Hello,
I’m looking for a no code tool to build my iOS and Android app. I’m in the heath sector. I’m considering Appgyver, but before commiting I’d like to know if I’ll be able to use all functions I need.
I have a few needs which I’ll describe bellow, I kindly ask anyone here to tell me if each of them is available built in or if I’ll need third party or even a plugin to make them work.
Here follows:
- monetize my app with ads
- monetize by allowing extra features/screens to users (in app purchase? App/Play stores subscription?)
- user authentication (back end)
- analytics per screen/function
- multi language support for my app
- send notifications based on geolocation
- send notifications based on calendar or time
- access and manage device functions:
- camera to take pictures and video
- microphone, to record audio
- telephone, to make and receive calls, activate speaker
- GPS, to manage device location
- accelerometer, to detect and measure movement
- battery, to monitor level and detect if device is charging
- bluetooth, to connect with external devices such as heart rate monitor and smart watches
- integrate with Google Maps and Apple Maps
- read and write files on device
- read and write files at the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, others)
- develop to Apple and Android smart watches
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Eduardo
3 Likes
My 2c. Try another platform.
AppGyver appears to be one of the most flexible and easy to use.
I’ve been trying to get a simple audio link playing on the iOS app for over two weeks (works in browser and Android), and it will not work.
Posted on forum and bug tracker, but no assistance or hint of a helpful response.
No serious project can wait this long for support. With the list of requirements you have, you will absolutely run into issues and ultimately, frustration by not being able to fix issues due to the drag / drop design of AppGyver.
I’m sorry to hear that.
The lack of official support is what scares me. The community seems small too, so you’re on your own basically, which is a shame. What attracted me to Appgyver in the first place is the alleged flexibility it offers in comparison to other tools, but that’s nothing if you don’t have support. There’s not even a sales team contact on the website for those who want to use it seriously. How can I commit to something like that?
There should be at least a paid option with dedicated support. It’s been almost 6 months since SAP bought them, there should be something already in place. Let’s see if someone jumps into the conversation and shine a light.
Thank you once again for your comments.
I’ve been using AppGyver for a few months now, so I’m still far from being an expert on it, but here’s what I know:
-
monetize my app with ads: This isn’t possible yet, as this requires plugins third-party libraries like Google AdMob which AppGyver doesn’t currently support, although they say they are working on it.
-
monetize by allowing extra features/screens to users (in app purchase? App/Play stores subscription?): Same as before, without support for integration with third-party libraries this isn’t yet possible with AppGyver.
-
user authentication (back end): This depends on your choice for back-end. As long as you can authenticate through a REST API call, then it is possible.
-
analytics per screen/function: Your wording is a bit ambiguous, but if you refer to charts and the like, then AppGyver has support for D3 and Google Charts for Android/iOS.
-
multi language support for my app: From what I’ve gathered it was possible to have multi-language support through a paid plan up until the SAP acquisition, after which they stopped taking new customers. However, you can hack your way around this with simple app/page variables and lookup formulas, although it is not ideal.
-
send notifications based on geolocation: I haven’t reached this part yet, so unfortunately I can’t comment on it, although there does seem to be support for push notifications if you search through the forums and the documentation.
-
send notifications based on calendar or time: Same as above.
-
access and manage device functions:
-
camera to take pictures and video: This is possible.
-
microphone, to record audio: I haven’t used it, but there’s a marketplace function for it.
-
telephone, to make and receive calls, activate speaker: You can get your app to open the calling app when tapping on a number by using the Open URL function, but I think that’s as far as it goes.
-
GPS, to manage device location: There’s support for geolocation and GPS polling.
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accelerometer, to detect and measure movement: There’s support for accelerometer.
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battery, to monitor level and detect if device is charging: You can hack your way to this but as far as I know it isn’t officially supported, so it could stop working any moment without warning.
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bluetooth, to connect with external devices such as heart rate monitor and smart watches: As far as I know this isn’t possible yet, it would require third-party plugin integration.
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integrate with Google Maps and Apple Maps: Similar to initiating a phone call, you can open Google Maps and Apple Maps directly within your app using the Open URL function but I think that’s as far as it goes (I think you can alternatively use a webview, but I haven’t tried this route).
-
read and write files on device: This is possible.
-
read and write files at the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, others): I don’t think it’s possible.
-
develop to Apple and Android smart watches: I don’t think this is possible.
In general, AppGyver desperately needs support for third-party plugins if you are to build anything beyond a prototype, MVP or first version. You can’t monetise without them, so unless you have a creative business model or you don’t care about making money, then AppGyver is probably useless for you right now.
The team has promised third-party plugins for more than a year and they’ve only recently said they’ve finally gotten to work on it, so it’s up to you to decide if you want to wait. Even without third-party plugins you can still build some very decent apps, but I do think it’ll be game changing once we have plugins.
Having said that, I still think it is a great tool that’s worked well for us so far. As with any other low code/no code platforms, you’re bound to run into the limits of what they support/offer and having to do certain trade offs.
Hope that helps!
4 Likes
Juan, that’s a great and comprehensive answer! Thanks a lot!
1 Like