The tech world has long touted the promise of democratizing software development through visual tools designed for non-coders. From Microsoft’s Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to modern no-code and low-code platforms, the goal has been to make digital product creation accessible to everyone. Danish startup Toddle is the latest contender in this space, introducing a no-code platform that offers a comprehensive alternative to JavaScript frameworks, complete with real-time collaboration, version control, and hosting.
Toddle’s mission is ambitious: to change how software is built. The platform, launched by CEO Andreas Møller and CDO Kasper Svenning in 2022, allows designers to directly access and modify a live codebase through a visual interface. This capability lets them make user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) changes that immediately reflect in the underlying code.
Toddle positions itself as a tool that replicates the power of languages like React but in a visual form. Møller envisions design and development teams using Toddle to build fully-featured SaaS applications. The platform is designed to be versatile, suitable for creating complex applications just as easily as a developer might use Figma for design, Webflow for marketing websites, or Bubble for minimal viable products (MVPs).
The platform is built on the principle that everyone in a company should be able to participate in software development, regardless of their coding skills. This is a philosophy shared by other no-code platforms like Bubble, Flutterflow, and Webflow. However, Toddle sets itself apart with features like real-time collaboration and version control, which allow team members to work seamlessly together, regardless of their roles.
For instance, while designers work on interface tweaks, marketers can edit content, and developers can focus on the core logic of the application. Toddle acts as a translation layer, mapping visual edits to the corresponding front-end framework and CSS. This synchronization ensures that all changes are reflected both visually and programmatically.
It’s important to note that Toddle isn’t a full-stack web app builder. It doesn’t include a built-in database, opting instead to integrate with existing systems developers prefer. Toddle supports integrations with various backend services like Xano, Supabase, Airtable, and GraphQL, among others, allowing developers to use the best tools for their specific needs.
Toddle operates on a freemium model. The free tier includes most of the necessary tools to start building web apps but is limited to open-source projects hosted on Toddle’s domain. Users can upgrade to paid plans to access additional features such as custom domains and removal of Toddle branding.
Since its founding, Toddle has grown to 9,000 users, with up to 80 new signups each day and around 60 paying customers. To support its growth and development, the company recently raised $4.3 million in seed funding led by Finnish VC firm Inventure, with participation from Lifeline Ventures, PSV, and several angel investors, including Typeform co-founder David Okuniev.
Toddle plans to use the funding to open-source the core components of its platform. This includes the language and runtime components, which will be released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license. By open-sourcing these elements, Toddle aims to give developers the ability to self-host their applications and customize the platform to better suit their needs.
The open-source initiative will be rolled out in stages, starting this year and continuing into 2025. This move is expected to attract a broader user base and foster a community of developers who can contribute to and enhance the platform.
Toddle’s approach reflects a broader trend in the tech industry towards more collaborative and accessible software development tools. By providing a robust visual development platform with real-time collaboration and seamless integration with existing tools, Toddle aims to empower teams to build complex applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge.
In summary, Toddle is set to make a significant impact on the software development landscape by offering a powerful, user-friendly no-code platform. Its innovative approach and commitment to open-source principles could well redefine how software is built and who gets to build it.
