How Hard Is It to Make an App? A Guide for Non-Coders

In the past, if you didn’t have technical knowledge, building a mobile app was almost impossible. If you heard that it costs over six months and more than $50,000 to create a simple app, then you heard right. That was the reality for the smallest businesses and start-ups only a few years back. Developing apps requires hiring developers, designers, testers, and project managers, and then wangling through complicated app store guidelines and endless bug fixes.

But it’s 2025, and things have gone off the rails; now it is not hard to make an App.

Today, building an app doesn’t require you to be a programmer or to drop your life savings. As a business owner with a website or someone with an idea or project, you can make your app without being overwhelmed by technical chaos. This blog covers everything you need to know about modern app development without coding, particularly if you’re wondering how hard is it to make an app, or how to make an app without knowing how to code.

What Makes App Development “Hard”?

It has been a difficult task for developers to develop apps as it took deep technical knowledge, experiments and approvals. It has to pass strict rules with limited resources and high expectations of the company. Coding was the main input to generate the expected data which was quite difficult for non-technical users. 

You had to:

• Know how to program in Swift, Kotlin, or React Native.
• Design user-friendly screens (UX/UI).
• Apple and Google’s app store rules.
• Include tools such as login systems, payment processors, and notifications.
• Always manage scope creep, timelines, and budgets that always balloon.

Each of these steps involved deep technical knowledge, constant testing and iteration, and coordination between developers, designers, and business teams. That’s just not realistic for most small business owners. If you’re running your business, the last thing you want to become is a project manager for a tech build you don’t understand. Fortunately, we reside in a world where simpler, quicker, and less costly options exist.

How Do You Make an App? (From Hard to Easy)

Custom Development (a.k.a. The Expensive Way)

If you’re wondering how to make an app, you might know only the traditional app development method which is custom development. This traditional approach begins by hiring a development agency or putting together a freelance team to develop your app from the ground up. That means design, front end and back end development, QA testing, deployment, and post launch maintenance.

Pros:

• You have full control over how the app looks and works.
• Need complex features? You can build them extremely complex.

Cons:

• It’s expensive. Budget $50K–$150K+ for anything serious.
• It’s a long process—minimum 4 to 9 months.
• You’ll even spend hours coordinating feedback and updates even if you are outsourcing.
• Changing anything you want to do post launch could cost you thousands more.

If you have funding or need a very unique experience, this route is great, but for 90% of businesses, it’s overkill.

Low-Code/No-Code Mobile App Builders

These are DIY app kits. With these app development platforms, you can build an app through dragging and dropping visual elements. You create workflows, hook data, and configure logic, all without needing to code.

Pros:

• Much cheaper than hiring developers.
• It’s flexible if you want to prototype something quickly.

Cons:

• Still requires time to learn the platform.

• Many tools are better for web apps or internal use—not great for App Store-ready mobile apps.

• Publishing to the App Store may involve additional steps or services.

These platforms are powerful, but they require effort to learn and use. If your goal is to go live fast without a new learning curve, they might be too involved.

Website-to-App Platforms (The Fast Track)

These are perfect if you already have a working website. Tools like Twinr let’s you convert your existing website into a native app. It’s your website, but downloadable.

Pros:

• No coding. No rebuilding. No redesigning.
• You also get native app features like push notifications, app analytics, login, etc.
• You update what you put on your website, and it automatically shows up in your app.

Good for:

• ECommerce brands that want to send offers through push.
• For blogs who want to notify readers of new posts.
• For service businesses that want to provide an in app booking or account portal.

If you are a non technical entrepreneur looking for speed, simplicity and control, this is the best route.

Think of it like a mirror for your website—but one that lives in your customer’s pocket.

What Skills Do You Actually Need To Make an App?

You might think you need to know how to code or design. Nope. Here’s what you really need:

• Clarity: Clearly define the function that your app should perform. Is it for shopping? Making a reservation? Delivery of content?

• Customer empathy: Recognize how users interact with your website so that you may mimic that behavior in your application.

• Comfort with basic tools: If you can upload a picture to Instagram or create a Mailchimp campaign, you can handle a no-code app builder.

• Willingness to test: You may need to preview the app, tweak navigation, or test push notifications. Nothing complex—just common sense.

Bottom line: If you can manage your own website, you can manage your own app with a no-code tool.

How Long Does It Take to Build an App? 

Getting an idea to publish a product is all dependent on your app’s level of complexity. Something as simple as a simple e-commerce app for an online shop can get done in a few hours if you already have all your product data. 

Building out a more sophisticated app, like a social app where end-users of the app have their own short-form wine sampled videos, will take several weeks. 

You’ll be wanting to think about each app-building platform’s learning curve as well. Some app-building platforms have incredibly user-friendly no-code design interfaces that don’t require prior tutorial-watching to get started. The others will, however, be something you have to study quite a bit before you can begin to use. 

So it’s a good idea to look around and see which app-creation platform fits your schedule and requirements.  

1. Custom Development: For even relatively simple apps, expect 4 to 9 months. Wireframes, design reviews, backend dev, QA, revisions, app store approvals — you name it. 
2. Low-Code Tools: If you want app development without coding too much yet you want unique and high-end functionality, choose low-code app development. You can go live in four to six weeks. There is, however, a learning curve to deal with first. If you encounter roadblocks or need to debug, add more time. 
3. Twinr (Web-to-App):2 to 5 days. Seriously. If your website is already live and mobile-friendly, you can plug in your URL, customize the splash screen, and push the app live.

Real Talk: What Does It Cost to Make an App in 2025?

Costing is important so that you can manage important decisions. Choosing a professional agency usually comes at the cost of a high upfront payment. While paying a freelancer may look more budget-friendly upfront, it may come with pitfalls such as failed deadlines, confusing communication, or having to redo the entire project. Luckily, no-code app builders have transformed the scene by presenting flat, subscription-based pricing models that are financially easier to navigate.

Here’s an approximate cost breakdown:

• Custom Development: Traditional custom development will run anywhere from $50,000 to well over $150,000, depending on the level of complexity of your app. On top of that, you have to factor in maintenance costs for updates and future releases. 
• Freelance Developers: Freelancers tend to charge between $10,000 and $30,000, and while many are great, quality and dependability can be spotty. 
• Low-Code Builders: Low-code platforms run between $50 and $300 per month, with rates often depending on features or user counts. 
• Web-to-App Platforms: Typically $25 to $125/month. That’s it. This includes push notifications, app analytics, and everything needed to go live on the App Store and Google Play

What No-Code Tool Should I Pick to Build an App?

With so many no-code tools out there, it can be tough to know where to start. The key is choosing a platform that fits your needs—not just the shiniest one on a list.

If you’re building an app from scratch, tools like Glide and Adalo offer drag-and-drop editors that let you piece together pages and connect databases visually. These are great if you love tinkering or have a very specific app idea that doesn’t already exist on your website. But keep in mind: they require a learning curve and often focus more on web apps or internal tools than native mobile apps. You’ll likely need to spend hours setting up logic, learning the tool, and figuring out how to publish to app stores.

AppMySite is another solid option that helps you convert WordPress and WooCommerce sites into mobile apps. It’s more turnkey than Glide or Adalo and offers native app outputs. However, it does have limitations in flexibility and may require some tech touch for custom setups.

On the other hand, if you already have a website and want a true mobile app version of it, without rebuilding, reformatting, or stressing over design. Twinr is the standout pick. It’s purpose-built for non-technical users who just want to get the job done. You enter your website URL, customize a few basics like splash screen and navigation bar, and you’re good to go.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Platform	App Store Suitability	Easy to Use	Monthly Costing	Customization Level
Glide	Not Idle	Moderate	$99+	Moderate
Adalo	Limited	Moderate	$50+	Moderate
AppMySite	Compatible	Easy	$30–$100	Basic
Twinr	Fully Compatible	Beginner Friendly	$25–$125	High

How to Get Started with Twinr

Getting started with Twinr is refreshingly simple. Don’t take the tension of hiring a developer, no worries about deep knowledge of technicalities, all it needs is a basic understanding of the app store.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign up for a free trial

Head to https://twinr.dev and create your account. No credit card required to get started.

Step 2: Enter your website URL

Twinr pulls your website content into a native app frame instantly. Everything from your layout, design, checkout system, and plugins will show up just like it does in your mobile browser, only now inside a real mobile app.

Step 3: Customize the basics

Customization is a cheesecake nowadays. You need to choose your dashboard, icons, what style you want to navigate, select a logo, and select the color theme.

Step 4: Add features

With Twinr, it is easy to check the features with one click. No third-party tools required. You can easily and flawlessly slide on login options, can check the cart for recovery, send push notices, and check the app analytics.

Step 5: Preview your app

You can preview your app on the iOS platform and Android devices.

Step 6: Publish to App Stores

Once you’re happy with the setup, follow Twinr’s guided publishing flow. They walk you through how to upload your app to both Apple App Store and Google Play. If you’ve never published an app before, don’t worry, Twinr has a support team and resources to help you through it.

And just like that, you’re live.

Sign up to Twinr for free.