Adalo carved out a niche as a no-code mobile app builder, but its limitations in performance, customization, and scalability have pushed many users to explore alternatives. Whether you need faster apps, code ownership, or AI-powered development, these platforms offer compelling options.
Adalo apps are known for slower load times and laggy interactions compared to natively coded applications. Complex apps with many screens can feel particularly sluggish.
The drag-and-drop builder constrains you to pre-built components. Custom animations, complex layouts, and unique interactions are difficult to achieve without workarounds.
Apps built in Adalo cannot be exported as source code. You are locked into their platform with no path to migrate to custom infrastructure as your business grows.
As your user base grows, Adalo's infrastructure may not keep pace. High-traffic applications require dedicated hosting and optimization that Adalo does not offer.
Adalo's pricing tiers can become expensive as you add features like custom domains, more app actions, or additional team members. The free tier is very limited.
Adalo established itself as a go-to platform for entrepreneurs and small teams who wanted to build mobile apps without hiring developers. Its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built component library made it possible to create functional prototypes in days rather than months. For basic CRUD applications, simple directories, and internal tools, Adalo delivered on its promise of democratizing app development. The platform's focus on mobile-first experiences resonated with users building customer-facing apps.
Performance has been the most persistent criticism of the Adalo platform. Apps built on Adalo often exhibit noticeable loading times, laggy transitions between screens, and sluggish interactions with data-heavy lists. This is partly architectural: the platform renders apps through a runtime layer that adds overhead compared to natively compiled or optimized web applications. For internal tools where performance is secondary, this trade-off is acceptable. For customer-facing products where first impressions matter, it can be a dealbreaker.
The emergence of AI-powered app builders has fundamentally changed the calculus for no-code users. Where Adalo requires manual placement of components, configuration of data bindings, and setup of navigation flows, AI builders generate complete applications from natural language descriptions. Fabricate takes this further by generating real source code rather than visual abstractions, which means the resulting applications perform like hand-coded software while being created through conversation.
Code ownership represents the most significant long-term consideration when choosing between Adalo and alternatives. Adalo apps cannot be exported as source code. If the platform raises prices, removes features, or shuts down, your application goes with it. Fabricate generates standard React and TypeScript that you own outright. This code can be modified, extended, hosted elsewhere, or handed to a development team for further work. For any application with commercial value, this distinction is critical.
The mobile app landscape itself has shifted toward progressive web apps and responsive web applications that provide near-native experiences without app store submission. Fabricate generates responsive applications that work seamlessly on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops from a single codebase. For teams that previously chose Adalo specifically for mobile apps, this web-first approach often delivers better results with simpler distribution and no app store approval delays.
See how Fabricate compares to Adalo on key features.
| Feature | Fabricate | Adalo |
|---|---|---|
| AI Code Generation | ||
| Code Export | ||
| Real Database | D1 (SQLite) | Built-in (limited) |
| User Authentication | ||
| Custom UI Freedom | Component-based | |
| App Performance | Edge-deployed | Can be slow |
| Payment Integration | Via plugins | |
| Web App Support | Mobile-first | |
| One-Click Deploy | ||
| Scalable Infrastructure | Cloudflare edge | Limited |
A closer look at how each platform approaches key capabilities.
Fabricate
Fabricate generates optimized React applications deployed to Cloudflare's global edge network. Apps load in under a second with proper code splitting, lazy loading, and edge caching. The generated code follows performance best practices without additional configuration.
Adalo
Adalo apps run through a runtime interpretation layer that adds latency to every interaction. Screen transitions, data fetches, and list rendering are noticeably slower than native or compiled applications. Complex apps with many components experience compounding performance issues.
Verdict: For any application where user experience and loading speed matter, Fabricate produces significantly faster results. Adalo's performance is acceptable only for simple internal tools with patient users.
Fabricate
Every Fabricate application includes a D1 SQL database with proper relational schemas, Clerk-powered authentication with social logins and MFA, and optional Stripe payment processing. The AI generates cohesive backend logic that connects all these services automatically.
Adalo
Adalo includes a basic built-in database that handles simple data storage. Authentication is built in for basic email/password. Payment processing and advanced features require third-party plugins from the Adalo marketplace, which vary in quality and maintenance.
Verdict: Adalo's built-in database works for simple apps but lacks the relational power and query flexibility of a real SQL database. Fabricate's integrated backend stack eliminates the plugin dependency that makes Adalo apps fragile.
Fabricate
Fabricate's AI generates custom UI components using React and TailwindCSS. Any design is possible because you get real code. Custom animations, complex layouts, and unique interactions are all achievable through conversational iteration with the AI.
Adalo
Adalo provides a library of pre-built components that can be styled within set parameters. Custom layouts beyond what components allow require creative workarounds. Animations and advanced interactions are limited to what the component library supports.
Verdict: Adalo's component library is adequate for standard mobile app patterns. For unique designs, branded experiences, or anything beyond typical app layouts, Fabricate's code-based approach offers unlimited flexibility.
Follow these steps to make the switch seamlessly.
Screenshot every screen in your Adalo app and document the data collections, relationships, actions, and integrations. Create a feature list that captures everything your app currently does.
Use Adalo's data export feature to download your collections as CSV files. Organize these by collection and note the relationships between them for accurate database schema recreation.
Use your documentation to describe the complete application to Fabricate. Include all screens, user flows, data models, and any features you wanted but couldn't build in Adalo. Be specific about authentication requirements and payment processing needs.
Use Fabricate's live preview to compare the generated application against your Adalo original. Iterate through conversation to refine the design, adjust functionality, and add features that Adalo's component library couldn't support.
Deploy your new application to Cloudflare with one click. If your Adalo app had users, communicate the transition and redirect them to the new URL. Your new app will load faster and offer a better experience.
We tested these alternatives to help you find the best fit for your project.
AI-powered full-stack app builder that generates real React code with database, auth, and deployment on Cloudflare's global network.
Best for: Production-grade full-stack apps
Mature no-code platform with visual programming, workflows, and a large plugin marketplace.
Best for: Complex no-code applications
Visual builder that generates Flutter code for native mobile apps with Firebase integration.
Best for: Native mobile app development
Spreadsheet-powered app builder for simple mobile and web applications.
Best for: Simple data-driven apps
AI-powered rapid code generation for web applications and prototypes.
Best for: Web app prototypes
AI builder that produces polished, responsive web interfaces from text descriptions.
Best for: Frontend-focused web apps
Cross-platform no-code mobile builder with native app publishing capabilities.
Best for: Simple cross-platform mobile apps
Fabricate generates a complete fitness application with user authentication, a relational database for workouts and exercises, interactive charts for progress visualization, social sharing features, and Stripe subscription management. This goes far beyond what Adalo's component library can achieve in terms of performance and customization.
Build a fitness tracking app with user accounts, workout logging with exercise library, progress charts with weekly and monthly views, social features to share achievements with friends, and a subscription system with Stripe for premium workout plans.
“My Adalo app looked decent but users complained about speed constantly. After rebuilding with Fabricate, load times dropped from 4 seconds to under 1, and I finally have real database queries instead of workarounds.”
Kevin T.
Startup Founder
Common questions about Adalo alternatives.
Adalo is a no-code platform for building mobile and web apps using a drag-and-drop interface. It focuses on mobile-first applications with pre-built UI components.
Common reasons include slow app performance, limited customization, no code export, and pricing that scales poorly as apps grow more complex.
Fabricate generates responsive web applications that work on all devices. For native mobile apps, Adalo or FlutterFlow may be more suitable. For progressive web apps, Fabricate excels.
Yes. Fabricate uses AI to generate code from natural language descriptions. You describe what you want, and it builds the application for you - no coding or drag-and-drop required.
Fabricate offers a generous free tier for building complete applications. Adalo's free tier is limited to basic features with Adalo branding. Paid plans vary based on your specific needs.
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