Working with AppInstitute’s App Builder
AppInstitute provides individuals and businesses a rather compelling proposition: for a fee, you can create a stunning, full-featured mobile app without ever having to learn how to code. They pull this off quite well,too. All of this is made possible by their intuitive, drag-and-drop app builder–which makes building an app from start to finish a breeze.
Starting with Broad Strokes
You are given two options when starting a project, both of which aim to automatically fill in some blanks for you. Option one allows you to have the platform pull the necessary data about your business from your Facebook page. You only need to input the name of your page, confirm or change the business type to match yours, and let the app builder do its magic. This is pretty convenient as it populates your app with nearly all the necessary information–effectively completing a large portion of your app for you.
Option two, on the other hand, has the AppInstitute app builder “look” at your company website in order to match its color scheme. This might not be as big a feature as the first one, but it should ensure consistency between your website and your app; which should, in turn, further solidify your branding. You can choose one of these options, both, or skip them altogether.
Brand Control Made Easy
The builder itself, meanwhile, is laid out neatly and simply. It’s pretty easy to understand as well, especially since the “Build” menu contains all the steps necessary to create your app. You simply click on options and functions, click on the edit button, or drag additional modules to where you want them on the app layout to add more functionality.
AppInstitute also allows you to have complete control over the branding of your app. You can customize backdrops and upload your company logo, for starters. There is a simple image editor so you can crop or resize an image in order to fit your app perfectly. You can also add videos, stream audio, add image galleries, integrate your blog or social media feed, and more.
Real-Time Previews and Quick Publishing
One of the great things about AppInstitute’s app builder is that you can immediately preview your work as you are building it. You can toggle the Preview tab on the editor itself, or you can download their preview app on your phone so you can view your app there in real time. This makes it easier to visualize what needs tweaking, what doesn’t work, and so on.
When you are finished creating your app, the next step is to publish it. Unlike other app maker platforms, AppInstitute simplifies the publication process by just having you fill out a form. Once you have done so, they will then submit your app to the respective app stores. Take note that this only takes effect if you are on the Premium plan onwards.
7th Place9.4 out of 10Notable Features
AppInstitute offers a number of professionally-designed app templates that suit various businesses. With these templates, you can create apps for restaurants, real estate agents, medical centers, coffee shops, and more.
You also get to play with more than 20 powerful modules that add more functionality to your app. You can, for example, add an in-app calendar and booking system where users can RSVP for an event. If you are looking to build an online store, you can also add an eCommerce module, complete with online payment features. Other modules allow you to offer a loyalty program, add maps and other location-based features, and more.
Beyond modules, AppInstitute also provides analytics and marketing resources, push notifications, and even CRM, so you know exactly how your customers are using your app; giving you more insight.
Pricing
If you are looking to try AppInstitute out, you can start building an app right now without having to pay a single cent. That’s how the free trial works: you start paying for the service only when you publish your app. There are four subscription tiers to choose from if you come away impressed after taking the service for a spin.
| Subscription Tier | What You Get | Monthly | Annually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Android and iPhone app Push notifications Analytics (can integrate Google Analytics) Reporting Support: Email and Live Chat | $35.00 | $28.00 |
| Professional | Core + Tablet and iPad app Push messaging features Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and MORE | $68.00 | $54.00 |
| Enterprise | Professional + API access Priority support $1,179 Enterprise set-up service and MORE | $120.00 | $96.00 |
| Reseller | White label app builder platform White label preview app Sales tools and support material Backend technical support and MORE | $150.00 | $120.00 |
The Core plan allows you to build an mobile phone apps only. Worth noting here is that AppInstitute allows you to submit your app to stores using its own Apple and Google developer accounts–saving you time and money in the process. However, if you don’t want your app to be available for free, you will obviously have to publish it from developer accounts that belong to you to get the profit. If you want everything that the Core plan offers, plus the ability to create apps specifically for iPad and tablets, then the Professional plan might be for you. User app management and other upgrades are also added to the mix. The Enterprise plan is all of the above; plus priority support, API access and more options.
Taking the Y out of DIY
If you want an app but simply don’t have the time to concentrate on doing it yourself–even with a great platform such as AppInstitute–you can also hire them to build your app for you. But this will cost you a pretty penny, which is understandable. So if money is no object, you you really want someone else to do it, then prepare to shell out $669.
The Reseller Plan
Finally, if you are not looking to build an app for personal/business reasons but are instead looking for an app builder platform that you can use to sell and create apps to sell to your clients, then the Reseller plan fits the bill. AppInstitute’s white label offerings are comprehensive: complete brand control from the get go, a dedicated account manager, and tons of support and learning material.
Discounts and Cancellations
It is worth noting that you can get a 16% discount on your monthly subscription if you go for a yearly commitment, instead of paying month to month. This goes for all plans, from Starter to Reseller, and it really is worthwhile especially if you’re looking to use the service long term.
If, for whatever reason, you want to cancel your subscription, it is good to know that AppInstitute does not enforce lock-in periods. There are pretty weighty caveats, though: you do have to give them a 30-day notice; and if you cancel your subscription, your app will consequently be unpublished from the respective app stores upon the end of your most current billing period.
Customer Support
AppInstitute provides solid customer support, though it isn’t perfect. The good news first: they offer video tutorials, FAQs, email, live chat, and phone support; providing customers a good mix of support options. The not-so-good news: the FAQ section is pretty bare-bones, and doesn’t really provide in-depth information about the service. Some previous customers have also spoken out about negative experiences, such as getting charged even after cancelling their subscription properly. This isn’t a widespread issue, though it is still something to keep in mind going in.
What's the Verdict on AppInstitute?
AppInstitute Review 2020 – Conclusion
AppInstitute is definitely an app maker that should be on your list. It’s not flawless, mind you; but the positives far outweigh the minor flaws. With its intuitive app builder, you can quickly and easily create a feature-rich mobile app for nearly all business types. Publishing an app is also a breeze as you only have to fill up a form; they will do the rest. Their Reseller plan also offers great value for people who want to create apps for their own clients. What might turn off potential customers is the fact that cancelling a subscription means that your app will get unpublished from the app stores they are on. Other than that, the other blemishes aren’t that big of a deal. Try it out for free yourself to see if it fits your needs.
One Comment
Check out the 2017 reviews on google before you purchase from this company!