Google Opal Turns Words into Apps, No Code Needed

Google’s Opal, launched this week as a U.S.-only public beta via Google Labs, lets anyone build small web apps by describing what they want in plain English. Designed for non-coders, this tool turns ideas into working apps in a snap.

Anyone with a Google account can use Opal. You type in what you want your app to do, like a daily task list generator or a simple game for friends. Google’s AI, likely powered by Gemini 2.5 Pro, generates the app in seconds. If you need a starting point, a gallery of customizable templates, including blog post generators and ad creators, is available.

Once you generate an app, Opal shows you a visual flowchart on a digital canvas, with each step – user input, data processing or output – as a clickable box. You can inspect and edit the instructions inside each box in plain language, and prioritize tasks with ease. A simple toolbar lets you add new steps, so it’s as easy as sketching an idea.

Collaboration is built into Opal. Once you’re done, you can publish your app with a single click and get a shareable link like a Google Doc. Anyone with a Google account can access and test your creations for brainstorming or educational purposes. You can also “remix” apps from Opal’s gallery to build upon shared designs.

While Canva, Figma and Replit also simplify app creation, Opal stands out by being part of the Google AI ecosystem, so you can use tools like Imagen for images, Veo for video and AudioLM for sound. You can create rich apps like a product description tool with a promo video, all in one place. Currently limited to standalone apps with minimal external integrations, Opal is perfect for small businesses, creatives or anyone testing ideas without a developer.