Introduction
The search for the right no-code app builder often leads product teams and entrepreneurs to compare Adalo vs Thunkable. Both chart their own course in the no-code space by targeting users who want to create mobile apps without coding expertise. These platforms differ in their ecosystems, pricing approaches, publishing options, and marketplace maturity. What sets them apart, and which is a better fit for your production needs? This hands-on review focuses strictly on capabilities, integrations, workflows, and long-term control.
Key Takeaways
- Both Adalo and Thunkable offer the core no-code experience—drag-and-drop editors, mobile app deployment, and access to app store publishing.
- Component marketplaces and integration handling differ; Adalo supports a third-party component marketplace, while Thunkable relies on an extensive internal component set.
- Both platforms use tiered pricing for commercial projects, with plan differences around features like custom domains and publishing rights.
- App publishing to iOS, Android, and PWA is available on both, with some platform-specific differences in the process and requirements.
Summary Table
| Feature | How Adalo handles it | How Thunkable handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-code builder UI | Drag-and-drop visual editor | Drag-and-drop visual editor | Both |
| Component/Marketplace | Third-party component marketplace | Internal documented component set | Adalo for extensibility |
| Workflows/Actions | Custom Actions; workflows tied to user interaction | Logic components and event/action handling | Not publicly specified |
| Data sources & APIs | External Collections, API integration | Built-in data handling and API support | Not publicly specified |
| Integrations & Webhooks | Supports API integrations, guides for Airtable, automation | Not publicly specified | Adalo for external integrations |
| Publishing | To iOS, Android, and PWA; requires appropriate plan | To iOS, Android; documented process | Both for store publishing |
| PWA/Web | Supported | Not publicly specified | Adalo for web/PWA |
| Pricing & tiers | Tiered plans; features like custom domains, publishing tied to plan | Tiered plans for individuals/teams; features vary | Both—check latest details |
| Security & SSO/2FA | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| Migration/Import-Export | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
What Adalo Is
Adalo is a no-code app builder focused on helping users develop, customize, and deploy mobile apps to iOS, Android, and as progressive web apps (PWAs). Its editor is built around a visual, drag-and-drop interface, and it promotes extensibility via its component marketplace. Adalo’s plans, as detailed on the Adalo pricing page, scale based on features like custom domains and publishing rights.
What Thunkable Is
Thunkable is another core player in the no-code mobile development space, enabling users to visually assemble apps and deploy to iOS and Android. Its documentation (Thunkable Docs) emphasizes a broad, well-maintained internal component set and step-by-step guides for logic, data, and publishing workflows. Thunkable also uses a tiered pricing model, which varies by target audience: individual creators or teams (Thunkable pricing).
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Builders, Components, and Extensibility
Adalo provides a drag-and-drop editor and an extensive component marketplace where you can add third-party modules to expand your app’s capabilities. This gives extra flexibility if existing components don’t solve your use case.
Thunkable, while also providing a drag-and-drop builder, focuses on a strong internal component set. All functionality is handled through built-in and documented UI and logic blocks (component reference). An extension marketplace for external components isn’t documented at this time.
Data Sources, APIs, and Integrations
Adalo allows you to connect external data sources using its “External Collections” and “Custom Actions” features. There are official guides for integrations with services like Airtable and other external APIs (Adalo Integrations).
Thunkable supports built-in data sources and also enables API access, but there’s no public documentation about native webhooks or support for connecting to services like Airtable out of the box. The focus is on internal data handling and logic flows.
Pricing Models and Plan Limits
Both platforms operate with tiered pricing.
- Adalo provides different plans tied to app features, publishing rights, and custom domains. Exact limits and current pricing should always be confirmed on their latest pricing page.
- Thunkable offers tiered options for individuals and teams. Key differentiators between plans are based on features, production app support, and access to publishing tools. It’s best to review the Thunkable pricing page for current production app limits.
There’s no public documentation comparing maximum app sizes, published app count per plan, or hard usage caps.
Publishing (App Store, Google Play, PWA/Web)
Adalo supports direct publishing to the Apple App Store, Google Play, and web/PWA. Publishing features depend on your subscription plan (pricing).
Thunkable includes support for exporting and publishing apps to both major mobile platforms. Their documentation provides step-by-step guides (Thunkable publishing). PWA/web export isn’t clearly documented as supported.
Performance and Scalability Considerations
Neither platform provides public benchmarks or specific technical limitations around app size, data performance, or user scaling. Expect the same general constraints typical with no-code platforms—complex apps or very large data volumes may encounter bottlenecks. Always test performance using the production plan tier early in your development to identify any issues.
Security, Compliance, and Access Controls
Neither Adalo nor Thunkable has public documentation detailing security certifications, SSO, 2FA, or compliance standards. For regulated industries or advanced user authentication, reach out directly to each vendor for their current capabilities. Both platforms permit building typical user sign-in flows but advanced enterprise security is not detailed.
When to Choose Adalo vs Thunkable
Choose Adalo if you value the flexibility of a component marketplace, need to integrate with external data sources (e.g., Airtable), require publishing for both app stores and web/PWA, or want room to purchase and leverage third-party extensions as your app grows.
Choose Thunkable if you prefer a robust internal component library, want step-by-step publishing guides for mobile platforms, and are focused on mobile-only deployment without a current need for PWA/web export. Teams seeking a streamlined set of supported features with less third-party extension complexity may also prefer Thunkable.
Migration Notes and Pitfalls
Neither platform currently documents tools for importing existing projects, exporting projects for migration elsewhere, or direct migration between Adalo and Thunkable. If you start with one platform and need to switch, plan for a manual rebuild of your project. Keep this in mind for roadmap flexibility and data portability requirements.
Conclusion
Adalo and Thunkable each fill vital roles in the no-code development world. Adalo stands out for third-party component extensibility and flexible integration, especially if you expect to push into web/PWA deployments. Thunkable shines with an internally complete feature set and built-in guides to streamline mobile publishing workflows for iOS and Android. Review your key needs—especially around data sources, extensibility, and platform targets—when choosing between these two tools.
FAQs
Which platform is better for publishing native apps to iOS and Android?
Both Adalo and Thunkable support publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play, with step-by-step documentation. Check plan tiers as publishing may require a paid plan.
How do pricing and plan limits compare for production apps?
Both platforms use tiered pricing. Adalo and Thunkable tie key production features like custom domains and app publishing to higher-tier paid plans. For the latest app limits and costs, refer to each vendor’s pricing page.
What integrations and data sources are supported out of the box?
Adalo offers integration with external APIs and services such as Airtable using External Collections and Custom Actions. Thunkable supports built-in data and API handling but does not document as broad a set of out-of-the-box integrations as Adalo.
How mature are the component/extension marketplaces?
Adalo has a third-party component marketplace to extend app capabilities. Thunkable’s component set is internally managed and documented. There’s no extension marketplace for Thunkable components at this time.
Are there notable performance or scalability constraints to consider?
No public data on maximum app size, speed, or supported user counts is available for either platform. Users should anticipate typical no-code limitations: complex or high-load production apps may run into performance bottlenecks and should be tested early.