Fecha: 23 de October de 2026 Noelia Leiro
Until relatively recently, creating a mobile app was only within the reach of large companies—or at least those with sufficient financial resources to invest in such a large-scale project. The main reason was that creating an app was only possible if you had developers who knew how to code—or if you could hire them. Fortunately, technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and today, app development is within everyone’s reach. Over time, tools have emerged that have simplified processes and made the work easier in many ways. For example, visual web layout builders, or the app builders I’m here to talk to you about today. It’s these app builders that have made it possible to create a mobile app even if you don’t know any programming languages., or have advanced knowledge of this subject. And most importantly, without all of this requiring a major investment. Would you like to learn more about them? I’ll give you more details below. If you prefer the video format, here it is: 
Why create an app?
In business, every step you take should always be focused on providing value and a better experience for customers. Whether you’re launching a new product, a more powerful service, or an app. When it comes to apps, it’s important not to get caught up in passing trends—that is, creating one simply because other companies in your industry have one. If you’re going to take this step, make sure it’s from a strategic standpoint and to Provide added value to your customers and users. Something they can’t find on your website, on your social media, or anywhere else. If your app turns out to be an exact copy of any of these resources, it will lose its appeal. This will affect the number of downloads and user retention. This is the main reason why you should create an app. But are there others?
- They make it easier to access new features. For example, with airlines, you can check in through the app and use it to display your boarding pass.
- Push notifications. This type of notification allows for more direct communication with customers, which facilitates proactive communication with them.
- Increases brand visibility. If it truly adds value, an app can help improve a business’s reputation—and, as a result, attract more customers.
Examples of apps that offer added value to their customers
In the previous section, I mentioned airline apps, which let you check in for your flight from anywhere and display your boarding pass without having to print it. But here are some more examples:
- Muving. An app that lets you rent electric scooters by the minute. It’s as simple as opening the app and viewing the map of available scooters.
- McDonald’s or Burger King. It offers a daily, exclusive deal for app users, as well as discounts that aren’t available in-store.
- Simyo. An app that lets all of the company’s customers check their usage, view bills, sign up for plans, or receive discounts and gifts that can only be activated through the app.
Key Factors for an App’s Success
What you’ve just seen is one of the main factors that all app developers must take into account when developing a new app. After all, if the app doesn’t offer something useful to the user, all the effort that follows becomes meaningless. However, it’s not the only one. There are other aspects that directly or indirectly influence the success or failure of these types of tools. Some are more technical, and others are more strategic. But either way, they add value to the entire project. In my view, for a mobile app to be successful, it must meet at least one of these three requirements:
- Solve a user’s problem. For example, online banking, which allows us to make transfers and payments without having to go to a branch.
- Improving the user experience regarding a process, procedure, or purchase. This is the case with apps for scheduling doctor’s appointments.
- Providing entertainment. Here we’re talking about apps like games, puzzles, memory exercises, music, movies, reading, funny videos…
And furthermore, once it’s on the market, its success will depend on:
- Reward engagement. Apps that allow for greater interaction with users are usually the ones most likely to succeed and monetize their content.
- Get positive reviews. Reviews help you rank your app higher; having more positive reviews leads to more downloads.
- Encourage sharing. If your app encourages sharing, it will bring you more visibility and, therefore, more users.
How to Build an App from Scratch?
At this point, I recommend that you sit down at your desk and think about which of the success factors we just discussed you want your app to address. It should be related to the products or services you offer. So, for example, if you teach yoga classes with limited spots, you could have a booking app. Or if you already have one, maybe it’s time to think about a new feature that makes it more powerful. Or even to change its design. But how can you do all this? Basically, you have two options: outsource it or do it yourself. If you outsource it, you’ll need to find an app development agency or a specialized programmer who can build the type of app you need. And if you decide to do it yourself or assign the work to a member of your team, I recommend using app builders. These are suitable for hybrid apps and progressive web apps. If you choose to create a hybrid or native app, don’t forget about App Store Optimization—or ASO, for short. If you don’t include it in your strategy, the project will be incomplete, since your app won’t be visible on either Google Play or the Apple App Store. If you need help with this, check out my post: ASO Efficiency Hacks: My Experience After Helping Over 50 Apps.
How much does it cost to build a mobile app?
It’s difficult to answer this question, since the cost of a project like building a mobile app depends on several factors. What is clear is that if you opt for an app builder, the cost will be minimal. But if you hire an agency, the cost will vary depending on the project’s complexity, the type of app you want, and the platform on which you’ll host it: iOS or Android. On the other hand, if your app requires additional permissions or you want to include advanced features such as a shopping cart, the cost will also be higher. When providing a price quote, it’s necessary to evaluate all the details of the project. If you ultimately decide to outsource the project, I recommend working with professionals who offer a full-service approach to app creation and optimization. At Actualizatec, we’ll guide you from the very beginning until you have Your app is already generating revenue for you.
What types of mobile apps are there?
As you’ve seen, one of the factors that influence the price is the type of app you want to create. But what types are there?
- Native apps. These are apps developed in a specific programming language: Android or iOS. This means that the same app must be created twice if we want it to be available on both operating systems. However, they are faster and offer a better user experience.
- Progressive Web Apps. These are apps that run through a web browser. In fact, you could say they’re more like websites than apps. They don’t need to be downloaded and are somewhat more limited than native apps.
- Hybrid apps. This category includes apps that are based on web code but have incorporated native code from each operating system to make them more appealing and functional.
In terms of price, the former will require a higher budget due to their complexity. At the other end of the spectrum are PWAs, which are less expensive but also more limited.
Who can build an app for me?
Just like with the price, the answer is: it depends. If you want to build a complex app, you’ll definitely need to hire expert professionals. But if you want to start with something simpler, you can do it yourself using app builders. What kinds of apps can you build with them?
- News apps.
- Radio apps.
- Podcast, photo, and video apps.
- Online course apps.
- Fitness apps.
- Restaurant apps.
- Mentoring apps: track students’ progress.
How to create an Android app? How to create an iOS app?
No matter which operating system you want to work with, app builders will help you publish your app without having to invest a lot of time or money. It’s very simple. In fact, the process can be broken down into four steps:
- Step 1. Sign up for the app builder of your choice, give your app a name, and assign it to a category.
- Step 2. Design your app. Choose a theme, the menu style, the header, the app body, and its content…
- Step 3. Add sections. Include, for example, videos, photos, articles, maps, calendars, forms…
- Step 4. Publish. When you’re done, click “Publish,” and don’t forget to work on your ASO beforehand.
What’s the best program for creating apps?
It’s possible to create a mobile app without any programming knowledge and with minimal resources. The market is constantly expanding, and there are increasingly advanced tools that let you add new features and improve the user experience. So much so that choosing an app builder to work with can be tricky. Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to analyze more than 20 of them. This has helped me identify the ones that are most worth using. Below, I’ll show you the four that, in my opinion, have passed the test.
The 4 Best App Builders
Based on the conclusions I drew after testing and analyzing 20 different types of app builders, the top picks are: GoodBarber, Tu-App.net, BuildFire, and Adalo. Here’s a comparison table with the most relevant details: 
- GoodBarber
Goodbarber is used to create hybrid apps and PWAs. It offers a 30-day free trial, and its plans start at €25 per month. It stands out for its well-designed templates and a wide variety of design themes to choose from. It’s very easy to use and allows you to add other team members as app creators. However, it has some limitations for e-commerce, and publishing to app stores involves an additional cost.
- Tu-App.net
The Tu-app.net builder is also suitable for developing hybrid apps and PWAs. Plans start at €99 per month, and there is no free trial. It’s a very user-friendly platform with customization options and a polished design.
- BuildFire.
This other platform, BuildFire, does offer a 15-day free trial. It allows you to create hybrid apps and PWAs. It’s available only in English, and prices start at $74 per month. It includes a wide variety of templates, to which you can add a premium collection. However, it isn’t as intuitive or easy to use as the previous two.
- Adalo.
Finally, Adalo lets you create a mobile app on its free plan, but you can’t publish it. Even so, it’s still a great way to get familiar with this type of tool. It helps you create hybrid apps and PWAs, and you can access its features starting at $50 per month. Unlike the others, it only offers 6 templates to choose from, which limits your design options somewhat.
Developer or App Builder?
With all the information you have now, and based on the complexity of your project, you’re ready to make a decision. No one option is better than another. It simply depends on your interests and needs. What has become clear, however, is that creating a mobile app is a major competitive advantage for your company— provided, of course, that it meets the key factor for success: adding value for the user. And remember, don’t forget about ASO. That’s the only way to ensure your app is visible and reaches your target audience. Whichever decision you make, if you want to learn everything about Mobile & App Marketing, don’t miss our online program, where we’ll train you to become an App Expert so you can personally improve your app’s results.
