If you've created a vibe-coded prototype - a polished mockup of your app idea - you might wonder: what's next? A prototype is just the starting point. It looks great but lacks the functionality, security, and scalability needed for real-world use. To turn it into a fully operational app, you’ll need to:
- Build: Use tools like Adalo to import your prototype, set up a backend, and connect data sources without writing code.
- Launch: Deploy your app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) or publish it natively to iOS and Android app stores with minimal effort.
- Monetize: Add subscription models, in-app purchases, or ads to generate revenue.
Adalo simplifies this process, letting you build once and deploy across platforms without rebuilding. Whether you're creating a fitness tracker or a subscription service, the journey from prototype to production is easier than ever.
Stage 1: Build Your Prototype into a Functional App
Import and Refine Your Vibe-Coded Design
Turn your vibe-coded design into a fully functional app. Adalo’s AI-powered tools make this easier by generating unique templates from your concept. These templates include a basic database structure and logic flows, saving you the hassle of creating everything from scratch. Instead of manually building every screen, you can describe your app’s requirements, and Adalo will provide a customizable starting point.
The real magic happens in the Building Canvas. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, you can adjust elements, resize components, and fine-tune layouts effortlessly. Need extra functionality? Check out the Component Marketplace for pre-built plugins that can enhance your design. To keep your app’s design consistent, use the Branding Tool (the palette icon) to set global color schemes and fonts, which will automatically apply across all screens.
Adalo’s Magic Text feature takes your app to the next level by connecting your database to UI elements like lists and headers. This means your app can display actual user data instead of placeholder text. Want to see how your design looks in action? Use the Staging Preview button to view your app across different devices.
Once your design is polished, it’s time to shift focus to the backend and data connections.
Set Up Your Backend and Data Connections
The backend is where your app transitions from a visual concept to a fully operational system. It’s built around three key components: Collections, Properties, and Records. Every Adalo app includes a default Users Collection for authentication, which you can customize to suit your app’s specific needs.
Start by identifying the main elements - or "nouns" - of your app. For instance, if you’re building a workout tracker, you might create collections for Workouts, Exercises, and Progress Logs. Define these collections and establish Relationships between them, like one-to-many or many-to-many connections, to ensure your data is well-organized. Tools like MagicStart and MagicAdd can help you quickly set up your database structure.
If your app needs to connect to external data sources, Adalo has you covered. It integrates seamlessly with platforms like Airtable and Google Sheets through API connections, enabling real-time, two-way synchronization. For older systems or databases without native APIs - such as ERPs, MS SQL Server, or PostgreSQL - Adalo uses DreamFactory to bring your data into the app. With this setup, many teams can go from an external database to a working app prototype in just 3 to 5 hours.
One of Adalo’s standout features is its ability to deploy your app as both a Progressive Web App (PWA) and a native app for iOS and Android - all from the same codebase. No need for separate rebuilds, which makes the process faster and more efficient.
Stage 2: Launch Your App to App Stores and the Web
iOS vs Android App Store Publishing Requirements and Costs Comparison
Generate Native Builds for App Stores
Once your prototype is polished, it’s time to launch your app. With Adalo’s Publish tab, you can easily prepare your app for release on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Adalo simplifies the process by generating native builds directly from your dashboard - no need to mess with Xcode or Android Studio. Just select Native App in the Publish tab, choose your platform, and Adalo will package your app into the required native formats. Plus, it supports push notifications through Firebase Cloud Messaging for Android and the Apple Push Notification service for iOS.
For iOS, you’ll need an Apple Developer account, which costs $99 per year. Adalo generates an IPA file for you, which you’ll then upload to App Store Connect to create your app listing. Be sure to include US-localized metadata, such as a title (up to 30 characters), a detailed description, and screenshots of your app on a 6.5-inch iPhone. Once your IPA is uploaded via Xcode or Transporter, ensure your app complies with Apple’s Review Guidelines, including privacy details. Most approvals happen within 48 hours.
For Android, you’ll need a Google Play Console account, which has a one-time fee of $25. Adalo creates an AAB file for you to upload to the Play Console. You’ll then complete your store listing with 1080x1920 screenshots, a privacy policy URL, and pricing in USD. Before going live, test your app using the Internal Testing track. Google’s review process usually takes 2 to 7 days.
| Platform | Account Cost | Review Time | Build Format | Testing Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | $99/year | ~48 hours | IPA | TestFlight |
| Google Play Store | $25 one-time | 2–7 days | AAB | Internal/Closed Tracks |
If you’d rather skip app store reviews altogether, there’s another option: deploying as a PWA or web app.
Deploy as a PWA and Web App
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) let you bypass app store reviews entirely. Using Adalo’s Publish tab, you can generate a shareable URL by selecting Web App or PWA. This makes your app instantly accessible on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and desktop browsers. Users can even add it to their home screens for a more app-like experience. Updates roll out in real time, so there’s no waiting for store approval.
PWAs are built on the same codebase as your native apps, ensuring a consistent experience across platforms. Any updates you make in Adalo’s builder are synced automatically, making PWAs perfect for quick iterations, A/B testing, or reaching users who might not want to download an app. This is where user research for mobile app design becomes critical to understanding your audience's preferences. If you prefer more control, Adalo’s Manual Publishing feature lets you stage changes and deploy them when ready.
"By publishing everywhere, you're giving them the greatest opportunity for success and to utilize your app when they need it the most." – Adalo
Whether you choose to launch through app stores or as a PWA, Adalo streamlines the process, allowing you to deliver your app across platforms without the hassle of separate rebuilds.
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Stage 3: Monetize Your Adalo App
Turn your live app into a revenue-generating machine. With 92% of apps on the Apple App Store and 96% on Google Play available for free download, monetization is what takes your app from being just a project to becoming a business. Adalo provides tools to help you earn income through subscriptions, one-time purchases, or ad-supported models.
Here’s how you can set up a structured purchase and subscription flow.
Set Up In-App Purchases and Subscriptions
If you're aiming for recurring revenue, subscriptions are a great option. For native iOS and Android apps, you can integrate IAPHUB, and for web-based subscriptions, Stripe is your go-to. While Adalo’s "Digital Purchase" component supports one-time purchases, IAPHUB takes it further with auto-renewing subscriptions.
Start by creating a "Products" collection in your Adalo database. Each product should have a unique Product ID that matches the IDs registered in your Apple and Google developer consoles. This ensures purchases are linked to specific user accounts. Next, use IAPHUB’s "Start" component to track users and purchases, and integrate the "Plug-and-Play Paywall" for a seamless setup.
"In-app purchases are needed in two main scenarios: 1. You are selling access to or features of your app. 2. You are selling digital goods such as downloads, credits, seats, licenses, or other non-physical items."
- IAPHUB | Adalo Resources
Both Apple and Google require a "Restore Purchases" feature. You can set this up by adding a button in your app’s user settings that triggers a restoration action. Before launching, use Sandbox Testing to ensure your purchase flow works correctly without real charges. For details on native publishing fees, check out Stage 2.
| Feature | Digital Purchase Component | IAPHUB Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Type | One-time (Consumable/Non-consumable) | One-time & Auto-renewing Subscriptions |
| Platform | Native iOS & Android | Native iOS & Android |
| Best For | In-game coins, one-time upgrades | SaaS apps, content subscriptions, recurring services |
| Setup Complexity | Intermediate | Expert (requires 1–3 days) |
If subscriptions aren’t your main focus, you can also explore freemium or ad-supported models.
Use Freemium and Ad-Supported Models
Freemium models are a proven way to attract users by offering a free tier while reserving premium features for paying customers. The key is to provide enough value to hook users but keep advanced features - like AI tools, extra storage, or ad-free experiences - behind a paywall. For instance, in Q4 2024, Spotify successfully converted 263 million of its 675 million monthly active users into paid subscribers using this approach.
"The goal is to offer a free experience that's genuinely useful, but clearly incomplete for long-term or serious use."
- Stripe
For ad-supported revenue, consider native ads that integrate into your app’s design, interstitial ads during natural transition points, or rewarded ads where users view a video in exchange for in-app perks. Adalo’s visibility rules make it easy to show ads only to free-tier users, and you can offer an ad-free upgrade as a paid option. Use Adalo’s analytics to track ad performance and fine-tune placements to maximize conversions without causing user frustration.
Adalo’s free plan lets you publish to the web with up to 200 database records, making it perfect for testing freemium models. When you're ready to grow, the $45/month Starter plan unlocks app store publishing. For enterprise-level features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and advanced permissions, Adalo Blue offers tools to scale as your app’s user base expands.
Adalo makes it easy to deploy your app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and natively to iOS and Android app stores, giving you a production-ready product without the hassle of rebuilding.
Conclusion: Iterate, Scale, and Succeed
Once your app is built, launched, and monetized, the real work begins: listening to users and improving continuously. Adalo’s "Share Your App" feature is a great way to invite a small group of private testers before going public. This step can help uncover design flaws or overlooked issues early on. Pay close attention to the "critical path" - those essential functions your users depend on - and ensure these areas stay fast and free of bugs.
"The goal isn't to build fast - it's to learn fast. Then build the right thing."
- Adam Chyliński, Senior Delivery Manager, TeaCode.io
This cycle of learning and refining is key to enhancing your app’s performance and user experience.
Adalo’s manual publishing option allows you to test new features and fix bugs in a draft environment before rolling out changes. With built-in analytics, you can identify what matters most to users and focus your efforts there. Start small with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and add features incrementally, guided by real feedback. This approach keeps your app simple and functional without overloading it with unnecessary complexity. If your app’s growth demands advanced integrations or custom logic, Adalo Experts or external tools like Xano and Airtable can help.
As you scale and improve, take advantage of Adalo’s flexibility. The platform lets you deploy a single build as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and native iOS/Android apps, saving you from the hassle of multiple rebuilds. This efficiency empowers you to focus on what really matters: delivering a great experience for your users.
FAQs
How can I make my vibe-coded prototype secure and scalable?
To keep your vibe-coded prototype secure, start by isolating its environment. This means using containers or sandboxes to ensure each app instance operates independently, reducing the chances of a single breach affecting the entire system. During development, integrate security checks like reviewing data-handling policies and tightening access controls. Implement rule-based systems to block unsafe code patterns, and consider leveraging AI-powered tools to scan for vulnerabilities before deployment. Once your app is live, real-time monitoring is essential to quickly identify and address any unusual activity as your app evolves.
When it comes to scalability, hosting your app on a cloud platform with auto-scaling and load-balancing features is key. These tools can automatically adjust to traffic spikes, ensuring smooth performance. Use caching systems to manage frequently accessed data and database strategies like sharding or read replicas to distribute workloads more effectively. Make it a habit to review your code and test performance regularly before rolling out new features to avoid potential slowdowns. Set up dashboards to monitor critical metrics such as latency and resource usage, allowing you to scale efficiently and maintain optimal performance as your app grows.
What do I need to publish my app on iOS and Android, and how much does it cost?
To launch your app on iOS, you'll need a paid Adalo plan (Starter or higher) and an Apple Developer account, which comes with an annual fee of $99. For Android, the same Adalo plan is required, along with a Google Play Console account, which has a one-time registration fee of $25.
Each platform has its own set of publishing rules, so ensure your app complies with their guidelines before submitting it. Once everything is in place, you can make your app available to users around the globe!
How can I monetize my app with Adalo?
Adalo simplifies the process of monetizing your app by providing built-in tools that support a variety of revenue streams. Whether you want to include in-app purchases, offer subscription plans, integrate advertisements, or charge for premium features, Adalo gives you the flexibility to match your monetization approach with your app's purpose and audience.
On top of that, Adalo allows for extensive customization, ensuring you can design a smooth and user-friendly experience while driving revenue. Whether your plan involves one-time purchases or recurring subscriptions, Adalo equips you with the tools to make your app a profitable success.
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