Choosing the right app builder means understanding exactly what you're paying for—and whether those features align with your goals. If you're researching Draftbit's pricing structure, you're likely weighing your options carefully.
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. Draftbit, by contrast, is a low-code platform that requires technical expertise, including knowledge of database structure, coding logic, and APIs, making it better suited for developers or those willing to invest in its outsourced development services.
When evaluating any app builder, what matters most is app success: launching your MVP as fast as possible and reaching the biggest audience. That means publishing not just a web app but also getting into the Apple App Store and Google Play, where you can leverage push notifications and tap into massive user bases. Below, we break down Draftbit's pricing tiers, features, and use cases to help you determine if it fits your needs—or if a true no-code solution might get you to market faster.
You can create an app with Draftbit for as little as $29/month. If you want to outsource building your app to Draftbit's development team, you might pay over $12,000/month—which might be an attractive price for folks aiming to outsource development.
This article will unveil what's behind Draftbit pricing, including:
- Overview of Draftbit
- Draftbit's pricing tiers
- Descriptions, features, and use cases
- How to know if Draftbit is a good fit for you
- Intro to Adalo, an AI-powered Draftbit alternative
Let's briefly discuss the Draftbit platform.
Adalo: The Best Draftbit Alternative
Not a techie and don't want to pay thousands to outsource your app development? Then give Adalo a try.
Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that, unlike Draftbit, doesn't require any technical or coding expertise. With the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul launched in late 2025, the platform is now 3-4x faster and scales with your app's needs. Create 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.
Create your app using Adalo's simple drag-and-drop interface, which works like moving around icons on your computer's desktop. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from a simple description—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.
You'll be able to custom design your app's color, layout, and structure and supercharge your app by adding integrations with Stripe for payments, Airtable for data management, and thousands more. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges—no bill shock as your app grows. Publish your app on the web, in the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store from a single codebase.
If the features and functionalities mentioned in our Draftbit pricing guide are too tech-heavy, we don't blame you—Adalo is your best alternative.
Start making an Adalo app without tech or coding for free.
What is Draftbit?
Draftbit is a low-code app-building platform for creating web and native mobile apps. Users can access your app through their internet browsers or download it directly to their devices from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Because Draftbit's a low-code platform, you'll need some technical expertise to use it. This includes knowing how to structure a database, the logic behind coding structure, how APIs work, and other tech concepts. If you're new to tech, you'll probably struggle with Draftbit.
Ultimately, Draftbit is a super flexible app builder: Its technical requirements allow for more design freedom, configure your database and backend logic just the way you wish, patch in your custom features using Python or JavaScript, and much more.
There's almost no limit to the type of apps that you can create with Draftbit, from data-harvesting marketing funnels and other business apps to those frequented by anonymous users, like e-commerce or booking apps.
Curious how Draftbit compares to another app builder, FlutterFlow? Check out the detailed comparison.
Draftbit Pricing: TL;DR
| Regular Pricing | Advanced Use Cases | Expert Pricing (Draftbit builds an app for you) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | Free, $29/month, $79/month, $249/month | $129/month, $399/month, $995/month | $2,000/month, $4,000/month, $7,500/month, $12,000+/month |
| Features | App store publishing, access to AI image generator, unlimited API endpoints | 3-10 workspaces per plan, create up to 3 apps, AI code-generation capabilities | Connect with Draftbit developers and dictate your app development, monitor progress |
| Best For | Individuals and small to medium teams | Agencies and large organizations | Individuals and organizations opting to outsource development |
Draftbit's Regular Pricing Plans
Draftbit's regular pricing tier is a splendid choice for individuals, startups, and small and medium organizations that need an app for their business.
Free Version
While you can only build up to 5 screens in 3 projects (15 screens overall), the free version gives you access to all of Draftbit's visual building features—plus 5 AI-generated images so you can provide unique visuals.
You can also include up to 2 API endpoints to transfer data to your app and publish your app on the web so folks can try it out.
The Basic Plan ($29/month billed monthly)
Publish 1 project of up to 25 screens—but you'll also be able to publish on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in addition to the web, which can help get your app more publicity.
You'll also be able to add up to 20 API endpoints for transferring more data, and you'll be able to generate up to 20 monthly AI images.
The Pro Plan ($79/month billed monthly)
If you're a techie, this plan's for you: You can download your app's source code and further develop it with your programming expertise.
You'll also be able to patch in your own code commands to create customized features. You can also leverage Draftbit's Code Assistant to simplify your life. This tool can write code from a prompt, test existing lines of code, and fix bugs, facilitating an incredibly customizable experience.
But the customization doesn't stop there: You'll also be able to import third-party libraries, data manipulation tools, or other custom components from outside the Draftbit ecosystem.
Publish up to 3 projects with unlimited screens so you can optimize more processes or release revenue-generating apps to the public. Before you publish, avoid headaches and rejection from the app stores by running your app through Draftbit's iOS and Android test simulators.
The Team Plan ($249/month billed monthly)
Great for medium-size agencies, the Team Plan lets you publish up to 15 apps and allows 5 collaborators who can create and edit apps in real time. You'll get all the perks from the Pro Plan and a few extras, like more access to the Code Assistant and Draftbit's GitHub integration to share your app's code or find new customized code solutions.
Advanced Use Case Plans
Are you a larger team or enterprise developing apps for clients? Or maybe you're a small organization but have clients with big app demands? Either way, Draftbit's Advanced Use Case Plans are for you.
All Advanced Use Case Plans provide a perk for increasing income: If you refer other developers to sign up for a Draftbit paid plan, Draftbit will give you a portion of the revenue. Who doesn't like a little extra money on the side just from putting in a good word?
Freelancer ($129/month billed monthly)
This plan includes everything in the Pro Plan, which provides enough functionality to make up to 3 powerful apps. However, the Freelancer plan appeals to smaller agencies, allowing up to 3 app editors.
Agency ($399+/month billed monthly)
This plan is a beefed-up version of the Team Plan. You get everything that tier provides, plus up to 10 workspaces—perfect for growing agencies. And before Draftbit releases new features, widgets, and integrations, you'll get to use them first, keeping you ahead of the curve.
Enterprise ($995+/month billed monthly)
If you're a larger agency with loads of developers, the Enterprise plan is for you. You'll get unlimited app-editor seats for unlimited projects, in addition to all the functionalities of the Team Version and dedicated team training so everyone can operate Draftbit like a pro.
While you'll need to sign an annual service-level agreement (SLA), you'll get a dedicated account manager who can help you navigate any speedbumps or kerfuffles you encounter.
Expert Pricing Tier
Don't have time to create an app but love the Draftbit platform? Then, hire Draftbit's development team to build your app for you.
Bronze ($2,000/month)
You'll share your app vision with Draftbit's design team through Slack, and they'll spend up to 8 hours weekly building your app until it's complete.
Silver ($4,000/month)
Get a single dedicated Draftbit Pro to craft your app. You'll be able to communicate with your developer via Slack and set bi-weekly goals. Your Draftbit developer will spend 20 hours a week building your app.
Gold ($7,500/month)
If you have a larger requirement, the Gold Plan might be ideal. Your dedicated Draftbit developer will spend up to 40 hours/week building your app. You'll also be able to communicate with them directly using Zoom and Slack.
Draftbit will also provide you with a project manager to ensure clear communication.
Platinum ($12,000+/month)
Draftbit offers this plan for big companies with mammoth app development needs. You'll get an entire team of Draftbit developers to create as many apps as you desire with all the features from the Gold Plan.
Is Draftbit Worth It?
While Draftbit is a powerful app development platform, it's not for everyone. Consider the following to determine if Draftbit is suitable for you:
- Level of technical expertise: We can't emphasize enough that Draftbit requires some experience with tech for use. If you're entirely new to app builders or don't know about programming and database markup, Draftbit probably isn't for you.
- Collaborators and the number of apps to create: Because Draftbit doesn't charge per app editor, it could be a viable solution for teams that build multiple apps. For instance, if you have a team of over 10 developers, each working on numerous projects, Draftbit's Enterprise plan could be incredibly cost-effective.
- Outsourcing costs: Depending on the size and complexity of your app, outsourcing to Draftbit could save you significantly, as most app development agencies charge up to $250/hour. Draftbit's lowest outsourced tier, at $2,000/month with 8 hours of weekly building, comes to around $63/hour. This might be the way to go if you're looking for a simple app.
How Adalo Compares to Draftbit
For non-technical users, the choice between Draftbit and Adalo comes down to one question: do you want to code, or do you want to build?
Draftbit's flexibility comes with a learning curve. You'll need to understand database structures, API integrations, and coding logic. That's powerful for developers who want granular control, but it's a barrier for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and creators who just want to launch an app.
Adalo takes a different approach. The platform's visual builder has been described as "as easy as PowerPoint," and with over 3 million apps created on the platform, that accessibility has proven itself at scale. The AI-assisted features—Magic Start for generating app foundations and Magic Add for adding features through natural language requests—mean you can describe what you want and watch it appear.
| Feature | Draftbit | Adalo |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Requirement | Low-code (requires coding knowledge) | No-code (visual builder) |
| Starting Price | $29/month | $36/month |
| Database Records | Varies by plan | Unlimited on paid plans |
| Usage-Based Charges | None | None (removed from all plans) |
| App Store Publishing | Yes (requires technical setup) | Yes (streamlined process) |
| AI Features | Code Assistant, AI images | Magic Start, Magic Add, X-Ray |
Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. The X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users, helping you maintain speed as you grow. Unlike platforms that hit constraints under load, Adalo's purpose-built architecture maintains performance at scale.
For comparison, Bubble's web and mobile wrapper offering starts at $59/month with usage-based charges and limits on records due to Workload Units. Adalo's web and true-native mobile builder starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing with unlimited updates to apps once published.
Making Your Decision
Draftbit is a solid choice for developers who want code-level control and don't mind the technical learning curve. The outsourced development options also make sense for businesses with budget but not time.
But if you're looking to build and launch quickly without coding expertise, Adalo offers a faster path to market. The combination of AI-assisted building, no data caps on paid plans, and streamlined app store publishing removes the barriers that slow down most app launches.
The hardest part of launching an app isn't building it—it's getting it into users' hands through the App Store and Play Store. Adalo handles that complexity automatically, letting you focus on what your app actually does.
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 features and user experience instead of certificates and provisioning profiles. |
| Which is more affordable, Adalo or Draftbit? | Draftbit starts at $29/month for basic features, while Adalo starts at $36/month. However, Adalo includes unlimited database records and no usage-based charges on paid plans, which can make it more cost-effective as your app scales. |
| Which is faster to build with, Adalo or Draftbit? | Adalo is faster for non-technical users. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and the visual builder works like PowerPoint. Draftbit requires understanding database structures and coding logic, which adds to development time. |
| Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or Draftbit? | Adalo is significantly easier for beginners. It's a true no-code platform with a drag-and-drop interface that requires zero programming knowledge. Draftbit is a low-code platform that requires technical expertise including database structure and API knowledge. |
| Is Adalo better than Draftbit for mobile apps? | For non-technical users building mobile apps, yes. Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase with streamlined app store publishing. Draftbit offers more code-level control but requires technical expertise to leverage effectively. |
| Can I migrate from Draftbit to Adalo? | While there's no direct migration tool, you can rebuild your app in Adalo using Magic Start to generate your foundation quickly. The visual builder makes it straightforward to recreate screens and functionality without coding. |
| How much does it cost to outsource app development with Draftbit? | Draftbit's expert development services range from $2,000/month (8 hours weekly) to $12,000+/month for a full development team. At the lowest tier, this works out to approximately $63/hour—less than typical agency rates of up to $250/hour. |
| Do I need coding experience to use Adalo? | No. Adalo is a no-code platform designed for non-technical users. The visual builder has been described as "as easy as PowerPoint," and AI features like Magic Start and Magic Add let you build by describing what you want in plain language. |
| Can I add integrations like payments to my Adalo app? | Yes. Adalo integrates with Stripe for payments, Airtable for data management, and thousands of other third-party services. You can also use Sheetbridge to turn a Google Sheet into an actual database for the easiest data control without database-related learning. |
