The Reliable No-Code Alternative to the Fallen Builder.ai
AI-driven app development runs at a fast pace with new apps and features almost appearing over night, but promises of quick, effortless creation often mask underlying issues. **Builder.ai**, once hailed as a revolutionary low-code platform, collapsed spectacularly in 2025 amid revelations of overstated revenue, "AI washing," and financial mismanagement. The company, valued at $1.5 billion at its peak in 2023, filed for bankruptcy in spring 2025 after investigations exposed that its AI claims were largely hyped up, with its software development relying heavily on human engineers rather than genuine automation. This led to insolvency proceedings in the US and UK, widespread layoffs, and created a cautionary tale for the industry. For clients and users left in the lurch, **Apto.ai** emerges as a robust alternative, combining true generative AI with no-code capabilities to deliver scalable, enterprise-grade solutions without the pitfalls.
Comparison
| Feature | Benefit | How It Beats Builder.ai |
|---|---|---|
| AI Code Gen | 70% faster development | True AI automation vs. human-reliant "AI washing" |
| No Vendor Lock-In | Own your code | Avoids agency pricing and dependencies |
| Native Mobile Support | Optimal performance on devices | Faster builds without unspecified delays |
| Productivity Boost | 70% improvement | Transparent costs, no escalations |
| Automated SDLC | ROI in 3-6 months | Scalable infrastructure without crashes |
Lessons from a Hype
Some of Apto.ai’s competitors were launched with much fanfare, positioned as AI-powered app-building services that allowed users to design apps via blueprints and features, with the internal development team handling the build. Nothing short of a revolution of the way software is designed, programmed and deployed was promised. However, beneath the surface, several critical flaws emerged:
- Overpromising and Underdelivering: Marketed as fast and affordable, users faced delays in deployment, bugs, and limited options for customisation.
- Usability and Complexity Issues: Some platforms were not intuitive for non-technical users, leading to frustration among clients who wanted to use citizen developers.
- Opaque Pricing: Costs can start as low as $10,000 for an MVP but can escalate quickly, deterring startups from scaling.
- AI Washing and Scaling Problems: There is still heavy reliance on manual labour, not AI, leading to quality issues, security vulnerabilities, and inability to scale.
- Vendor Lock-In: code that has been created by users is not portable or cannot be run outside the solution it was created in.
No Vendor Lock-In
Users own the source code they create, downloadable at any time for deployment on any cloud or on-prem.
Real-Time Code Generation
Apto.ai auto-generates clean front-end (ReactJS) and back-end (Java) code, including native mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Drag-and-Drop Interface
Intuitive UI/UX design with templates, workflows, and integrations—no coding experience required.
Microservices Architecture
Supports multi-cloud/on-prem deployment, multilingual apps, and plugins.
Built-in DevOps
Accelerates cycles with automated testing, caching, and insights.
5-Step Process
From data model setup to single-click deployment, streamlining the entire SDLC.