No Code App Development is a Trap

Summary

The speaker shares their frustrating experience with no-code app development platforms like FlutterFlow and Bubble. They discuss the limitations in customization and scalability, leading to a costly realization that for a fully functional app, traditional coding or hiring a developer is necessary.

Takeaways

• 💡 The speaker fell into the trap of no-code app development, losing money due to its limitations.
• 🤔 The speaker initially thought no-code platforms like FlutterFlow would be ideal for building mobile apps without learning a new programming language.
• 🚀 FlutterFlow is a popular no-code platform that allows building iOS and Android apps without coding, using a drag-and-drop interface.
• 🛑 The speaker hit a roadblock at 20-30% completion of the app, unable to implement specific features not available as default options.
• 🔍 A Reddit post revealed that FlutterFlow raised $25.5 million, but many users faced similar issues with customization and scalability.
• 😓 The speaker found that FlutterFlow's codebase, once downloaded, was messy and difficult to manage, requiring an experienced developer to fix.
• 💼 Hiring a developer to help with custom widgets was unsuccessful, highlighting the limitations of no-code platforms for complex app development.
• 📈 The speaker learned that no-code platforms like Bubble also have scalability and customization issues, limiting their use for unique app development.
• 🚨 No-code platforms are marketed as capable of building full-fledged apps, but the reality is they are better suited for MVPs or simple projects.
• 💬 Developers generally advise against using no-code tools for complex or scalable apps, recommending traditional coding or hiring experienced developers for better results.

Q & A

What was the main reason the speaker decided to use a no code app development platform?

The speaker decided to use a no code app development platform because they knew how to code but not mobile apps, and they didn't want to learn a new programming language.

What is FlutterFlow and how does it work?

FlutterFlow is a no code app development platform that allows users to build iOS and Android apps without writing code. It uses a drag and drop interface and has its backend in the language Flutter, but users do not need to program in Flutter.

What was the speaker's initial progress with their app on FlutterFlow?

The speaker was able to progress to about 20 to 30 percent completion of their app on FlutterFlow by following documentation and watching tutorials, but they encountered issues when they wanted to implement specific features.

What issues did the speaker face when trying to customize their app on FlutterFlow?

The speaker faced issues with customizing their app beyond the default features. They discovered that while FlutterFlow allows for custom widgets, the process was not user-friendly and they couldn't integrate them without errors.

What was the speaker's reaction after reaching a roadblock with FlutterFlow?

After reaching a roadblock, the speaker initially thought it was an isolated issue but later discovered through a Reddit post that others had similar experiences, indicating that FlutterFlow might not be as versatile as initially thought.

What was the speaker's experience with downloading the code base from FlutterFlow?

The speaker found the downloaded code base from FlutterFlow to be terrible, describing it as spaghetti code and stating that it was not ready for deployment without significant modifications.

What did the speaker do after realizing the limitations of FlutterFlow?

The speaker hired a developer to help with the customization of their app, but even the developer struggled with the code. Eventually, they decided to rebuild the app from scratch.

What are some of the issues mentioned by users with another no code platform, Bubble?

Users of Bubble mentioned issues with customization, scalability, and the need to pay for more advanced usage of plugins. They also found limitations in the number of plugins available, which could hinder specific app functionalities.

Why does the speaker consider no code app development platforms a trap?

The speaker considers no code platforms a trap because they often cannot be customized beyond a certain point, leading to incomplete projects. Additionally, they argue that these platforms are not transparent about their limitations in marketing materials.

What is the speaker's recommendation for those considering no code app development?

The speaker recommends doing thorough research and understanding that no code platforms are best for quick MVPs or proofs of concept, but for full-scale production-ready apps, traditional coding or hiring an experienced developer is more reliable.