13 Tools for Building Your Own iPhone App
These days, everyone wants to build their own iPhone applications, but not everyone knows how write the code necessary in order to create them. Fortunately, there are now a number of tools that allow non-developers the ability to create their own iPhone apps without knowing programming or scripting. Some are general-purpose app builders designed for small businesses while other target specific needs, like apps for musicians or for eBook authors. Still others let developers familiar with simpler programming languages like HTML write apps using the code they know and then will transform that code into an iPhone application which can be submitted to the iTunes Store.
Below we've listed 13 different tools that let you create your own iPhone applications, none of which require knowledge of Objective C, the programming language used to build apps for the iPhone OS .
1. Sweb Apps
What it Does: Sweb Apps offers an online service which lets anyone build their own iPhone apps even if they don't know how to code. Designed with small business owners in mind, the company offers pre-created templates which you can customize with different background images and your own custom icons if desired. Otherwise, you're welcome to use the graphics provided by the company's own image library. After picking the category for your app (Restaurant, Retail, Business, etc.), you choose the buttons you want to include (Menu, Directions, Map, etc.). You can even create a mobile storefront where Sweb Apps manages your inventory.
How Much it Costs: The company offers four-, six- and eight-button packages, which all include a one-time set-up fee of $50 per button. Then there is a $25 monthly hosting fee applied to every application going forward
Our coverage: Build Your Own iPhone App with New Service from Sweb Apps and Sweb Apps 2.0: Build Your Own Mobile Storefront for the iPhone
2. AppIncubator
What it Does: Think you have a great idea for an iPhone app but not the skills to build it yourself. Like Apple says: "there's an app for that!" The AppIncubator iPhone App from MEDL Mobile lets you submit your ideas which the company's development team will then build into apps for you. App submissions can be sent in via the iPhone app or by way of the company website. Once received, you go online to use the company's "storyboard" tool to sketch out in more detail how you imagine the app working.
How Much it Costs: Using the service or downloading the iPhone app itself is free, but MEDL Mobile takes a cut of the profits after the app goes live in the iTunes App Store. 25% of the total revenue is shared with you and the company keeps the rest.
Our coverage: This iPhone App Helps You Make iPhone Apps
3. Kanchoo
Kanchoo is another platform that allows content producers to create native iPhone applications, this one is designed for news organizations. To use the service, you provide the company with an iPhone application icon, a splash screen (in .png format) and a description of your application which will be used in the iTunes App Store. Then, using their online tools, you build your app by uploading the content which can consist of either photos or news articles.
How Much it Costs: Basic account holders pay $88 for creation of their iPhone application and submission to the iTunes App Store along with a $28 per month fee for bandwidth and hosting.
4. AppBreeder
What it Does: AppBreeder is another DIY app builder service, similar to SwebApps. Where SwebApps offers categories to choose from, AppBreeder offers "App-Kits." These are pre-defined collections of app settings which include gadgets, icons, and behavioral elements. There are kits for a wide range of industries including everything from real estate to legal and bands to restaurants. You use the kits as a jumping off point to start building your app and then add or remove gadgets as your needs require. After building your app, you can then publish it to the iTunes App Store. However, AppBreeder isn't just limited to the iPhone - it also lets you publish apps for Blackberry and Android devices as well. (Note: the company's website says that "due to sudden demand spike" AppBreeder's build and publishing tools will be unavailable until Nov. 30th.)
How Much it Costs: AppBreeder offers different packages depending on whether your app will be ad supported or ad-free and which platforms you plan to distribute it on. Ad supported apps are free, iPhone web apps are $9.95 - 14.95, native iPhone apps are $29.95, and the iPhone/Blackberry/Android app package is $39.95 - 49.95.
5. MyAppBuilder
What it Does: MyAppBuilder is a service that creates iPhone applications designed to help you sell your content. Whether that's books, music, videos, etc., the service turns any content into an app. You can also use MyAppBuilder to create custom quizzes, apps that are fed by Twitter pages, or you can turn your blog into an app by way of its RSS feed. To use the online app builder, you login to the service's "Control Panel" where you submit details about your app including content, features, flow, and image files. The company then uses this information to create an app for you which is sent back to you for review. After you approve the app, MyAppBuilder submits it to the iTunes App Store on your behalf.
How Much it Costs: The service is available for a fee of $29 per month. There is also a $20 processing fee to compile your data, put it in the appropriate format, and submit it to the App Store for review.
6. BuildAnApp
What it Does: BuildAnApp is another DIY cross-platform app builder designed for small businesses, community groups and professional service organizations. Using the web-based service, you can pick and choose from the company's customizable templates to create apps for the iPhone, Blackberry, or Windows Mobile platforms. As with Sweb Apps, creators can use their own graphics or choose images from the company's own online gallery. A special feature of this service is its ability to house an email distribution list that will notify end users to download the application once it becomes available. (Note: this service is currently in private beta testing right now. You can sign up here to be notified when it's available).
How Much it Costs: The company says pricing has not yet been determined but will be "competitive" with similar services.
7. eBookApp
What it Does: The eBook App Maker is a service specifically designed to create iPhone apps from eBooks. The app builder supports nearly all digital formats including PDF, Doc, Zip, CHM, HTML, TXT, FB2, PDB, PRC, Mobi, PDB, MHT, RTF. eBook creators can also specify various fonts and sizes, can add images and notes, can lock the orientation to landscape or portrait, and more.
How Much it Costs: The company's site doesn't publicly list its pricing but offers a "request a quote" form instead.
8. GameSalad
What it Does: GameSalad is a downloadable tool for creating games without needing to know programming or scripting. Using the company's visual editing software, you can create games which can then be published to both the web and to the iPhone. GameSalad offers a suite of "interactions" and attributes which you can add into your game to create the action. You can also drag-and-drop art files and sound files from your computer into the game builder, too. As you create the game, you can tweak the various elements during the building process and can preview what the game looks like before compiling it.
How Much it Costs: The company offers a basic, free version of GameSalad which lets you publish to the web, but not the iPhone. For iPhone games, there are two versions available: the Express version for $99/year and the Pro version for $1999/year.
Our coverage: Gendai Games Launches GameSalad Beta
9. MobileRoadie
What it Does: Mobile Roadie is an application builder that lets bands create their own custom iPhone applications which can include content like photo galleries, streaming music files, YouTube videos, upcoming concert listings, lyrics, news, Twitter and RSS feeds, and even interactive features like a "wall" where fans can post comments and photos. The app can also link to Ticketmaster and LiveNation ticket sales information and to the band's album(s) on iTunes.
How Much it Costs: There is a $499 set up fee for Mobile Roadie followed by a $29/month fee for the first 100 installs. To get rid of the 1 cent per install fee, bands can choose to host their own content instead.
10. MobBase
What it Does: Similar to Mobile Roadie, MobBase is also an app creation tool designed for bands. Without needing programming skills, musicians can create apps that include videos, images, bios, band news, streaming playlists, concert schedules and links for music purchases. The tool, offered by MixMatchMusic,
How Much it Costs: Applications are $20 dollars to activate. Free apps are priced at $15 dollars a month for the first 500 installs with $5 dollars per additional 1000 downloads. Paid apps cost $20 dollars per month for the first 500 installs and $6 dollars per month for each additional 1000. MobBase does not take any application sales fees in regards to revenue share. The company also receives 5% of purchased music downloads.
11. Rhomobile
What it Does: Rhomobile does require that you know how to code, but only HTML and Ruby, not the Objective C required for building iPhone apps. Developers can build any application and then use Rhomobile to deploy their app anywhere - including the iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, or Android marketplaces.
How Much it Costs: The Rhodes framework is free for developers who open source their applications under GPLv3. Commercial Rhodes licenses are also available at $500 per application and commercial RhoSync server licenses are available based upon the planned number of users connected to the server.
12. PhoneGap
What it Does: Like Rhomobile above, PhoneGap is also an open source development tool for building mobile apps. Also like PhoneGap, you do need to know how to code, but this time, you just need to know HTML and Java as opposed to the iPhone's Objective C. With this tool, you can build apps for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android while also taking advantage of the phones' native features like geolocation, the accelerometer, sound and more.
How Much it Costs: PhoneGap is completely open source and free to use.
Our coverage: PhoneGap: People's Choice Winner at Web 2.0 Expo Launch Pad
13. RedLaser
What it Does: Red Laser is an iPhone application that lets you scan barcodes with your iPhone in order to compare the in-store price with other online deals. However, with the latest version of the application, RedLaser 2.2, you can create your own custom barcode scanning apps. To do so, first download the updated application from the iTunes App Store, then visit www.redlaser.com/apps from the iPhone's web browser. Follow the instructions on the page to set up your own application - you'll need to fill in data like the URL of the site you want to compare prices with, the URL for the app icon, etc. When complete, tap the "build app" button. The completed app can then be added to your homescreen. Although this app is designed more for personal use and not resale, it's still worth checking out if you want to create your own barcode scanning application without needing to know how to code.
How Much it Costs: RedLaser is available on the iTunes App Store for $1.99.
Update!
While this post was by no means meant to be a definitive list, it's amazing the response it's received in both the comments and via email. So many people have asked "how could you forget.. this company or that?" OK, Appcelerator was an oversight, but as far as the others, they just weren't on my radar. Here's a few of the ones that received multiple mentions:
- TapLynx: A DIY solution for building apps without coding.
- MobileAppLoader: Another DIY solution for building iPhone apps without code.
- MobileStoreMaker: A DIY solution for making a mobile storefront for iPhone.
- Appcelerator: Like Rhomobile and PhoneGap, you do need to code, but you don't need to know Objective C. Instead, you can build iPhone apps with HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Python, PHP and Ruby instead.
- MobiOne: An iPhone emulator that lets you build iPhone apps by coding them using your web development skills.
- Appanda: A system that lets you build apps through RSS, links and manual uploads. Still in beta.
However, there are tons of others, too. Really - tons! Hop into the comments section to see even more suggestions from their users and fans.
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TapLynx is not in the list?
Sarah
i'd suggest one of the best kits to design an iPhone app is http://mockapp.com not really an app builder but an important step for prototyping and designing before production
@carlodemarchis: I guess it should be - I knew I'd leave someone off :( But that looks like a nice addition.
Hi,
What about AppCelerator?
http://www.appcelerator.com/
Chris Kubica
www.applicationarch.com
Nice list, I hadn't heard of 2 of these, though I do have to give a bump for Titanium Developer over at AppCelerator.
http://www.appcelerator.com/products/titanium-mobile/
Its cross-platform and requires basic html and javascript knowledge only. My mobile development tool of choice thus far.
Posted by: mindelusions.com
|
November 3, 2009 9:09 AM
I think you missed very interesting Framework called Titanium from Appcelerator http://www.codestrong.com/cs/
It's a very compelling framework to create powerful apps using just CSS, Javascript and HTML.
Incredibly useful article, thanks a lot.
I had no idea how to create apps for iPhone before now, but this concise list gives me everything I need, thanks :D
It's not out yet but probably deserves mentioning: Flash CS5. It will export native iPhone apps. There are apps already for sale that were developed with it:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashcs5/appsfor_iphone/
These aren't "tools"... these are just companies that charge a FORTUNE to write an app for you.
Most even charge you a monthly fee FOREVER, even after your app is done.
No thanks.
There is a mobile commerce system that can be used to make iPhone apps called Mobile Store Maker.
Read about it here:
http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=32367
The mobile commerce site built can be made in to a native app. Multiple platforms, just iPhone.
add my voice to http://www.appcelerator.com/ best html based framework I have used. phonegap has nothing on it.
also adobe flash cs5 is worth a footnote
Not sure why Titanium from Appcelerator wasn't mentioned. Has native UI, facebook/social, extensible architecture, none of which is available through the others... www.appcelerator.com.
Don't forget TapLynx! www.taplynx.com
wow, this is great, i've been wanting to make an iphone app but thought it was too complicated!
Appcelerator Titanium FTW
Appanda is a web interface system that lets you build apps through RSS, links and manual uploads. Its still in beta, but its pretty promising: www.appanda.com
Forgot Appboy (www.appboy.com) too! Its a social network for app developers and users!! lets you add any app like youtube to the site, share, vote, comment, and add ideas to get voted on for development by the community. Very cool site in beta.
One of the best cross platform & Web development apps that is adding iPhone support to its toolkit is Runtime Revolution http://www.runrev.com. It is a descendant of HyperCard etc. and does require some scripting to make it dance and sing, but the basic stuff can be done without scripting. Whenever I need a sophisticated app just for me or a few others, that is my first choice. Some serious developers use it for professional apps too. I started using it years ago as a prototyping tool, but often times when writing custom stuff, the clients were so delighted with the prototype, that there was no need to write the final app! Great toolkit for serious amateurs and professionals.
Seriously, you forgot about Unity3d?!
Airplay SDK from Ideaworks Labs http://www.ideaworkslabs.com/products/index.html is a good development tools covering most of the mobile OS including Apple iPhone. (@rayyans)
You might also want to mention:
SiO2
Unity iPhone
Shiva
and should at least point out that XCode is free and a dev license costs $99/year.
You forgot to mention eyemags.com which allows users to create iPhone apps for free (currently) which once created also run as apps on all other phones.
The apps created are HTML5 installed webapps. Once installed they have an icon and run full screen just like a native app - the big advantage is that they get created in seconds and are live in seconds without the need to get them published on iTunes Appstore.
AppMakr creates native mobile apps on iPhone and Android...
Interesting list - you've saved me quite some time googling mobile app development providers. I'll be looking at each of these, as well as some of those recommended in comments
Well... AppWhirl is about to be in this space too, no one to miss...
Great list of iphone platforms, weren't aware there were so many. Surprised you didn't mention Appswell Appswell isn't a development platform, but a crowdsourced community for iPhone apps. You suggest your idea for an iphone app, and the community can view all ideas, comment, and vote on a winner. The company builds the winning ideas every month, winners get $1000 and a share of the profits. They've got an iphone app and a website.
Well you should download some apps from Resolute Games, their apps are top notch, best bang for the buck I tell you that. Try Thumstruck or appanda, and look out for their blockbuster smash Plummet coming soon, Resolute Games is awesome!!!
Great to see this space expand since we released Rhodes 0.1 last December. FWIW we launched the production release of RhoHub (http://rhohub.com) Tuesday and already have over two thousand developers signed up. RhoHub is (as far as we know) the first development as a service for mobile. Write your native smartphone apps online, build for all smartphones, and we host your runtime sync server.
Here's some more info on Appanda:
What is Appanda?
Appanda is a platform that your businesses can use to get your presence into the app store or android market place.
Appanda is easy to use, inexpensive, easy to maintain, and fast. Right now, you can post the following materials into your app on separate tabs:
* News feed
* blog feed
* images feed
* video feed
* podcast feed
* contact us page
IMPORTANTLY: You control the content in your app! Via the different 'feeds', you can update images, blogs, videos, etc., just by updating your own website. In other words, your app is updated as fast as your website, without any need to resubmit your app to the app stores.
Don't forget www.appmii.com - free resources at www.appmiibook.com - limited time it is free to create and design your app, just a small publishing fee and small monthly hosting charges apply.
I suggest to search on iTunes to verify how many Apps approved does each company have. Just search for their name on the iTunes App Store. Fore example SwebApp at the top of this article had only 1 App Approved in October! For the same Period MobileAppLoader got 30 Apps approved. Crossing the 300 mark of approved iPhone Apps.
There is http://www.unitymobile.com to build your own i-Phone app in a wysiwyg interface. UNITYMobile also natively builds apps for WinMob, BlackBerry, Andriod, and Nokia at the same time. UNITYMobile is a one stop shop for platform agnostic mobile application builds.
Appanda is a web interface system that lets you build apps through RSS, links and manual uploads. Its still in beta, but its pretty promising: www.appanda.com
fantastic article!
This is awesome, can you do a round up of this concept for Facebook apps?
How about Mobile Syndication Solutions?
http://MobileSyndicationSolutions.com
Hello:
I am also interested in what's new in this field as my team already released a professional broadcaster for live streaming from the iPhone. I was wondering if we can integrate it with other applications. Here is what we do: http://www.thehdstandard.com/live-streams-from-the-iphone/
_______________________________________
Catalin
Streaming Consultant
www.eyepartner.com/presentation
Fresh for November, these numbers are straight from iTunes:
Number of App per company
Company Total App (No 09)
MobileAppLoader 347
Mobile Roadie 124
MyAppBuilder 93
Sweb Apps 45
PointAbout 11
There is a new version of the 2Do iPhone App form Guided Ways. This one is pretty awesome!
Cheers,
Michael
are these monthly fees really forever? even if you decide to stop the app?
$29/monthly---for myappbuilder.com --they don't have any contact info on the site? are they legit?
Awesome article. This will definitely help a bunch of people who have app ideas but have no idea where to start. Also check out http://www.phonefreelancer.com -- its a website that connects entrepreneurs with iphone developers, for free!
Another great company for app building is BigForge/ LocalBeacon (http://www.bigforge.com/).
LocalBeacon helps you publish your content with your own branded experience on the iPhone. Your content runs in a native iPhone application that has full access to all of the features of the iPhone, including adding contacts and GPS. You enter your content here on our site, and it gets published dynamically to your users. NO PROGRAMMING REQUIRED AND NO WAITING FOR APPLE APPROVAL, BE LIVE IN ABOUT 20 MINTUES!
With the full integration with Twitter, Facebook, and mapping technology, your users can be in touch with each other as well. You can specify twitter search terms to track what other people are saying. Users can publish their geographic location, and find other users near them, including their friends. By letting your users interact with their networks and your content, you provide a richer experience that keeps users on your application!
Free for the first 30 days or 100 users, after that it's as cheap as $20/month.
http://www.bigforge.com/localbeacon/
It seems to me that the majority of the websites create apps that are news related or geared toward showing blogs and videos. Are there any that create menu based information sites? Something similar to a website with a drill down navigational system. Anyone have any thoughts?
Couldn't resist the shamless plug ;-)
We launched our innovative product a few months ago and look forward to supporting the hundreds of folks that have already begun experimenting with our online App Builder. Our service is similar to the others, but differs in many ways. Everyone has their own twist.
Thanks for taking the time to compile this list, I look forward to watching this space grow-and-grow.
@JayScott: Drilldown navigation.. yes.. have a look at buzztouch, I think you'll be satisfied with the navigational structure.
David
Developer
buzztouch.com
Thank you for the great tools
We have also launched an App Builder concept revolving around the creation of mobile Restaurant applications.
Check us out at
http://www.99apps.com
For $99, we post your Custom App to iTunes within weeks. No payment required until we get you live!
I am surprised that nobody mentioned the Appliya App Builder:
http://appliya-studio.com
It is an online tool, requiring no programming knowledge, that creates iPhone applications free of charge made out of graphical you provide or from Flickr. The best is: No upfront service charge, no monthly subscription, no processing costs at all.
The app will go for sale on the App Store and 10% of the revenue will even go back to the creator. While there might be other services i found this to be the easiest to use while offering the most value.
Thanks for creating such a useful list...
greets from Germany
There should be an easy way to make a photoviewing app for iPhone, composed of photos of your choice. Free version restricted to just 10 pics..
We would like to introduce www.NewAppIdea.com, a meeting place for those with creatve new app ideas but lacking the necessary programming skill and experienced app developers.
It is free to register and post your idea and let developers bid on the opportunity to turn your idea into reality.
The NewAppIdea.com
New App Idea | App Idea Development
folow us on Twitter @ newappidea
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