An online app builder is mobile app development tool that lets you bypass the usual app development process, which involves coding, and allows you to build it in a short period of time using drag-and-drop GUI techniques. This process can cut down the duration of the app development phase considerably. Normally this process would take weeks: from the initial concept to wire-framing, interface design and user-experience analysis, testing and finalizing. While an app builder can reduce the time, cost, and complexity for app development there are some drawbacks you will need to consider.

Even if you can’t program a single line of code, you can still produce an app using app builders. The reason is that the builder creates the app automatically based on choices you make about the type of app, its features, user interface, and other app elements. It works just like completing an online form where you can choose the options for your app.

The main advantage of using app builders is that the customer gets the app quickly, since the process is mostly based on the selection of the features. This means that anyone without programming knowledge can create an app; it is an affordable and cost-effective solution to app development. There are a number of online app building tools available that support the three major mobile platforms: Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

You need to remember, however, that you can only create relatively generic mobile apps using app builders. The user interface features are not as rich compared to the latest mobile apps (such as the graphics, colors, and fonts that are used). You can’t change these mobile app features since they are built in the app builder. One of the disadvantages of using an app builder is that your app will look like many similar apps out there. In addition, the user-experience design of the apps developed in this way is nothing special.

App builders can be useful when prototyping a high-profile mobile app but will not allow you to develop a highly customized mobile app. Most mobile developers and marketing experts don’t recommend using mobile app builders because they give you little room for innovation. You can’t easily display pictures, logos or RSS-based blog posts in the app, for example. For cutting-edge apps and those that want to make an impact on the market, a dedicated team of mobile app development professionals is a better option than an online app builder tool.