fully use those platforms, a job known as a ‘no code developer’.
Becoming a no code Developer on Bubble means competing against established players, while with a newer no code builder, everyone starts at ground zero.
And the no code tool you choose could be the next Bubble – with you among the first established platform experts.
2nd prediction: Unemployed Creatives Become a Huge Market
This is a bit sad, but it’s just part of the inevitable progress towards flying cars.
Creatives have been getting replaced by AI since ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion were released.
Writers, graphic designers, video editors, and even developers are feeling the crunch – BBC published an article predicting it could be as high as 300 million.
And this demographic is going to grow and grow and grow, with some fairly predictable pain points:
- Some will want to stick to the same work even if it pays less
- Others will want to reskill themselves, and reskilling can go in so many directions
- Some will want to start their own ventures
- And some will just want to give up and retire
We think there’s huge value in something that addresses the needs of these 300 million.
And a lot of the solutions, from a tech standpoint, could definitely be built with no code tools, as they involve apps like:
- job boards,
- online courses,
- counseling booking apps, and perhaps
- getting revenge on employers
Demand for them will surge, and if you want to cash in on it, your job is to have a solution ready.
3rd prediction: No Code AI Agents Help Use Established Tools
Instead of getting AI to help build complex software, the money is in getting AI to help use it.
Basically an AI business consultant who fully understands a software and advises users on best practices – or even executes what they want with consent.
Microsoft already does this with copilot, where AI helps users draft, edit, make presentations, summarize meetings, and basically make use of the complete capabilities of Microsoft 365.
It’s a matter of time before other big players introduce AI agents for their platforms.
But they will NEVER create an agent that tells users
“Hey, you can’t do this with our tool, but you can do it with our competitor, for free.”
So an AI agent that can reliably advise across enterprise software options will be big.
We can see this as a key addition to no code directories, especially as the number of tools gets more ridiculous.
There’s An AI For That and Nocode Finder are BEGGING for an AI agent that will suggest tech stacks to users.
Right now you either manually look for your own tools, or get in touch with their teams.
Would be great if we described our needs and the AI agent generates a no code tech stack based on a list of curated choices.
Zapier already has an AI assistant that suggests integrations based on prompts.
So it’s not a new concept.
But 2025 will be the year where AI software navigation goes from unique to essential – you’ll see it everywhere.
4th prediction: Cost of Custom App Development Goes Down
This is all to do with Devin and depends on two things.
Firstly, that the claims made by Devin’s developers are accurate.
The evidence so far suggests that Devin is really quite the talented young intern.
Our AI software engineer fixes a bug in Python algebra system – YouTube
If Devin works as promised, the second factor is that it’s priced for all, not just large enterprises.
For example, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is priced above our comfort zone as a small business.
But let’s be optimistic.
Say Devin delivers on its promises and it’s affordable to development teams of all sizes.
App development and maintenance would need significantly less hours, so the cost of building, iterating, upgrading, and maintaining drops as well.
It’s a win-win for developers since it won’t affect our hourly rate, and we can take on more projects with the same number of manhours.
5th prediction: (Finally) An AI Generated No Code Backend!
AI-generated front-end app builders are a dime a dozen.
And the universe replies through its cosmic prophet DJ Khaled.
Meanwhile, try looking for AI-generated no-code backend builders, you have no good options.
To be clear, there are great no-code backend builders.
But none of them will generate a backend for you the way Softr AI or Flutterflow AI gen will generate a front end.
But there is hope on the horizon.
Backendless announced their Schema AI in November 2023 which can generate schemas based on language prompts.
We believe in 2025 it goes all the way and generates an entire customized backend for you.
No perfect first drafts, but editing is always more efficient than building from scratch.
This lower barrier to custom no code backends will make it far easier for non tech founders to introduce more complex features into their apps.
Once you realize just how much you can extend an app’s function with a great backend, the only limit is your imagination.
6th prediction: A Rise In AI Business Management For SMEs
This prediction is inspired by a comment we regularly see as we lurk on Reddit.
The idea is that AI is so good at replacing people, so why not replace leaders and managers first since there’s no creativity needed there?
Well, in our opinion leaders and managers absolutely need creative thinking.
But we think these comments have some truth to them – we think it’ll turn out a bit different, though.
We think businesses will continue to replace creative talents with AI.
But we predict creative talents will also use AI to create their own businesses.
Does that sound confusing? It’s like this.
We predict a rise in reliable AI agents that play the role of business advisors, including topics like:
- marketing
- sales
- branding
- product development
- Statutory compliance
- contract negotiations,
- HR
These agents offer business acumen to people who want to start a small business, so someone who’s never run one can hold meetings with these AI agents where they go over strategy.
AI won’t advise as well as a real professional – especially if it’s limited to ethical answers.
But it does a decent job for a fraction of the cost.
If that sounds weird, companies like Venturus already offer something like that.
You tell it a business idea and it spits out various analyses to help determine its viability.
It’s a start, and we predict there will soon be full-fledged SME-focused AI business consultants that come ready-trained on general business knowledge.
A free version gives correct but general advice.
The paid tier allows a user to share specific business niche and constraints and get tailored, actionable feedback.
It’s buildable with one of the better no code app builders too, so what’s stopping you?
7th prediction: Exits as a Major No Code Business Model
I read this article about a founder called JJ whose Bubble no code app was acquired.
I had to find out more.
The app is called Jump Studios, and after reading, we kept going down the rabbit hole.
This led us to another article on acquire.com that said in 2023 alone there were 86 no code businesses sold on the site.
So while we think the biggest use case for no code SaaS will still be for fast and cheap MVPs and idea validation.
As the capabilities of no code app builders increase and more offer full code export, it becomes more viable to build a no code app or SaaS to exit with no plans to rebuild it with custom code before looking for buyers.
With the right idea, you could invest very little financially, and get a huge payday at the end.
Imagine a professional no code app builder who just builds hundreds of variations of the same core app.
They rapidly build 100 directories, test them at the same time, then sell the successful ones
Instant payday.
Conclusion
It’s fun to guess what the future holds.
But do you want to build something great in the future?
Or something great today?
Something that’s successful now, and continues to enjoy success over the years.
And for that, past, present, or future, it’s always about identifying and solving problems.
Good luck!
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