The quiet evolution of app creation tools : where are we now ?

Creating apps used to mean months of coding, or a fat budget for software developers near me. Fast forward to today, and software and app development looks unrecognizable. Tools like Webflow, Bubble, Bolt, Lovable, and Scabld trace a quiet evolution over the past decade, shifting how we make application magic happen.

Let’s walk through it

It started with no coding pioneers. Webflow turned web design into a visual playground—designers could develop an application frontend without touching a coding app. Then Bubble upped the game with low code, letting entrepreneurs build bubble applications like web shops or tools, no dev degree needed. These platforms made app dev accessible, but they stayed web-focused—develop mobile app ambitions often hit a wall.

The AI wave

Then came the AI wave. Bolt brought builder AI to the browser, spinning up web prototypes with a vibe coding feel, fast and hands-on. Lovable added conversational smarts, crafting full-stack web apps from prompts, blending no code app development with intuition. Scabld took it further, using Flutter to develop mobile applications across iOS, Android, and desktops, all from a simple chat. These tools shrank timelines from weeks to minutes, proving app development ideas don’t need code.

Today, we’re at a crossroads: structured low code vs. freeform build AI. Each step, Webflow’s polish, Bubble’s power, Bolt’s speed, Lovable’s stack, Scabld’s reach, shows a trend toward simplicity and speed. But where’s vibe coding headed next? Is it smarter AI, broader platforms, or something we haven’t dreamed up yet? What do you think?