When it comes to app builders, two names often pop up: Draftbit and Adalo.Both promise to make app development simpler, but how do you decide which is right for you?
With over a decade of experience testing app-building platforms, I’ve seen firsthand how Draftbit and Adalo offer unique features.This article compares Draftbit vs Adalo, offering insights into which platform might be the perfect fit for your needs.
Draftbit vs. Adalo: Key Differences
Key Similarities
Although Draftbit and Adalo are very different app-building platforms, they share the following key features:
- Free versions: You won’t have to worry about signing up for Adalo or Draftbit without taking each app builder for a test drive. Both platforms offer free versions that give you a feel of how the app-building interface works — and you won’t need to provide any credit card info to sign up.
- Ecosystems: If you want to learn Adalo or Draftbit “properly,” you’ll be pleased to know that both platforms have thriving ecosystems teaming with abundant learning resources.
Adalo and Draftbit offer video tutorials, online app-building academies complete with lessons and modules, a forum for asking questions and getting expert feedback, help documentation and more.
- Native mobile publishing: Today, most folks define “apps” as those downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Adalo and Draftbit have built-in programs that allow easy publishing to the app stores, so your audience can download them directly to their devices.
Adalo and Draftbit also allow you to include all the perks that come with native mobile apps — I’m talking about GPS, push notifications, camera integrations, and more. Web apps that you access with your browser just can’t feature these functionalities as they don’t download directly to your phone.
- Modern-looking templates and elements: While Draftbit and Adalo have very different functionalities, you can kickstart your app-building using a premade template as its foundation.
Adalo and Draftbit (you’ll have to access your Draftbit account to see their templates) have dozens of fresh-looking templates loaded with elements and features so you can hit the ground running.
- Outsource your app-building to experts: Did you start using Adalo’s or Draftbit’s free version but decide you want to pass your app-building off to a pro? Both Adalo and Draftbit let you do so, allowing you to kick back while a seasoned vet builds your app.
Draftbit
Who It’s Good For
Unlike Adalo, a no-code app-building platform, Draftbit is a low-code app builder that requires some technical skills.
While you won’t need to be a computer science PhD, if you don’t know how code is organized or how APIs work, you’ll probably have a tough time learning and using Draftbit.
However, if you count yourself among the tech-savvy, you’ll most likely love the extra punch you’ll get from being able to patch in your code, build your components, control your app’s state management, and much more.
Features
- Here’s a feature that will perk most techies' ears: Draftbit lets you keep your app’s source code. This means you can start developing your app with Draftbit — download its source code and further develop it using a programming language or with an agency.
Draftbit’s GitHub integration allows you to share your source code directly on GitHub so your coder buddies can offer their feedback and suggest new patches.
- Draftbit comes equipped with a powerful REST API. This API lets you siphon data from any other account straight to your app and connect to external databases from providers like SQL, Airtable, Google Sheets, and more.
- Want to create unique images for your app but don’t want to spend time crafting them with a program like Figma or Canva? Draftbit’s AI image generator has got you covered. Describe the exact image you want to feature in a prompt and configure its size so it fits perfectly.
Pricing
Draftbit has three pricing classes. Regular pricing starts at $29/month (billed monthly), allowing you to publish to the web and app stores while also providing you with unlimited API endpoints. For $79/month (billed monthly), you can publish up to 3 apps and keep their source code.
The second pricing class, for advanced use cases, starts at $129/month (billed monthly). You get everything from the first pricing class’s $79/month version but permission to onboard 3 other people to help you build your app.
If you’ve got a bigger team, check out the $399/month (billed monthly) version, which gives you 10 collaborators and access to Draftbit’s Slack Channel for support.
The third pricing class, which involves Draftbit’s team building your app for you, starts at $2,000/month (billed monthly). You’ll be able to coordinate with the team via Slack, and they’ll work on your app for 8 hours per week.
If you want your app built faster, try the $4,000/month (billed monthly) version. One dedicated expert will spend 20 hours per week on your app. You’ll be able to plan bi-weekly sprints, which means you’ll be able to have your developer create special priority features you want built out quickly and within a specified time frame.
Adalo
Who It’s Good For
Adalo is truly a no-code app-building platform. No matter how tech-averse you are, Adalo will provide all the tools to create a highly functional and professional app.
You’ll start by choosing one of Adalo’s 40+ templates and creating your app using its super-easy drag-and-drop interface, which functions like moving icons around your computer’s desktop.
Features
- Adalo has one of the best free versions on the market. You can publish a web app that users can access via their browsers. You can also add components such as animated tabs and a deck swiper to give your app some extra oomph.
- With Adalo’s responsive design interface, you can create both web and native mobile apps from the same blueprint, minimizing the need for major design changes across platforms. You can publish one on the web and the other on the app stores without any fuss.
- Adalo’s templates are completely customizable, allowing you to create a finished product that looks and feels exactly how you want it to. After selecting the template you need, add as many new screens and features as you need.
Pricing
Start using Adalo for $45/month (billed monthly).
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Now that we’ve reached the end of the article, it’s time to play matchmaker: When considering Adalo vs. Draftbit, which platform works best for different audiences? Whether you select Adalo or Draftbit depends on how you answer the 2 following questions:
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Would You Consider Yourself Tech-Savvy?
If you answered “yes” to this question, you might want to look in Draftbit’s direction. You’ll get the best of both worlds with Draftbit, including the ease of a no-code drag-and-drop interface and dozens of templates and elements to start to launch your app.
Draftbit will also give you super cool techie perks, like injecting your code, creating your elements, sharing your source code on GitHub, and keeping your source code.
If you gave this question a hard “no,” Adalo’s the app builder for you. You won’t need any knowledge about programming, coding logic, or how an API works. The only tech knowledge you need to bring to Adalo is the ability to open an online account.
Can You Handle Draftbit’s Rigid Pricing?
A little background here: While Draftbit’s entry-level version only costs $29/month (billed monthly), if you want more features like the ability to export your code to GitHub, enter your custom code to your app, or create your elements, you’ll need to pay $79/month (billed monthly) — an eye-watering $50/month jump.
While Adalo’s first pricing tier is $45/month (billed monthly), its second tier is only $20/month more, at $65/month (billed monthly). You can publish 2 apps, access geolocation, and send push notifications.
A “no” answer points you clearly toward Adalo, while those answering “yes” would most likely do so because of the powerful tech-centric functionalities you get from Draftbit.
Next Steps: Create Your App With Adalo
Are you looking for an app builder that doesn’t require knowing how to interpret JSON or being able to structure your app’s code? Go with Adalo.
Adalo is a straightforward no-code app builder. Sign up, choose a template, and start creating your app with its drag-and-drop interface. You’ll be able to customize and configure nearly every pixel to your exact needs and tastes.
After you finish building your app, publish it to the web, the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store. When you build with Adalo, you'll have the chance to get your app in front of billions of users.
