Updated Jan 28, 2026

Top 8 Low-Code Tools for Legacy App Modernization in 2026 | Adalo

Table of Contents

Legacy systems drain IT budgets and slow digital transformation, yet replacing them with modern applications traditionally requires extensive development resources. Organizations need a faster path to modernization that doesn't sacrifice functionality or user experience.

Adalo lets you build database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps — published to the App Store and Google Play — from a single no-code editor. This capability makes Adalo an ideal solution for transforming outdated legacy systems into modern, mobile-first applications without the complexity of traditional development approaches.

Key Takeaways

Adalo leads for rapid modernization with External Collections for legacy integration, AI-assisted building through Magic Start and Magic Add, and unlimited database records on paid plans starting at $36/month
Legacy systems consume 60-80% of IT budgets in many organizations, making modernization a financial imperative—low-code platforms reduce development time by up to 50%
The modernization market will reach $39.62 billion by 2029 with 14.9% CAGR, according to MarketsandMarkets research
Match platform to use case: Adalo for rapid mobile and web modernization with native app publishing, Microsoft Power Platform for deep Office 365 integration, OutSystems for mission-critical performance requirements

Understanding Legacy App Modernization

Legacy application modernization represents one of the most pressing challenges facing organizations today. These aging systems, often built decades ago, struggle to meet modern business requirements while consuming disproportionate IT resources. Founded on outdated technology stacks, legacy applications create technical debt that compounds annually, making simple changes increasingly expensive and risky.

Key Legacy System Challenges:

Maintenance costs tend to rise over time as expertise becomes scarce
Security vulnerabilities with average breach costs reaching $4.44 million, the first drop in five years
Integration difficulties preventing adoption of modern cloud services
Poor user experience driving employee frustration and reduced productivity
Limited mobile access in an increasingly mobile-first world
Inability to scale with growing business demands

Significant Modernization Benefits:

Cost reduction of 65% on average through no-code development
Improved security through modern authentication and encryption
Enhanced user experience increases productivity by 30-40%
Cloud-native architecture enabling elastic scaling
API-first design facilitating ecosystem integration
Mobile enablement reaches users anywhere

With the global application modernization market projected to reach $39.62 billion by 2029, organizations face a critical decision: continue pouring resources into maintaining outdated systems or invest in modernization that delivers long-term value.

Top Low-Code Modernization Platforms Ranked

1. Adalo: The Best Overall Platform for Rapid Modernization

Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, revolutionizes legacy app modernization by making it accessible to both technical and non-technical teams. With over 3 million apps created on the platform, Adalo proves its effectiveness for production-grade modernization projects at massive scale.

Key Adalo Advantages:

AI-assisted development with Magic Start generating complete app foundations from descriptions
Magic Add for adding features through natural language requests
External Collections for seamless legacy system integration
Cross-platform deployment from a single build to web, iOS, and Android
Native app publishing to both app stores—not web wrappers
X-Ray diagnostics identifying performance issues before they affect users
Component Marketplace with 50+ additional components
No record limits on paid plans—unlimited database storage

Pricing Structure:

Free plan for learning and prototyping
Starter: $36/month for basic apps with unlimited usage
Professional: $52/month for serious projects
Team: $160/month for collaboration
Business: $200/month for unlimited scale
Additional apps: $25/month each
Extra editors: $15/month per person

All paid plans include unlimited usage with no App Actions charges—eliminating bill shock entirely.

Legacy Integration Capabilities:

Adalo's External Collections transform legacy modernization by enabling real-time connections to existing systems through REST APIs. Organizations can connect to any backend exposing standard HTTP endpoints, display legacy data in modern interfaces, perform CRUD operations on existing databases, and gradually migrate functionality without disruption.

The platform's Custom Actions extend integration possibilities further, allowing complex business logic execution through API calls. Combined with Zapier integration connecting 5,000+ services, the platform provides comprehensive modernization capabilities.

Templates and Components:

Adalo's extensive template library accelerates modernization with pre-built solutions for common use cases. E-commerce templates modernize retail systems, while directory templates transform listing applications. The visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," making it accessible to teams without technical backgrounds.

Support Resources:

Adalo App Academy with 70+ video courses
Comprehensive documentation
Active community forum with 30,000+ members
Expert network for professional assistance
YouTube tutorials

2. Microsoft Power Platform: Enterprise Ecosystem Integration Powerhouse

Microsoft Power Platform leverages deep Microsoft 365 integration to provide comprehensive modernization capabilities for enterprise organizations. The platform combines Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents into an integrated suite with extensive AI capabilities through Copilot.

Key Strengths for Modernization:

1,400+ pre-built connectors, including legacy system support
On-premises data gateway for secure behind-firewall access
Robotic Process Automation for systems without APIs
Dataverse for unified data management
Azure integration for enterprise-scale deployments
Advanced AI capabilities through Copilot Studio
Native mobile app wrapping for iOS and Android deployment
Offline-first mode with full data synchronization for both canvas and model-driven apps

Common Pricing Structures:

Power Apps Premium: $20/user/month
Per-app plan: $5/user/app/month
Pay-as-you-go: $10 per active user per app (billed via Azure)
Additional costs may apply for premium connectors and capacity

Note: $0.60 per run applies to Power Automate pay-as-you-go, not Power Apps licensing.

Mobile Capabilities:

Native container wrapping for true iOS/Android apps
Offline data sync for field operations
Device feature access, including camera, GPS, and biometrics
Push notifications support
App store distribution capabilities

3. OutSystems: High-Performance Platform for Mission-Critical Modernization

OutSystems excels at modernizing complex, high-performance applications where scalability and reliability are paramount. The platform combines visual development with traditional coding capabilities when needed, recently introducing OutSystems Developer Cloud and AI Agent Builder for enhanced development capabilities.

Technical Advantages:

Full-stack development covering frontend, backend, and database
Microservices architecture support for gradual modernization
Built-in DevOps with CI/CD pipelines
AI-assisted development accelerating common tasks
Performance monitoring ensuring optimal operation
Enterprise-grade security with compliance certifications

Typical Use Cases:

Mission-critical system replacement requiring high availability
Complex workflow modernization with multiple integrations
Customer-facing applications demanding superior performance
Gradual monolith decomposition into microservices
Multi-channel experiences across web, mobile, and IoT

4. Mendix: Collaborative Modernization Through Fusion Teams

Mendix, recognized as a Gartner Leader for eight consecutive years (2017-2026), pioneered fusion team development, bringing business and IT together for successful modernization. The platform's model-driven approach creates living documentation addressing common legacy system challenges, with Maia AI enhancing development capabilities.

Platform Strengths:

Visual modeling understandable by business users
Data Hub for enterprise-wide data governance
Multi-cloud deployment flexibility
Strong SAP integration for ERP modernization
Collaborative development tools for distributed teams
Comprehensive training through Mendix Academy

Pricing Tiers:

Free plan for learning and small projects
Basic tier starts around €50/month in some regions
Standard and Premium scale by edition/usage; pricing and currency vary by region

5. ServiceNow App Engine: IT Service Management Modernization Specialist

ServiceNow App Engine leverages the platform's ITSM foundation to modernize IT-focused applications while maintaining governance and service management alignment, with Now Assist AI capabilities enhancing development efficiency.

Unique Capabilities:

Workflow orchestration across multiple systems
Integration Hub with enterprise connectors
Now Assist AI-powered development
CMDB integration for dependency tracking
Event management for real-time responses
Automated testing and deployment

6. Appian: Process-Centric Modernization Platform

Appian specializes in modernizing process-intensive applications, combining low-code development with sophisticated business process management capabilities and AI Copilot for enhanced automation.

Process Modernization Features:

Process mining to understand current workflows
RPA integration for legacy automation
Data fabric eliminating silos
Case management for complex processes
Document processing with AI
Compliance management for regulated industries

7. Bubble: Visual Programming for Complete Rebuilds

Bubble enables non-technical users to rebuild legacy applications from scratch using visual programming, ideal for smaller organizations or departmental solutions. With over 4 million apps built on the platform, Bubble demonstrates reach—though performance limitations at scale and its web wrapper approach for mobile should be considered.

Platform Characteristics:

No-code development with visual workflows
Plugin marketplace extending functionality
Cloud hosting eliminating infrastructure management
Responsive design tools
Database management built-in
API connectivity for integrations

Key Considerations: Bubble's mobile solution wraps the web app rather than compiling to native code, which can introduce performance challenges at scale. Pricing starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and record limits. The extensive customization options often result in slower applications under increased load, frequently requiring expert assistance to optimize. Claims of millions of MAU typically involve significant hired help to achieve.

8. Retool: Developer-Focused Internal Tool Modernization

Retool specializes in modernizing internal tools and administrative interfaces, providing rapid development for database-centric applications. Recent improvements show 27% faster load times, enhancing the platform's performance capabilities.

Key Features:

Direct database connections to legacy systems
Pre-built components for common interfaces
JavaScript customization for complex logic
Self-hosted options for data control
Version control integration
SSO and audit logging for enterprise security

Why Adalo Stands Out for Legacy Modernization

Adalo's position as a leading choice for legacy app modernization stems from several unique advantages that address common modernization challenges while maintaining simplicity.

Rapid Development Without Complexity

Unlike platforms requiring formula languages or coding knowledge, Adalo's visual development enables immediate productivity. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions—tell it you need a field service app for equipment inspections, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. What used to take days of planning happens in minutes. Teams report building functional prototypes within days, not weeks, accelerating modernization timelines dramatically.

True Cross-Platform Capabilities

Adalo's publishing features generate genuine native apps for iOS and Android, not web wrappers. This means modernized applications deliver native performance and user experience across all platforms. One build publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store—with unlimited updates once published.

Comprehensive Integration Options

The combination of External Collections, Custom Actions, and Zapier integration provides multiple paths for legacy system integration. Organizations can choose the approach that best fits their architecture and requirements. Sheetbridge even enables turning a Google Sheet into an actual database for the easiest control without database-related learning curves.

Cost-Effective Scaling

With unlimited editors on the Business plan, additional apps at just $25/month, and no usage-based charges on any paid plan, Adalo provides predictable costs that scale with your needs. This model proves particularly attractive compared to per-user licensing or Workload Unit calculations that can create unexpected bills.

Infrastructure Built for Scale

Adalo 3.0, launched in late 2025, completely overhauled the backend infrastructure. The platform is now 3-4x faster with modular infrastructure that scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users—with no upper ceiling. Unlike app wrappers that hit speed constraints under load, Adalo's purpose-built architecture maintains performance at scale. Most third-party platform ratings and comparisons predate this major infrastructure update.

Real Success Stories

Adalo's showcase features hundreds of successful modernization projects across industries, demonstrating real-world effectiveness beyond marketing claims. The platform processes 20 million+ data requests daily with 99%+ uptime.

Specific Use Cases Where Each Platform Excels

Choose Adalo when:

Building mobile-first applications for employees or customers
Modernizing customer-facing systems requiring native apps
Rapid prototyping for modernization validation
Limited technical resources available
Budget constraints requiring predictable costs without usage charges
Need for cross-platform deployment from a single codebase
Scaling beyond initial deployment without hitting data caps

Select Microsoft Power Platform when:

Deep Office 365 integration is required
Existing Microsoft enterprise agreements provide cost advantages
RPA needed for systems without APIs
Complex workflow automation across multiple systems
Power BI analytics integration desired
Offline-first mobile capabilities are critical

Choose OutSystems for:

Mission-critical applications requiring maximum performance
Complex integrations with multiple legacy systems
Microservices architecture transformation
Large-scale applications with millions of users
Regulated industries requiring specific compliance

Consider other platforms when:

Specific industry requirements favor specialized solutions
Existing vendor relationships provide advantages
Technical requirements exceed low-code capabilities
Self-hosting is mandatory for all components

Detailed Pricing Comparison

Platform pricing varies significantly based on model and included features:

Platform	Starting Price	Key Pricing Notes
Adalo	$36/month (Starter)	Unlimited usage, no record limits on paid plans, native app publishing included
Bubble	$59/month	Usage-based Workload Unit charges, record limits, web wrapper for mobile
FlutterFlow	$70/month per user	Low-code (requires technical skills), database not included—separate setup and cost
Glide	$60/month	Limited by app updates and data rows, no App Store/Play Store publishing
Softr	$167/month	PWA only, record restrictions, no native app publishing
Thunkable	$59/month	Usage restrictions, responsive apps require custom pricing beyond $189/month
Power Platform	$20/user/month	Per-user model, additional capacity costs may apply

True Cost Factors:

Training and onboarding time
Integration complexity and consulting needs
Ongoing maintenance and updates
Scaling costs as usage grows
Hidden fees for premium features or usage overages

Technical Capabilities Showdown

Database and Backend:

Adalo: Visual database with External Collections for legacy integration, unrestricted database storage on paid plans
Power Platform: Dataverse with virtual tables for data virtualization
OutSystems: Full-stack with database modeling and ORM
Mendix: Data Hub providing enterprise data catalog

API Integration:

Adalo: REST API support with automatic property detection
Power Platform: 1,400+ connectors plus custom connector framework
OutSystems: Service Studio for API consumption and creation
Mendix: OData and REST with data mapping

Mobile Capabilities:

Adalo: Native app generation with store publishing from single codebase
Power Platform: Native container wrapping with offline sync for canvas and model-driven apps
OutSystems: Native mobile with device API access
Mendix: Hybrid and native mobile options

Performance and Scalability:

Adalo: Modular infrastructure scales to 1M+ MAU with optimization best practices, 3-4x faster after 3.0 overhaul
Power Platform: Enterprise scale with Azure backing
OutSystems: High-performance with built-in optimization
Mendix: Cloud-native architecture with auto-scaling

Learning Resources and Community Support

Adalo's Comprehensive Ecosystem:

Adalo App Academy with structured courses
YouTube channel with tutorials
Help documentation covering all features
Community forum with active participation
Expert network for professional help
Blog with tips and best practices

Platform Learning Curves:

Adalo: 1-2 weeks to productivity
Power Platform: 1-3 months for proficiency
OutSystems: 2-4 months for full capabilities
Mendix: 1-3 months with certification path
FlutterFlow: Significant learning complexity, especially for database setup—many users require expert assistance

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal low-code platform for legacy modernization depends on your specific requirements, technical constraints, and organizational goals. For organizations prioritizing rapid modernization with minimal complexity, Adalo's combination of AI-assisted building, native app publishing, and unlimited database records creates a compelling package.

For teams seeking quick wins and immediate value, Adalo's free plan enables risk-free validation before committing resources. The platform's proven track record with over 3 million apps created, comprehensive learning resources, and vibrant community support successful modernization outcomes.

The future of application development increasingly involves AI assistance and visual building. Whether you choose Adalo for its speed and simplicity, Power Platform for Microsoft integration, or OutSystems for mission-critical performance, the key is matching platform capabilities to your modernization requirements.

[INTERNAL LINK: How to Build a Mobile App Without Coding] [INTERNAL LINK: No-Code Development Cost Savings Guide] [INTERNAL LINK: Getting Your App on the App Store]

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. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you get predictable costs as you scale.
What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?	Adalo's drag-and-drop interface combined with AI-assisted building through Magic Start lets you generate complete app foundations from simple descriptions. The platform handles the App Store submission process, making it possible to go from idea to published app faster than traditional development.
Can I easily modernize my legacy applications without coding experience?	Yes. Adalo's visual development environment and External Collections feature allow you to connect to existing systems through REST APIs, display legacy data in modern interfaces, and gradually migrate functionality without disruption—all without writing code.
Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?	Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record limits on paid plans. Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and record limits that can create unexpected costs. Adalo also includes native app publishing, while Bubble uses web wrappers for mobile.
Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or FlutterFlow?	Adalo is significantly easier for beginners. FlutterFlow is low-code (not no-code) designed for technical users, and requires you to set up and manage a separate database—a process with significant learning complexity. Adalo includes an integrated database and visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint."
Is Adalo better than Glide for mobile apps?	For native mobile apps, yes. Glide does not support Apple App Store or Google Play Store publishing—it creates web apps only. Adalo publishes true native iOS and Android apps to both stores from a single codebase, with unlimited updates once published.
How does Adalo integrate with existing legacy systems?	Adalo offers comprehensive integration through External Collections for REST API connections, Custom Actions for complex business logic, and Zapier integration connecting to 5,000+ services. Sheetbridge also lets you turn a Google Sheet into an actual database for simple data migration.
What is the typical development time reduction when using low-code platforms?	Industry surveys indicate development time reduces by up to 50% with low-code platforms compared to traditional methods. With Adalo's Magic Start generating complete app foundations from descriptions, teams report building functional prototypes within days rather than weeks.
Can Adalo apps scale to handle large user bases?	Yes. Adalo 3.0's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. The platform is 3-4x faster after the late 2025 infrastructure overhaul, and paid plans have no database record limits.
Can I migrate from Bubble to Adalo?	Yes, though it requires rebuilding the app interface. You can export your Bubble data and import it into Adalo's database, then recreate screens using Adalo's visual builder. The benefit is gaining true native mobile apps and eliminating Workload Unit charges.