Picking between Adalo and Softr for your next no-code project? Understanding their capabilities is a great way to get the most from your time and resources. Adalo becomes the better choice for businesses that need their apps published to app stores.This guide breaks down each platform's offerings to help you find the tool that matches your business needs. You might even discover that newcomer Noloco could be the perfect alternative to both platforms.

Platform Focus: Evolving Backends and Native Capabilities

Understanding a platform’s core focus is critical before comparing features. While all three platforms support no-code development, their primary use cases and data handling strategies are distinct.

Adalo specializes in native mobile app development. It’s ideal for creators who want their apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Adalo empowers users to build applications that look and feel like traditional mobile apps, complete with advanced native features like geolocation, camera access, and push notifications.
Softr originally emerged as a frontend layer for Airtable, allowing users to turn spreadsheets into polished web apps. Over time, Softr has expanded its ambitions, now positioning itself as a broader platform for web app development. However, its own native database option is still in development, meaning most users continue to rely on external data sources like Airtable or Google Sheets, which can limit real-time responsiveness and control.
Noloco was built from the start with a focus on internal business tools and operational software. Unlike Softr, Noloco combines integration with external tools and its own robust native backend, known as Noloco Tables. This makes it an appealing choice for teams that want the flexibility of connecting external data but also the speed, scalability, and control of a built-in data layer.

Platform	External Data Sources	Native Backend
Adalo	Xano, Airtable	Built-in relational database
Softr	Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, SQL	Native backend in development
Noloco	Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, SQL, Stripe, Xano	Noloco Tables (fully live)

Each platform addresses a specific development niche. If you need mobile-first functionality, Adalo is likely your best bet. For public-facing websites, Softr stands out. And if your priority is operational efficiency and secure internal apps, Noloco is built with your use case in mind.

Ease of Use: How Quickly Can You Get Started?

Ease of use is a significant factor when choosing a no-code platform, particularly if your team includes non-technical members or you're working on tight timelines.

Adalo: Powerful, But Requires Orientation

Adalo offers a drag-and-drop builder with a canvas-style interface. While it gives users significant creative control, it can take time to understand how the different components interact. Think of it like a combination of PowerPoint and design software—you can create nearly anything, but you'll need to spend some time learning the ropes.

Softr: Streamlined for Speed

Softr uses a block-based design system, which makes it incredibly easy to use from day one. New users frequently report building functioning applications within hours. The learning curve is minimal, especially for users familiar with tools like Notion or Airtable.

Noloco: Designed for Operations Teams

Noloco focuses less on visual customization and more on ease of use for operational functionality. Its interface is highly intuitive, allowing business users to build apps without technical support. Users in industries like construction, logistics, and manufacturing often cite Noloco’s simplicity as a major benefit.

Key Features: A Deep Dive Into Platform Capabilities

While all three platforms offer core no-code functionality, their features cater to different priorities.

Mobile App Support

Adalo: Build once and deploy to iOS, Android, and web. Offers the most robust mobile features, including offline access, native UI components, and direct publishing to app stores.
Noloco and Softr: Focused on responsive web applications. Supports Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which behave like mobile apps in browsers, without the app store deployment.

While all three platforms support popular integrations, the presence (or absence) of a native backend significantly affects performance, especially for complex apps with real-time updates or granular permissions.

Authentication & Permissions

Adalo: Basic user login, with mobile-specific features like notifications and location-based services.
Softr: Robust access control with support for SSO, Google login, and magic links. Good for managing both public and private basic accesses.
Noloco: Enterprise-grade, highly granular permission system that enables real-time, role-based access control for both internal and external users. Permissions can be precisely configured at every layer—including app, page, collection, record, and even individual field level—ensuring secure collaboration, detailed audit trails, and tailored data visibility across your entire platform

Automation & Workflows

Adalo: Custom actions after login, strong mobile interaction tools.
Softr: Basic workflow automation, more limited than competitors.
Noloco: Advanced workflow tools with automation and AI capabilities, ideal for building dynamic internal processes.

Templates & Onboarding: Getting Started Fast

Adalo includes more than 40 mobile-oriented templates to jumpstart projects like e-commerce, event planning, and data dashboards.
Softr provides 100+ templates and prebuilt blocks for everything from marketing websites to client portals, streamlining the onboarding process.
Noloco offers operationally-focused templates that include CRMs, project trackers, and intranet systems, particularly helpful for internal business teams.

User Feedback: Real-World Insights

Adalo

Users highlight its design freedom and native app capabilities as major strengths. However, some note performance issues when handling large datasets and challenges with backend customization.

“Great for mobile MVPs, but once your data grows, you’ll feel the drag.” – Adalo user

Softr

Frequently praised for simplicity and speed. Users mention how quickly they built live products, though some express frustration with limited block customization.

“We were amazed at how fast we launched. No tutorials needed!” – Softr user

Noloco

Favored by non-technical business users who need secure, efficient tools. Customers report building internal solutions faster than expected and saving hours of manual work.

“Our finance team cut a 3-hour report down to 5 minutes with Noloco.” – Noloco customer

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Conclusion: Which Platform Should You Choose?

Each platform offers distinct advantages depending on your project goals and technical resources. Here’s a quick decision guide:

Choose Adalo if your priority is building polished native mobile apps that publish to app stores with full mobile functionality.
Choose Softr for quickly building website and external tools, especially if you’re already using Airtable or Google Sheets and value speed.
Choose Noloco to build secure, scalable internal tools with workflow automation and a powerful built-in backend for operational teams.

Ultimately, your decision should align with the type of app you're building, the skill set of your team, and your long-term scalability needs.

FAQs about Adalo vs Softr comparison

What are the main differences between Adalo, Softr, and Noloco?

Adalo excels in native mobile app development, Softr specializes in web applications and portals, while Noloco focuses on internal business tools. Adalo supports web, iOS, and Android platforms, Softr is web-only, and Noloco offers web-first solutions with mobile responsiveness.

Which platform is best for beginners with no coding experience?

Softr is often considered the easiest to use, with users reporting they can create apps within hours without external help. Adalo and Noloco are also designed for non-coders, but Softr's block-based approach is particularly intuitive for beginners.

How do the pricing structures compare between these platforms?

Adalo's pricing ranges from $0 to $250/month with a limit of up to 10 apps. Softr offers plans from $0 to $323/month with unlimited apps. Noloco's pricing is not fully specified but offers unlimited apps on all plans. All three provide free tiers with varying features.

What types of database integrations do these platforms support?

Adalo has a built-in database and integrates with Xano and Airtable. Softr connects with Airtable, Google Sheets, SmartSuite, HubSpot, and SQL databases. Noloco supports Airtable, Google Sheets, SQL databases, and its own Noloco Tables.

How do user authentication and security features compare across the platforms?

Softr provides granular permissions with advanced authentication options. Adalo requires users to be logged in for permissions to work and supports notification and location permissions. Noloco emphasizes role-based access controls with audit trails and real-time permission updates, making it particularly suitable for secure internal tools.

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What is Noloco

Noloco is a complete no-code platform that lets you build powerful business apps with integrated databases, AI-powered automation, and fully customizable logic — no code needed. Unlike simple front-end builders, Noloco gives you everything to create end-to-end solutions, from data management to intelligent workflows, all in one place.

Join thousands of users worldwide who are building client portals, CRMs, dashboards, AI-driven tools, project management systems, and more — without writing a single line of code.

Get Started for Free with AI

Author

Stefania Vichi

Head of Growth at Noloco

Stefania leads Growth at Noloco, where she’s focused on scaling marketing, driving customer acquisition, and helping more businesses discover the power of building apps without code. With a background in SaaS growth &marketing and a sharp eye for strategy, she brings a data-informed approach to everything from SEO and content to product-led growth. On the blog, Stefania writes about go-to-market strategy, growth experiments, and how AI is reshaping the way teams market, onboard, and scale software products.

Your most common
questions—answered!

Who is Noloco best suited to?

Noloco is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses in non-technical industries like construction, manufacturing, and other operations-focused fields.

Do I need tech experience to use the platform?

Not at all! Noloco is designed especially for non-tech teams. Simply build your custom application using a drag-and-drop interface. No developers needed!

Is my data secure?

Absolutely! Security is very important to us. Our access control features let you limit who can see certain data, so only the right people can access sensitive information

Do you offer customer support?

Yes! We provide customer support through various channels—like chat, email, and help articles—to assist you in any way we can.

My business is growing fast—can Noloco keep up?

Definitely! Noloco makes it easy to tweak your app as your business grows, adapting to your changing workflows and needs.

Is there any training or support available to help my team get up to speed?

Yes! We offer tutorials, guides, and AI assistance to help you and your team learn how to use Noloco quickly.

Can I make changes to my app after it’s been created?

Of course! You can adjust your app whenever needed. Add new features, redesign the layout, or make any other changes you need—you’re in full control.