The best ways for a non-technical founder to get a product built
Use a product studio like Modern Mustard Seed when you want the product specified, built, launched and handed over without hiring a team. Use Toptal when you want a vetted freelancer and will manage the work. Use Bubble or Glide when you want to build it yourself on a platform. Hire in-house when software is the whole business and you can manage engineers.
Last checked October 5, 2026.
Who each one is best for
- Modern Mustard SeedBest for operators who want the whole product built and handed over
- ToptalBest for a vetted freelancer you will manage yourself
- BubbleBest for building a web app yourself without code
- GlideBest for an internal tool built from a spreadsheet
- A full-time hireBest when software is the whole business
Modern Mustard Seed(that's us)
An AI product studio in Kalispell, Montana. Idea to Product runs in four tiers: Scope and Sequence (the build plan), Build and Ship (the product in front of real users), Launch (the product goes to market), Hand Off (full transfer of the asset, access and operating knowledge).
Strengths
- One accountable studio from plan to hand off.
- Standard code in accounts you own.
- Changes to what we built are included.
Watch for
- Not a marketplace; one studio, so capacity is limited.
- More than a weekend prototype needs.
PriceSet package price, quoted after a free discovery call
See what we buildToptal
A network of vetted freelance developers and designers, engaged part time or full time.
Strengths
- A trial period with each new freelancer; if they do not meet your needs, Toptal says you will not be charged.
- Fixed weekly billing for part-time and full-time engagements.
Watch for
- You manage the project and the product decisions.
- A multi-skill build may need several freelancers.
PriceQuoted per engagement; published as weekly billing.
Source: Toptal websiteBubble
A visual, no-code platform for building web apps.
Strengths
- A free plan to start.
- No code required.
Watch for
- Plans include set monthly workload units.
- Your app lives on the platform.
PriceFree; Starter $59, Growth $209, Team $549 a month billed annually; Enterprise by quote.
Source: Bubble websiteGlide
Builds "internal business apps from a spreadsheet, a prompt, or a file."
Strengths
- Fast for internal tools.
- A free plan to start.
Watch for
- Built for internal apps, not public products.
- Your app lives on the platform.
PriceFree; Basic $25, Plus $50, Pro $125 a month; Enterprise custom.
Source: Glide websiteA full-time hire
An in-house software developer on payroll.
Strengths
- Dedicated every day.
- Builds long-term knowledge in house.
Watch for
- Median annual pay for US software developers was $135,980 in May 2025 (BLS), before benefits and recruiting.
- Someone technical has to manage them.
PriceSalary plus benefits.
Source: A full-time hire website- Written for operators who already run a business that works and want a product built without hiring a team.
- Facts about Toptal, Bubble and Glide come from their own pages, read October 5, 2026. Salary data is from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Sorted by how much of the work you will do yourself.
- Modern Mustard Seed wrote this page and is one of the options. Every option gets the same space.
Last checked October 5, 2026. Prices change; check each source before you buy.
Common questions
How can I build an app without a technical cofounder?
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Hire a product studio to build and hand it over, hire a vetted freelancer and manage them, or build it yourself on a no-code platform such as Bubble or Glide.
What does a product studio do?
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It turns an idea into a specified plan, builds the product, puts it in front of real users and hands over the asset and the operating knowledge.
Will I own the code?
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With Modern Mustard Seed, yes: the code, deployment, domain and every account are yours. On no-code platforms, the app lives on the platform.
Want it built for you?
Tell us what the business needs. We scope it in a free discovery call and agree a set package price before work starts.