Why I did this research
With new AI tools emerging almost daily in my inbox and news feed, I wanted to take a step back and look at where the UK market really stands for no-code and low-code software development. As a small business owner myself, I’m constantly assessing which technologies deserve our focus – especially as these tools are changing how software is created and delivered.
One thing is clear: AI is here to stay, and it’s transforming the way businesses build custom software. The combination of AI-driven automation and accessible, low-code platforms means that creating bespoke business apps is now faster and more accessible than it used to be.
Since software development sits at the heart of what we do at AlphaFirst, it’s worth paying attention to how these tools are changing. This research helps us (and our clients) understand where these tools can help, which no-code development software tools are leading the way, and how we can use them sensibly where they are the right fit.
Why no-code development software is growing among SMEs
Demand for no-code development software is rising fast.
According to Grand View Research, the UK low-code application development platform market was worth over $1.1 billion in 2023 (over £800 million at time of writing) and continues to grow.
With over 5.5 million SMEs in the UK, many businesses are turning to no-code and low-code tools to automate processes, replace spreadsheets, and build customer-facing apps—without the cost of a large IT team.
In simple terms: no-code and low-code app builders let your staff create digital tools that used to require developers. Whether you’re tracking stock, managing orders, or building client portals, there’s now a platform designed for you.
The Top No-Code Development Software for UK Businesses
Below we’ve listed the best no-code and low-code app builders that are popular with UK small and mid-sized companies. These are widely used, relatively accessible and supported by strong ecosystems, so they can be practical places to start.
1. Microsoft Power Apps (Power Platform)
Best for: Companies already using Microsoft 365.
Use cases: Internal tools, approval workflows, HR forms, and apps inside Teams or SharePoint.
Why it stands out:
Power Apps integrates directly with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Dataverse. Many UK businesses already have access to it within existing Microsoft licences. Microsoft is recognised as a Leader in Gartner’s Enterprise Low-Code Application Platform Quadrant. We have also written a separate comparison of Day-1 Build vs Power Apps.
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 and Teams
- Large UK partner network
- Transparent UK pricing and enterprise-grade security
Considerations: It can have a learning curve if you’re building complex apps, and storage (Dataverse) costs should be planned early.
2. Google AppSheet
Best for: Businesses using Google Workspace.
Use cases: Checklists, site inspections, data capture, stock control, and reporting dashboards.
Why it stands out:
AppSheet is part of Google Workspace and allows you to build apps directly from Sheets or Drive. It’s quick to deploy and cost-effective, starting from only a few pounds per user.
Pros
- Seamless Google Workspace integration
- Easy for non-technical users
- Fast mobile deployment
Considerations: Limited for complex designs or heavy automation.
3. Airtable (with Interfaces & Automations)
Best for: Teams wanting to move beyond spreadsheets.
Use cases: CRM systems, project tracking, stock management, operations dashboards.
Why it stands out:
Airtable combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the structure of a database. With the addition of Interfaces and Automations, it becomes a powerful low-code platform for day-to-day business operations. We have also written a separate comparison of Day-1 Build vs Airtable.
Pros
- Visually intuitive for spreadsheet users
- Excellent templates and integrations
- Free tier available
Considerations: Paid plans are per-seat, and data limits can add up as usage grows.
4. Softr, Glide & Stacker
Best for: Building portals, booking systems or client dashboards.
Use cases: Customer and partner portals, delivery tracking, project updates, and HR portals.
Why they stand out:
These no-code builders connect to your Airtable or Google Sheets data and let you publish professional-looking web apps quickly—without needing to code or manage hosting yourself.
Pros
- Incredibly fast time-to-launch
- Templates for common SME workflows
- Secure user logins
Considerations: Designed for lightweight business apps rather than fully custom web products.
5. Bubble
Best for: Start-ups and SMEs that need a real customer-facing web app.
Use cases: Marketplaces, membership platforms, SaaS products, or booking systems.
Why it stands out:
Bubble is one of the most powerful no-code web app builders available. It supports logic, databases, workflows, and plugins—allowing businesses to create full web apps without developers.
Pros
- Feature-rich platform for serious projects
- Active global community and support
- Scalable hosting
Considerations: More complex to learn than simpler builders and usage-based pricing can increase as you scale.
6. Retool & FlutterFlow
Retool – Best for: Internal business tools where a developer is available.
FlutterFlow – Best for: Mobile-first apps for iOS, Android, and the web.
Why they stand out:
Both target slightly more technical users. Retool makes building admin dashboards or data management apps very quickly. FlutterFlow is ideal for those who want to launch mobile apps with native performance.
Pros
- Retool integrates with APIs and SQL
- FlutterFlow outputs real Flutter code for flexibility
- Both offer free and team tiers
Considerations: These tools are hybrid no-code/low-code—excellent if you have some technical support.
Quick Reference: Which No-Code App Builder Is Right for You?
| Your Situation | Recommended Platform | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Using Microsoft 365 | Power Apps | Works inside Teams/SharePoint; secure and scalable |
| Using Google Workspace | AppSheet | Native to your ecosystem; low cost |
| Living in spreadsheets | Airtable + Softr/Glide | Easy transition from Excel/Sheets |
| Need a web-based product | Bubble | Build full web apps quickly |
| Have an SQL API or dev support | Retool | Rapid internal tools |
| Need a mobile app | FlutterFlow | Visual app builder for phones & tablets |
Indicative Pricing (check vendor sites for current figures)
- Power Apps Premium: from ~£15 per user/month
- AppSheet: from $5 per user/month (Starter plan)
- Airtable: free plan available, paid tiers per seat
- Softr / Glide / Stacker: free starter plans, scale by usage
- Bubble: usage-based tiers from free to enterprise
- Retool / FlutterFlow: free developer plans available
Where no-code can help UK SMEs
- Speed: Apps can be launched in days, not months
- Savings: No need for a full development team
- Control: Your team can update and evolve apps directly
- Flexibility: Build prototypes before committing to full custom software
Whether you’re automating tasks, replacing spreadsheets, or giving clients a digital portal, these platforms give small teams more ways to create simple business tools.
Why Partner with AlphaFirst
At AlphaFirst, we’ve spent over 25 years helping local businesses turn real business problems into practical software. We combine technical experience with a practical understanding of how small businesses actually work.
We’ll help you:
- Choose the right route for the job, whether that’s no-code, low-code or a focused custom build
- Build a first working version quickly where the job is focused enough
- Integrate your data securely with many popular cloud services, including Microsoft 365
- Help your team understand what has been built and what should happen next
Next step: Book a Day-1 Build call if one spreadsheet, tracker or manual process has become too important to keep managing by hand.
We can help you decide whether a no-code tool is enough, or whether a focused Day-1 Build is the clearer first step.
Sources:
- Grand View Research, UK Low-Code Application Development Platform Market Outlook 2023-2030
- Microsoft, Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Low-Code Platforms 2025
- Google AppSheet, Airtable, Softr, Glide, Bubble, Retool, and FlutterFlow official product documentation and pricing pages.