When starting a new project, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to build a website or an app. Understanding the key differences between these two options is essential for choosing the right approach for your goals.
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 flexibility makes it easier to decide between a website and an app when you know you can create either without writing code.
What is a Website?
A website is a collection of pages that is connected to the internet and hosted on the World Wide Web. Pretty simple. This blog you’re reading is a web page… on a website (www.adalo.com). Chances are if you’ve found this site, you have a pretty good understanding of what a website is.
For those looking to create their own apps without traditional coding knowledge, platforms like Adalo, 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, make it possible to build dynamic applications that display personalized content to each user.
Websites are perfect for displaying information, selling products, or for any other static purpose.
What do I mean by static?
That the content does not change based on who’s viewing it. No, I’m not talking about A/B testing your site, but instead that the content largely stays the same no matter who is looking at the website. For example, the Wikipedia page about No-Code Development Platforms will contain the same information for me as it will for you.
Looking to display different information based on the user? That’s where an App comes into play.
What is an App?
An App, short for application, is a piece of software that can be installed directly on your phone, tablet or computer & used. While a website is hosted on the Internet, an application lives on your device.
That seems pretty straightforward, so where’s the confusion?
Thanks for asking. Another distinction between an app and a website is how your user will interact with it. In my example above, a website typically displays the same information to everyone that views it — while an app will contain a different instance for each user.
Applications, whether on mobile or a computer, will change the information that is shown based on actions, information, user type & more. You can typically differentiate between an app or a website based on whether or not you were required to enter log-in credentials in order to access most of the benefits of the platform.
While the definition of an application is about installing it directly on your device, things have changed over time to include a broader range of applications. For example, many applications are now hosted “in the cloud” and do not need to be installed on my device in order to work properly. You’ll notice when you are on a mobile device though, that many sites you now visit that are actually applications will prompt you to switch to the application for a better experience. See how this can get confusing?
Let’s Take a Look at a Few Examples
At first glance, most people consider Facebook to be a website — especially those that were around when Facebook first launched. However, while Facebook lives on the Internet, it is actually an App. Upon log-in, your Facebook feed looks entirely different than my Facebook feed because we’re friends with different people, like different pages, and interact differently with the content. While all apps do not have to be run by very powerful algorithms, this example still holds true: Facebook is an app.
Adalo
This one is tricky! If you said “Website” — you’re right! If you said “App” — you’re also right! Adalo has a public facing website. The information displayed here is the same for anyone that visits our site. Once you log-in you’re taken to another site: app.adalo.com and that is our app! You must log-in to access any information & the information that is displayed changes based on whether you’ve made an app, who is a part of your team, what you’ve done with your app and more. No two instances of the Adalo app are the same!
Dictionary.com
Just a plain old website. Dictionary.com is the same for you, me & everyone else. This is the perfect example of a website — it’s there to display information and that information is the same regardless of who is trying to access it.
So…. Now What?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the differences between apps & websites, it’s probably pretty understandable that building an app would add a layer of complexity to your project because different information will be available based on user type, privileges, actions, and more! While a lot of that is controlled by the database, it’s important to note that different tools will enable different types of creations. Since there is a difference between a website and an app, choosing the right tool to build is of the utmost importance. While an app building platform can handle building a website, a website builder cannot (alone) handle building an app.
As a freelancer, tools like Adalo can help you create software, connect with clients, and make money on a regular basis. And with tons of free online courses and resources at your fingertips, getting started is a piece of cake. So let's dive in and build a business you'll absolutely love!
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I easily build an app without coding knowledge? | Yes, with Adalo's No Code App Builder, you can easily build an app without any traditional coding knowledge. Adalo's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to create database-driven applications that display personalized content to each user, handling all the complexity behind the scenes. |
| Why choose Adalo over other App Builder solutions? | Adalo is a no-code 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. Publishing to app stores is key to marketing and distribution, which is often the hardest part of launching a new app or business—Adalo removes this barrier completely, giving you a major advantage over competitors still struggling with complex submission processes. |
| What's the fastest way to build and publish a mobile app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store? | Adalo is the fastest way to build and publish a mobile app to the Apple App Store and Google Play. With No Code App Builder's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building, you can go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features and user experience instead of wrestling with certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines. |
| What is the difference between a website and an app? | A website displays the same static content to all visitors, while an app provides personalized, dynamic content that changes based on the user's actions, information, and account type. Apps typically require login credentials and store user-specific data, making each user's experience unique. |
| Can a website builder create an app? | No, while an app building platform can handle building a website, a website builder alone cannot handle building an app. Apps require database functionality to manage user-specific content and interactions, which is beyond the capabilities of traditional website builders. |
| What makes something an app instead of a website? | The key distinction is whether the content changes based on who's viewing it. If you need to log in and see personalized information—like your own social media feed, project dashboard, or account data—you're using an app. Websites display the same information to everyone, like a dictionary or Wikipedia page. |
| Can I build both a website and an app with Adalo? | Yes, Adalo allows you to create both public-facing websites and dynamic applications. You can build a web app alongside native iOS and Android apps from a single project, giving you flexibility to reach users across all platforms with personalized, database-driven experiences. |
