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Budibase is an excellent no-code app builder for internal tools, Appsmith is a low-code platform geared towards enterprise needs, and Adalo is a simple no-code app builder that covers many bases.
This article will walk you through:
- Quick comparison of Budibase vs. Appsmith vs. Adalo
- How I compared these platforms
- Each platform’s features, pricing, and target audience
- Determining which platform is right for you
- How Adalo can help
Let’s take a quick look at Budibase vs. Appsmith vs. Adalo.
Budibase vs. Appsmith vs. Adalo at a Glance
How I Compared the Platforms
I’ve worked with low-code, no-code, and other SaaS programs for over a decade. To help folks find the right app builder for their needs, I built a website, NoCode.tech, which reviews and recommends dozens of tools.
When determining how to compare Budibase vs. Appsmith vs. Adalo, I focused on the following:
- Customization: By customization, I mean the amount of design freedom a platform provides and the number of features you can add to give your app robust functionality and add your very own personal touch.
You’ll be able to adjust your frontend’s colors and structure and build out your backend logic to execute organization-specific tasks, all in line with your tastes, preferences, and brand.
- Free versions: Budibase, Appsmith, and Adalo each provide a free version that lets you build an app and test it out on a limited audience.
Free versions are essential, as they allow learning and getting a feel for a platform’s building interface and capabilities. So, you’ll have experience with the platform before you fork over your hard-earned cash.
- Integrations and APIs: All platforms provide integrations with third-party applications directly or through an external API. This allows you to transfer data from your app to a third-party platform.
Data transfer between platforms is key, especially if you want to enable payments using Stripe, upload live stock market data from your Barron subscription, or analyze your cost history on QuickBooks.
Budibase
Who It’s Good For
Budibase is an open-sourced, no-code web app builder made explicitly for building internal business apps for workflow automations, client or vendor portals, inventory management, and others. You’ll find plans and features for any business size.
Features
- If you’re a techie or have programming experience, you’ll be happy to know that Budibase is open source — a rarity for no-code tools. This means you can download your source code, patch in your own code commands, and infuse your app with other developers’ code.
- Because Budibase is open source, you’ll have access to an enormous library of plugins, features, and other cool add-ons. For instance, you can let your app users create avatars, plug in a QR code scanner, create your own Discord to live chat with users, and much more.
- Budibase comes with a super-customizable backend, allowing you to configure your app’s logic to execute tasks, make API calls, and structure your database to your precise needs.
Pricing
Start with Budibase for $60/month per app-editor and $6/month per user, and run your app on your own servers (on-prem). You’ll get access to Budibase’s code library, and you’ll be able to custom-brand your app.
If you need enhanced security features like enforceable SSO, access control, and audit logs, contact Budibase directly for the enterprise version.
Appsmith
Who It’s Good For
If you’re a medium, large, or enterprise-level organization and need an app builder to create many internal business apps, give Appsmith a go. It’s a low-code app builder packed with everything you need to simplify tedious operations, automate workflows, and much more.
Features
- Supercharge your app with Appsmith’s industry-leading AI tools. Appy, as the tool is named, will write lines of code following your prompts that you can patch into your app. If you are wondering how certain features work, just ask Appy—it will serve as a concierge to Appsmith’s building interface.
- Appsmith lets you deploy your app on your servers (on-prem) or cloud space. This enables you to scale your app to nearly any size you can handle and makes you the gatekeeper of your app’s security.
Pricing
Get started with Appsmith for only $40/month (billed monthly), and you’ll get unlimited users and unlimited apps — but with a catch: Your app can accumulate no more than 100 hours of user time per month, with every hour after that costing $0.40.
If you need more time to use it, contact Appsmith about getting the enterprise version directly from the Appsmith website.
Adalo
Who It’s Good For
Adalo is a no-code app builder that can create both web apps and native mobile apps that users can download directly from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Because it doesn’t require technical skills, even beginners can build super functional, professional-looking apps with Adalo.
Features
- Adalo is the app-building platform I’ve recommended more than any other. It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and power. It’s easy enough to use right out of the box, but it provides enough customization and flexibility to create nearly any app you can imagine.
- When you build with Adalo, you can create all 3 parts of your app: Your frontend, backend, and database. Craft and configure your frontend to meet your design needs.
Then, dial in your backend to fetch data from third-party applications using Zapier or an external API. You’ll also be able to create your own database and connect specific tables to organize your data fields precisely as you want them.
- Unlike Budibase or Appsmith, Adalo lets you publish your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This makes it simple for your users to find your app, and because both app stores have an enormous number of combined users, you can popularize your app and get it in front of 1,000s of possible users.
Pricing
Get Adalo for only $45/month (billed monthly).
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Since you’re familiar with pricing, functionality, and intended users for Appsmith vs. Budibase vs. Adalo, let's discuss how to pick the right platform for your needs. Consider the following when making your selection:
- Your organization’s size: If you’re a medium to large-sized organization, Appsmith and Budibase are the go-to platforms. Many medium-sized organizations often pick between Appsmith, Budibase, and ToolJet (another low-code builder) because of the platform’s scaling capabilities, permission to run your app on-prem, and industry-specific widgets and templates.
Adalo is best suited for small to medium businesses. It provides the perfect mix of power and ease, allowing you to build an app catering to your brand and release it to a decent client base.
- Need for an internal business tool or an app for clients: Budibase and Appsmith are only designed to create certain types of apps for internal business tools. They don’t provide the infrastructure for building apps that anonymous clients use, like those for e-commerce purchases, restaurant and appointment booking, personal train apps, and more. Adalo is the best choice for building both internal and external apps.
If you want to compare 3 app builders for internal business tools only, I recommend you consider Budibase, Appsmith, or Retool. Retool is another popular platform for creating internal tools, but it has plans and features for smaller organizations.
- Your level of technical expertise: If you can’t structure database schema, aren’t sure about coding logic, or have no clue about how APIs work, Appsmith will be out of your reach. And, while Budibase is technically a no-code tool, getting your money’s worth by leveraging its open-source capabilities would be impossible if you don’t have coding knowledge.
But if you’re a complete tech beginner and still want to create your own app, go with Adalo. Its intuitive building interface is easy to use right out of the box and works like simple photo editing software.
- Need for a web app or native mobile app: Do you want to publish your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store so your users will know exactly where to download it directly to their devices? Unfortunately, you can’t do so with Budibase or Appsmith — these platforms don’t provide direct app store publishing.
The only platform between Budibase vs. Appsmith vs. Adalo that lets you publish to the app stores is Adalo. So, if you must get your app on the app stores, Adalo’s your answer.
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Next Steps: Create Your App with Adalo
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small or medium business, Adalo is the better option than Budibase and Appsmith. You’ll find around 40 fully customizable templates for KPI dashboards, niche social media apps, booking and scheduling tools, and much more.
Customize each piece of your app to your precise needs and configure the colors and layouts to your exact tastes. You won’t need any tech skills to build your app — start creating right after you make an account — making it the easiest way to start now.
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