Suppose you just had that a-ha moment and came up with a killer idea for a product or service. You even did market research and decided to give it a try. Great! What’s next?
You need a way to test your idea with minimum effort and investment, launch it and see whether potential customers (and investors) are interested in what you have to offer.
That’s why before going all-in with full-scale development, you want to test the waters with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
But here’s the catch, should you go with promising no-code app development tools or try custom MVP development?
Let’s explore both approaches in this guide, which breaks them down in full detail, to help you determine which MVP development services best fit your startup’s needs.
What is an MVP?
Let’s start from the basics. What is an MVP?
An MVP is, in essence, your product’s skeleton. It’s the most stripped-down, basic yet functional version of your idea that still delivers value to users.
Consider an MVP as a minimalistic product/service offering basic features that solve a user’s problem or meet their need. To imagine what your MVP should look like, find a one-sentence description of what problem you solve and how you do it. Further expansion from that point on is what offers extra value and satisfies distinct target groups.
For example, when Airbnb was founded, it was essentially a simple website that was offering air mattresses in the founders’ apartment. It served to help them pay rent, but it also tested a hypothesis that people might be willing to stay in someone’s place if that helps them save hotel costs.
Why Do Your Startup Needs an MVP?
So, to sum up the above:
- It reduces the risk of building something no one wants or really cares about.
- It helps attract investors by showing market validation.
- It speeds up time-to-market.
- It saves money while still testing functionality.
While some startuppers and business owners may have the ability to build MVPs in-house, most of them turn to an MVP software development company.
Regardless of what you choose, you will face a dilemma: whether to build an MVP without code or opt for bespoke MVP development services.
Time to highlight the pros and cons of both.
No-Code MVP Development: The Fast Lane
If you’re just starting, on a shoestring budget, or need to test your idea quickly no-code MVP builders are a godsend.
What is No-Code App Development?
It is the process of developing an app without actually writing the code. How is that possible? By using no-code platforms like Bubble, Adalo, or Glide. These allow you to build MVPs without code by assembling your app or site from ready-made commonly used features. They’re extremely user-friendly, incorporate a drag-and-drop philosophy and are perfect for non-tech founders.
The Pros of No-Code MVP Development
Here are the pros of opting for no-code app development:
- It Offers Speed to Market. You can launch in weeks, not months.
- It’s Cost-Effective. You can do it without the need to hire expensive developers.
- It’s Easy to Use and Accessible. You don’t have to be a tech pro to do it.
- It’s Iterative. It allows you to make changes based on user feedback quickly.
The Cons of No-Code MVP Development
On the other hand, this option comes with some disadvantages, such as:
- They might be difficult to scale. Most no-code apps struggle when your user base grows. Remember that what seems to be cost-efficient today may prove to be very expensive in the long run.
- You will probably need to adjust your initial idea to fit the limited functionality. You’re tied to what the platform’s prebuilt template offers, and that’s it.
- Vendor lock-in. If the platform shuts down or changes pricing, you’re stuck.
- Integrating other services might be difficult/impossible. Not all third-party services connect smoothly, which can limit your future options. Imagine wanting to real-time sync your leads with your CRM, but you can’t.
- SEO and performance issues. You may face slow speed, limited meta-tag fine-tuning, and poor mobile-friendly versions of your app. All can harm SEO and performance.
- Poor analytics and having to share potentially vulnerable data with the vendor. You gain access to limited monitoring and often fail to achieve compliance and data protection.
Long story short, no-code MPV app development works brilliantly when your goal is validation over perfection. If you just need proof that people will pay for your product, this is the fastest way to get there.
Custom MVP Development: The Tailored Route
In contrast, when you’re thinking long-term scalability or dealing with complex tech needs, custom MVP development is the smarter path.
What Is Custom MVP Development?
Custom MVP development typically involves hiring an MVP software engineering team (often through an MVP software development company) to build a product from scratch using traditional frameworks.
What Are the Pros of Custom MVP Development?
- It’s scalable. You can easily grow your app as your user base expands.
- It allows complete customisation. No limits here; everything is built for your vision.
- It performs better. Your app will handle heavy traffic and complex features better (because you have the option to specifically ask for it). Plus, you can optimize the performance by making the proper adjustments.
- It gives you full ownership and control. The owner is you, not an external platform with all that comes with it.
The Cons of Custom MVP Development
As with everything in life, custom MVP development doesn’t only have advantages. Here are its cons:
- It will cost more. Custom work always comes with higher price tags.
- It will need more time. Expect a slower development that may last for months instead of weeks.
- It requires expertise. You’ll need experienced developers or a specialized MVP software development company.
In the end, this option is best when you’ve validated your idea and want to scale, or when your concept is too complex for a no-code MVP builder.
No-Code vs Custom: How to Choose
Which brings us to the next subject. What is the ideal solution for you?
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
| Feature | No-Code MVP Builder | Custom MVP Development |
| Cost | Low upfront investment | Higher upfront cost |
| Speed | Swift (weeks) | Slower (months) |
| Scalability | Limited | Highly scalable |
| Customisation | Restricted | Unlimited |
| Tech Ownership | None (platform-owned) | Full ownership |
| Best For | Early validation | Growth & complex products |
Below, we explain in more detail when to choose no-code app development and when to turn to the custom version.
When to Use No-Code MVP Development
Go for codeless development if:
- You want to test and prototype your idea ASAP.
- You’re bootstrapping with limited funds.
- Your product idea is relatively simple (like a marketplace, directory, or booking app).
- You don’t care about having full ownership yet.
When to Use Custom MVP Development
Instead, opt for custom development when:
- Your app requires complex features (AI, blockchain, fintech, etc.).
- You want complete control over the data, security aspects, and performance.
- You need an overall robust build to showcase, and you’re seeking investor funding.
- You’re aiming to establish a unique brand identity, and you want your apps to reflect that.
Why Partner with an MVP Software Development Company?
With this in mind, you now need to select the contractors who will do the job, regardless of whether you’ll go down the custom or no-code path.
Going solo or hiring an in-house team to build MVP without code can get you started, but many startups eventually need professional guidance. That’s where bespoke MVP development services shine. Besides coding itself, a good MVP software development company helps you with:
- Market research and idea validation.
Just think of the time and mistakes you’ll spare when handing these tasks to a company with expertise and resources.
- Choosing the right tech stack.
MVP software development companies employ developers from a broad spectrum of tech backgrounds who can select and design the proper app for your needs.
- UX/UI design tailored for your target audience.
You can leverage the agency’s experience and build the product with users in mind.
- MVP software engineering with scalability in mind.
An MVP software development company will work with you to support your future growth, offering more than just temporary solutions.
- Long-term maintenance and support.
Outsourcing will save you the stress of hiring in-house developers and speed up your journey to launch. You can have the freedom to focus on the serious stuff, like envisioning new services and retaining partners and investors.
The Hybrid Approach
The best news is that you don’t always have to pick one. You can have the best of two worlds and make the most of both.
Here is how:
You can start with a no-code MVP builder to validate your idea, then transition to custom MVP development once you’ve proven traction. Many startups choose the hybrid approach, so you can too.
A Gartner research reports, around 70% of new business applications will turn to no-code/low-code technologies by the end of this year. This might mean that business owner will soon be able to decide which crucial features to secure with custom development, and which features can be built with third-party services.
Wrapping Up
So, which one is going to be for you? The no-code app development or the custom MVP development services? If you’re testing the waters, a no-code MVP builder can get you off the ground quickly and affordably. If you’re ready to scale or need intricate features, then a custom MVP development company is the way to go.
It depends on where you stand in your startup journey. At Uniridge, we help you decide the best option and guide you every step of the way, whether you want to build an MVP without code or invest in bespoke MVP development services.
Ready to turn your idea into reality and make a profit out of it? Get in touch today, and let’s make your wildest ideas come true.
FAQs
Can I Build an MVP without Code If I’m Not Technical?
Absolutely. That’s the whole point of no-code app development, exactly. You don’t have to be an IT expert or a tech enthusiast to do it. You can simply turn to platforms like Bubble and Glide that are built for non-technical founders.
How Much Does Custom MVP Development Cost?
Hard to tell with precision. It will widely depend on the MVP’s complexity. However, you can expect anywhere between €15,000 and €100,000+. This relatively high cost – even for plain structures – is what leads many startups to test with a no-code MVP first.
Can I Trust No-Code App Development?
In terms of security, note that most reputable no-code platforms have solid security measures. However, you don’t get to have complete control. This is why custom MVP development is the safest option, especially if you’re doing business in sensitive industries such as fintech or healthcare.
Can I Start With No-Code and Switch To Custom Later?
Sure thing! This is actually a strategy that many startups follow. They first validate their apps with no-code, and then rebuild them with custom MVP development once their creations start rolling and attract users or investors.
