I’ve tried them all. The no-code frontend builders that promise to help you create beautiful apps without writing a line of code. And sure, they’re fine—for a form, a dashboard, maybe a simple CRUD interface. But the second you try to build something with actual logic, complexity, or integration needs, the cracks show.

I’m talking about apps that pull data from multiple APIs. That need authentication and dynamic rendering. That require more than a button click and a thank-you message. Suddenly, that friendly drag-and-drop UI becomes a maze. You’re not building anymore—you’re hacking. And not the fun kind.

Let’s be honest: most no-code tools weren’t built for real apps. And they definitely weren’t built for developers.

The No-Code Ceiling

The idea of building without code is appealing—until it stops being useful. Maybe you want to connect to a custom REST API, but the tool only supports a few integrations. Or you’re stuck with built-in logic blocks that don’t let you express what your app actually needs to do. Or you hit a styling wall and realize you have to fight the builder just to tweak padding on mobile.

It’s death by limitation. Not because you don’t know how to build, but because the platform doesn’t let you.

That’s where Bellini comes in.

A Builder That Doesn’t Treat Developers Like Children

Bellini is low code—not no code. That means you get the speed and flexibility of drag-and-drop UI building, but you also have the freedom to go deeper when you need to. Want to bring in a custom JavaScript function? Do it. Need to bind your components to REST or GraphQL APIs? Go ahead. Want to write your own CSS? No problem.

And if you’re using Bellini alongside Lonti’s backend tools like Martini, the whole flow—from data modeling in Negroni to frontend deployment—just works.

I’ve built dynamic dashboards, admin interfaces, and internal tools with Bellini that would’ve taken twice as long in a traditional frontend stack. And I didn’t have to give up control to do it.

Moving Fast Shouldn’t Mean Giving Up Power

Bellini isn’t about replacing developers. It’s about helping you skip the boilerplate so you can focus on what matters: your data, your logic, your user experience. It lets you start fast—and finish strong.

You can still write your code. Still design your components. Still build the kind of apps that make your team say, “Wait, you built that already?”

But you’ll do it faster. With fewer roadblocks. And without the compromises that come with most no-code tools.

Original source: The Problem with “No Code” Frontend Builders: You Can’t Build Real Apps