You're evaluating no-code platforms and want to know if Thunkable's pricing delivers real value for your investment.
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. Thunkable is a drag-and-drop platform focused on building mobile apps with a block-based coding interface.
When comparing pricing, what matters most is app success—launching your MVP as fast as possible and reaching the biggest audience. That means publishing not just web apps but native iOS and Android apps directly to the app stores, unlocking massive distribution potential and essential features like push notifications.
Thunkable pricing ranges from free to $189/month for the Advanced plan. Which tier matches your needs?
Read on to learn:
- An intro to Thunkable
- Pricing tier comparisons
- Features and use cases
- Is Thunkable worth it?
- Adalo, a popular Thunkable alternative
Let's walk through a quick overview of Thunkable.
Adalo: The Best Thunkable Alternative
Want more competitive pricing with greater storage and no usage restrictions? Adalo is your go-to Thunkable alternative.
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. The platform strikes the perfect balance of simplicity and power, with a visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint." You can start building from scratch or select one of Adalo's templates.
Adalo's nearly pixel-perfect design freedom gives you almost complete control over how your app looks, feels, and functions. 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.
Unlike Thunkable, Adalo offers a generous free version that you can publish to the web and supercharge with integrations like Stripe for payments. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges—no bill shock as your app scales.
Starting at only $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing, Adalo makes Thunkable pricing look steep by comparison. The platform's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users, with no upper ceiling.
Build your Adalo app for free.
What is Thunkable?
Thunkable is a no-code native mobile app builder that allows you to custom-make your app's frontend, backend, and database. Because it's no-code, it's straightforward to use, and you won't need technical skills. It boasts a thriving community where Thunkable users (aka Thunkers) share their projects.
Instead of offering templates, Thunkable lets you copy an app from the community to your account and re-configure it to fit your tastes. You'll also have the option to build your app from scratch.
Thunkable has 2 distinct app projects: Public apps and private apps. When you start building a public app, it's automatically shared with the Thunkable community, no matter how far along you are in the building. Private apps, on the other hand, are only viewable by you.
Thunkable now offers an AI-draft feature for initial app builds. When you finish your app, Thunkable allows you to publish it on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the web, providing several platforms for easy access.
Thunkable Pricing: TL;DR
| Free | Builder | Advanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | Free | $59/month | $189/month |
| Features | 100MB Storage, 3 public projects, 5 screen limit | White-label branding, 1GB storage, 50 public projects, 10 private projects, 1 app store app, 2 web apps | Build unlimited apps and storage space, dedicated sales rep |
| Limitations | No app store publishing | 25 downloads/month, usage restrictions | Responsive apps require custom pricing beyond $189/month |
Thunkable Pricing Tiers
Let's jump into the 3 pricing tiers offered by Thunkable.
Free Version
Learn Thunkable's building interface using its free version. While you'll only be able to create a small app with 100MB of storage space and 5 screens, you'll get access to the apps on the Thunkable community, which you can copy and tinker with. This tier is suitable for exploration only—no app store publishing is available.
Builder Version ($59/month billed monthly)
The Builder plan provides up to 1GB of storage space, access to the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and web publishing—enough to get your app in front of an audience. However, Thunkable only gives you 25 downloads per month, which can limit growth.
Thunkable allows you to send bulk and personal push notifications to remind clients of upcoming appointments or special events. And if you're looking to monetize, you can integrate AdMob for advertising revenue.
Compare this to Adalo's $36/month plan, which includes unlimited usage, unlimited app store updates, and no download restrictions.
Advanced Version ($189/month billed monthly)
The Advanced version provides considerably more features and flexibility. You can publish unlimited apps with as much storage space as you need. You also get unlimited monthly downloads from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, allowing you to scale your app.
You won't need to worry about support issues—the Advanced version provides assistance from a dedicated account manager.
However, getting to a responsive app requires custom pricing beyond the advertised $189/month tier. For comparison, Adalo's $36/month plan already includes responsive design capabilities and unlimited usage with no hidden tiers.
If you're exploring alternatives, check out the comparisons between Thunkable and FlutterFlow and another against Bubble.
Thunkable vs Adalo: Direct Comparison
| Feature | Thunkable | Adalo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (App Store Publishing) | $59/month | $36/month |
| Database Records | Limited by storage | Unlimited on paid plans |
| Usage Charges | Download limits on Builder plan | None—unlimited usage |
| AI Features | AI-draft for initial builds | Magic Start, Magic Add, X-Ray diagnostics |
| Scalability | Standard infrastructure | 1M+ MAU, modular architecture |
| Free Tier Publishing | No app store access | Web publishing with integrations |
Adalo's AI-assisted platform includes Magic Add, which lets you add features by describing what you want in natural language. X-Ray identifies performance issues before they affect users—proactive optimization rather than reactive troubleshooting.
Is Thunkable Worth It?
Although Thunkable has download limits on its mid-tier plan and requires custom pricing for responsive apps, some users might find it appealing. Here are 3 scenarios where Thunkable could work:
- You want a simple start-up app: Don't need much space, and are you okay with limited downloads because you're testing a concept? Thunkable might work. But Adalo's $36/month plan offers more storage, no download limits, and unlimited database records—better value for most MVPs.
- You're a large organization: If you need to create many apps to publish on the app stores, Thunkable's Advanced version lets you create and publish unlimited apps. However, the $189/month price point is significantly higher than Adalo's comparable offerings.
- You're already invested in the Thunkable community: The community-sharing model lets you copy and modify existing projects, which can accelerate development if you find a relevant starting point.
For most use cases, Adalo's combination of lower pricing, unlimited data storage on paid plans, and AI-powered building tools provides better value. Over 3 million apps have been created on Adalo, with the platform processing millions of data requests daily with 99%+ uptime.
Key Takeaways
- Thunkable pricing ranges from free to $189/month, with the Builder plan ($59/month) limiting downloads to 25 per month
- Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage, no record caps, and native iOS and Android compilation
- Responsive apps on Thunkable require custom pricing beyond the advertised Advanced tier
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—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges. |
| 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 tools 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 so you can focus on features instead of certificates and provisioning profiles. |
| Which is more affordable, Adalo or Thunkable? | Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing. Thunkable's comparable Builder plan costs $59/month but limits downloads to 25 per month. For unlimited downloads on Thunkable, you need the $189/month Advanced plan. |
| Which is faster to build with, Adalo or Thunkable? | Adalo's AI features like Magic Start and Magic Add accelerate development significantly. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, while Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want. Thunkable offers AI-drafting, but Adalo's integrated AI tools provide more comprehensive assistance throughout the build process. |
| Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or Thunkable? | Both platforms are designed for non-technical users. Adalo's visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," and its AI features reduce the learning curve further. Thunkable's community-sharing model lets you copy existing projects, which can help beginners learn by example. |
| Is Adalo better than Thunkable for mobile apps? | Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps that compile to native code, offering better performance than web wrappers. Its modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users. Thunkable also creates native apps, but Adalo's unlimited database records and no usage charges make it better suited for scaling. |
| Can I migrate from Thunkable to Adalo? | While there's no direct migration tool, Adalo's Magic Start can generate a new app foundation from a description of your existing Thunkable app. You can then use Magic Add to build out specific features, often recreating your app faster than manual rebuilding. |
| What are the main differences between Thunkable's free and paid plans? | Thunkable's free plan offers 100MB storage, 3 public projects, and a 5-screen limit—suitable only for learning the platform with no app store publishing. The $59/month Builder plan includes 1GB storage and app store access but limits downloads to 25/month. The $189/month Advanced plan removes these limits but responsive apps require custom pricing beyond this tier. |
| Does Adalo have usage limits or hidden charges? | No. Adalo removed App Actions (usage-based charges) from all plans. All Adalo plans now have unlimited usage with no bill shock. Paid plans also include unlimited database records, so your costs stay predictable as your app scales. |
