The world of no code development is exploding. In fact, Gartner predicts that by 2026, a staggering 75% of new applications will be built using no code or low code platforms. But there’s a catch. What happens when you outgrow your platform, or when its pricing changes, or it shuts down? An estimated 68% of no code platforms do not offer a code export option, which can lead to a serious problem called vendor lock in.
This is where a code export platform becomes your most valuable asset.
A code export platform is a type of no code or low code tool that allows you to download the source code of the application you build. Instead of your project being trapped, you get the actual HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other files. This gives you true ownership, allowing you to host the code anywhere, customize it without limits, and future proof your work.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing and using a code export platform, ensuring you build on your own terms.
Code export is the feature that lets you download the generated source code of your application. Think of it as getting the architectural blueprints for a house you designed. Without them, you’re just renting. With them, you own the property.
The importance of this cannot be overstated. Building on a closed platform is like building on rented land. If the platform’s rules change, you could be forced to abandon your project and rebuild from scratch. This risk is real, contributing to over $1.2 billion in losses from failed no code migrations.
With a code export platform, you gain:
Not all platforms that offer code export are created equal. They differ in the type of code they generate, their focus, and their limitations. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best options available. If you’re comparing options, see WeWeb alternatives.
WeWeb is a powerful front end builder designed for creating sophisticated web applications. Its approach to code export is a core part of its philosophy. WeWeb exports a clean, production ready Vue.js project, giving you the complete front end of your application.
This makes it an ideal code export platform for professionals who want to combine the speed of visual development with the power of a standard, popular JavaScript framework. The exported code can be self hosted anywhere and easily integrated into professional developer workflows, such as Git and CI/CD pipelines. This focus on developer freedom is why many teams build with WeWeb, knowing they have full control over their application’s lifecycle. Ready to see it in action? Request a demo or browse templates.
FlutterFlow is a low code platform for building native mobile and web applications using Google’s Flutter framework. It stands out by allowing you to export the full Dart code for your application’s UI. Developers can download the project and continue working on it in a standard Flutter environment.
This feature is a game changer for mobile development, as it provides a pathway from a visual builder to a fully customizable native app. It’s important to note that FlutterFlow exports the front end code; any backend services, like its Firebase integration, remain as external dependencies.
Webflow is a massively popular design focused platform for building beautiful, responsive websites. It allows users on paid Account plans to export a complete package of static code, including all HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets.
The exported code is known for being clean and well structured, making it easy for developers to work with. However, Webflow’s code export is best for static sites. Dynamic features like the Webflow CMS, Ecommerce, and form processing do not function in the exported version and require custom solutions.
DrapCode is a notable code export platform because it offers full stack code export. Unlike most competitors that only provide front end code, DrapCode can generate both the front end and the backend logic for your web application.
You can download the entire source code, including server side Node.js code and even a database dump. DrapCode markets that you are the “absolute owner of that source code,” making it a strong choice for projects that need a completely self contained and modifiable application.
WebStudio is an open source alternative to Webflow. Because it is open source, code export is a fundamental part of its design, and it’s completely free. You can visually build your website and then export the clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to host anywhere you like.
This makes WebStudio an attractive option for developers and creators who are wary of vendor lock in and prefer community driven tools. It’s ideal for static websites where full control and zero cost are top priorities.
Carrd is a simple and affordable no code builder for creating one page websites. On its Pro plans, which are very budget friendly, Carrd allows you to export your site’s code. The export contains a neat package with your HTML file and all necessary assets.
The exported code is lean and easy to maintain, perfect for landing pages, portfolios, or profiles that you want to host yourself without ongoing fees.
So, you’ve built your project on a code export platform. How do you actually get your hands on the code? The process is generally quite simple.
While the exact labels might differ between platforms, the core steps are usually the same:
When you unzip the downloaded file, you’ll typically find everything needed to run the front end of your application:
This is a critical point to understand. Code export almost always excludes features that rely on the platform’s proprietary backend infrastructure. Common exclusions include:
Some platforms, like Webflow, give you the option to export minified HTML. Minification is the process of removing all unnecessary characters from the code (like whitespace, line breaks, and comments) without affecting its functionality.
The result is a smaller file size, which can lead to faster page load times for your users, a benefit for both user experience and SEO. The only tradeoff is that minified code is very difficult for humans to read, so you would typically only use it for your live production site.
Getting your code is just the first step. The real power of using a code export platform comes from what you can do next.
Self hosting means deploying your exported code on your own hosting environment. This liberates your project from the original platform, giving you complete control. Key benefits include:
You have a world of choices for hosting. Here are a few popular routes:
If you export a single page application (SPA), like one from WeWeb, you need to handle dynamic routing. An SPA uses JavaScript to handle navigation instead of loading new HTML files for each page.
On a standard server, trying to directly access a URL like yourapp.com/user/profile will result in a 404 error, because there is no profile.html file in a user folder. To fix this, you need to configure a URL rewrite rule on your host. This rule tells the server to always serve the main index.html file, allowing your application’s front end router to take over and display the correct view.
Once you have the code, you are no longer constrained by the visual builder’s features. A developer can:
The exported code is fully customizable. You have access to every line, so you can tweak, modify, and extend it to meet your exact needs.
A code export platform offers incredible advantages, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. Here are some key distinctions and limitations to be aware of.
Most platforms, including WeWeb, Webflow, and FlutterFlow, offer frontend only export. This means you get the code for the user interface, but not the server or database. This is a common and powerful model, as it allows you to connect your visually built front end to any backend service you prefer, whether it’s a no code tool like Xano or a custom built API.
A few platforms, like DrapCode, offer full stack export, providing both the front end and backend code. This gives you a complete, self contained application but may be more complex to deploy and manage.
Choosing a platform with code export isn’t just a technical decision; it’s a strategic business decision that protects your investment and ensures long term viability.
Vendor lock in happens when you become so dependent on a single vendor that switching to another is prohibitively expensive or difficult. It’s the single biggest risk of building on a closed no code platform. Imagine your platform suddenly increases its prices by 300%. Without code export, your choices are to pay the new price or abandon months of work and start over.
A code export platform is the antidote to vendor lock in. It guarantees that you always have a viable exit strategy, giving you leverage and peace of mind. Platforms like WeWeb are built around this principle, empowering users with the freedom to leave by providing full code ownership.
Code export is a premium feature. On almost every platform, you will need to be on a paid subscription plan to access it. For example, Webflow requires a paid Account plan, not just a Site plan, to enable code export. Always check a platform’s pricing page to understand the specific requirements.
On the plus side, there are typically no publishing requirements. You usually do not need to publish your site on the platform’s servers before you can export the code. Exporting is a separate action designed to free you from the platform’s hosting environment.
For many organizations, data residency (where your data is stored and served from) is a strict legal requirement. Self hosting your exported code gives you complete control over this. You can choose a hosting provider located in a specific country or region to ensure you remain fully compliant with regulations like GDPR. For details on commitments and subprocessors, review our Data Processing Agreement (DPA).
A code export platform is a no code or low code tool that allows you to download the source code (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) of the application or website you create. This gives you full ownership and the flexibility to host and modify your project anywhere.
Code export is crucial for avoiding vendor lock in. It ensures that you are not trapped on a single platform. If the provider changes its prices, features, or shuts down, you can take your code and move to another hosting solution without having to rebuild your entire application from scratch.
No, they do not. An estimated 68% of no code platforms do not provide a code export option, which can expose users to significant risk. It is a key feature to look for when choosing a platform for serious projects.
Yes, absolutely. The exported code is yours to modify. You can hire a developer or use your own coding skills to customize styles, add new features, integrate with custom backends, and optimize performance beyond the original platform’s capabilities.
Features that depend on the platform’s backend, like form processing and CMS databases, will not work in the exported code. The visual elements will be there, but you will need to connect them to alternative services (like a third party form handler or a headless CMS) to restore their functionality.
Most platforms offer frontend only export, which gives you the code for the user interface that runs in the browser. Some platforms offer full stack export, which also includes the server side code for backend logic and database interactions. With a frontend only code export platform like WeWeb, you can connect to any backend of your choice, giving you maximum flexibility.
