Bubble.io vs Adalo: Which One is Better in 2025?

When it comes to building apps without coding, Bubble.io and Adalo are two popular choices. Both platforms offer unique features and cater to different needs. In this article, we'll compare their key features, pricing, limitations, and user reviews to help you make an informed decision.

Bubble.io: Overview and Key Features

Bubble.io is a no-code platform designed to help users build web applications without needing to write code.

• Visual Editor: Bubble.io offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design and build applications visually. This includes customizing elements like buttons, forms, and text fields.
• Database Management: Users can create and manage databases directly within Bubble.io. It supports complex data structures and relationships, making it suitable for apps requiring robust data handling.
• Custom Plugins: Bubble.io supports a wide range of plugins, such as Stripe for payment processing and Algolia for search functionality. These plugins extend the platform's capabilities without additional coding.
• API Integrations: Bubble.io allows users to connect their apps to external services via APIs. This includes popular services like Google Maps, Twilio for SMS, and Zapier for automation.
• Responsive Design: The platform includes tools for creating responsive designs, ensuring that applications look good on both desktop and mobile devices. Users can adjust layouts and elements for different screen sizes.
• Workflow Automation: Bubble.io enables users to set up workflows to automate tasks within their applications. This includes actions like sending emails, updating data, and triggering events based on user interactions.
• SEO Tools: Bubble.io provides built-in SEO tools, such as customizable meta tags, URLs, and sitemaps. These features help improve the visibility of applications in search engine results.
• Security Features: Bubble.io includes security measures like SSL encryption, user authentication, and data privacy controls. These features help protect user data and ensure secure transactions.

Bubble.io's Reviews

Overall, users appreciate Bubble.io for its ease of use and powerful no-code development capabilities, though some find its pricing and learning curve challenging.

Ratings from Trusted Platforms:

• G2: 4.4/5

User Reviews:

• Shubham B. (5.0 out of 5): "Bubble saved my business from shutting down. Easy to use, super cost-effective, and can be deployed instantly."
• Razvan P. (5.0 out of 5): "Built my first app after only 1 month since I started to study Bubble. Very intuitive, easy to use, and clear processes."
• Lloyd P. (0.0 out of 5): "Bubble had a lot of promise but it was never kept. Too bloated and the pricing is far from affordable."
• Nikita V. (4.0 out of 5): "Great functionality and weak UI. I can set up a non-complicated product with a database, external API call, and custom user flow just in a couple of hours."
• Pedro Tiago C. (5.0 out of 5): "I love Bubble so much, it changed my life as a startup founder. Intuitive platform that empowers users to create diverse web applications without extensive coding knowledge."

Positive Aspects:

• Easy to use
• Cost-effective
• Rapid deployment
• Powerful workflows
• Reusable elements
• Instant preview and debugging mode
• User-friendly interface

Common Concerns:

• Expensive pricing
• Complexity for non-coders
• Performance issues
• Vendor lock-in
• Poor UI and element inspector
• Lack of CSS classes in the core product
• Weak native 'table' component
• No pre-built tabs component
• No CMS
• Custom font setup is tricky
• Rich text editor is poor
• No code export

Adalo: Overview and Key Features

Adalo is a no-code platform designed to help users build mobile and web applications without needing to write code.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Adalo offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design and build applications visually. This includes customizing elements like buttons, forms, and lists.
• Database Management: Users can create and manage databases directly within Adalo. It supports relationships between data tables, making it suitable for apps requiring complex data handling.
• Custom Components: Adalo provides a variety of pre-built components, such as image galleries, charts, and forms. These components can be customized to fit the specific needs of the application.
• API Integrations: Adalo allows users to connect their apps to external services via APIs. This includes popular services like Airtable for data management and Zapier for automation.
• Responsive Design: The platform includes tools for creating responsive designs, ensuring that applications look good on both mobile and desktop devices. Users can adjust layouts and elements for different screen sizes.
• Publishing Options: Adalo enables users to publish their apps directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This simplifies the process of making the app available to a wider audience.
• Workflow Automation: Adalo allows users to set up workflows to automate tasks within their applications. This includes actions like sending notifications, updating data, and triggering events based on user interactions.

Adalo's Reviews

Overall, users find Adalo to be a powerful and intuitive platform for building applications, though some have concerns about its pricing and template availability.

Ratings from Trusted Platforms:

• G2: 4.7/5

User Reviews:

• Yassin R. (5.0 out of 5): "Adalo is a powerful, easy-to-use tool for creating a professional, high-performance application. Easy integrations via API, support team that responds very quickly, very intuitive use, etc..."
• Verified User in Small-Business (4.5 out of 5): "The adalo is the best tool to work on for the readily available services and to rewamp the existing services. It is user friendly interface and it is very effective in performance."
• Eva E. (4.5 out of 5): "Adalo is a simple and easy-to-learn low code no code editor. There are many great templates you can easily customize and get started with. You can start from scratch and have many options."
• Dirk E. (5.0 out of 5): "Adalo is a great LowCode/NoCode Builder. It is very easy to learn, and due to a lot of examples, learning content and a great community, it is straightforward to learn."
• Verified User in Hospital & Health Care (4.5 out of 5): "The adalo is the best tool to work on for the readily available services and to rewamp the existing services. It is user friendly interface and it is very effective in performance."

Positive Aspects:

• Ease of use
• Powerful tool for creating professional applications
• Easy integrations via API
• Good customer support
• Intuitive interface

Common Concerns:

• Pricing model can be challenging
• Limited free plan
• Need for more templates
• Developer support could be improved

Feature Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Adalo

Similarities

Despite targeting different types of applications, Bubble.io and Adalo share several important similarities:

• Drag-and-Drop Interfaces: Both platforms offer user-friendly, visual interfaces for designing applications without coding.
• Database Management: Each platform allows users to create and manage databases directly within the app builder.
• API Integrations: Both support connecting apps to external services via APIs, enhancing functionality.
• Responsive Design: Tools for creating applications that look good on both desktop and mobile devices are available on both platforms.
• Workflow Automation: Users can set up workflows to automate tasks within their applications on both platforms.
• Publishing Options: Both platforms enable users to publish their apps to various destinations, including app stores and custom domains.

Differences

Critical differences between Bubble.io and Adalo will likely influence your choice.

• Primary Focus:
  • Bubble.io: Primarily a full-stack no-code app builder for web applications.
  • Adalo: Focused on building both mobile and web applications.
• Customization and Design Flexibility:
  • Bubble.io: Offers extensive customization options, including complex data structures and relationships.
  • Adalo: Provides a drag-and-drop interface with pre-built components for easier customization.
• Publishing Options:
  • Bubble.io: Allows publishing primarily to web domains.
  • Adalo: Enables direct publishing to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Component Availability:
  • Bubble.io: Supports custom plugins for extended functionality.
  • Adalo: Offers a variety of pre-built components like image galleries and charts.
• Learning Curve:
  • Bubble.io: May have a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and capabilities.
  • Adalo: Generally easier to learn with a more intuitive interface and numerous templates.

Pricing Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Adalo

Bubble.io Pricing

Bubble.io offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different needs and budgets. Here is a breakdown of their pricing structures:

• Free Plan: $0/month
  • Includes core platform features
  • Community support
  • Bubble branding
• Personal Plan: $29/month
  • Custom domain
  • 10 GB file storage
  • API access
  • Email support
• Professional Plan: $129/month
  • All Personal Plan features
  • 20 GB file storage
  • Increased capacity
  • Priority support
• Production Plan: $529/month
  • All Professional Plan features
  • 50 GB file storage
  • Increased capacity
  • Dedicated account manager
• Custom Plan: Contact support for pricing
  • Tailored features and support
  • Custom file storage
  • Enterprise-level capacity
  • Dedicated success manager

Adalo' Pricing

Adalo offers a range of pricing plans designed to meet various needs and budgets. Here is a breakdown of their pricing structures:

• Free Plan: $0 per month
  • 200 Records Per App
  • Unlimited App Actions
  • 1 App Editor
  • Database + Collections
  • Unlimited Screens
  • Unlimited Test Apps
• Starter Plan: $45 per month (or $36 per month if billed annually)
  • 1 Published App
  • Unlimited App Actions
  • 1 App Editor
  • All Free Features +
  • Custom Fonts
  • Custom Domain
  • Publish to Web
  • Publish to App Stores
• Professional Plan: $65 per month (or $52 per month if billed annually)
  • 2 Published Apps
  • Unlimited App Actions
  • 5 App Editors
  • All Starter Features +
  • Custom Integrations
  • Design Versions
  • Geolocation
• Team Plan: $200 per month (or $160 per month if billed annually)
  • 5 Published Apps
  • Unlimited App Actions
  • 10 App Editors
  • All Pro Features +
  • Priority Support
  • Xano Integration
  • Collections API
• Business Plan: $250 per month (or $200 per month if billed annually)
  • 10 Published Apps
  • Unlimited App Actions
  • Unlimited App Editors
  • All Team Features +
  • Special Add-On Pricing

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Bubble.io and Adalo

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs with code in real-time. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that lets you design with real components, ensuring pixel-perfect, responsive layouts. Our platform instantly converts designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, eliminating the need for handoff and speeding up your workflow.

Subframe's Features

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs with code in real-time. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that lets you design with real components, ensuring pixel-perfect, responsive layouts. Our platform instantly converts designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, eliminating the need for handoff and speeding up your workflow.

• Component-Based Design: Subframe helps create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups. The visual editor includes a responsive drag-and-drop canvas for building precise, production-ready layouts.
• Pre-Built UI Templates: Subframe offers a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns. Each template is built with reusable components to help speed up the design process.
• Code Export: Subframe generates clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code. Designs can be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
• Free to Get Started: Subframe offers free access to its visual design tools with no credit card required.

Subframe's Pricing

Subframe pricing is designed to cater to different needs and budgets:

• Free: $0 per user/month
  • 1 project
  • Up to 3 page designs
  • Up to 3 team members
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Limited AI features
• Pro: $29 per user/month
  • Up to 3 projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Unlimited team members
  • Custom components
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Full AI beta access
• Custom: "Let's talk"
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Integrate your components
  • Dedicated Slack support
  • Figma plugin
  • Unlimited AI

For more details, visit our Subframe Pricing page. Book a demo with us to see how Subframe can transform your design workflow.

Subframe's Reviews

Users have shared positive feedback about Subframe, noting its user-friendly interface, time-saving tools, and the quality of the UI designs it produces. The platform has earned a 5/5 rating on Product Hunt. Customers especially value the visual editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and AI features that help refine designs based on user input.

• "Just joined, will spend more time on it but so far it is incredible, really love it." - Laura Sinisterra
• "Great product, amazed by the accuracy of the pages generated by the AI." - Filmon Arefayne
• "Loved this product! The visual editor saves loads of time and is really a cool feature." - Raunak Shaw

Bubble.io, Adalo or Subframe? Which is The Best Tool For You

Bubble.io is ideal for building full-stack web applications without code. It offers strong database management and workflow automation, making it a solid choice for complex applications and backend-driven projects.

Adalo excels in web design, allowing users to create visually rich websites with custom interactions and animations. It's particularly well-suited for designers who want detailed control over HTML and CSS without writing code.

Subframe, on the other hand, seamlessly integrates design and code. It combines real component-based design with AI-powered features, enabling the creation of production-ready React and Tailwind code. Subframe is a great option for those seeking both design flexibility and efficient code generation in a single platform.

Get started on Subframe for free to see how it can streamline your workflow and elevate your design process.