AppFlows is a privacy-first online tool that helps you scope, estimate and visualise app ideas as fast as you can type.
I made AppFlows to help our clients here at Pocketworks. Most app ideas start with boring spreadsheets, and I craved a visual way to scope, estimate and explore ideas without getting bogged down in visual design.
It's a bit rough n' ready, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
It doesn't save anything to the cloud.
It supports markdown.
It currently doesn't using an LLM but I'm sure that will sneak in at some point.
One day, I'd like to have it generate wireframes using AI.
I've curated a list of tools below which I update regularly.
I've spoken to a CTO who are using no-code tools, so here are some views:
1. Cost - Will depend on compute power needed, but for internal tools that will be low.
2. You might want to pick something you are familiar with and is actively developed and accepting pull requests. A lot of the low code tools do allow you to write custom code anwyay, which is worth bearing in mind.
3. That's a tough one, some of these tools have a commercial model that runs alongside their open source model, which may help give some security. I remember that Facebook pulled their low-code backend tool many years ago, so just because it's by a big company, doesn't mean it has a long future.
NocoDB - Turn any database into a smart spreadsheet
Baserow - Create your own online database without technical experience
ToolJet - Build & deploy internal tools with minimal engineering effort
BudiBase - Build apps for your workplace in minutes
AppSmith - Build admin panels, CRUD apps and workflows 10x faster
Saltcorn - Point and click database web applications
Lowdefy - Build web apps, admin panels and BI dashboards with ease
Directus - Wrap your existing SQL database with a GraphQL+REST API and admin panel
Frappe Framework - Metadata-driven, full-stack framework in Python and Javascript
Basetool - View and manage all your data in one place like a pro
Rowy - Manage Firestore data in a spreadsheet-like UI
GDevelop - Free, and easy game-making app
PocketBase - Backend for your next SaaS and Mobile app in 1 file
NocoBase - Build internal tools in minutes
I run a mobile app agency like you and we do pretty well selling GaSaaS.
I'm a developer but have studied sales quite a lot over the last 10 years. The most important thing I learned is to find clients that fit you really well when it comes to skills, culture and budget.
To do this you have to give a shit and not be afraid to ask potentially off-putting questions. Stuff like:
"Are you sure you want to build this app, your business case doesn't add up so why bother?"
"Can you demonstrate you're in this for the long haul? There's no joy in building an app that fails, which is what happens if you don't budget to iterate your app."
"How come you don't hire freelancers or contractors, it will cost you less?"
Obviously I ask nicer questions too, but these are good "give a shit enough to risk losing the sale" kind of questions.
I made AppFlows to help our clients here at Pocketworks. Most app ideas start with boring spreadsheets, and I craved a visual way to scope, estimate and explore ideas without getting bogged down in visual design.
It's a bit rough n' ready, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.