Updated Jan 28, 2026

Adalo vs Bolt.New: The Ultimate App Building Platform Comparison Guide

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Choosing between Adalo and Bolt.New for your next app project? With so many app-building platforms available, finding the right fit for your goals requires understanding what each platform actually delivers.

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Bolt.New, launched by StackBlitz in late 2026, is an AI-powered development tool that uses natural language prompts to generate web applications in the browser.

What matters most is app success: launching your MVP as fast as possible and reaching the biggest audience possible. That means deploying not just a web app, but native Android and iOS apps published to the app stores—unlocking massive distribution channels and the ability to engage users with push notifications. This comparison examines how each platform stacks up against these critical success factors.

Platform Overview and Core Philosophy

Adalo's AI-Powered No-Code Approach

Adalo has established itself since 2018 as a leading app builder, with over 3 million apps created on the platform. The platform combines visual drag-and-drop building with AI-assisted features, processing 20 million+ daily requests with 99%+ uptime. The company's philosophy centers on democratizing app development through interfaces that require zero coding knowledge while delivering production-ready applications.

With the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul launched in late 2025, the platform is now 3-4x faster than before, with modular infrastructure that scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users. The upcoming AI Builder (early 2026) will add prompt-based app creation and editing, combining the speed of vibe-coding with the reliability of a battle-tested platform.

Key differentiators:

Build once, deploy everywhere: Create a single app that works natively on iOS, Android, and web
True native compilation: Apps compile to native code, not web wrappers
No data caps: Paid plans include unlimited database records with no upper limit
Predictable pricing: Monthly subscriptions with no usage-based charges

Bolt.New's Experimental AI Approach

Bolt.New represents StackBlitz's attempt to revolutionize development through AI-powered code generation. It uses natural language prompts to generate full-stack web applications, relying on Claude AI models for code generation.

Core characteristics:

AI-first development: Chat-based interface for app generation
Browser-based environment: No local setup required
Token-based pricing: Pay-per-use model that can become expensive
Limited production readiness: Better suited for prototypes than production apps

Feature Comparison: Building Capabilities

Visual Development vs AI Generation

Adalo's Visual Builder provides a WYSIWYG editor that users describe as "easy as PowerPoint":

50+ built-in components: Buttons, forms, lists, images, videos, maps, and more
Component marketplace: Additional premium components from third-party developers
Canvas flexibility: Display up to 400 screens at once for complex app architecture
Real-time preview: Test apps instantly during development
Template library: Pre-built app templates for common use cases

The upcoming AI Builder adds Magic Start, which generates complete app foundations from descriptions. Tell it you need a booking app for a dog grooming business, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically—what used to take days of planning happens in minutes. Magic Add then lets you add features by describing what you want in natural language.

Bolt.New's AI Interface offers:

Chat-based development requiring clear prompting skills
AI-generated code that often needs debugging
Limited to JavaScript/Node.js technologies only
Token consumption for every interaction and modification
Frequent error loops requiring expensive debugging sessions

Database and Backend Capabilities

Adalo's Integrated Solution:

Built-in database: Excel-like functionality with visual management
Unrestricted storage: No record limits on paid plans—scale to millions of records
External integrations: Connect to Xano, Airtable, Google Sheets via Sheetbridge
API access: Every Adalo app includes its own API
Relationship support: Complex database relationships without coding

Sheetbridge deserves special mention—it turns a Google Sheet into an actual database for the easiest control without database-related learning curves. This removes a significant barrier that trips up users on other platforms.

Bolt.New's Limitations:

JavaScript/Node.js backend only—no Python, PHP, or other languages
Requires external services for databases (Supabase, Firebase)
Complex debugging when database issues arise
Token costs escalate with backend complexity
Limited scalability for data-intensive applications

Pricing Analysis: Predictable Costs vs Token Uncertainty

Adalo's Transparent Pricing Structure

Adalo's pricing offers predictable monthly costs with no usage-based surprises:

Key Advantage—Unlimited Everything: All paid plans include unlimited app actions and unlimited database records. You'll never pay overages or worry about your app going viral and breaking the bank.

Plan	Monthly Cost (Billed Annually)	Published Apps	Key Features
Free	$0	0	Test and learn, app hibernation after 60 days
Starter	$36	1	App Store publishing, custom domain, unlimited usage
Professional	$52	2	Google Maps, geolocation, custom actions
Team	$160	5	Version history, priority support

Bolt.New's Unpredictable Token System

Bolt.New's token-based pricing creates significant uncertainty:

Token Consumption Issues:

Simple functions: 50-100 tokens
Complex apps: 1000+ tokens per interaction
Debugging sessions: Users report spending $1,000+ on tokens for simple fixes
No way to predict monthly costs accurately
Token limits reset daily on free plan, disrupting workflow

Pricing Tiers:

Free: 150K daily tokens (constant interruptions)
Pro plans: $20-$200/month for varying token amounts
Enterprise: Custom pricing for heavy usage

How This Compares to Other Platforms

For context on value: Bubble's comparable offering starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and record limits. FlutterFlow starts at $70/month per user but doesn't include a database—you need to source, set up, and pay for that separately. Glide starts at $60/month but limits data records and doesn't support app store publishing. Adalo's $36/month Starter plan includes native app store publishing, unlimited usage, and no record caps.

Publishing Capabilities: App Stores and Beyond

Adalo Excels in Multi-Platform Deployment

Native Mobile Apps:

iOS App Store: Generate IPA files for Apple submission
Google Play Store: Create AAB files for Android deployment
TestFlight support: Beta testing for iOS apps
App store compliance: Built-in features meet store requirements
Unlimited updates: Push updates to published apps without additional charges

Web Deployment:

Progressive Web Apps: Full PWA support
Custom domains: Deploy to your own domain
Free hosting: Adalo subdomain included
Responsive design: Automatic optimization for all devices

This is where Adalo's "build once, deploy everywhere" approach delivers real value. One codebase updates your web app, iOS app, and Android app simultaneously. Platforms using web wrappers for mobile require separate management and often introduce performance issues at scale.

Bolt.New's Limited Deployment Options

Mobile Limitations:

Mobile apps only through Expo integration (additional complexity)
Requires separate developer accounts and knowledge
No direct app store submission support
Additional costs for app deployment

Web Deployment:

Primary focus on web applications
Netlify integration for hosting
Export limitations with missing dependencies
No built-in app store publishing pipeline

Ease of Use Comparison

Adalo's Beginner-Friendly Approach

Learning Resources:

Adalo App Academy: Comprehensive course platform
Documentation: Extensive help center
Video tutorials: Step-by-step guides
Community forum: Active peer support

User Experience:

Intuitive drag-and-drop: Similar to PowerPoint or Canva
No coding required: True no-code experience
Visual feedback: See changes instantly
Guided workflows: Clear paths from idea to published app

Bolt.New's Technical Challenges

Steep Learning Curve:

Requires understanding of web development concepts
Prompting skills essential for effective use
Debugging knowledge needed when AI fails
Technical expertise required for production apps

Common User Frustrations:

AI overwrites good code with problematic code
Error loops consume expensive tokens
Incomplete exports require manual fixes
Limited documentation for troubleshooting

Performance and Scalability Analysis

Adalo's Production-Ready Infrastructure

The Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul (late 2025) transformed the platform's performance characteristics:

3-4x faster: Complete backend rebuild delivers dramatically improved speed
20 million+ daily requests: Proven at scale across the platform
Modular infrastructure: Scales to 1M+ MAU with no upper ceiling
33% image compression improvement: Through enhanced Imgix configuration
Dedicated database isolation: For paid plans with better stability
Regional data hosting: US, Europe, and Japan options

X-Ray, Adalo's AI-powered performance tool, identifies issues before they affect users—proactive optimization rather than reactive firefighting.

Note: Most third-party platform ratings and comparisons you'll find online predate the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul. The performance characteristics changed significantly with this update.

Bolt.New's Prototype Limitations

Performance Constraints:

Browser-based limitations affect complex apps
Token costs escalate dramatically with scale
Context window limitations restrict project size
No proven track record for production applications

User Reports:

Significant slowdowns in complex projects
Expensive debugging sessions for simple issues
Incomplete file exports hinder migration
Not suitable for enterprise applications

Customer Support and Community

Adalo's Established Ecosystem

Support Channels:

Email support at hello@adalo.com
Active community forum
Priority support on Team and Business plans
Adalo Experts network for professional help

Learning Ecosystem:

Comprehensive documentation
Video tutorial library
Community-created templates
Regular webinars and monthly updates
Canny changelog for transparency

Bolt.New's Limited Support Structure

Current Support:

Basic documentation at support.bolt.new
Discord channel (through StackBlitz)
GitHub issues for technical problems
Limited professional support options

Community Challenges:

New platform with smaller user base
Limited third-party resources
Few established best practices
Minimal professional service providers

Integration Capabilities

Adalo's Extensive Integration Ecosystem

Native Integrations:

Zapier: Connect to 5,000+ services
Payment processing: Stripe and IAPHUB
Data sources: Airtable, Google Sheets, Xano
Maps: Google Maps with geolocation
Automation: Make.com integration

Component Marketplace:

Third-party components for extended functionality
Social login options
Advanced UI elements
Custom business logic components

Bolt.New's Limited Integration Options

Current Integrations:

Basic npm package support
Netlify deployment only
Limited third-party service connections
No established marketplace or ecosystem
Requires manual integration coding

Templates and Starting Points

Adalo's Comprehensive Template Library

Full App Templates:

E-commerce: Complete online stores
Social media: Community platforms
Booking systems: Appointment scheduling
Directories: Business listings
Educational: Course management
Real estate: Property browsing

Industry-specific solutions:

Healthcare and fitness tracking
Restaurant and food delivery
Professional services
Community platforms

Bolt.New's Limited Templates

Current Offerings:

Basic starter templates only
No industry-specific solutions
Limited customization options
Requires AI prompting for variations

Use Cases and Success Stories

Adalo's Proven Track Record

With over 3 million apps created on the platform, Adalo has demonstrated success across diverse use cases:

Mile High Karate: Student training app
Local marketplaces: Fruit and vegetable delivery
Professional tools: CRM and business management
Educational platforms: Course delivery systems
Community apps: University social networks

Customer showcases demonstrate real businesses generating revenue through Adalo-built apps across diverse industries.

Bolt.New's Experimental Stage

Current Use Cases:

Rapid prototyping only
Educational demos
Proof-of-concept development
Not recommended for production apps
No established success stories

Final Verdict: Why Adalo Is the Superior Choice

Adalo's Clear Advantages

For Businesses:

Predictable costs: Monthly pricing with no surprise charges
No storage constraints: Never worry about database limits or overages
Production-ready: Proven with millions of users and 20M+ daily requests
True no-code: No debugging or technical knowledge required
Native apps: Direct app store deployment from single codebase

For Development:

Visual development: See what you build with canvas displaying up to 400 screens
Comprehensive features: Everything needed built-in
Strong community: Active support and resources
AI-assisted building: Magic Start and Magic Add accelerate development

When to Consider Bolt.New

Bolt.New may be suitable for:

Quick experiments or demos
Developers wanting AI assistance with code generation
Projects with unlimited budgets for token consumption
Non-production prototypes
Learning web development concepts

Making the Right Choice

For serious app development, Adalo provides the stability, features, and support necessary for success. While Bolt.New's AI approach seems innovative, its expensive token system, debugging challenges, and production limitations make it unsuitable for real business applications.

Start building with Adalo today at adalo.com and join the creators behind 3 million+ apps who've chosen the proven path to mobile and web app development. With Adalo's free plan, you can test the platform risk-free.

For additional resources, explore:

FAQ

Question	Answer
Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?	Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically.
What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?	Adalo's drag-and-drop interface lets you build apps visually, with AI-assisted features like Magic Start generating complete app foundations from descriptions. The platform handles the App Store submission process directly, eliminating the technical complexity that typically delays launches.
Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bolt.New?	Adalo offers predictable pricing starting at $36/month (billed annually) with unlimited usage and no record limits. Bolt.New's token-based pricing is unpredictable—users report spending $1,000+ on tokens for simple debugging fixes, making total costs difficult to forecast.
Which is faster to build with, Adalo or Bolt.New?	Adalo's visual builder with AI-assisted features like Magic Start and Magic Add enables rapid development without debugging. Bolt.New's AI can generate code quickly, but frequent error loops and debugging sessions often slow down actual progress significantly.
Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or Bolt.New?	Adalo is designed for beginners with a drag-and-drop interface described as "easy as PowerPoint." Bolt.New requires understanding web development concepts, prompting skills, and debugging knowledge when the AI fails—a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
Is Adalo better than Bolt.New for mobile apps?	Yes. Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps with direct app store publishing. Bolt.New focuses on web applications and requires Expo integration for mobile, adding complexity and lacking direct app store submission support.
Can I migrate from Bolt.New to Adalo?	While direct migration isn't automated, Adalo's visual builder makes it straightforward to recreate applications. Many users find rebuilding in Adalo faster than debugging Bolt.New's exported code, which often has missing dependencies.
How does Adalo handle scalability compared to Bolt.New?	Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to 1M+ monthly active users with no upper ceiling, processing 20M+ daily requests. Bolt.New faces browser-based limitations and escalating token costs that make scaling expensive and technically challenging.
Do I need coding experience to use Adalo?	No. Adalo provides a true no-code experience with 50+ built-in components, comprehensive documentation, and the Adalo App Academy. You can build and publish professional apps without writing any code.
Can I build one app that works on iOS, Android, and web with Adalo?	Yes. Adalo's build-once-deploy-everywhere approach creates a single app that works natively across all three platforms. Updates to your app automatically apply to web, iOS, and Android versions simultaneously.