Adalo

Adalo is a visual no-code builder for creating database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps from one project. Its Ada assistant can generate and edit apps through natural-language prompts; Adalo describes it as a beta assistant included in all plans. The platform supports responsive web apps, custom domains and publishing to the web, Apple App Store and Google Play. It includes a hosted or built-in Postgres database and can connect to external sources such as Airtable, Google Sheets, Xano and REST APIs. Integrations include Zapier, Make, Stripe, Google Maps and IAPHUB. Custom actions can connect to APIs and perform tasks such as sending email or retrieving weather data. Feature Templates provide screens, actions and database setup for options such as chat, purchasing and appointment booking. The free plan has no time limit and includes 500 records per app, unlimited screens and test apps, and one editor; no credit card is required to start. Paid plans start at $36.00 per month, billed annually. Adalo states that it does not currently provide HIPAA compliance.

Adalo combines visual app building, database tools and publishing options in one platform. The free plan supports building and testing, while paid plans start at $36.00 per month billed annually.

Adalo may suit founders, businesses and makers who want to build database-driven apps for web and mobile without coding. Its plans also offer multiple editors for teams, depending on the plan.

Overview

Adalo is a visual no-code builder for database-driven apps, aimed at founders, small businesses and makers who want web and native mobile releases from one project. Its strongest case is the combination of a built-in database, integrations and app-store publishing; the main trade-offs are the free plan’s 500-record cap and the annual billing on paid plans.

Key features

• One project for web and mobile: Adalo supports responsive web apps and native iOS and Android builds, with publishing options for the Apple App Store and Google Play. True IPA and APK output suits teams that need native app-store releases, not just a mobile-friendly website.
• Database and connections: The hosted Postgres database can support an app’s data directly, while connections to Airtable, Google Sheets, Xano, REST APIs and external collections let teams work with existing sources. The built-in database is useful for a self-contained project; external sources provide more flexibility when data already lives elsewhere.
• Integrations and actions: Integrations include Zapier, Make, Stripe, Google Maps, Xano and IAPHUB. Custom Actions can send email, retrieve weather data or connect to APIs. Professional adds custom integrations and custom app actions, so teams needing those capabilities should account for the higher tier.
• Templates and APIs: Feature Templates provide prebuilt screens, actions and database setup for features such as chat, purchasing, social feeds and appointment booking. REST, Collections and Notifications APIs offer additional ways to connect services and app functions.
• AI assistance: Ada can generate and edit apps using natural-language prompts. It is included as a beta assistant across plans, making it a supplemental way to build rather than a reason to assume a finished app can be created without further work.
• Scale and privacy: Adalo reports more than one million apps created and one million makers, alongside 99% average app uptime, 2M+ unique end users and 20M+ average daily data requests. These are company-reported platform figures, not a promise about a particular app. Adalo says app data is used for app functionality and product improvement, not advertising or tracking, and is not sold or rented; it also says it cannot guarantee absolute security. It does not provide HIPAA compliance, so it is not suitable for projects that require it.

Pricing

Adalo’s free plan has no time limit and requires no credit card to start. It allows one app editor, 500 records per app, unlimited screens and unlimited test apps. That is enough room to build and test a prototype, but the record cap and lack of a published-app allowance make it a poor fit for a live service.

• Free — free: Building and testing, with 500 records per app, one editor and unlimited test apps. Best for learning the builder or prototyping before publication.
• Starter — $36 a month (billed annually): One published app, unlimited app actions, one editor, custom domain, web publishing, automated app-store publishing and no Adalo branding. Its one-app limit and single editor suit an individual founder more than a collaborative team.
• Professional — $52 a month (billed annually): Two published apps, unlimited app actions and five editors, plus custom integrations, design versions, geolocation, custom app actions, analytics, formulas and push notifications. This is the more capable choice for a small or medium business that needs multiple editors or these added tools.
• Team — $160 a month (billed annually): Five published apps, unlimited app actions and ten editors, with priority support, Xano integration, App & Collections API, version history and white labeling. It is aimed at freelancers and agencies managing several client apps, but the higher annual commitment is difficult to justify for a solo project.

Paid plans are billed annually at the stated monthly rates. All plans include Ada as a beta assistant. Support includes help docs, community support, Adalo App Academy and ticket email support; paid tiers have listed SLA intervals of three, two or one day.

Platforms

Adalo supports Android, iOS and web. Responsive web apps adapt to the viewing device, while native mobile builds can be published to the app stores. This cross-platform reach is a clear advantage for teams that want one project to serve both browser and mobile users.

Who it's for

Adalo is best suited to founders, small businesses and agencies building database-driven apps that need web and native mobile delivery. Its free tier gives makers room to test without a deadline, and paid tiers add publication, editors and integration features as projects grow. It is not the right choice for a HIPAA-regulated app, or for teams that need a larger free data allowance before committing to a paid tier.

Pros and cons

• Pro: One project can target responsive web and native iOS and Android, reducing the need to build separate platform versions.
• Pro: A hosted database, external data sources, integrations and ready-made feature templates cover common data-driven app needs.
• Pro: The free plan is permanent, allows unlimited screens and test apps, and does not require a credit card.
• Con: Free projects are capped at 500 records per app and one editor, limiting room for data growth and collaboration.
• Con: Paid prices are monthly rates billed annually, and Starter allows only one published app and one editor.
• Con: Adalo does not provide HIPAA compliance, ruling it out for projects that require it.

Alternatives

Bubble is worth considering if its free web-and-mobile tier, with 50K workload units per month, fits your project better; its Starter plan is $59 a month.

Ragic is an alternative for readers whose priority is a database-centered tool: its free plan includes three custom sheets, 1,000 records per sheet and unlimited users.

FlutterFlow may suit builders who want its broader platform coverage, including desktop operating systems; its free plan allows up to two projects, ten Lite credits, five lifetime AI requests and two API endpoints.

Formaloo is another freemium option, with a free plan that allows unlimited forms, apps and monthly submissions for one team member.

Kodular is an alternative for Android and web projects.

Ninox is another freemium option for teams considering a tool with support across mobile, web and desktop platforms.

Retool is an alternative for teams weighing a free plan or a Team plan priced at $10 a month.

Thunkable is another option for Android, iOS and web app building, with a free tier that includes three public projects and five screens per project.

For broader browsing, see No-Code Development Platforms, No-Code AI App Builders, AI App Builders and No-code app builders.

Verdict

Choose Adalo if you want to build a data-driven app once and publish it to responsive web and native mobile, with a free tier for prototyping and paid plans that add publishing and collaboration. Look elsewhere if HIPAA compliance is essential, or if the free plan’s 500-record cap is too restrictive for the project you need to validate.