Looking for Play alternatives? Compare top design and frontend tools with unique features, pricing, and benefits to find your ideal match.
Irvin Zhan
•
2025-01-13
While Play is a well-known tool, it might not be the right fit for everyone. You might be looking for a simpler solution or a tool that offers different features. In this article, we’ll explore ten alternatives to Play for your design needs. We’ll cover their pricing, key features, and who they are best suited for.
Whether you need a tool with more customization options or one that integrates seamlessly with other software, these alternatives provide a range of functionalities. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of which tool might be the best fit for your specific requirements.
What is Play?
Play is a tool designed for designers and developers to create high-fidelity mobile app prototypes that feel real. It leverages the power of iOS and SwiftUI to provide a native experience.
With Play, users can design directly within the tool or import from Figma, access real native elements like maps and input text fields, and export projects to Xcode. The tool also supports performant interactions using Apple's Core Animation and frictionless sharing with Apple App Clips.
What to Consider When Selecting a Play Alternative?
Integration Capabilities: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with other software you use, such as Figma or Xcode, to streamline your workflow.
Real-Time Collaboration: Look for features that support collaborative design in real-time, allowing multiple team members to work together efficiently.
Production-Ready Code: Choose a tool that generates clean, production-ready code compatible with popular frameworks like React or SwiftUI.
AI Integration: Consider tools that leverage AI to enhance design efficiency, such as converting text to wireframes or automating repetitive tasks.
Custom Component Library: Opt for a tool that allows you to create and use custom components, providing greater flexibility and consistency in your designs.
Best Alternatives to Play 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
Here are some of the key advantages of using Subframe:
Design with real components: Utilize a visual UI editor with 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 startups, freelancers, and large teams or agencies that need to build high-quality UI quickly and efficiently. It is particularly beneficial for backend-focused teams and non-technical members who want to streamline their design-to-code workflow using AI-enhanced tools.
Subframe Pricing
Subframe offers three pricing options:
Free: $0 per user/month
Pro: $29 per user/month
Custom: Pricing requires contacting support
Subframe Reviews
Subframe has received a perfect score of 5/5 based on 4 reviews. Users generally have a very positive opinion about Subframe, appreciating its ability to save time and resources in building UI, the ease of use of its drag-and-drop editor, and the quality of the templates provided. The product is praised for its efficiency and the support provided by the Subframe team.
Here are some of the positive comments from users:
"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." - Erin Kim
"Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers." - Carl Peterson
"Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great. Highly recommend!" - Amartya Jha
"Just joined, will spend more time on it but so far it is incredible, really love it." - Laura Sinisterra
"Great product, amazed by the accuracy of the pages generated by the AI." - Filmon Arefayne
"Loved this product! The visual editor saves loads of time and is really a cool feature." - Raunak Shaw
"Very good design app. loved it." - Nikit Phadke
2) Designmodo Slides
Designmodo Slides is a no-code website builder that allows users to create stunning, animated websites quickly and easily. It offers hundreds of premade UI blocks and templates, making it ideal for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, and small businesses.
Pros of Designmodo Slides
Fluid Slide & Scroll UX: Offers seamless animations with the option to choose between slide and scroll experiences, catering to different types of websites.
Light & Dark Themes: Users can switch between light and dark themes with a single click, providing flexibility in design aesthetics.
Native Components: Ensures all UI elements are native to Slides, eliminating the need for third-party code and ensuring performance and consistency.
Cons of Designmodo Slides
Customization Limitations: Users have reported that the platform has limitations in customization, which can be a significant drawback for those looking to create highly unique and tailored websites.
Potential for Design Fatigue: There is a mention of potential design fatigue when using the platform, as the pre-designed templates and UI blocks might lead to websites that look similar to each other over time.
Designmodo Slides Pricing
Business: $299 per year
Enterprise: $999 per year
Designmodo Slides Reviews
Designmodo has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 331 reviews. Users have noted limitations in customization and pricing complexities.
3) Tooljet
ToolJet is an AI-native platform designed to build internal tools using natural language, enabling users to create fully functional apps, automate business processes, and connect to various databases, APIs, and third-party services.
Pros of Tooljet
Natural Language App Building: Build enterprise applications by simply describing what you need, making the development process more intuitive and accessible.
AI-Powered Development: Transform development workflows using natural language and AI, significantly reducing the time and effort required to create functional apps.
Comprehensive Integrations: Connect to a wide range of LLMs, databases, APIs, and third-party services, ensuring seamless integration with your existing tech stack.
Cons of Tooljet
Performance Issues: Users have reported that ToolJet can experience slow rendering, especially when many components are used, which can hinder productivity and user experience.
Steep Learning Curve: The initial setup and learning process for new users can be challenging and time-consuming, making it less accessible for those without prior experience.
Tooljet Pricing
Free: $0 per builder/month
Pro: $79 per builder/month
Team: $199 per builder/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Tooljet Reviews
ToolJet has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 34 reviews. Users have noted performance issues, poor interface, software bugs, and a learning curve.
4) Bubble.io
Bubble.io is a full-stack no-code app builder that empowers users to create complex web applications without writing a single line of code. It offers a visual programming interface, making it accessible for entrepreneurs, startups, and developers to build and launch their projects efficiently.
Pros of Bubble.io
Full-Stack Development: Bubble.io allows users to build both the front-end and back-end of applications without writing any code, providing a comprehensive development environment.
Visual Programming Interface: Users can design their application's UI and define workflows through a drag-and-drop interface, making the development process intuitive and accessible.
Custom Workflows: The platform enables the creation of custom workflows that define the logic and behavior of the application, offering flexibility and control over app functionality.
Cons of Bubble.io
Performance Issues: Users have reported that Bubble.io can experience slow performance, especially for applications with a large amount of data or users. This can hinder the user experience and make the platform less reliable for high-traffic applications.
Learning Curve Challenges: The platform has a steep learning curve, particularly for those without prior coding experience. Users often find it complex to use effectively, requiring significant time and effort to master.
Bubble.io Pricing
Team: $349 per month
Production: $529 per month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Bubble.io Reviews
Bubble.io has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 160 reviews. Users generally find the platform to be bloated and expensive, with a difficult-to-navigate UI and concerns about security and performance.
5) Siter
Siter.io is a no-code website builder that empowers users to design, launch, and share websites effortlessly. It features a freehand editor, animation settings, custom code insertion, and seamless Figma integration, making it ideal for creatives and teams looking to build professional websites without coding.
Pros of Siter
Freehand Editor: Allows users to design without limits and publish websites live, saving time and budget.
Animation Settings: Users can select presets or design custom animations for any element, with various trigger types.
Custom Code Insertion: Enables embedding of tweets, maps, or comment sections for added functionality.
Cons of Siter
Learning Difficulty: Users have reported that Siter has a steep learning curve, making it challenging for new users to get accustomed to the platform quickly.
Missing Features: Some users have noted the absence of certain features, such as tables for communicating information to website visitors, which can limit the functionality of the websites created.
Siter Pricing
Business: $299 per year
Enterprise: $999 per year
Siter Reviews
Siter has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users have noted a steep learning curve and the absence of certain features like tables for communicating information to website visitors.
6) Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive commerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes create and manage their online stores, offering tools for website creation, store customization, app integration, and multichannel sales.
Pros of Shopify
Shopify POS: Allows businesses to sell face-to-face and keep offline and online sales in sync, providing a seamless omnichannel experience.
Shopify Audiences: Helps businesses cut acquisition costs and retain customers with integrated marketing tools and analytics, making customer targeting more efficient.
Shopify Magic: Uses AI to generate product content and provide business insights, enhancing operational efficiency and customer engagement.
Cons of Shopify
Limited Customization: Users have reported that Shopify offers limited customization options, especially for advanced features. This can make it challenging to tailor the platform to specific needs without incurring additional costs for paid themes or apps.
Poor Customer Support: Many users have described Shopify's customer support as inadequate and unresponsive. Complaints include unhelpful and robotic responses, which can be frustrating when trying to resolve issues quickly.
Shopify Pricing
Shopify's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.
Shopify Reviews
Shopify has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Users have noted issues with data practices, limited customization options, and inadequate customer support.
7) Mmm
Mmm is a platform that allows users to create their own personalized space on the internet, offering a unique and customizable way to express themselves online.
Pros of Mmm
Personalized Space: Mmm allows users to create their own unique corner of the internet, offering a high level of customization to reflect individual personalities and preferences.
Ease of Use: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, enabling even those with no technical skills to build and manage their personalized space effortlessly.
Creative Freedom: Mmm provides a variety of tools and features that encourage creativity, allowing users to express themselves in ways that are not possible on more rigid platforms.
Cons of Mmm
Limited Customization Options: Users have reported that Mmm lacks advanced customization features, which can be a drawback for those looking to create highly personalized and unique web spaces.
Performance Issues: Some users have experienced slow loading times and occasional glitches, which can detract from the overall user experience and reliability of the platform.
Mmm Pricing
Business: $299 per year
Enterprise: $999 per year
Mmm Reviews
Mmm has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 43 reviews. Users have noted limited customization options and performance issues, including slow loading times and occasional glitches.
8) Anvil
Anvil is a platform that allows users to build web applications using only Python, featuring a drag-and-drop interface for designing UIs, built-in services and integrations, and instant deployment options.
Pros of Anvil
Drag-and-Drop UI Builder: Anvil's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to design web applications visually, eliminating the need for complex HTML or CSS coding.
Code Entirely in Python: Users can build both the front-end and back-end of their applications using only Python, streamlining the development process and leveraging their existing Python skills.
Instant Deployment Options: Anvil offers flexible deployment options, including cloud hosting, self-hosting, and on-site deployment, enabling users to publish their applications quickly and efficiently.
Cons of Anvil
Complexity: Some users have found Anvil to be complex, particularly when it comes to navigating its thorough but tedious documentation. This can make it challenging for new users to get up to speed quickly.
Navigation Issues: Users have reported that navigation can be tricky, especially on long documents. This can lead to a frustrating user experience as it becomes easy to lose one's place.
Anvil Pricing
Business Plan: $79/month (annual billing)
Business Plan: $99/month (monthly billing)
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, contact sales for details
Anvil Reviews
Anvil has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 17 reviews. Users have noted issues with navigation and pricing.
9) BuilderX
BuilderX is an all-in-one platform designed to streamline the processes of designing, coding, and deploying applications, making it an ideal tool for developers and designers looking to enhance their workflow efficiency.
Pros of BuilderX
Real-Time Design to Code: BuilderX allows users to design interfaces visually and instantly convert them into clean, production-ready code, bridging the gap between design and development.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: The platform supports both React Native and Flutter, enabling developers to create applications for multiple platforms from a single codebase.
Interactive Prototyping: Users can create interactive prototypes with real data and logic, providing a more accurate representation of the final product and improving the design validation process.
Cons of BuilderX
Steep Learning Curve: Users have reported that BuilderX can be challenging to master, especially for those who are new to design-to-code platforms. The complexity of the tool may require a significant investment of time to become proficient.
Performance Issues: Some users have experienced slow performance and occasional glitches, particularly when working on larger projects. These issues can hinder productivity and affect the overall user experience.
BuilderX Pricing
BuilderX's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.
BuilderX Reviews
BuilderX has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 5 reviews. Users have noted issues with the platform's steep learning curve and performance, including slow performance and occasional glitches.
10) Mockflow
MockFlow is an online wireframing and product design tool that helps visualize UI ideas quickly and efficiently, saving time and money. It offers features like wireframe editor, design assets, design collaboration, prototyping, UI kits, and AI-powered tools, making it ideal for brainstorming software ideas and collaborating with team members.
Pros of Mockflow
Genius AI: Converts screenshots into wireframes and generates wireframes from text descriptions, significantly speeding up the design process.
Real-Time Collaboration: Offers in-place comments and video meetings, enabling seamless teamwork and instant feedback.
Native Integrations: Integrates with popular collaboration apps like Trello, Slack, MS Teams, Office, and Atlassian, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Cons of Mockflow
Limited Advanced Features: The need for various integrations and addons suggests that the base tool might lack some advanced features, requiring users to rely on additional components to achieve their desired functionality.
Beta AI Features: The mention of AI features being in "beta" indicates that these features might not be fully developed or reliable yet, potentially leading to inconsistent performance and user experience.
Mockflow Pricing
Business Plan: $30/month
Enterprise Plan: $160/month
Mockflow Reviews
MockFlow has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on 1 review. Users have noted issues with the need for various integrations and addons, and the beta status of AI features, which may lead to inconsistent performance.
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 choice, we recommend Subframe if you're looking for an alternative that seamlessly integrates design and code. Its AI-powered features, real-time collaboration, and production-ready code capabilities make it a standout option for both technical and non-technical users. Explore Subframe to see how it can streamline your design-to-code workflow and bring your projects to life efficiently.
Join thousands of happy builders.
Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.