·4 min read
No-Code vs Custom Code: Which MVP Should You Build
No-code is great for validation. Custom code is great for scale. Know which phase you're in.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | No-Code | Custom Code |
|---|---|---|
| Speed to launch | 1-2 weeks | 4-12 weeks |
| Upfront cost | $0-200/mo | $3k-15k+ |
| Ongoing cost | $50-500/mo | Hosting only |
| Flexibility | Limited | Unlimited |
| Scalability | Low | High |
| Migration | Start over | Iterative |
Choose No-Code When
- •Testing if people want this at all
- •Your product is mostly forms and workflows
- •You need to launch in under 2 weeks
- •Budget is under $2k
- •You'll rebuild once validated
Choose Custom When
- •Idea is already validated
- •You need custom logic or integrations
- •Scale is part of the business model
- •You have budget for quality
- •Speed of the app matters to users
Popular No-Code Tools
- •Bubble: full web apps
- •Webflow: marketing sites
- •Airtable: databases and workflows
- •Zapier: connect tools together
- •Carrd: simple landing pages
Hidden Costs of No-Code
- •Monthly fees add up quickly
- •Migration to custom code = start over
- •Performance issues at scale
- •Limited customization options
- •Vendor lock-in risk
No-code is a prototyping tool, not a product strategy. Use it to learn, then build properly.