Finding the right platform to build your app can be challenging, especially when comparing no-code and low-code options that take fundamentally different approaches.
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. Backendless, by contrast, is a low-code backend-as-a-service platform that provides server-side infrastructure and requires more technical knowledge to implement fully functional applications.
What matters most is app success—launching your MVP as quickly as possible and reaching the largest audience you can. That means deploying not just a web app, but also native iOS and Android apps published to the app stores, where you gain access to massive built-in audiences and powerful engagement tools like push notifications. This comparison breaks down the pros, cons, and key differences to help you determine which platform aligns with your goals.
Backendless Alternatives: What Other Tools Should You Try?
If Backendless isn't the right fit for your project, several alternatives offer different approaches to app development. Here's what else you should consider:
- Adalo, an AI-powered app builder for creating native iOS and Android apps plus web apps from a single codebase. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, while the drag-and-drop interface requires no technical background. Paid plans include unlimited database records and no usage-based charges—publish directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in days rather than months.
- FlutterFlow, a low-code platform for developers who want to extend their apps with custom code. Note that FlutterFlow requires users to set up and manage their own external database, which adds significant complexity—especially when optimizing for scale. Pricing starts at $70/month per user for app store publishing, but doesn't include database costs.
- Betty Blocks, an enterprise-focused platform with drag-and-drop building for organizations that need extensive scalability and compliance features.
Backendless Review: What is Backendless?
Backendless is a low-code web app and native mobile app builder that provides tools for creating your app's front-end, back-end, and database. It targets developers and technical users who want more control over their app architecture.
When you sign up for Backendless's free version—after answering a few questions about your app-building experience—you can jump right into four app-building options:
- Create a New App from Scratch: Use this to create an app without using a premade template—only a blank canvas.
- Create a Training App: If you want to learn how to use Backendless, here's a great place to start. You'll get to build your own app in a guided environment, using a preloaded database, APIs, and more.
- Create a New App from a Template: Like most other app-building platforms, Backendless provides you with templates to jump-start your app ideas. Backendless provides a total of 17 templates for creating the following types of apps:
- Social and Communication
- Business and Service Management
- Booking and Scheduling
- E-commerce and Marketplace
- Education and Training
- Specialized Utility
- Landing Pages
While many of these templates are free, you'll find that some of them cost about $5.
- Create an App from a ZIP Archive: This option appeals to developers. Essentially, it lets you create a new app using the source code from another one.
We highly recommend you select the Training App option and tinker with it for a few days. This will help you learn the basics of Backendless's building interface. Then, select how you want to start building your app, and jump in!
Backendless's App-Building Interface
Like most other app-building platforms, Backendless has a drop-down dashboard on its left-hand side. At the top, you'll find a "Manage" button that allows you to check your API Keys (and enter new ones), adjust your app's security settings, and more.
The left-hand drop-down dashboard is separated into two sections: The top part provides the tools for building your back-end, which is your app's control center. It fetches user data, provides security features, and accesses your database.
The bottom part is for building your front-end. Your app's front-end is the part of your app every user sees and interacts with, like your app's screens, buttons, text, and features.
Building Your Back-end
Immediately under the "Manage" button, you'll find functions for adjusting your back-end. You'll be able to view and edit your database, work on its schema and structure, and edit your logic.
Building your app's back-end requires some technical knowledge. You'll need to know the basics of connecting APIs, how logic functions, and how to structure a database.
Importantly, you'll also need to take some time to learn Backendless's unique "Codeless" block-building system. This system isn't coding per se, but it involves a learning curve that follows similar logic to coding languages and writing programs.
For instance, gaining an understanding about the functions of each block and how they interact with each other to execute tasks is important for laying your app's groundwork.
Learning Backendless's Codeless language can't be done straight out of the box. Luckily, Backendless provides a useful guide that's packed with everything you need to know about its Codeless language.
If you want more resources to turbocharge your Codeless learning, check out Backendless's Codeless Fundamentals Course on its YouTube channel. These interactive video lessons, about 4.5 hours in total, will help drive home key Codeless concepts, enabling you to better understand Backendless.
Building Your Front-end on Backendless
Backendless's front-end building experience is refreshingly less technical than the back-end one—you won't need to use much of your Codeless knowledge when you're cobbling together your front end.
To get started, simply click the "Front End Builder" button on the left-hand drop-down building interface. Then, an editing box will appear.
Push the "Layout" button (it looks like a cross inside a square) to discover the elements you have available. Drag them over to your building canvas at the center of your screen.
Edit each element by clicking on the "Paintbrush" button at the top of your editing box. Use this to adjust each element's size, position, color, and more. Conveniently, you can also configure each element's back-end function by selecting the "Logic" button at the top of your screen.
Is Backendless Right For You?
Backendless is an excellent low-code app builder, but it has a limited audience. Select Backendless if:
- You're comfortable with technical concepts, like modeling a database and structuring its schema, and you have a good idea of how APIs and algorithms work at the technical level.
- You're building an app for a large-scale enterprise with dedicated development resources.
- You have basic coding skills in JavaScript and Java, and you have the time to learn Codeless.
However, you should take a look at other app builders if:
- You're looking for a true no-code app building platform that requires no coding or technical knowledge.
- You're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small- or medium-sized organization and want predictable pricing without usage-based charges.
- You need to publish native mobile apps to app stores without managing complex submission processes.
What Kinds of Apps Can I Build With Backendless?
While it does come with a learning curve and takes some time to get the hang of, Backendless is a powerful app-building platform. You can create almost any app you can imagine—you just need to be able to put in the time to learn it.
Backendless comes packed with powerful functionality that can scale. Enterprises, take note: Big organizations, like Dell, Kellogg's, Accenture, The University of Pennsylvania, and The University of Michigan have used Backendless to create and scale their own apps.
Importantly, Backendless lets you publish your app to the web, so users can access your app with their browser as if it were a website, and to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Having your app available on the web and the app stores allows you to reach a maximum number of users.
Backendless Pricing: Is it Worth it?
Try out Backendless's free version to start learning the Codeless language. You'll also get unlimited API calls, technical features like concurrent Java threads, and a Cloud Code feature.
Upgrade to the Scale Plan, starting at $15/month (billed monthly). While the Scale Plan offers better security features, more storage, and the ability to send up to 500,000 push notifications, businesses looking to scale might need more functionality, such as greater storage space or more API keys.
Backendless recognizes these limitations, and offers nearly 20 individual services at monthly rates. For instance, you can get an additional 50 data tables at $25/month (bringing your total to $40/month), unlimited cloud-code scripts for $60/month, and more.
You'll also be charged for hourly API usage, which is how often your users request data from the APIs you have plugged into your app. For a full range of API usage costs and add-on services, visit Backendless's pricing page.
If you're looking for enterprise features, like hosting your app on your own server and scaling it, check out Backendless Pro. You can host your app on your own server starting at $10,000/year.
Got multiple servers? Backendless has a plan for this, too, at $50,000/year.
And if you're a huge organization, like a Fortune 500 company, and need a fully managed server, Backendless has a plan for you—you just need to contact them for pricing. While the final costs ultimately depend on your specific needs, we estimate that pricing will exceed $100,000/year.
How Backendless Pricing Compares to Alternatives
| Platform | Starting Price | Database Limits | Usage Charges | Native Mobile Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backendless Scale | $15/month + add-ons | Varies by plan | API usage charges | Yes |
| Adalo | $36/month | Unlimited on paid plans | None | Yes (true native) |
| FlutterFlow | $70/month + database | External DB required | Varies by DB provider | Yes |
| Bubble | $59/month | Workload limits | Workload Units | Web wrapper only |
For teams that want predictable costs, Adalo's approach stands out: $36/month includes unlimited database records and no usage-based charges. There's no bill shock from unexpected traffic spikes or growing user bases.
Backendless vs. Adalo: Key Differences
The fundamental difference between these platforms comes down to technical requirements and target users.
Backendless requires technical knowledge. You'll spend hours learning the Codeless system, understanding database schemas, and configuring APIs. This investment pays off if you need granular control over your backend architecture.
Adalo prioritizes accessibility. The visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," with over 3 million apps created on the platform. 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.
For scalability, Adalo's 3.0 infrastructure overhaul (launched late 2025) introduced modular architecture that scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users. With proper data relationship setups, there's no upper ceiling on growth. Most third-party ratings comparing these platforms predate this significant update.
[INTERNAL LINK: How to Build an App: The Basics of Mobile App Architecture]
Verdict
It's judgment day! Should you get Backendless now, shortlist it, or avoid it?
Get Backendless now if you have technical knowledge, the time to figure out its steep learning curve, and want granular control over your app's backend architecture.
Shortlist it if you're a large organization with development resources, but not sure how much time you can dedicate to overcoming the learning curve.
Consider Adalo instead if you want to build and publish apps without technical experience. The AI-assisted platform handles the complexity—Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want, while X-Ray identifies performance issues before they affect users. One build publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store, with the submission process handled automatically.
Both platforms can create powerful applications. The right choice depends on whether you value technical control (Backendless) or speed to market with predictable costs (Adalo).
[INTERNAL LINK: No-Code App Development: Complete Guide for Beginners]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 from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Paid plans include unlimited database records and no usage-based charges, so costs stay predictable as your app grows. |
| 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. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines are managed automatically. |
| Which is more affordable, Adalo or Backendless? | Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited database records and no usage charges. Backendless starts at $15/month but requires add-ons for additional features—data tables cost $25/month extra, cloud-code scripts $60/month. Enterprise Backendless plans start at $10,000/year. For most users, Adalo's all-inclusive pricing is more predictable. |
| Which is faster to build with, Adalo or Backendless? | Adalo is significantly faster for most users. Its visual builder requires no learning curve, and Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions. Backendless requires learning its Codeless block-building system—about 4.5 hours of video training plus documentation—before you can build effectively. |
| Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or Backendless? | Adalo is designed for beginners with no technical background. The interface has been described as "easy as PowerPoint." Backendless requires understanding database schemas, API connections, and its proprietary Codeless language—it's better suited for developers or technical users. |
| Is Adalo better than Backendless for mobile apps? | For most mobile app projects, yes. Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps from one codebase with automatic app store publishing. Backendless also supports mobile apps but requires more technical setup and a steeper learning curve to achieve similar results. |
| What is Backendless and who is it best suited for? | Backendless is a low-code web and mobile app builder that provides tools for creating your app's front-end, back-end, and database. It's best suited for developers and enterprises with technical knowledge who are comfortable with database modeling, APIs, and have basic coding skills in JavaScript or Java. |
| Do I need to learn coding to use Backendless? | While Backendless markets itself as low-code, you'll need to learn its unique "Codeless" block-building system which follows similar logic to coding languages. This involves several hours of training videos and documentation. If you prefer a true no-code experience without any learning curve, Adalo is a better choice. |
| Can I migrate from Backendless to Adalo? | Yes, you can rebuild your app in Adalo. While there's no direct import tool, Adalo's Magic Start can generate a foundation based on your app description, and you can export your Backendless data to import into Adalo's database. The visual builder makes recreating screens and logic straightforward. |
| What types of apps can I build with no-code platforms? | No-code platforms allow you to create almost any app you can imagine, including social and communication apps, business management tools, booking and scheduling systems, e-commerce marketplaces, and educational platforms. Over 3 million apps have been built on Adalo alone, spanning every major category. |
