Appian Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives 🤖

Choosing the right low-code or no-code platform for your business requires understanding exactly what each option delivers—and where they fall short.

Adalo is a no-code 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. Appian, by contrast, is an enterprise-focused low-code platform designed primarily for workflow automation and business process management within large organizations.

What matters most is app success: launching your MVP as fast as possible and reaching the biggest audience you can. That means deploying not just a web app, but native iOS and Android apps published directly to the app stores—unlocking massive distribution potential and features like push notifications that keep users engaged.

Adalo: An Excellent Appian Alternative

Not a large organization but still need a powerful app builder? Adalo is an AI-powered app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months.

Adalo lets you create nearly any app you can imagine—for your business KPIs, restaurant, online shop, or anything else. Choose from about 40 templates, and customize your app's layout, structure, and color using Adalo's simple drag-and-drop interface. With over 3 million apps created on the platform, Adalo's visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint."

Unlike Appian, you won't need any tech skills to use Adalo. The platform lets you publish your app on the web, in the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store, so you can genuinely market to the masses. Build an app for free and publish it to the web today with Adalo.

What is Appian?

Appian is a low-code web app builder for larger organizations and enterprises. Its specific purpose is to build internal business apps, like those to manage clients and projects, ERP systems, automate redundant tasks, and much more.

Because it's a low-code platform, it requires some technical skills, such as knowledge of APIs and how to add database schema markup. This creates a significant barrier for teams without dedicated developers or technical staff.

Appian is mainly designed for large businesses in the financial services, government, insurance, and manufacturing sectors—you'll find specific templates and tools catered to each industry. The platform's enterprise focus means pricing typically runs into thousands of dollars monthly, making it inaccessible for smaller organizations.

How Does Appian Work?

Appian lets you create all 3 parts of your app—your frontend, backend, and database. This is a convenient offering, as some low-code web app builders only provide the tools for creating a backend or frontend, meaning you'll need to import a database from another platform.

Let's briefly walk through Appian's building interface.

Building Interface 1: Database and Backend

Appian's building interface, Appian Designer, is where you create your app. Press the "Create Application" button at the top of your screen, name your app, provide a brief description of the tasks this app will execute, and click the "Create" box.

You can also opt to create folders for permissions and security. This lets you grant certain members of your organization viewing or editing permissions.

Next, follow the dialogue box to connect your database to Appian. The platform integrates with a long list of database providers, like Oracle, Mongo DB, MySQL, and many more. It can also use data from cloud accounts and ERP services like Microsoft Azure, Oracle ERP, and others.

No database, no problem—you can create your data model using Appian's Data Server. Like most database builders, this tool lets you customize all your data, markup your schema, and relate it to other databases.

Once your database is ready, click the "Actions" button to begin building your backend. You can configure APIs, CRUD executions, and more to customize how your users will interact with your app's data.

Building Interface 2: The Frontend

Now, it's time to create your user interface or frontend. This is the part of your app that your users will interact with.

First, select "Build View" in Appian Designer, and you'll see a long list of forms and templates to choose from. For instance, you'll find forms and templates for CRM tools, KPIs, data management, automations, etc.

After you pick a form or template, you can customize it using Appian's drag-and-drop interface. On your screen's left-hand side, you'll see a long list of actions and layouts that you can use to add functionalities to your app, like a signature add-on, barcode scanner, loads of graphs and charts, and much more.

Appian Onboarding and Support

While Appian doesn't have a free version, you can contact the sales team directly from their website and set up a free demo. This should familiarize you with some of the main functions of the building interface while providing a place to answer any questions.

If you choose Appian, the team will provide an onboarding session to get you off to the races. And, if you run into any speedbumps along the way, Appian provides you with 2 dedicated support contacts who can see you through.

Appian: Key Features

Here are some of the main functionalities that Appian showcases:

Ecosystem

While Appian is a bit of a doozy because it requires some low-code background knowledge and some time to nail down the building interface, the Appian staff realizes this and provides a thriving ecosystem of resources to help you master the building interface.

For instance, you'll get access to the Appian Academy, which offers courses covering everything you need to know about Appian. You can also visit Appian's Community YouTube Channel, which provides loads of videos about creating specific apps and much more.

You can even showcase your Appian skills by earning some of Appian's professional certifications. Not only do these demonstrate competency in the system, but you can also use them to pursue a career or side hustle as an Appian developer.

Robust AI

Appian leverages its AI tool, Appian AI, to bolster app building. It can help generate code for creating new frontend features like specialized widgets, images, and more. The AI tools can also ensure all records are accurate and your schema stays properly structured.

Additionally, Appian AI integrates with Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure. This allows you to easily incorporate advanced AI functionalities such as image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics into your apps, adding jet fuel to their functionalities.

It's worth noting that Adalo is also advancing its AI capabilities. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions—tell it you need a booking app for a dog grooming business, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. Magic Add lets you add features through natural language requests, while X-Ray identifies performance issues before they affect users.

Enterprise-Oriented: On-prem Power and Security

Appian allows you to run and deploy your apps on-prem (on your own servers). This gives you complete control over your data, security, scalability, and compliance. You can rest easily that your app is entirely under your control, as it will be located on a server inside your building.

If you're handling sensitive data, Appian has your back. Appian is HIPAA compliant, allowing you to manage personal health information legally while safeguarding patient privacy. Additionally, Appian's SOC 2 Type II compliance demonstrates its adherence to high standards for managing customer data with security, confidentiality, and privacy.

Appian's Highlights and Hangups

Let's take a look at some of Appian's pros and cons:

Pros of Using Appian

• Customizable: You can build loads of internal business apps with various functions catered to your precise needs, all using Appian's low-code building interface. So, if you're looking for a platform to create internal tools, give Appian a spot on your shortlist.
• Enterprise Focus: With integrations to major databases, cloud services, and ERP providers, Appian is built to meet the specific needs of enterprises. You can also run your app on-prem, a significant selling point for companies with their own servers, as on-prem deployment allows an array of security and scalability features.
• Leading AI: Appian's AI will let you create your apps in less time and help you maintain your database and run a functional backend. This is a significant plus if you're dealing with enormous amounts of data daily and must ensure everything goes in the right place.

Cons of Using Appian

• Learning Curve: Appian's first barrier to entry is that you need to have a tech background. Additionally, while super powerful, the platform itself is very complex, so you'll need to dedicate some time to get it down.
• High Cost: It goes without saying, but Appian's pricing is aimed at enterprise users, and you'll most likely pay $1,000s monthly. This essentially makes Appian a no-go for medium businesses and under.
• Not Flexible: While Appian provides an excellent platform for creating internal business tools, it's not intended for building external, client-facing apps, like those for social media, appointment booking, shopping, and more.

Appian vs. Adalo: A Direct Comparison

Understanding the key differences between these platforms helps clarify which solution fits your needs:

Feature	Appian	Adalo
Technical Requirement	Low-code (requires technical skills)	No-code (no technical skills needed)
Target User	Large enterprises	Individuals to growing businesses
App Type	Internal business tools only	Client-facing and internal apps
App Store Publishing	Not supported	iOS App Store and Google Play
Pricing	$1,000s/month (enterprise)	Starting at $36/month
Database Records	Varies by plan	Unlimited on paid plans
Usage-Based Charges	Yes	No (unlimited usage)

Adalo's 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2025 delivered 3-4x faster performance with modular infrastructure that scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users. Unlike platforms that hit performance constraints under load, Adalo's purpose-built architecture maintains speed at scale—with no upper ceiling on growth.

Who is Appian Best Suited For?

Appian is mainly for large organizations requiring rapid app development to execute business processes and applications across various domains. Its security offerings, advanced AI features, and many integrations make it a solid choice for large-scale finance, healthcare, government, and insurance companies.

The platform excels when you need complex workflow automation, on-premise deployment, and enterprise-grade compliance certifications. If your organization has dedicated IT staff and a budget in the thousands per month, Appian delivers powerful internal tooling.

Is Appian Right for You?

Appian's a super powerful app builder, but it's not for everyone. Consider the following to decide if Appian is the best fit for your needs:

• You're a large organization, enterprise, or Fortune 500: If you're one of these organizations, you most likely need to build several different apps to meet the needs of a constantly changing team, clientele, product portfolio, and more. Appian provides a viable solution, as you'll get a customized plan with features to meet your needs. However, small- to medium-sized businesses probably won't need the robust features that Appian provides.
• You have tech skills: Appian is indeed a complex low-code app builder. As a prerequisite, you'll need to know basic concepts, like programming logic, how to build a backend, some SQL knowledge, and more. When you start with Appian, learning how to use the interface will take some time.
• You need to create client-facing apps: Unfortunately, Appian isn't an excellent choice for organizations that need to develop client-facing apps accessed by anonymous users for table booking, e-commerce, and more.

Ultimately, if you don't yet count yourself as an enterprise, it's a good idea to check out other app-building platforms similar to Appian.

Why Adalo Works for Non-Enterprise Teams

For organizations that don't fit Appian's enterprise profile, Adalo offers a compelling alternative. The platform's AI-assisted building tools mean you can go from idea to published app without writing code or hiring developers.

Adalo's pricing starts at $36/month with no usage-based charges—meaning no bill shock as your app grows. Paid plans include unlimited database records, removing the storage constraints that plague other platforms. This predictable pricing model lets you budget accurately without worrying about overage fees.

The platform handles the complex App Store submission process automatically. One codebase publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Google Play Store simultaneously. When you update your app, all three versions update together—no managing separate builds or dealing with platform-specific requirements.

With the right data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million monthly active users. The modular infrastructure added in the 3.0 update scales with your app's needs, so you're not locked into a platform that can't grow with your business.

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 and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. The platform handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features instead of wrestling with certificates and provisioning profiles.
Which is more affordable, Adalo or Appian?	Adalo is significantly more affordable, starting at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record limits on paid plans. Appian's enterprise pricing typically runs into thousands of dollars monthly, making it inaccessible for small to medium-sized businesses.
Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or Appian?	Adalo is far easier for beginners. It's a true no-code platform requiring zero technical skills—the visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint." Appian requires technical knowledge including API concepts, database schema markup, and programming logic.
Is Adalo better than Appian for mobile apps?	Yes, for client-facing mobile apps. Adalo creates native iOS and Android apps that publish directly to app stores. Appian focuses on internal business tools and doesn't support App Store or Play Store publishing for consumer-facing applications.
Can I build client-facing apps with Appian?	No, Appian is designed for internal business applications and isn't suitable for external, client-facing apps like e-commerce stores, booking apps, or social platforms. For apps that need to reach customers through app stores, Adalo is the better choice.
What is Appian and who is it designed for?	Appian is a low-code web app builder designed for large organizations and enterprises in financial services, government, insurance, and manufacturing. It requires technical skills and focuses on internal business apps like CRM tools, ERP systems, and workflow automations.
Can small to medium-sized businesses use Appian?	Appian is generally not suited for smaller businesses due to its high cost (thousands monthly) and steep learning curve requiring technical knowledge. Smaller organizations benefit more from accessible alternatives like Adalo that offer powerful capabilities without enterprise-level pricing.
How does Adalo handle scalability compared to Appian?	Adalo's 3.0 infrastructure overhaul delivers 3-4x faster performance with modular architecture that scales to 1M+ monthly active users with no upper ceiling. Unlike app wrappers that hit constraints under load, Adalo's purpose-built architecture maintains performance at scale.
Does Adalo have usage limits or overage charges?	No. All Adalo plans now include unlimited usage with no usage-based charges, meaning no bill shock as your app grows. Paid plans also include unlimited database records, removing the storage constraints common on other platforms.