No-code is the future of code. Sounds counter-intuitive but it is true; with each passing year developers are building tools that are making it easier to develop with ‘no code.’

“It is the best time to jump on to no-code train now. No-code is the future. If you become an expert now, you will be one of the most in-demand people in the future,” says Arun Saigal, Cofounder and CEO Thunkable, one of the many companies getting into no code right now.

And I know you’ve probably already heard of no-code by now; it’s been one of the hottest topics in the tech space for some time now. Chances are, you’ve even already used a no-code tool even without realizing it.

But, it would be presumptuous of me to go on without explaining what no-code really is, despite its popularity, a lot of people still do not know a lot about no-code, or hell, anything about code.

So, what is no-code?

It is a tool or more accurately a movement of programming that provides tools that allow one to work with GUI (Graphic User Interface) instead of writing code. This means that the user doesn’t necessarily need knowledge or the ability to use code but instead will use simpler methods like drag and drop to create websites or apps.

However, it is important to note that no-code doesn’t mean zero coding. For the user no-code is exactly that, no coding is required but for the creators of these tools, a lot of coding is involved.

Sounds cool, doesn’t it? Finally, a chance to build software without actually coding. That said no-code does have its limits, it cannot be a direct substitute for coding.

So, what can you really do with a no-code tool?

Many ‘experts’ will tell you that there are no limitations to what you can do with no-code tools but the truth, as mentioned above, is that there are limitations.

But there is still a lot you can do with no-code tools. From building an app to creating a website there are numerous possibilities. One can build, automate your home or work tasks, organize data and even get paid with no-code.

It is also important to note that there are many kinds of no-code tools, they are not specific to any one industry or area of work. In fact, there could be as many types of no-code tools as there are no-code tools.

Most of these tools come with a variety of features so it is difficult to pin them down to a specific niche. However, the most popular no-code tools are big requirements for SaaS businesses, so this might give us a base to classify them.

App/Website Building

This is perhaps one of the key uses of no-code tools. Companies, institutions and first-time founders find themselves at a loss when it comes to building apps or websites for their businesses. One has to go through the headache of finding a developer who more often than not due to budget restrictions that is characteristic of a venture that is just setting up, delivers sub-standard results.

Well, no more. With no-code tools, founders and small businesses can do it themselves. Build apps and websites exactly the way they want them to appear and at a fraction of the cost it would take to hire a developer.

Here are some of the best no-code tools for building apps or websites.

1. Hubspot CMS

Hubspot is popular for its CRM features or as a Sales Hub. However it offers much more and one of its many overlooked features is its Content Management System (CMS). Hubspot’s CMS provides business owners with an easy way to build websites, business blogs, landing pages, landing pages and any content one would need.

Here are a few advantages of working with Hubspot.

•  Countless templates to choose from.
• Fully customizable simply by dragging&dropping.
• Responsive design that fits all devices.
• Fits right into your existing workflows.
• Unlimited Possibilities

The best thing about Hubspot is that if you are already utilizing Hubspot as a Sales Marketing solution for your business you can easily integrate your content with all these features so that you will have it all-in-one platform.

• Bubble

Bubble.io is built with the founder in mind. It gives one the opportunity to prototype build and launch it all within a few hours. Moreover, you can also scale your growth efficiently. And if you think that all these functionalities would make it complex to use then you would be deadly wrong. The builders have made the platform playfully easy to navigate and use.

• Webflow

When it comes to web design then there is no easier way to do it than Webflow. Powered by Amazon Cloudfront and hosted on Fastly, Webflow makes it possible for you to build powerful, beautiful and responsive websites without writing a single line of code.

With Webflow, you can:

• Create automatic site backups (versioning) and staging URLs.
• Move from prototype to mockup in minutes.
• You can design hundreds of pages at once.
• Design, build and launch with no stress at all.

Project Management

If you have ever worked on a project you know how difficult it is to truly get things done. There are just too many things to handle at once and it doesn’t help that the tools most available (spreadsheets and checklists) entail quite a lot of coding.

This is where no-code tools like Airtable and Notion come in.

• Airtable

The truth is spreadsheets and databases are not fun to use, for most people they feel like coding.

Airtable is looking to change that, in fact, it already has. This database and spreadsheet do not require a single of line of code at all.

Moreover, while it may look like a spreadsheet it is a little more than that. It provides a fun workspace for all team members as it has blocks and a labelling system.

It’s so good that companies like Buzzfeed, Medium and Netflix work with Airtable.

• Notion

I have talked about Notion before but only as an editor. However, as I mentioned in that piece it is much more than that. Notion is a tool that can be used for numerous activities, this is down to its templates which are highly modifiable.

There are basically templates for everything under the sun from goal setting, diary, journaling and much more.

As such Notion is a tool that your team can modify collaboratively to suit your process.

Special Mentions

BuildBox

With Buildbox you can do what no one thought possible just a few years ago; build games without writing a single line of code.

Sounds too good to be true I know but BuildBox is letting us know that nothing is impossible.

Buildbox is a world-first that allows basically anyone regardless of technical skill to create amazing games. It’s unique user interface makes game creation a fluid and fun process as it should be. No scripting, programming or software design required.

As a developer, you can use Buildbox to:

• Drag and drop to create unique and professional 3D games.
• Add smart assets into your game.
• Add action effects and logic to your games and more!

Hashnode

If you are a blogger, as I know many of you are, you are well too aware of the hustle that goes into blogging. In addition to publishing content, one also has to focus on customization, readership, web monetization and visibility.

Hashnode takes care of all these leaving to focus on the activity that matters the most, publishing content.

With Hashnode, you:

• Don’t have to worry about maintaining or constantly updating your blog since Hashnode handles everything.
• Only have to focus on writing and publish articles on the blog.
• Will get readership on your blog from day zero.
• Can customize your blog to meet your needs and so much more!

These are just but a few of the many no-code tools available for you in the market. No-code is on the up and we are on the brink of an evolution in software development.