Why Consider Adalo Alternatives?
Adalo is a popular no-code app builder that has helped thousands of founders launch their first mobile apps. However, as your app grows, you may encounter limitations that make exploring alternatives worthwhile. According to user reviews on G2 and Capterra, here are the main reasons users seek Adalo alternatives.
Performance Issues at Scale
Apps slow down significantly with databases exceeding 1,000 records. Users report 3-second load times on directories with 2,000+ items. List pagination exists but is not automatic.
No Source Code Export
Your app is locked to the Adalo platform forever. You cannot download your code or host it elsewhere, creating significant vendor lock-in risk.
Pricing Escalates with Growth
Starting at $45/month seems reasonable, but active apps quickly require $200-$250/month plans. Action-based pricing makes costs unpredictable.
Limited API Capabilities
APIs must be simple with no nested arrays. Custom code injection is minimal, and error handling remains basic. Complex integrations often hit walls.
Builder Performance Issues
The editor itself slows down as apps grow larger with more screens. Active users report the builder failing to load on complex projects.
Platform Reliability Concerns
When Adalo experiences outages, your entire app goes down. No compensation is provided for downtime, even on paid plans.
What Adalo Does Well
Before exploring alternatives, it is worth acknowledging where Adalo excels. For certain use cases, it remains an excellent choice. According to LowCode Agency, these are Adalo's core strengths.
Where Adalo Shines
Beginner-Friendly Interface
Users built functional prototypes in under 3 hours without any coding knowledge. The drag-and-drop editor is genuinely intuitive.
Native Mobile Publishing
Publish to both iOS App Store and Google Play directly. The platform handles certificates and compilation worth $5,000-15,000 in developer time.
Built-in Database
No need to set up external databases for simple apps. The integrated database is sufficient for MVPs and small-scale applications.
Rapid MVP Development
Perfect for validating ideas quickly. Launch a working prototype in days rather than months.
Bottom line: Adalo is recommended for MVPs, simple mobile applications, internal tools, and idea validation where speed matters more than advanced customization or long-term scalability.
Adalo vs Alternatives: Full Comparison
This comparison covers the top Adalo alternatives based on data from Appy Pie, FlutterFlow, and our own testing.
| Platform | Starting Price | Code Export | Best For | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NativelyRecommended | $5/month | React Native | AI-powered native apps | Easy |
| Adalo | $45/month | No | Simple MVPs, prototypes | Easy |
| FlutterFlow | $30/month | Flutter | Visual Flutter building | Moderate |
| Bubble | $32/month | No | Web apps only | Steep |
| Glide | $25/month | No | Spreadsheet apps | Very Easy |
| Thunkable | $25/month | No | Education, beginners | Easy |
Pricing as of January 2026. Check each platform for current rates.
Top 6 Adalo Alternatives in Detail
1. Natively
RecommendedNatively is the best Adalo alternative for anyone who wants full code ownership and AI-powered building. Describe your app in plain English, and AI generates production-ready React Native code. Unlike Adalo, you own your complete source code with GitHub export, get true native performance, and pay just $5/month.
Advantages over Adalo
- Full React Native code export
- AI-powered natural language building
- True native performance (60fps)
- 9x cheaper ($5/mo vs $45/mo)
- Supabase or Specific.dev backend (PostgreSQL)
- Built-in APK builder for Android
Technology Stack
- React Native + Expo
- Supabase (PostgreSQL)
- GitHub integration
- iOS & Android publishing
2. FlutterFlow
Built on Google's Flutter framework, FlutterFlow is the most powerful visual builder for cross-platform apps. Unlike Adalo, it offers full source code export, letting you own your intellectual property and continue development outside the platform.
Advantages over Adalo
- Full code export (Flutter/Dart)
- 60fps native performance
- Better scalability with Firebase
- Advanced animations and custom code
Considerations
- Steeper learning curve than Adalo
- Extending exported code requires Flutter expertise
- More complex for simple apps
3. Bubble
Bubble is the gold standard for complex web applications with over 3,000 plugins. While it does not support true native mobile apps (only PWAs), it offers unmatched flexibility for web-based marketplaces, SaaS tools, and custom business applications.
Advantages over Adalo
- 3,000+ plugins and integrations
- More powerful database and logic
- JavaScript customization
- Version control
Considerations
- Web only (no true native mobile)
- No code export
- Usage-based pricing can be unpredictable
4. Glide
Glide converts spreadsheets (Google Sheets, Airtable, SQL) into beautiful mobile and web apps in minutes. It is the easiest platform for non-technical teams managing data-driven workflows. Ideal for internal tools, directories, and inventory systems.
Advantages over Adalo
- Even simpler than Adalo to learn
- Direct spreadsheet integration
- Faster development for data apps
- Lower starting price ($25/mo)
Considerations
- Less design customization than Adalo
- PWA only (not native mobile)
- Limited for complex user flows
5. Thunkable
Thunkable offers cross-platform native apps with a visual logic editor similar to Scratch. It is ideal for beginners, educators, and rapid prototyping. The platform now includes an AI assistant for faster building.
Advantages over Adalo
- Visual block-based logic
- Great for learning
- Lower starting price ($25/mo)
- AI assistant included
Considerations
- No code export
- Can lag on complex workflows
- Limited for production apps
6. Appy Pie
Appy Pie positions itself as a DIY app maker for non-technical creators. Its standout feature is an AI-powered app generator using ChatGPT to create an initial app structure from a text prompt, then refine it with drag-and-drop.
Advantages over Adalo
- AI-powered initial generation
- Many industry templates
- All-in-one marketing tools
Considerations
- No code export
- Limited customization depth
- Can feel template-driven
AI-Powered vs Traditional No-Code Builders
A major shift is happening in the no-code space. According to Tech.co, AI-powered builders are becoming the new standard, with platforms like Replit, Lovable, and Natively leading the charge. Here is how they compare to traditional drag-and-drop tools like Adalo.
Traditional No-Code
Adalo, FlutterFlow, Bubble
- 1
Visual drag-and-drop building
Place components manually, wire up logic visually
- 2
Predefined components
Limited to what the platform offers or plugins
- 3
Manual scaling
You handle optimization as complexity grows
Best when: You prefer visual control and have time to learn each component.
AI-Powered Builders
Natively (recommended)
- 1
Natural language building
Describe what you want, AI generates the app
- 2
Unlimited customization
AI can build anything that is possible in code
- 3
Real code ownership
Export to GitHub, modify freely, no lock-in
Best when: You want speed, code ownership, and the ability to build complex features without learning visual tools.
The Best of Both Worlds
AI-powered builders like Natively combine the speed of AI generation with full code ownership. You describe your app in natural language, but you get real React Native code you can export, modify, and deploy anywhere. It is faster than drag-and-drop for complex features, without the lock-in of traditional platforms.
How to Choose the Right Platform
The right Adalo alternative depends on your specific needs. Use this decision guide based on recommendations from NxCode and DhiWise.
Do you need source code ownership?
Natively (React Native) — full code export to GitHub
Consider your other requirements
Are you building a mobile app?
Natively — AI-powered, native iOS & Android, $5/mo
Web: Bubble or Softr
Is your app data-driven from spreadsheets?
Natively or Glide
Natively for most use cases
Do you need to scale to thousands of users?
Natively — true native performance, no lock-in
Natively is still the best choice for future growth
Is budget a primary concern?
Natively ($5/mo) — 9x cheaper than Adalo
Natively still offers the best value
Do you prefer AI-assisted building?
Natively — describe in plain English, AI builds it
Natively still works with iterative prompts
Tips for Switching from Adalo
Since Adalo does not export code, migrating to another platform requires rebuilding your app. Here is how to make the transition smoother.
Document Your Current App
Take screenshots of every screen, export your database schema, and document all workflows and integrations before starting migration.
Export Your Data
Export all data from Adalo in CSV format. Most platforms can import CSV data, making this the easiest part of migration.
Recreate Core Features First
Start with authentication, database structure, and core user flows. Do not try to match Adalo exactly; take the opportunity to improve.
Run Both Apps in Parallel
Keep Adalo running while you build on the new platform. Migrate users gradually once the new version is stable.
Consider AI Assistance
AI-powered builders like Natively can often recreate Adalo app designs quickly from screenshots or descriptions, accelerating the migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best alternatives to Adalo in 2026?
Natively is the top Adalo alternative in 2026, offering AI-powered native app development with full React Native code ownership starting at just $5/month. Unlike Adalo, Natively lets you export your complete source code to GitHub, avoiding vendor lock-in. Other alternatives include FlutterFlow for Flutter-based apps, Bubble for web apps, and Glide for spreadsheet-based apps.
Why should I consider switching from Adalo?
Common reasons to switch from Adalo include performance issues with growing apps (slowdowns after 1,000+ database records), no source code export leading to vendor lock-in, action-based pricing that becomes expensive at scale, limited API handling capabilities, and scalability constraints for apps with thousands of users. Natively solves all of these issues with AI-powered building and full code ownership.
How does Adalo compare to AI-powered app builders?
Natively represents the next generation of app building. While Adalo uses traditional drag-and-drop visual building, Natively lets you describe apps in natural language and generates production-ready React Native code automatically. Natively is typically 10x faster for complex features, offers full code ownership with GitHub export, and produces true native apps with 60fps performance.
Can I export my code from Adalo?
No, Adalo does not allow source code export—your app is locked to their platform forever. This is a major limitation. Natively solves this by giving you complete React Native/Expo source code ownership from day one. You can export to GitHub, modify the code freely, and deploy anywhere without vendor lock-in.
What does Adalo do well compared to alternatives?
Adalo offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for beginners and can produce functional prototypes quickly. However, for most use cases, Natively is a better choice: it's faster (describe in plain English vs manual drag-and-drop), cheaper ($5/month vs $45/month), and gives you full code ownership that Adalo cannot match.