Flutterflow vs Thunkable: Which is better for native mobile app development?

Choosing the right Low Code tool for mobile app development can be a headache. There are many options available, and it’s important to select the one that best suits your business or personal project. In this article, I will compare two similar yet different app development tools: Flutterflow vs Thunkable.

What is Thunkable?

Thunkable is a platform for building custom mobile apps without the need for coding. It’s designed for a wide range of users, from startups and educators to product teams and agencies, letting them to effortlesly create apps quickly and efficiently also it has great mobile app security.

The platform offers a variety of pre-built components, drag-and-drop visual design, and advanced logic capabilities, allowing users to build intuitive and feature-rich consumer apps.

Additionally, Thunkable supports direct publishing to app marketplaces like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and facilitates team collaboration in app development.

What is Flutterflow?

FlutterFlow is one of the biggest Low Code tools in which programmers create applications with ease. It features a drag-and-drop user interface, integrating over 80 Flutter widgets and 170+ pre-designed components. It is a great tool that makes the app development process fast and simple.

This tool supports Firebase for data connections and offers API support for third-party or custom backends. It’s designed for building responsive applications. 

Users can add custom code, enabling the creation of unique widgets or actions, and it also supports localization and deployment across various platforms and it is also quite good for making enterprise applications.

Thunkable Key features

• Cross-Platform Publishing: Allows users to publish modern apps on both Apple and Android platforms, making it versatile for a wide audience.
• Simplified App Store Submission: Streamlines the process of submitting apps to app stores, addressing a common challenge in mobile app development.
• Rapid Prototyping and Development: Supports quick development and iteration of business solutions, enabling users to transform ideas into functional apps rapidly.
• Efficient Turnaround Time: Enables quick development cycles, allowing businesses to provide apps to customers in a shorter timeframe.
• Versatility in App Creation: Suitable for various business users, from individuals with unique app ideas to frontend developers and business owners.
• No-Code Platform: Offers a user-friendly interface that doesn’t require in-depth knowledge of programming languages like Java or Python.

• Customization and Integration: Allows customization of apps to match brand identity and integrates seamlessly with existing tools and systems.
• Mobile-First Approach: Emphasizes the importance of mobile presence, using native mobile capabilities like notifications, cameras, and geolocation for enhanced app experiences.
• Global Reach: Boasts a significant global impact with millions of apps created and a vast community of creators across numerous countries.
• Personalized Onboarding: Offers training documentation webinars for new users.
• Community and Support: Provides a range of resources including a blog, community forums, a creator gallery, documentation, and customer support.
• Business Solutions: Caters to various sectors including startups, education, IoT & hardware, product teams, pre-sales, and agencies.

Thunkable drawbacks

• Limited customization and native functionality: Thunkable is not as customizable as some other No Code platforms, and it does not have all of the same native functionality as apps built with code. 
• Limited control over code: Thunkable uses its own scripting language, which is not as powerful or flexible as traditional programming languages.
• Learning curve: While Thunkable is much easier to use than traditional programming languages, there is still a bit of a learning curve. You will need to take some time to learn how to use the platform and its features before you can start building mobile and web apps.

Flutterflow key features

• Branching for Teams: Supports collaborative development by allowing different team members to work on separate features without immediate merging.
• Automated Testing: Ensures smooth user experiences through validation of app flows.
• Screenshot Generator: Facilitates creating live API screenshots for app stores or marketing materials.
• Cloud Functions: Enables writing and deploying Firebase Cloud Functions directly within FlutterFlow.
• Animations and Push Notifications: Adds life to apps with animations and easy push notification sending.
• Light/Dark Mode: Integrates a dark mode theme that adjusts according to a user’s phone settings.
• Chat & Group Chat Templates: Simplifies adding chat functionality using pre-built templates.
• Build Collaboratively: Offers real-time collaboration for teams with commenting and shareable project links.
• Version Control: Includes features like named version saving, easy reversion, and automatic snapshots every 10 minutes.
• Code Export: Generates clean Flutter code compatible with multiple platforms (iOS and Android devices, Web, Desktop).

• Design Libraries: Features advanced design capabilities like Themes V2, typographic styles, atomic level styling, and shareable design libraries.
• Pixel Perfect Building: Integrates various functionalities like push notifications, chats, payments, location services, and more.
• User Authentication and Database Setup: Streamlines login/registration flow and database setup using Firebase.
• Google Maps Integration: Allows customization and implementation of Google Maps in apps.
• E-Commerce and In-App Purchases: Facilitates connecting e-commerce stores and managing in-app purchases and subscriptions.
• AI Code Generation with Codex: Integrates with OpenAI for custom function generation using natural language.
• Supabase Integration: Enables the use of Supabase’s database and authentication features.
• GitHub Integration: Allows pushing projects directly to GitHub.

Flutterflow drawbacks

• Learning curve: Those without coding experience may need some time to understand the platform’s capabilities and limitations to create innovative apps.
• Limited support for niche features: To implement specialized functionality or integrations with third-party services, you may need to find workarounds or use custom code.

Thunkable Integrations

Here are some of the most widely use Thunkable integrations:

Storage Solutions:

• Cloudinary: Offers cloud-based solutions for uploading, storing, managing, and delivering images and videos.
• Web Viewer: Enables embedding of web content within apps.

Database and Backend Services:

• Airtable: A Low Code platform for building database applications using a spreadsheet-like interface.
• Firebase: A Google platform providing backend services like database management, user registration, and login processes.
• Google Sheets: Integration for managing data using Google’s spreadsheet services.
• Webflow: Allows integration with Webflow CMS for building custom web apps.
• Xano: Offers scalable and secure backend solutions.

Payment solutions:

• RevenueCat: Facilitates the management of subscriptions and in-app purchases.

Design and Compliance Tools:

• Figma: A web-based UI/UX design tool that can be imported into Thunkable.
• Termly: Offers compliance solutions for privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, etc.

API Integration: Thunkable supports custom API integrations for a wide range of functionalities, including CRM and database connections.

Flutterflow Integrations

Here are some of the most widely use Flutterflow integrations:

1. Firebase Integration: Streamlines user authentication and database setup. It simplifies implementing login and registration flows using Firebase’s native features.
2. Google Maps Integration: Enables the inclusion of Google Maps in apps. Features customizable maps with single or multiple markers and incorporates Google PlacePicker for location searches and adding location-based data.
3. Codemagic 1-Click Deploy: Simplifies app deployment. Allows for easy publishing of apps to the App Store and Play Store directly from FlutterFlow.
4. Stripe Integration: Connects E-Commerce stores to apps for seamless payment processing. It’s ideal for handling transactions within the application.
5. RevenueCat Integration: Facilitates in-app purchases and subscriptions. This integration allows for content paywalling and direct in-app purchases.
6. Algolia Integration: Empowers apps with advanced search capabilities. Algolia is a top-class search tool, and its integration with FlutterFlow is straightforward.
7. OpenAI Codex Integration: Leverages AI to generate code. Ideal for those who want custom functions in their apps but lack coding skills, turning user instructions into usable code.
8. Supabase Integration: Integrates Supabase’s database and authentication features. This enables the creation of data-driven, visually appealing mobile apps with ease.
9. GitHub Integration: Enhances collaborative development. Allows pushing FlutterFlow projects to GitHub, facilitating continuous development and collaboration.

Flutterflow vs Thunkable pricing

Thunkable pricing

Free Trial ($0/month)

• Ideal for beginners.
• Can create multiple apps: Up to 10 projects.
• Community support and live testing.

Starter Plan

• Monthly: $15/month.
• Suitable for growing initial ideas.
• Up to 20 projects, including one private project.
• Community support and live testing.

Pro Plan (Most Popular)

• Monthly: $45/month.
• Designed for building and launching personal apps.
• Unlimited projects, up to 50 private projects.
• Apple App Store and Google Play Store publishing, chat support, in-app payments.

Business Plan

• Monthly: $200/month.
• For individuals or teams ready to create applications or extend their business.
• Unlimited projects, dedicated onboarding and support, custom branding.

Team Plan

• Starts at $500/month for both monthly and annual billing.
• A collaborative workspace for teams.
• Includes three licenses, dedicated account manager, unlimited private projects and storage, custom branding, full download and publishing capabilities.

Flutterflow pricing

Free Trial ($0 per month):

• Visual Application Builder
• Hundreds of page & component templates
• Build Mobile, Web, and Desktop Apps
• API & Data Integration
• Web Publishing

Standard Plan:

• Monthly: $30 per month
• Includes everything in Free Plan
• Code Download
• APK Download
• Custom Domain Web Publishing

Pro Plan:

• Monthly: $70 per month
• Includes everything in Standard Plan
• Source Repository Integration
• One-Click Localization
• GitHub Integration
• One-Click Deployment to Apple & Google App Stores

Teams Plan:

• Monthly: $70 per user per month
• Includes everything in Pro Plan
• Real-Time Collaboration
• Project Level Access Controls
• 7 Day Audit Logs
• Centralized Billing

FlutterFlow Enterprise:

• Customized for enterprises with more than $10 million annual revenue
• Optimized for enterprise compliance, security, support, and operational integration

Which is better: Flutterflow vs Thunkable?

Flutterflow is ideal for high-performance mobile development and it has powerful native features. It can handle complex projects. Thunkable is excellent for simple apps and quick prototypes due to its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. 

When deciding which platform to use for your app, consider the complexity of your project and the level of customization you require as both apps have an easy user interface.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which platform is right for you is to try both of them out and see which one you prefer. Both FlutterFlow and Thunkable offer free trials and both have an easy to use user interfaces that simplify app development, so you can experiment with both platforms without having to commit to a paid subscription. 

If you are looking for more No Code platforms I would highly suggest reading our other comparisons like: Zyro vs Squarespace or Coda vs Airtable.