Thunkable vs Adalo: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Thunkable is built for native-mobile-apps, while Adalo suits native-mobile-apps. For most users Adalo is the stronger default, but Thunkable can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Thunkable versus Adalo comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Thunkable | Adalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nocode App Builder | Nocode App Builder |
| What it's known for | Drag-and-drop no-code platform for building native iOS, Android and web apps and publishing directly to the App Store, Google Play and the web. | Visual no-code builder focused on native iOS/Android and web apps from a single project, with a relational database and direct publishing to the App Store and Google Play. |
| Pricing | Free plan (up to 3 public projects); Accelerator ~$19/mo, Builder ~$59/mo (publishing unlocks, up to 50 public projects, 1 live app), Advanced ~$189/mo (unlimited public/private projects); restructured Oct 2024 | Free plan (build/test, 500 records); reported Starter ~$36/mo, Professional ~$65/mo, Team ~$160/mo (payment processing tier), Business ~$200/mo (annual billing); AI Builder added in 2026 |
| Best audience | Beginners and non-developers building their first native mobile app. | Startups and non-developers who need a native mobile MVP on iOS and Android. |
| Best for | native-mobile-apps, beginners | native-mobile-apps, startups |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Beginner-friendly path to native iOS/Android apps. | Produces true native IPA/APK builds, not just PWAs. |
| Main caveat | Free and Accelerator plans cannot publish to iOS/Android stores (Builder $59/mo required). | Apps can get slow/laggy with larger datasets. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Thunkable key features
- Drag-and-drop builder for native iOS, Android and web apps
- Direct publishing to App Store, Google Play and web
- AI features with token-based usage
- Public and private projects
Adalo key features
- Visual multi-screen canvas for native iOS/Android and web from one project
- Built-in relational database
- Direct publishing to Apple App Store and Google Play
- Ada AI builder (Magic Start, Magic Add) for AI generation
Pricing tiers side by side
Thunkable plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2,000 AI tokens, 3 public projects, 5 screens/project; cannot publish to stores |
| Accelerator | ~$19/mo | More projects; still cannot publish to app stores |
| Builder | ~$59/mo | 50,000 AI tokens, 10 private projects, 1 live published app |
| Advanced | ~$189/mo | 100,000 tokens, unlimited projects, unlimited live apps |
Adalo plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Build/test, 500 records, web publishing on Adalo subdomain |
| Starter | ~$36/mo | App Store + Google Play publishing, no usage caps |
| Professional | ~$65/mo | More apps, custom domains |
| Team | ~$200/mo | Collaboration / payment-processing tier |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Thunkable wins
Beginner-friendly native iOS/Android/web app builder with real store publishing.
- Beginner-friendly path to native iOS/Android apps.
- Real free plan for testing and learning.
That makes it the stronger pick for beginners and non-developers building their first native mobile app.
Where Adalo wins
One of the few accessible no-code tools that ships genuinely native mobile apps to both app stores.
- Produces true native IPA/APK builds, not just PWAs.
- Free plan allows full development and web publishing.
That makes it the stronger pick for startups and non-developers who need a native mobile MVP on iOS and Android.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Thunkable if you fit its core audience — beginners and non-developers building their first native mobile app.
- Choose Adalo if you fit its core audience — startups and non-developers who need a native mobile MVP on iOS and Android.
FAQ
Is Thunkable better than Adalo?
Adalo is the stronger default for most users, but Thunkable can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Thunkable and Adalo?
Thunkable is beginner-friendly native iOS/Android/web app builder with real store publishing. Adalo is one of the few accessible no-code tools that ships genuinely native mobile apps to both app stores.
Which is cheaper, Thunkable or Adalo?
Both Thunkable and Adalo offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Thunkable and Adalo: