In the search for the best no-code app builder to suit their needs, many folks boil their search down to two platforms: Adalo vs. Thunkable.
Both platforms help almost anyone build an app, but when you examine each platform’s features more closely, you’ll find some glaring differences, and hashing these out takes some time.
I have tested both as part of my work at NoCode.Tech, so I’m here to break down the key features, major differences, and use cases where each tool shines.
By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clear picture of whether Adalo or Thunkable is the better option for you.
Adalo vs. Thunkable: Differences in a Nutshell
Thunkable vs. Adalo Comparison: Similarities
I’ll start by spotlighting the similarities that Thunkable and Adalo share. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that both app builders share these features:
- Actually, no-code: If you don’t know anything about computers or coding and only know how to set up and use a social media account, Adalo and Thunkable are right up your alley.
Both feature simple drag-and-drop interfaces that function like virtual Legos making them intuitive enough for any non-techie to start using immediately after signing up.
- Publish to the app stores: Thunkable and Adalo let you publish your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play, two platforms with billions of monthly users. This will allow you to get your app in front of these huge audiences and publish a native mobile app.
- Native mobile apps are some of the most powerful apps: Once downloaded, they tap into a phone’s hardware components, like its camera, GPS, microphone, and drivers. This allows you to add many features to make your app desirable and unique.
- Rich ecosystems: While both app builders are straightforward to get started with, you’ll most likely want to learn all the platform’s ins and outs. Adalo and Thunkable make this simple, with abundant learning resources available.
You’ll find virtual courses, help documents, a forum, YouTube videos, and other vital sources of info to master each platform.
- Stressless Free Version: I say “stressless” because both Adalo and Thunkable offer a free version that doesn’t require credit card information — meaning they won’t start charging you after a limited amount of time.
A free version allows you to familiarize yourself with each platform’s app-building interface and make an informed decision about which platform you want.
Let’s jump into the platforms.
Adalo
An Overview of Starting to Use Adalo
Adalo is one of the simplest yet most powerful no-code app-building platforms on the market today. The platform provides nearly everything you need to get started building your app quickly.
After signing up, you’ll find no shortage of app templates. Each template has everything you need to get started building all parts of your app, including the frontend (your app’s screens), the backend (the part of your app that does the “thinking” — pulling up data, connecting with APIs, etc), and the database (where all your app’s info is stored).
Don’t like the layout or appearance of the template you choose? That's okay — Adalo gives you the freedom to craft and customize every little detail of that template to your liking. Rejig the layout, add new screens and pictures, change up the colors, and configure nearly every pixel to your liking so you can produce an app that satisfies your tastes.
Features
- Adalo has one of the most generous free versions. You’ll be able to publish your app on the web and even use some integrations, such as Stripe, to take payments. This way, you can run a test app and see how well it works with actual paying customers.
- Adalo has an eye-popping list of integrations, including Zapier and many others, allowing indirect integration with QuickBooks. These allow you to connect various third-party accounts to your Adalo app and transfer data.
For instance, if you’re building an app to assist with your marketing campaigns, you can connect your MailChimp account and siphon the info you need over to your app.
Although Adalo has a logic and database builder, if you have a backend or database with another tool, there are integrations with popular builders like Google Sheets, Airtable, and Xano.
- Since Adalo is made for creating native mobile apps, you’ll find oodles of features that will bolster your app’s functionality. For example, you can leverage Adalo’s Google Maps and GPS integration to add navigation features.
You’ll also be able to send push notifications directly to your clients, reminding them of appointments or informing them of special offers.
Example Apps Built With Adalo
- DoggyDoor: This app allows dog owners to record how often Fido “does his business” to avoid messes.
- Kaigal Jobs: Use this to find jobs that match your skills and requirements.
Who Is Adalo Best For
In all my years of experience with app-building platforms, I’ve recommended Adalo more than any other. This is because Adalo combines the perfect balance of ease and power so freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium businesses can bring any app idea to life.
Pricing
Start using Adalo for $36/month.
Thunkable
Starting to Use Thunkable: An Overview
If you’re one of those creatives preferring to blaze their trail when it comes to app development, you might find Thunkable’s app-building interface right up your alley. This is because Thunkable lets you start building your app from a completely blank slate.
Instead of choosing from a few dozen templates, you’ll create your app carte blanche, assembling each picture, textbox, and button your way. And, if you want to know how other apps look using Thunkable, you’ll be able to access its Public Gallery directly from the building interface after you create a Thunkable account.
The Public Gallery has loads of current apps under development by Thunkable users. You can see the app creator and leave a star review. In fact, you can opt to feature your app in the Public Gallery when you start building.
Features
- Thunkable has a very useful and cool integration: It connects with certain Bluetooth devices through Thunkable’s connection with Bluetooth Low Energy. By connecting to Bluetooth devices like speakers, lighting, smartwatches, and more, you'll be able to add more flexibility to your app.
- Use Thunkable’s REST API to gather data from various sources across the web and integrate with other programs that permit you to do so.
For instance, you can connect with the OpenAI API (the makers of Chat GPT) to add AI power to your app.
- Leveraging a unique block-based building interface for its backend, Thunkable lets you customize your logic by snapping commands together. Use this feature to command your app to execute unique tasks.
Example Apps Made on Thunkable
- Legal Shell: An AI-powered legal advice app that lets you ask legal questions, upload photos of documents, and receive legal advice from an AI source in no time.
- Bangle: An app that connects your phone to your smartwatch via BlueTooth. Use the app to monitor your heart rate, send text messages, navigate your way through an unfamiliar place using the compass feature, and more.
Pricing
Thunkable’s lowest pricing tier is $13/month (billed annually), but it has limited functionality, only allows you to store 500MB of data in your app, and allows for up to 25 app-store downloads per month. For $38/month (billed annually), you’ll get 1GB of storage, unlimited downloads, and the ability to publish 2 web apps.
If you’re like most folks and 1GB of store is too little, go with Thunkable’s $167/month (billed annually) plan. You’ll get unlimited storage space, unlimited app store downloads, and permission to publish up to 5 web apps.
Who Is Thunkable Best For?
Although Thunkable has storage space limitations, those who have a large budget and are looking to build a complex app with loads of API calls and a cool BlueTooth integration might find Thunkable’s higher-priced tiers useful for their app.
Adalo vs. Thunkable: Which Platform Should You Choose?
You’ve made it to the end — now, I’ll pit Thunkable vs. Adalo against each other and spotlight the differences. Here are the major contrasts between the 2 app builders:
Pricing
First and foremost, Thunkable’s pricing tiers are super rigid compared to Adalo’s. While Thunkable offers an extremely cheap $13/month version, you’re limited to only 25 monthly downloads from both app stores and only 500MB of space. Thus, you’ll be limited to a very light start-up app.
Contrast this plan with Adalo’s free version. Although the free version doesn’t allow for app-store publishing, you can still publish your app to the web and reach a wider audience.
Thunkable’s $38/month version is close to Adalo’s $36/month version, but, once again, Thunkable skimps on storage space, allowing only 1GB compared to Adalo’s 5GB. With 5x the storage, Adalo’s gives you the potential to add on more features than Thunkable.
If you want to use Thunkable to create a serious app with tons of features, you'll need to spend $167/month.
Templates
While Thunkable’s blank-slate approach appeals to more free-spirited folks, many might prefer the more structured approach that templates provide. This is true for many beginners who would find a premade layout easy to edit.
Plus, starting from a blank sheet can significantly lengthen the app-building process.
Adalo, on the other hand, offers dozens of templates that you can customize to your preference. You can mix and match text styles, switch the color schemes, or completely revamp the layout.
You also won’t need to search through different functionalities on the app-building interface — with Adalo, everything is right in front of you on your premade template.
Integrations
Although it comes with a really cool BlueTooth low-energy integration, Thunkable lacks other integrations that most people want when building their apps.
For instance, Thunkable lacks an integration with Zapier. This powerful integration allows you to connect your app to one of your third-party accounts and transfer the data you need to your app.
Thanks to its connection with Zapier, Adalo has thousands of integrations. These will allow you to beef up your app.
However, Thunkable does have a powerful REST API that allows you to get data from and integrate with various public and private online sources. To fully utilize the REST API, familiarity with JSON (Java-Script Object Notation) is beneficial, though Thunkable’s block-based interface makes integration somewhat approachable.
Next Steps: Create Your App with Adalo
Want to create an app without worrying if you’ve used too much storage space? Don’t want to spend around $167/month to launch your app? Then look no further than Adalo.
Adalo’s lowest pricing tier, starting at $36/month, gives you up to 5GB of storage space and lets you publish your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You can also publish your app to the web, maximizing your app’s audience.
Plus, Adalo offers integrations with programs like Zapier, Make, QuickBooks, and many more. You can seamlessly transfer data from those accounts directly to your app to streamline your operations.
Adalo is one of the easiest yet most powerful app-builders available. Try Adalo right now for free.
