Ask HN: No / low-code tools to build an application in 2021?

One relevant example is launching your MVP as a serverless API (e.g. on Firebase) + react/vue front end. Just iterate on your core product and features, we handle home page, registration and payments.

For mobile apps I'd recommend Expo [2] and, if you can, stay with their managed flow. If you want to iterate fast, you need to take into account the time to release to the stores and Expo can help with that. Similarly as for the web, I'd look into a serverless API model to start.

For email notifications I'd go with Sendgrid.

I personally never used no-code solutions but different people recommended Bubbles [3].

[1] https://saasform.dev

[2] https://expo.io

[3] https://www.bubbles.io

I've built the automation to handle a bunch of the nitty grittys, API Templates & Web Portal Tempaltes, Auth API, Serverless, etc.

I'm marketing it as a "SaaS builder" but it also works great for small projects on a budget as well.

It's free and open source, so should do well for a project you're starting, and I can definitely help through any snags you may hit!

If you're interested, start here (https://scaffold.ly), let me know if you have questions here! Or join our Slack.

Budibase is best described as an open-source alternative to Outsystems, Retool and Mendix. The benefits include:

- self-host with Docker/Digital Ocean

- internal db

- connections to MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB

- Accessible components

- The outputed tools are real, single page applications

- The apps are responsive by default

- An automation platform with connectors to Sendgrid, Zapier

- Google Auth

And it's open source!

NHS are building a patient management solution with it. Amazon are building a tool for their healthcare department, and many users build simple prototypes/internal tools on their own infrastructure.

Check it out here:

[1} https://github.com/Budibase/budibase

[2] https://www.budibase.com

Speed is the main critique of Bubble (but, there are server packs that could be purchased to increase horsepower. I have never tried those though. Most of my current clients have business users and prioritise functionality and flexibility over breakneck speed. They are happen on the entry paid plans)

For an MVP, I would highly recommend Bubble.

Mobile Apps are not native or anything close with Bubble, but if responsive apps work, it is a great choice.

I'd be happy to chat and provide my experience.. Feel free to email me at santosh AT n0c0de.com

Mendix gives you the ability to go the no-code route or also the low-code route should you feel like tinkering with already available components and building on/tweaking them. They also provide a easy way to deploy them to a Mendix managed cloud.

Disclaimer: I work at Mendix on an unreleased data product.

Once developed, app can be deployed both in mobile and as a web app. Notifications and Emails are easy to set up with ready connectors!