In 2025, mobile apps have become a cornerstone for small businesses aiming to thrive in a digital-first world. With over 5 billion smartphone users globally, a well-designed app can significantly enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and drive revenue. Traditional app development, however, often requires technical expertise and substantial investment, which can be daunting for small businesses. No-code app builders have changed this landscape, empowering entrepreneurs and small enterprises to create professional-grade apps without coding skills. Among these, Appy Pie's Business App Builder stands out as the best app builder for small businesses, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, AI-driven app creation, and robust features like payment gateways, push notifications, and website-to-app conversion.
Whether you’re a retailer launching an online store, a service provider offering bookings, or a startup seeking to engage customers, there’s an app builder tailored to your needs. This comprehensive guide explores the top Business App Maker for small businesses in 2025, detailing their features, pricing, and use cases to help you choose the right platform. From Appy Pie’s versatility to Adalo’s mobile focus and Zoho Creator’s corporate tools, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your business goals. Let’s dive into the best options available.
Why Your Small Business Needs a Mobile App in 2025
A mobile app can be a game-changer for small businesses, offering a direct channel to engage with customers and enhance their experience. Here's why investing in an app is a smart move:
- Enhanced Customer Engagement: Apps provide a direct line of communication, allowing you to send push notifications for promotions, updates, and personalized offers.
- Increased Brand Visibility: An app on a customer's phone serves as a constant reminder of your brand, increasing recognition and loyalty.
- Improved Customer Service: Offer easy access to support, FAQs, or even in-app messaging to resolve customer queries quickly.
- Direct Marketing Channel: Bypass the noise of email inboxes and social media feeds with direct messages and offers.
- Boost Sales: Integrate e-commerce features, loyalty programs, and easy booking systems to drive revenue directly through the app.
- Gain Competitive Advantage: Not all small businesses have an app yet. Having one can set you apart from the competition.
- Valuable Customer Insights: Collect data on user behavior, preferences, and feedback to refine your products, services, and marketing strategies.
Understanding these benefits is the first step. The next is finding a tool that makes app development for small business accessible and effective.
What Makes an App Builder "Best" for Small Businesses?
When selecting an app builder, small businesses have unique needs – primarily ease of use, affordability, and features that support growth. Here’s what to look for in the best app builder for small business:
- Ease of Use (No-Code): A drag-and-drop interface is crucial. You shouldn't need a computer science degree to build your app. The benefits of no-code development are immense for SMBs.
- Affordability: Transparent and scalable pricing plans that fit a small business budget.
- Customization: Ability to tailor the app's look and feel to match your brand.
- Essential Business Features: Tools like online store integration, booking systems, loyalty cards, push notifications, and contact forms.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Support for both iOS and Android devices to reach the widest audience.
- Reliable Support: Access to customer service when you need help or have questions.
- AI-Powered Assistance: Modern app builders leverage AI in mobile app development to speed up processes and offer smarter solutions.
- Scalability: The platform should grow with your business, allowing you to add more features and handle more users over time.
Top App Builders for Small Businesses in 2025
The app builder landscape in 2025 is vibrant, with platforms catering to diverse small business needs. Below, we compare the top eight platforms, highlighting their strengths, pricing, and ideal use cases. Appy Pie leads for its AI-driven simplicity, but competitors like Adalo, Buildfire, and Zoho Creator offer compelling alternatives. For budget-conscious businesses, our guide on Cheapest Ways to Build an App offers parallel insights.
Platform | Ease of Use | Pricing (Starting) | Key Features | Best For |
Appy Pie | High | $16/mo | AI app maker, drag-and-drop, Android/iOS/PWA, payment gateways, push notifications, website-to-app conversion | Multi-platform apps, AI-driven development |
Adalo | High | $45/mo | Visual interface, database integration, app store publishing, Stripe/Zapier support | Native mobile apps |
Buildfire | High | Custom pricing | No-coding required, professional templates, turn-key development services | DIY and professional app development |
Zoho Creator | Medium | $10/user/mo | Workflow automation, third-party integrations, cloud-based, advanced customization | Corporate apps (CRM, inventory) |
Mobiroller | High | $29/mo | Android/iOS, eCommerce, analytics, push notifications, professional templates | Apps with advanced features |
AppsGeyser | High | Free (with ads) | Android-specific, templates, ad-based monetization, no coding | Basic Android apps |
Jotform Apps | High | $29/mo | Drag-and-drop forms, data collection, surveys, customizable branding | Form-centric apps |
Flipabit | High | $19/mo | Offline support, multimedia, drag-and-drop, customizable animations | Creative projects |
Top App Builders for Small Businesses in 2025
In 2025, the no-code app development landscape offers small businesses a range of powerful tools to create professional-grade mobile apps without coding expertise. These platforms cater to diverse needs, from e-commerce and customer engagement to data-driven solutions and creative projects. Below, we explore eight top app builders, with Appy Pie's App Maker leading the pack for its AI-driven simplicity, affordability, and versatility. For budget-conscious businesses, our guide on cost-effective app building provides additional insights.
Why It’s the Best: Appy Pie is widely regarded as the best app builder for small businesses in 2025 due to its AI-powered features, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive functionality. Its AI App Maker allows users to describe their app idea—such as “Create an app for a bakery”—and generates a functional app in minutes, making it ideal for rapid prototyping. With over 10 million users and a 4.7-star rating, Appy Pie is trusted by small businesses worldwide.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered App Creation: Generate apps from text prompts, simplifying development for non-technical users.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Intuitive builder for designing apps without coding.
- Multi-Platform Support: Create apps for Android, iOS, and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) from a single platform.
- E-commerce Tools: Secure payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal with 0% transaction fees for selling products.
- Push Notifications: Engage users with personalized updates, such as sale alerts or order confirmations.
- Analytics: Track user behavior with Google Analytics integration.
- Website-to-App Conversion: Transform existing websites into mobile apps with offline access.
- 24/7 Support: Multilingual support via email, chat, and phone.
- Monetization: Options like Appy Jump and Google AdMob for generating revenue.
- Security: SOC-2 Type II compliant with data encryption for secure transactions.
Pricing: Starts at $16/month for the Basic plan, which includes ad-free PWAs and Android apps, Google Analytics, and email support. Higher-tier Gold and Platinum plans offer additional features like iOS support and white-label options. A 7-day free trial is available.
Best For: Small businesses seeking AI-driven, multi-platform apps with robust features at an affordable price. Ideal for startups, retailers, and service providers needing quick launches.
Testimonial: “Appy Pie helped me launch my retail app in days, increasing sales by 25%,” says Sarah K., a small business owner.
2. Adalo
Overview: Adalo specializes in creating native mobile apps for iOS and Android, making it a strong choice for startups focused on mobile-first solutions. Its visual editor and integration capabilities streamline app development.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Build visually appealing apps without coding.
- Native Mobile Apps: Publish directly to the App Store and Google Play.
- Database Integration: Connect to databases like Airtable or Google Sheets for data management.
- API Integration: Supports Zapier and custom APIs for connecting to over 5,000 services.
- Customizable Components: Offers 25+ components with hundreds of design variants.
- Monetization Tools: Supports in-app purchases and subscriptions via Stripe and IAPHUB.
- Analytics: Internal dashboard for tracking user interactions.
Pricing: Starts at $45/month for the Starter plan, which includes publishing one app. A free plan is available for building and testing, but publishing requires a paid plan.
Best For: Startups and small businesses launching native iOS or Android apps with a focus on user-friendly design.
Note: Some users report slower app performance and higher pricing for advanced features, which may be a consideration for performance-critical apps.
3. Buildfire
Overview: Buildfire offers a no-code platform with a balance of DIY tools and professional development services, catering to businesses that need flexibility in app creation.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Intuitive builder for non-technical users.
- Pre-Built Features: Access over 100 plugins in a marketplace for adding functionality like social media integration or in-app purchases.
- Turn-Key Development: Professional services for businesses needing expert assistance.
- Customization: Developer SDK for creating custom features.
- Third-Party Integrations: Connects with APIs and device-level features like iBeacon and GPS.
- Real-Time Previewer: Instantly view updates during development.
Pricing: Starts at $100/month for the Standard plan (billed annually). A 14-day free trial is available.
Best For: Small businesses needing DIY app building or professional development support, particularly in industries like e-commerce, media, or fitness.
Note: The higher pricing and limited design freedom compared to some competitors may be a drawback for budget-conscious businesses.
4. Zoho Creator
Overview: Zoho Creator is a low-code platform ideal for building data-driven web and mobile apps, particularly for businesses already using Zoho’s ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Visual builder for creating apps with minimal coding.
- Workflow Automation: Automate business processes like approvals or notifications.
- Data Management: Robust tools for handling complex data structures.
- Integration: Seamless connectivity with Zoho CRM, Analytics, and third-party services.
- Business Intelligence: Dashboards for data visualization and insights.
- Mobile Optimization: Apps are automatically optimized for iOS and Android.
Pricing: Starts at $10/user/month (billed annually) for the Standard plan. A 15-day free trial and a limited free plan are available.
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses needing data-driven apps for CRM, inventory, or workflow automation.
Note: Some users find the interface dated and customization limited compared to no-code platforms, which may require additional technical expertise.
5. Mobiroller
Overview: Mobiroller is a no-code app builder supporting Android, iOS, and Huawei platforms, offering a cost-effective solution for feature-rich apps.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: User-friendly builder for creating apps without coding.
- E-commerce Integration: Tools for selling products directly within the app.
- Push Notifications: Engage users with timely updates.
- Multi-Language Support: Reach global audiences with language customization.
- Monetization: Options for in-app purchases and ads.
- Analytics: Google Analytics integration for user insights.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for the Basic plan. A free trial is available.
Best For: Small businesses seeking feature-rich apps across multiple platforms, including Huawei’s App Gallery.
Note: Mobiroller may lack advanced features for complex apps, which could be a limitation for some businesses.
6. AppsGeyser
Overview: AppsGeyser is a free no-code app builder focused on Android apps, ideal for businesses on a tight budget.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simple builder for creating apps in minutes.
- Customizable Templates: Over 70 templates for blogs, media players, and website converters.
- Monetization: Add ads or in-app purchases to generate revenue.
- Push Notifications: Engage users with notifications.
- Fast Deployment: Build and publish apps to Google Play in as little as two minutes.
Pricing: Free plan with ads and branding; premium plans start at $299/year for ad-free apps and advanced features.
Best For: Very small businesses or individuals starting with basic Android apps on a budget.
Note: Limited to Android and lacks advanced features, making it less suitable for complex or iOS-focused apps.
7. Jotform Apps
Overview: Jotform Apps is a no-code builder focused on creating apps centered around forms, ideal for data collection and simple e-commerce.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easy builder for designing form-based apps.
- Form Integration: Seamlessly embed forms for surveys, bookings, or data collection.
- Payment Gateways: Supports 40+ gateways like Stripe and Square for secure transactions.
- Branding Customization: Add logos and customize fonts to match your brand.
- Multi-Platform Support: Apps work on mobile and web devices.
Pricing: Free for basic use; paid plans start at $29/month for advanced features.
Best For: Businesses needing form-centric apps for data collection or simple e-commerce solutions.
Note: Limited to form-based apps, which may not suit businesses needing complex functionality.
8. Flipabit
Overview: Flipabit is a free no-code app builder supporting iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, making it ideal for creative and educational projects.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Intuitive builder for creating apps without coding.
- Multi-Platform Support: Build apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac from a single codebase.
- Integration: Connect with over 1,500 services like Firebase and Google Sheets.
- Cloud Build: Easily create and deploy native builds.
- Offline Functionality: Apps work without an internet connection.
- Community Forum: Access support and inspiration from other builders.
Pricing: Free Personal plan for public apps; paid Developer and Business plans for advanced features (pricing not specified).
Best For: Creative projects, educational apps, and businesses seeking a free starting point.
Note: Limited advanced features may restrict its use for complex applications.
🧪 Most platforms offer free trials, allowing you to test features like payment gateways or push notifications before committing.
Our Top Pick: Appy Pie App Builder – The Ultimate Solution for Small Businesses
After careful consideration of the needs of small businesses, Appy Pie's AI App Builder stands out as the best app builder for small business. It uniquely combines power, simplicity, and a rich feature set tailored for entrepreneurs and growing companies.
Why Appy Pie is #1 for Small Businesses:
- Truly No-Code: Appy Pie’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface means anyone can build a professional app without any coding knowledge. If you can use a mouse, you can build an app.
- AI-Advantage: With Appy Pie's AI App Generator, you can describe your app idea in plain English, and the AI will help generate a foundational app for you, significantly speeding up the initial creation process.
- Feature-Rich: From e-commerce stores and food ordering systems to appointment schedulers and loyalty programs, Appy Pie offers a vast library of features relevant to small businesses.
- Affordable Pricing Plans: Appy Pie offers various plans designed to fit different budgets and needs, including a free trial to get started.
- Cross-Platform Reach: Build apps for Android and iOS simultaneously, ensuring you can connect with all your customers.
- Real-Time Updates: Make changes to your app, and see them reflected instantly for your users.
- Step-by-Step Guidance: Even if you're new to app creation, Appy Pie provides excellent tutorials and support. For a general overview, see our guide on how to create an app.
- Offline Capabilities: Many features work even when users are offline, providing a seamless experience.
- Submission Assistance: Appy Pie helps you navigate the process of publishing your app to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Key Appy Pie Features Benefiting Small Businesses:
Feature Category | Description & Benefit for SMBs |
eCommerce Integration | Set up an online store within your app, manage inventory, and accept payments easily. Perfect for retailers and service providers. |
Food Ordering System | Ideal for restaurants and cafes to take orders, manage menus, and offer delivery/pickup. |
Appointment & Booking | Allows service-based businesses (salons, consultants, clinics) to manage bookings 24/7. |
Loyalty Programs | Implement digital loyalty cards and rewards to encourage repeat business and customer retention. |
Push Notifications | Send instant updates, promotions, and reminders directly to your customers' devices, boosting engagement. |
Social Media Integration | Easily connect your app to your social media profiles to enhance your online presence. |
Contact Forms & Maps | Make it simple for customers to get in touch and find your physical location. |
AI Chatbot Integration | Provide instant customer support and answer common queries using an AI-powered chatbot. |
🧪 Appy Pie offers a wide range of features; explore their site to see how they can cater to your specific industry, whether it's retail, services, restaurants, or more.
Essential Features Small Business Apps Must Have (and How Appy Pie Delivers)
To truly benefit your small business, your app should include features that enhance customer experience and streamline operations. Here are some essentials:
Essential Feature | Why It's Important for SMBs | Appy Pie's Solution |
Contact Information & Directions | Makes it easy for customers to reach you and find your location. | One-touch call, email, website links, and map integration. |
Push Notifications | Directly communicate promotions, news, and updates to drive engagement and sales. | Easy-to-use push notification system with scheduling and segmentation. |
Mobile Commerce / Ordering | Allow customers to purchase products or services directly through the app. | Robust m-commerce features with payment gateway integration, inventory management. |
Loyalty Programs | Encourage repeat business and reward loyal customers. | Digital stamp cards, tiered rewards, points systems. |
Booking/Reservation System | Essential for service-based businesses to manage appointments efficiently. | Integrated appointment scheduling with calendar sync and reminders. |
Customer Feedback & Reviews | Gather valuable insights and build social proof. | Forms for feedback submission, review sections, and rating features. |
Analytics | Understand user behavior, app performance, and popular features. | Built-in analytics to track downloads, user activity, and engagement. |
Appy Pie ensures these crucial features are readily available and easy to implement, making it a comprehensive app builder for small business needs.
How to Get Started with Appy Pie
Building an app with Appy Pie is straightforward:
- Sign Up: Create an account at Appy Pie App Builder.
- Choose a Template: Select from 200+ customizable templates.
- Customize: Use the drag-and-drop editor to add features and content.
- Add Features: Integrate payment gateways, push notifications, or analytics.
- Publish: Test and launch your app on app stores or as a PWA.
For more guidance, read our no-code app development guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How much does it cost to build an app for my small business using an app builder?
A: Costs vary. Appy Pie offers a range of affordable subscription plans, starting with a free trial, and scaling up based on the features and services you need. This is often far more cost-effective than traditional development, which can run into thousands or tens of thousands of dollars..
Q2: Do I need coding skills to use an app builder like Appy Pie?
A: Absolutely not! Appy Pie is a no-code platform. Its drag-and-drop interface and AI assistance mean you can build your app without writing any code. This is a core benefit of no-code platforms.
Q3: How long does it take to build an app with Appy Pie?
A: You can have a basic app up and running in a matter of hours. More complex apps with many features might take a bit longer, but it's significantly faster than traditional development methods.
Q4: Can I make changes to my app after it's published?
A: Yes, with Appy Pie, you can easily update your app's content, features, and design in real-time, and the changes will reflect for your users automatically.
Q5: Will my app work on both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices?
A: Yes, Appy Pie allows you to create apps that are compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring maximum reach for your small business.
Q6: How can a mobile app help with marketing my small business?
A: An app serves as a direct marketing channel. You can use push notifications for promotions, gather customer data for targeted campaigns, and enhance brand loyalty.
Conclusion
Selecting the best small business app builder depends on your goals, but Appy Pie excels with its AI-driven simplicity, multi-platform support, and affordability. Alternatives like Adalo, Buildfire, and Zoho Creator cater to specific needs, but Appy Pie’s comprehensive features make it the top choice. Start with a free trial to test features like payment gateways or push notifications. Launch your app today and transform your business’s digital presence. In 2025, a mobile app is an indispensable tool for small businesses aiming to thrive and connect with their customers on a deeper level. The journey to creating an app is now more accessible than ever, thanks to powerful and user-friendly platforms. Choosing the best app builder for small business means opting for a solution that is easy to use, affordable, rich in relevant features, and supportive of your growth.
Appy Pie's small business app maker consistently emerges as the top choice, offering an unmatched combination of AI-powered simplicity, comprehensive features tailored for small businesses, and excellent value. It empowers you to transform your app idea into reality without the complexities of coding, allowing you to focus on what you do best – running your business. Don't let the digital revolution pass your small business by. Explore the possibilities, start your free trial, and take the first step towards launching an app that can elevate your brand, engage your customers, and drive your success. For further reading on getting started, our guide on the best no-code app builder for beginners can be very helpful.