Creator Success

Andrej Karpathy coined “vibe coding” in February 2025. A year later, he proposed a new name for how serious builders work with AI: agentic engineering. The AI still does most of the writing, but you direct it, test the results and fix what’s off. Here’s what the term means, how it differs from vibe coding, and why it matters for anyone building an app to publish.

When you're comparing app builders, "native" and "PWA" can look like minor technical details. They aren't. A progressive web app is a website built to behave like an app. It can offer a home screen icon and offline support, but it runs through a web browser. That limits its access to device features, makes performance inconsistent across browsers and operating systems, and keeps it out of the Apple App Store entirely. A native app runs directly on iOS or Android, so it gets full access to things like the camera, GPS, Bluetooth, push notifications, and offline storage, and it can be published to the app stores. Hybrid apps sit in between: they're built with web technology but packaged for app stores. Because they still reach device features through a browser layer, users can feel the lag. Thunkable compiles true native apps for iOS and Android, so you won't have to rebuild later when you need App Store distribution, reliable notifications, or hardware access. The takeaway is to decide which kind of app your idea needs before you start building.

Thunkable AI launched in March 2026. It builds on more than a decade of no-code mobile development and more than 12 million apps created on the platform. You start by describing the app you want, and the AI Builder generates a real project with screens, layout, and logic that you can fully inspect and edit. From there, you keep building in Discuss Mode, an ongoing conversation where you ask for changes and see the results in real time. Fast Edits handles quick tweaks, and Version History lets you roll back when something doesn't work out. You can also drop into the block or code editor whenever you want more control. If something breaks, the AI Debugger explains the issue and suggests a fix. Thunkable Live lets you test on a real iOS or Android device as you build. When you're ready, Thunkable guides you through publishing to both app stores. Unlike many AI builders that produce web-based prototypes, Thunkable generates fully native apps, all within one platform.

Using Thunkable, a non-technical founder saved over $65,000 in development costs and launched Sound AiSleep on the App Store all on her own.

Showcasing the top no-code app creators of 2025 from the Thunkable community.

This year, we’re spotlighting some extraordinary projects that showcase creativity, functionality, and the limitless potential of no code development.

Discover why a custom mobile app is essential for your small business to enhance customer engagement, boost brand visibility, and drive revenue.

Discover the latest features released in Thunkable's no code native app builder. Speed up development time with rich text and advanced blocks search.