Xano vs Adalo: Which No-Code Platform Wins?

The no-code movement has exploded in recent years, empowering non-developers to build fully functional apps without writing a line of code. Two of the most popular tools in the space are Xano and Adalo, but they serve very different purposes. Xano is a no-code backend platform, while Adalo is a no-code app builder focused on frontend and cross-platform deployment. Below, we break down their core features, pricing, use cases, and limitations to help you pick the right tool for your project.

What is Xano?

Xano is a no-code backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that lets you build scalable, secure APIs and databases without coding. It provides a visual interface to create data models, set up authentication, define business logic, and connect to third-party services via API integrations. Xano is designed to handle the heavy lifting of backend infrastructure, so you don’t have to manage servers, databases, or security patches yourself.

Key Xano features include:

• Visual database builder with support for relational data, file storage, and custom data types
• Drag-and-drop API builder to create REST and GraphQL endpoints
• Built-in authentication (email/password, OAuth, magic links)
• Server-side logic with a visual function stack (no code required)
• One-click deployment to scalable AWS infrastructure
• API rate limiting, role-based access control, and GDPR compliance tools

What is Adalo?

Adalo is a no-code app builder that lets you create cross-platform mobile and web apps using a drag-and-drop interface. It focuses on frontend development, with pre-built components for lists, forms, buttons, and media, plus logic tools to define app behavior. Adalo apps can be published to the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and as progressive web apps (PWAs) with a single click.

Key Adalo features include:

• Drag-and-drop app builder with hundreds of pre-designed components
• Cross-platform deployment (iOS, Android, web) with no extra configuration
• Visual logic builder to set up navigation, user flows, and conditional actions
• Native integrations with tools like Stripe, Zapier, and Airtable
• Custom font and branding support for white-labeled apps
• Real-time data syncing for collaborative app features

Core Comparison: Xano vs Adalo

1. Primary Use Case

Xano is built for backend development: if you need to store data, set up user authentication, or build custom APIs for a project, Xano is the go-to. Adalo is built for frontend app development: if you want to build a user-facing mobile or web app quickly, Adalo is the better fit. Many teams use both together: Xano for the backend, Adalo for the frontend, connected via Xano’s REST API.

2. Ease of Use

Adalo is far more beginner-friendly for non-technical users. Its drag-and-drop interface requires no prior technical knowledge, and you can build a basic app in hours. Xano has a steeper learning curve: you’ll need to understand basic database concepts (tables, relationships, API endpoints) to use it effectively, even without coding.

3. Scalability

Xano is designed for scale: it runs on AWS infrastructure, supports auto-scaling, and can handle millions of API requests per month on higher-tier plans. Adalo is less scalable for high-traffic apps: its free and lower-tier plans have limits on records, actions, and bandwidth, and complex apps can lag on the Adalo platform.

4. Pricing

Xano offers a free tier with 1 GB of database storage, 1 API endpoint, and 100 requests per minute. Paid plans start at $59/month for the Builder plan (10 GB storage, 10 endpoints, 1,000 requests per minute) and go up to $199/month for the Scale plan with higher limits and dedicated support.

Adalo’s free tier lets you build and test apps, but published apps require a paid plan. The Starter plan is $45/month (1 app, 1,000 records, Adalo branding), the Professional plan is $125/month (5 apps, 10,000 records, white labeling), and the Team plan is $200/month (unlimited apps, 100,000 records, advanced permissions).

5. Integrations

Xano has native integrations for AWS S3, Stripe, SendGrid, and more, plus a visual API connector to add any third-party REST API. Adalo integrates with Stripe, Zapier, Airtable, and Google Sheets natively, but custom API integrations require more work (or using Xano as a middleware layer).

6. Limitations

Xano’s biggest limitation is that it has no frontend tools: you’ll need to pair it with a frontend builder like Adalo, Bubble, or FlutterFlow to build a user-facing app. Adalo’s limitations include limited backend functionality (no custom server-side logic, basic database features) and vendor lock-in: you can’t export Adalo app code to host elsewhere.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Xano if: you need a scalable, secure backend for a custom app, you have basic technical literacy, or you’re building a complex app that requires custom APIs and server-side logic.

Choose Adalo if: you want to build a simple to medium-complexity user-facing mobile or web app quickly, you have no technical background, or you need to publish to app stores fast.

If you’re building a full app, the best approach is often to use both: Xano for the backend, Adalo for the frontend, connected via API. This gives you the scalability of Xano and the ease of use of Adalo.

Final Verdict

Neither Xano nor Adalo is a clear winner across all use cases, because they serve different parts of the no-code stack. For backend needs, Xano wins hands down. For frontend app building, Adalo is the better choice. For full-stack app development, using both together is the winning combination for most teams.