No Code’s 4 Biggest Pros And Cons

No Code Builders Are Just Tools

This article is a response to a recent video on no code that went viral:

We encourage you to watch the video in full, but here’s a summary of key points for the lazy:

• The speaker chose FlutterFlow to build a mobile app.
• After 20-30% completion, they faced roadblocks with customization.
• They downloaded the app’s source code and found it poorly written.
• The speaker concludes that no-code development is a trap because they are unsuitable for full-scale apps and marketing of no-code platforms is misleading.
• They instead advise learning to code or hiring a developer for serious app development.

While we agree with their points, we have to disagree with their overall message.

Upstack Studio is all for non tech founders and business owners trying out no code app builders even for serious projects. 

But now we’re at a he-said, she-said point. 

So we’re listing the pros and cons of no code app development – and we’ll leave it to you to make an informed final decision.

Top 4 Pros of No-Code App Development 

1. Faster MVP: No-code tools can get you to 90% of a functional MVP quickly, perfect for validating ideas without heavy investment.
2. Low Cost: Much cheaper than hiring a developer—ideal if you’re on a budget.
3. Beginner-Friendly: Designed for non-coders, letting you build without learning programming.
4. Potential for Growth: Some platforms, like FlutterFlow, offer code export, suggesting future scalability (though quality varies).

Like what you’re reading? You’ll want a proper no code tech stack!

Top 4 Cons of No-Code App Development 

1. Tool Limitations: You might hit walls due to platform restrictions or lack of flexibility, especially for complex apps.
2. Misleading Marketing: No-code platforms often overstate their capabilities, leading to unrealistic expectations.
3. Export Quality: Even if you can export code, it might not be usable for developers, limiting your long-term options.
4. Steep Learning Curves: Some powerful no-code tools require a significant learning effort, negating the “easy” appeal.

For a more in-depth look, check out our thoughts on the limitations of No Code SaaS.

Final Thoughts

In our Flutterflow review, we mention that while it’s probably the most well-rounded no-code app builder on the market today, it’s still inferior compared to proper custom coding.

However, taking a chance on no-code app development is often worth it since the risk is significantly lower than taking a chance on custom coding. 

Sure, custom code is more flexible, but it’s also a heck of a lot more expensive and time-consuming. 

The wrong developer has worse consequences than the wrong no-code platform, 

That’s why for most, no-code has always been a practical, low-cost and low-risk way to build functional apps (or at least MVPs).

If you’re looking to build a mobile application, check out our portfolio of past projects and contact us if you like what you see. Also, consider joining our mailing list for a one-stop resource on everything from micro-SaaS validation all the way to execution and promotion. Get a nifty list of questions to ask app developers when you sign up!