Looking for Anvil alternatives? Compare top design and frontend tools with unique features, pricing, and benefits to find your ideal match.
Irvin Zhan
•
2025-01-13
While Anvil is a known platform for building web applications, it might not be the right fit for everyone. You might be looking for a tool with different features, better pricing, or one that integrates seamlessly with your existing workflow.
In this article, we’ll explore ten alternatives to Anvil for web app development. We’ll cover their pricing, key features, and who they are best suited for, helping you find the best tool for your specific needs.
What is Anvil?
Anvil is a platform that allows users to build web applications using only Python. It simplifies the web development process by providing a drag-and-drop UI builder and built-in services.
With Anvil, users can create powerful web apps without needing extensive web development experience. The tool also offers instant deployment options, a Postgres-backed database, and GitHub integration.
What to Consider When Selecting a Anvil Alternative?
Ease of Use: Look for platforms that offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and visual editors. This makes it easier for users without extensive coding knowledge to build and deploy web applications quickly.
Integration Capabilities: Ensure the alternative supports a wide range of integrations with databases, APIs, and third-party services. This flexibility allows for seamless connectivity with existing tools and workflows.
Customization Options: Choose a platform that allows for extensive customization, including the ability to create custom components and features. This ensures the tool can adapt to specific business needs and requirements.
Scalability: Consider whether the platform can scale with your business. Look for features like enterprise-grade integrations, role-based access control, and the ability to handle large-scale applications.
Customer Support and Resources: Opt for platforms that offer robust customer support, including documentation, tutorials, and community forums. Access to these resources can significantly reduce the learning curve and help resolve issues quickly.
Best Alternatives to Anvil in 2025
1) Subframe
Subframe is a UI design tool that bridges the gap between design and code. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, a custom component library, and real-time collaboration. With Subframe, you can generate production-ready code in React and Tailwind, making it easier to bring your designs to life.
Pros of Using Subframe
Subframe offers a range of features that make it a compelling choice for UI design and development.
Design with Real Components: Use a visual UI editor that allows for drag-and-drop functionality on a responsive canvas, ensuring pixel-perfect designs every time.
Stunning UI Templates: Access a variety of templates inspired by world-class products, hand-crafted by designers, and built with reusable components, so you never have to start from scratch.
Skip Handoff: Generate high-quality front-end code that you can copy and paste directly into your codebase, allowing you to focus more on adding business logic rather than tweaking CSS.
Build UI Visually for Free: Start designing without any upfront costs or the need for a credit card, making it accessible for everyone.
Real-Time Collaboration: Work seamlessly with your team in real-time, enhancing productivity and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
These are just a few of Subframe's many features. Check them out here to learn more.
Who Should Use Subframe?
Subframe targets founders, designers, and developers who need to bridge the gap between design and code. It is ideal for technology startups, design and development agencies, and businesses focused on rapid prototyping and UI development.
Subframe Pricing
Subframe offers three pricing options:
Free Plan: $0 per user/month
Pro Plan: $29 per user/month
Custom Plan: Requires contacting support for pricing
Subframe Reviews
Subframe has received a perfect score of 5/5 based on 4 reviews. Users appreciate its ability to help build product UI quickly and efficiently without needing to write CSS. The drag-and-drop editor and the use of real components are particularly praised. Users also commend the product for saving time and financial resources during the frontend build process.
Here are some positive comments from our users:
Erin Kim: "Without subframe, the frontend build of this tool would've taken a lot longer and a lot more financial resources. Thank you to the subframe team for partnering with us from ideation to execution, starting day 1."
Carl Peterson: "Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers."
Amartya Jha: "Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great. Highly recommend!"
Laura Sinisterra: "Just joined, will spend more time on it but so far it is incredible, really love it."
Filmon Arefayne: "Great product, amazed by the accuracy of the pages generated by the AI."
Raunak Shaw: "Loved this product! The visual editor saves loads of time and is really a cool feature."
Nikit Phadke: "Very good design app. Loved it."
2) Superblocks
Superblocks is an enterprise application platform that accelerates the development of internal applications using AI and low-code tools, offering features like AI-generated app creation, visual editing, and code extension with React.
Pros of Superblocks
AI Generation: Use AI to generate applications with natural language, significantly speeding up the development process.
On-Prem Agent: Deployable in AWS, GCP, or Azure VPCs for secure data handling, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Generative AI Apps: Integrate large language models (LLMs) into applications, enhancing functionality and user experience.
Cons of Superblocks
Backend Limitations: Users have reported that Superblocks has backend limitations and lacks reusability across applications, which can hinder the development process and require additional workarounds.
Performance Issues with Large Datasets: The platform can be slow when working with large datasets, affecting the overall efficiency and user experience, especially for data-intensive applications.
Superblocks Pricing
Free Plan: $0 per month per Creator or End User
Startup Plan: $49 per month per Creator, $15 per month per End User
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Superblocks Reviews
Superblocks has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 190 reviews. Users generally mention backend limitations and performance issues with large datasets.
3) Framer
Framer is a website builder that combines design and development into one seamless process, offering a true design canvas and easy publishing with a single button.
Pros of Framer
True Design Canvas: Framer offers a genuine design canvas, allowing for intricate and detailed design work beyond just visual HTML editing.
Seamless Animations: Create smooth and complex animations without the need for extensive coding, making it easier to bring designs to life.
Live Collaboration: Work in real-time with your team on a single canvas, enhancing productivity and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Cons of Framer
Steep Learning Curve: Many users find Framer challenging to master, especially when it comes to advanced features like animations and custom code. This can be a significant barrier for beginners or those looking for a more straightforward tool.
Limited Customization: Some users have reported that Framer lacks the flexibility needed for extensive customization. This limitation can be frustrating for those who require more control over their design elements and functionality.
Framer Pricing
Startup Plan: $75/month (billed yearly)
Scaleup Plan: $200/month (billed yearly)
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing and billing terms
Framer Reviews
Framer has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 97 reviews. Users generally mention that the pricing is steep, especially for additional features, and there are complaints about the learning curve for advanced functionalities.
4) Builder AI
Builder AI is a composable software development platform that simplifies the process of building custom software applications by combining AI with human expertise, making it accessible for everyone regardless of their technical knowledge.
Pros of Builder AI
AI-Driven Development: Utilizes AI to assemble app features like a LEGO set, ensuring cost-effectiveness and speed.
Fixed Pricing: Offers upfront, guaranteed pricing based on the features selected, eliminating budget surprises.
Dedicated Expert Support: Each project is managed by a dedicated expert, known as a Productologist, who ensures the project aligns with your vision and requirements.
Cons of Builder AI
Poor Customer Support: Users have reported unresponsive and evasive behavior from the support team, which can be frustrating when issues arise. This lack of timely assistance can significantly hinder project progress and user satisfaction.
Complexity in Usage: Many users find the platform challenging to navigate due to its complexity. Miscommunications during the process and delays in project delivery further exacerbate the user experience, making it difficult to manage projects efficiently.
Builder AI Pricing
Business Plan: $500/month
Enterprise Plan: $1,200/month
Custom Plan: Contact their support for more info
Builder AI Reviews
Builder AI has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users generally mention issues with customer support, delays in project delivery, and pricing problems.
5) Elasticpath
Elasticpath is a no-code platform that empowers merchants to build high-performance, data-driven eCommerce solutions quickly and efficiently. It offers flexible product catalogs, fully hosted storefronts, dynamic bundles, multi-store support, and one-click checkout.
Pros of Elasticpath
Composable Commerce: Allows merchants to build high-performance, data-driven eCommerce sites quickly with features like flexible product catalogs, fully hosted storefronts, dynamic bundles, multi-store support, and one-click checkout.
eCommerce Personalization: Utilizes customer data to create personalized shopping experiences with a simple rules engine and integrates seamlessly with tools like Klaviyo and Segment.
Visual Editing: Empowers marketing teams to control content creation without technical barriers, using pre-built section components that are mobile-ready by default.
Cons of Elasticpath
Complexity Compared to Other E-commerce Tools: Users have reported that Elasticpath is more complex than other e-commerce platforms, making it challenging to navigate and use effectively. This complexity can be a significant barrier, especially for those who are not technically inclined.
Lengthy Upgrade and Installation Processes: The upgrade system and installation procedures for Elasticpath are often described as too long and cumbersome. This can lead to delays and increased frustration, particularly when time-sensitive updates or installations are required.
Elasticpath Pricing
Business Plan: $500/month
Enterprise Plan: $1,200/month
Custom Plan: Contact their support for more info
Elasticpath Reviews
Elasticpath has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users generally mention that the platform is more complex than other e-commerce tools and that the upgrade and installation processes are lengthy and cumbersome.
6) Durable
Durable is an AI-powered platform designed to help small businesses build professional websites quickly and efficiently, offering additional tools for SEO, marketing, invoicing, and CRM to streamline business management.
Pros of Durable
AI-Powered Website Builder: Build a professional business website in just 30 seconds, making it incredibly fast to get online.
Automated Content Creation: Generate professional blogs and website content using AI, saving time and effort on content development.
Comprehensive Business Tools: Includes invoicing, CRM, and brand building tools, providing an all-in-one solution for small business management.
Cons of Durable
Limited Features: Users have reported that Durable lacks a wide range of features, which can be a significant drawback for those looking for more comprehensive tools and functionalities.
Inability to Edit Existing Websites: One major complaint is that you cannot edit an existing website version. Instead, you have to create a new project and start over, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Durable Pricing
Starter subscription: $12 per month
Business subscription: $20 per month
Durable Reviews
Durable has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users generally mention the inconvenience of not being able to edit existing website versions and the platform's limited features.
7) UI Bakery
UI Bakery is a low-code platform designed to help developers build internal tools, customer portals, vendor apps, admin panels, and dashboards quickly and efficiently. It offers a range of features including drag-and-drop UI building, workflow automations, and integrations with various databases and APIs.
Pros of UI Bakery
Drag-and-Drop UI: Offers 75+ components for building complex interfaces without needing to learn CSS and JS frameworks, allowing for quick and easy UI creation.
Git Version Control: Allows synchronization of changes, viewing release history, and working in parallel using Git integration, supporting collaborative development.
One-Click Deployment: Features one-click deployment, user permissions, and secure interaction with apps, ensuring quick and efficient updates.
Cons of UI Bakery
Limited Customization Options: Users have reported that UI Bakery lacks flexibility for advanced use cases, requiring custom SQL queries and JS/Python code to achieve desired functionality. This can be a significant drawback for those looking for a more comprehensive no-code solution.
Performance Issues with Larger Datasets: The platform can experience performance lags, especially when handling larger datasets. This can affect the overall efficiency and user experience, making it less suitable for data-intensive applications.
UI Bakery Pricing
Business Plan:
Monthly: $10 per user, $40 per developer
Annually: $12 per user, $50 per developer
Business UNLIM Plan:
Monthly: $250 per unlimited user group, $40 per developer
Annually: $300 per unlimited user group, $50 per developer
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
UI Bakery Reviews
UI Bakery has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 64 reviews. Users generally mention limited customization options, occasional performance lags, and a learning curve for advanced functionalities.
8) Tooljet
ToolJet is an AI-native platform designed for building internal tools, offering a visual app builder, integrations with various databases and APIs, and AI agents for automating business processes.
Pros of Tooljet
AI-Powered App Building: Users can build enterprise applications by describing their needs in natural language, significantly reducing development time and effort.
ToolJet Database: A scalable, in-built no-code database built on PostgreSQL, offering AI schema generation, a spreadsheet-like interface, and seamless data import.
AI Agents: Automates complex manual business processes with minimal engineering effort, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Cons of Tooljet
Performance Issues: Users have reported slow performance when too many components are present, which can hinder the overall efficiency and user experience.
Software Bugs: Recurring bugs in new versions have been noted, causing reliability concerns and potentially disrupting workflow.
Tooljet Pricing
Pro Plan: $79 per builder/month
Team Plan: $199 per builder/month
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Tooljet Reviews
ToolJet has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 34 reviews. Users generally mention performance issues, poor interface, software bugs, and a steep learning curve.
9) Budibase
Budibase is an open-source platform designed to help users build internal tools and automate workflows quickly and efficiently. It offers features like connecting to external databases, generating apps from data, and designing user-friendly apps with pre-built components and templates.
Pros of Budibase
Open-source and self-hosting: Budibase is open-source, allowing users to self-host via Docker or Kubernetes, or let Budibase manage everything.
Enterprise-grade security: Budibase is ISO 27001 certified and fully committed to ongoing compliance, ensuring high security standards.
Completely flexible: Users can extend Budibase with JavaScript, power-up with plugins, embed apps externally, connect any datasource, and host anywhere.
Cons of Budibase
Complexity: Users have reported that Budibase can be complex to navigate, especially for those who are not technically inclined. This complexity can make it challenging to fully utilize the platform's capabilities without a steep learning curve.
Limited Functionality on Mobile Devices: The platform's performance on mobile devices is often described as subpar compared to its desktop version. This limitation can hinder productivity for users who need to access and manage their tools on the go.
Budibase Pricing
Free Plan: $0
Premium Plan (Annual): $50 per app creator/month, $5 per app user/month
Premium Plan (Monthly): $60 per app creator/month, $6 per app user/month
Budibase has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 68 reviews. Users generally mention expensive pricing plans, complexity, and limited functionality on mobile devices compared to desktop.
10) Squarespace
Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, host, and manage websites. It offers customizable templates, domain registration, ecommerce capabilities, marketing tools, and analytics, making it user-friendly and requiring no coding experience.
Pros of Squarespace
AI Website Builder: Leverages artificial intelligence to help users create a professional website quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and effort required for setup.
Design Intelligence: Offers smart design suggestions and automatically adjusts layouts to ensure a visually appealing and user-friendly website, even for those with no design experience.
Integrated Marketing Tools: Provides built-in tools for SEO, social media integration, and email campaigns, allowing users to manage all their marketing efforts from a single platform.
Cons of Squarespace
Limited Customization: Users have reported that Squarespace lacks flexibility for advanced customization. While it allows for some custom CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, those without coding skills may find it challenging to achieve the desired level of customization.
Poor Customer Support: Many users have expressed frustration with Squarespace's customer support, describing it as unresponsive and unhelpful. This can be particularly problematic when encountering technical issues or needing timely assistance.
Squarespace Pricing
Business Plan: $500/month
Enterprise Plan: $1,200/month
Custom Plan: Contact their support for more info
Squarespace Reviews
Squarespace has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 1,081 reviews. Users generally mention limited customization options, poor customer support, bugs, and slow updates.
Which One Should You Go With?
Choosing the right tool for your web app development needs can be challenging, given the variety of options available. Each platform has its unique strengths, making them suitable for different types of projects and user requirements.
While any of these tools could be a great fit, we recommend Subframe if you're looking for an alternative that seamlessly integrates design and code. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, real-time collaboration, and AI-powered design capabilities make it a standout choice for developers and designers alike.
Join thousands of happy builders.
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