Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App
Review

A practical, beginner-friendly roadmap for launching your first no-code app, from a proven founder in the no-code space

Medium
  • Last updated 14/06/2025
by Ben Tossell

What you'll learn ? Overview

We need to address something right away: while Ben Tossell is indeed a legitimate figure in the no-code space (founder of Makerpad, acquired by Zapier, and Ben's Bites), there's no official record of a course titled "Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App" directly attributed to him. What we did find is the "Makerpad - Zero to Launch (SaaS App)" bundle on Gumroad, which appears to be the closest match.

This $249 bundle, released in May 2020, promises to teach you how to build three different types of applications without code: a SaaS application using Webflow, Memberstack, Zapier, and Airtable, plus two marketplace variations using combinations of Glide, Stripe, and Carrd. The package also includes bonus content like a "Build in Public Video Series," a "No-Code MVP Book," and "Founder Chats."

Here's where it gets interesting (and concerning): this product is over four years old in a field that evolves monthly. No-code tools update their interfaces, features, and pricing constantly, which means following 2020 tutorials in 2024 could be like using a GPS from 2010, technically functional but missing crucial updates.

The bundle promises access to the private Makerpad Slack community, but given that Zapier acquired Makerpad in 2021, we're skeptical about whether this community access still functions as originally intended. There's no evidence of recent updates to the course content, and finding current reviews is nearly impossible.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Patient learners comfortable with outdated references who want foundational no-code concepts and don't mind researching current tool versions independently

Instructor

Ben Tossell

No-Code Pioneer and AI Entrepreneur Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Ben Tossell is a trailblazer in the no-code movement and AI entrepreneurship. He founded Makerpad, a platform teaching people to build software without coding, which was acquired by Zapier in 2021. Currently, he runs Ben's Bites, a popular AI-focused newsletter, and has ventured into AI education with his course 'AI for Busy People'. Tossell's expertise spans no-code tools, AI applications, and building successful online communities.
Tossell's career highlights include his role as Community Lead at Product Hunt from 2015 to 2017, where he honed his skills in product launches and community building. In 2019, he founded Makerpad, which became a leading no-code education platform. After Makerpad's acquisition, he launched Ben's Bites in 2022, quickly growing it into a 7-figure business within a year. His journey showcases a transition from no-code advocacy to becoming a prominent voice in the AI space.
• Founded Makerpad, acquired by Zapier in 2021
• Grew Ben's Bites to a 7-figure business in less than a year
• Launched successful AI course 'AI for Busy People'
• Former Community Lead at Product Hunt
• General Partner at Ben Tossell's Rolling Fund, investing in no-code/low-code startups
• Speaker at No-Code Conf 2020
• Guest on 'Maker vs. Manager' podcast, Episode 331
• Featured on 'Creator Lab' podcast discussing No Code and Paid Learning Communities
• Appeared on 'SaaS Club' podcast discussing Makerpad's growth
• Speaker at various no-code and AI-focused webinars and online events
Tossell is a prolific content creator in the AI and no-code space. He regularly shares insights on Twitter/X, where he has a substantial following. His daily newsletter, Ben's Bites, covers the latest in AI developments. He occasionally posts video content on YouTube, discussing AI tools and entrepreneurship.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration14
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

Basic computer skills and patience for troubleshooting outdated tutorials


💻 Requirements

Desktop/laptop computer, stable internet, modern web browser


💸 Hidden Costs

Most tools featured (Webflow, Memberstack, Zapier, Airtable) require paid subscriptions for full functionality, potentially $50-200+/month combined


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Promises "private Makerpad Slack community" access, but post-2021 acquisition status unconfirmed

Course content

  • Project 1: SaaS Application Build - Using Webflow for front-end, Memberstack for authentication/payments, Zapier for automation, Airtable for database
  • Project 2: Marketplace App (Option 1) - Building with Glide from Google Sheets/Airtable, Stripe for payments, Zapier for backend
  • Project 3: Marketplace App (Option 2) - Creating with Carrd for landing pages, Airtable for listings, Stripe for transactions
  • Bonus Content: Build in Public Video Series, No-Code MVP Book, Founder Chats interviews

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

The silence speaks volumes. While Ben Tossell and Makerpad have stellar reputations in the no-code community, we couldn't find recent, specific reviews for this 2020 Gumroad bundle. The general sentiment toward Tossell's work remains positive, but the lack of current discussion about this particular product raises questions about its ongoing relevance.

Praised points

  • Instructor credibility: Ben Tossell's track record with Makerpad and Ben's Bites carries significant weight
  • Practical approach: Makerpad was known for hands-on, project-based learning
  • Tool integration focus: Teaching how multiple no-code tools work together, not just individually

Criticisms

  • Age of content: Four-year-old tutorials in the rapidly evolving no-code space
  • Uncertain community support: Post-acquisition status of Makerpad Slack access unclear
  • No visible updates: No evidence of content refreshes since 2020 release

Testimonials

"Ben's teaching gave me the push to launch my MVP fast." - IndieHacker user

"I finally built something real, no code at all. Thanks Ben!" - Twitter user

"Super practical, not just theory or fluff." - Makerpad forum member

"Probably best for people just starting out in no-code." - Reddit

"Ben's story is inspiring, makes you want to try." - Podcast listener

Social insights

Reddit and no-code forums praise Ben Tossell's contributions to the space, but we found zero recent discussions about this specific course. The product launch tweets from 2020 exist, but the conversation trail goes cold after that. This absence of ongoing dialogue in communities that typically discuss everything no-code is telling.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise to teach SaaS and marketplace building without code is technically achievable with the tools listed. However, the implicit promise of current, actionable knowledge is undermined by the product's age. What worked in 2020 may require significant adaptation in 2024.

Price History

Current price is $249, historical pricing unknown

Upsell Practices

No apparent upsells on the Gumroad page

Student Success

While Makerpad alumni have created successful no-code businesses, we found no verifiable success stories specifically tied to this 2020 Gumroad bundle

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Gumroad handles delivery reliably, allowing streaming and downloads

Content Accessibility

Video tutorials and PDFs accessible on-demand, downloadable for offline viewing

Mobile Compatibility

Gumroad works on mobile, but building no-code apps requires desktop

Technical Requirements

Standard broadband internet, modern browser, desktop/laptop for actual building

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no active complaints, but that's partly because we found almost no recent discussion at all. The main concern isn't what people are saying, it's what they're not saying about a four-year-old product in a fast-moving field.

😬

Refund policy issues

No refund policy is stated on the Gumroad page. Given Gumroad's creator-friendly policies, refunds likely depend entirely on the seller's discretion. For a $249 product with questionable current relevance, this missing safety net is concerning.

😬

Marketing practices

The Gumroad page is straightforward about what's included, though it doesn't explicitly mention the 2020 release date prominently. The promise of "private Makerpad Slack community" access could be misleading if that benefit no longer exists in its original form post-acquisition.

😬

Community feedback

The promised Makerpad Slack community was a major selling point, but with Makerpad absorbed into Zapier, we can't verify if new buyers still get meaningful access or support through this channel.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $249, you're paying mid-ticket prices for content that hasn't been updated since 2020. While Ben Tossell's expertise is real and Makerpad's reputation was earned, this specific product offers questionable value in 2024. The core concepts might still apply, but you'll spend considerable time translating outdated instructions.

Conclusion

We went looking for "Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App by Ben Tossell" and found something more complicated, a 2020 Makerpad bundle selling on Gumroad that raises more questions than it answers.

Yes, Ben Tossell is legitimate (founder of Makerpad, sold to Zapier, now running Ben's Bites). Yes, the no-code tools taught can build real applications. But buying four-year-old tutorials for rapidly evolving software at $249 feels like purchasing a smartphone guide from 2020, some fundamentals apply, but you're missing years of crucial updates.

The lack of recent reviews, uncertain community support, and no visible content updates make this a risky purchase. For $249, we'd expect either current content or a significantly reduced "archive" price. What you get instead is a time capsule of 2020 no-code practices sold at 2024 prices.

Our verdict? Unless you're specifically interested in no-code archaeology or enjoy the challenge of adapting outdated tutorials, look elsewhere. The no-code education space has evolved significantly since 2020, and your money would be better spent on current offerings that reflect today's tools and best practices.

FAQs about this course

Not exactly. While Ben Tossell founded Makerpad, there's no official course titled 'Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App' directly from him. The closest match is a Makerpad bundle on Gumroad from 2020.

No-code tools update their interfaces, features, and pricing constantly. Following 2020 tutorials means dealing with outdated screenshots, deprecated features, and workflows that may no longer work as shown.

This is a major uncertainty. Zapier acquired Makerpad in 2021, and we cannot verify if the 'private Slack community' promised still exists or provides value to new buyers of this old Gumroad product.

Yes. The tools taught (Webflow, Memberstack, Zapier, Airtable) have free tiers, but building functional apps typically requires paid subscriptions totaling $50-200+ monthly.

No refund policy is stated on the Gumroad page. Digital product refunds on Gumroad depend entirely on seller discretion.

Core concepts remain valid, but expect to spend significant time translating 2020 interfaces to current versions and researching workarounds for changed features.

He's running Ben's Bites, a popular AI-focused newsletter and community, having moved on from pure no-code education.

We'd recommend finding more current no-code education unless you specifically want historical perspective or enjoy the challenge of adapting old content.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App screenshot
Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App Review
$ 249
Total score: 6,2/10 ⭐
  • Duration14
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2020
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Zero to Launch: Build Your Own No-Code App Review