Migration snapshot
ActivePlatform
an Adalo
Acquired by Xenon Partners (private equity, SaaS-focused) ~mid/late 2024; new CEO James Crennan (a Xenon General Partner) replaced co-founder Jeremy Blalock. Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul delivered ~Sep 30, 2025 with 40–70% CPU reduction and 50–100%+ speed improvement; App Actions usage billing removed Feb 2025; flat pricing reinstated. 29 employees (PitchBook 2026); ~$9.8M raised total. Platform is operating but PE ownership creates long-term uncertainty.
Typical timeline
8–12 weeks
Typical cost
$13K–$25K (agency, fixed)
Why teams leave an Adalo
Adalo is a capable mobile builder for prototypes and early apps, but its absolute code lock-in means every feature you add today increases the eventual rebuild cost — and PE ownership introduces a new layer of platform uncertainty.
Zero code export
The single most important Adalo fact: no source-code export exists of any kind (cybernews.com 2026; enter.converge.ai 2026: 'complete vendor lock-in… you must rebuild your application from scratch'). This is not a missing feature — it is a deliberate architecture.
Private-equity acquisition
Xenon Partners acquired Adalo ~2024. PE-owned bootstrapped SaaS products are frequently optimized for a fast exit rather than long-term product investment; longevity under new ownership is genuinely uncertain.
Performance ceiling at scale
Database performance degrades significantly beyond approximately 10,000 records per collection (documented by Buildify, a certified Adalo Expert agency). Lists of 50+ items with images lag due to in-memory loading and per-image network requests — a ceiling that Supabase + React Native eliminates.
Ongoing subscription cost with no equity
The $36/mo Starter tier is required just to publish one app to stores and use a custom domain. Every month paid is rent with no ownership — and the rebuild cost is identical whether you leave at month 6 or month 36.
AI features still produce zero exportable code
Adalo's 'Ada' AI features (Magic Start, Magic Add) require higher-tier plans and still produce no exportable source. AI-built apps on Adalo have the same lock-in as manually built ones.
What can you actually take with you?
Adalo offers partial data portability via CSV and API, but zero code export of any kind — every screen, action, and workflow must be rebuilt from scratch.
| Asset | Can you export it? | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data | Partial | CSV import/export of individual collections; API access to collections via Adalo's REST API | No documented full database dump with schema; relationships between collections require manual mapping; export each collection separately |
| Code | No | No export path exists | Adalo does not allow source-code export of any kind (cybernews.com 2026; enter.converge.ai 2026); full rebuild required |
| Design/UI | No | Not exportable | All screens were designed in Adalo's drag-drop canvas; they must be rebuilt in React Native components |
| Logic/Workflows | No | Not exportable | All action flows (button actions, conditional logic, form submissions) must be re-implemented as React Native event handlers and Supabase API calls |
| Users & Auth | Partial | User records exportable via CSV or API; Adalo manages its own auth system | Password hashes are not documented and cannot be exported — plan a forced password-reset email campaign for all users at launch day |
Swipe the table sideways to see the full breakdown.
Where each piece moves in code
Adalo's concepts map cleanly to a React Native + Supabase stack — the migration is a rebuild, but the architecture is well-understood.
an Adalo
Adalo screens (drag-drop canvas)
In code
React Native screen components with React Navigation or Expo Router
Each Adalo screen becomes a screen component; navigation stack replaces Adalo's built-in link system
an Adalo
Adalo Collections (built-in DB)
In code
Supabase tables (PostgreSQL)
Column-for-column mapping; export CSV from Adalo, import to Supabase; collection relationships become foreign keys
an Adalo
Adalo actions (button actions, workflows)
In code
React Native event handlers + Supabase API calls
Each action flow maps to an onPress handler calling a Supabase RPC or REST endpoint
an Adalo
List component (filtered, sorted)
In code
FlatList + Supabase query with WHERE/ORDER BY
Filtering and sorting logic moves server-side; eliminates the 10,000-record in-memory loading ceiling
an Adalo
Adalo form
In code
react-hook-form + zod validation + Supabase insert
Standard React Native form pattern; validation that Adalo handles implicitly must be made explicit
an Adalo
Push notifications
In code
Expo Notifications + Supabase Edge Function for triggers
Edge Function fires notifications on database events; replaces Adalo's built-in notification system
an Adalo
Adalo marketplace integrations (Zapier, Stripe)
In code
Direct Stripe SDK + Supabase webhooks
Stripe Checkout or Payment Intents replace the Adalo/Zapier bridge; simpler and cheaper
an Adalo
App store publishing (Adalo build pipeline)
In code
Expo EAS Build for iOS and Android
EAS Build handles signing, versioning, and submission; identical workflow to Adalo's pipeline but owned by you
The migration roadmap
The Adalo migration path is a rebuild, not a port. The roadmap prioritizes data extraction and spec documentation before any code is written, because the spec is locked inside Adalo until you export it.
Export and Audit
Week 1- Export every Adalo Collection as CSV — this is the only data portability path
- Document every collection: field names, field types, relationships between collections
- Screenshot and screen-record every screen, action, and user flow (this is the rebuild specification)
- List every external integration (Zapier, Stripe, external APIs) and verify API credentials are in your hands
- Verify you hold Apple App Store Connect and Google Play Console credentials independently of Adalo
Watch out: Any collection approaching 10,000 records is a signal of performance degradation in Adalo — prioritize migrating those first
Data Schema and Auth Architecture
Weeks 2–3- Map every Adalo Collection to a Supabase table schema with foreign keys for relationships
- Import collection CSVs to Supabase and validate row counts and data integrity
- Decide on auth strategy: Adalo manages its own auth, so a forced password-reset campaign is required for all users
- Write Supabase Row Level Security (RLS) policies for each table before writing any application code
Watch out: Large datasets (5,000+ records per collection) need careful ETL planning and performance validation in Supabase before the rebuild begins
Navigation and Core Screens
Weeks 3–6- Scaffold the React Native project with Expo and configure React Navigation or Expo Router
- Implement auth screens (sign-up, sign-in, forgot password) with forced-reset flow
- Build screens in priority order: highest-traffic and revenue-critical screens first
- Connect each screen to Supabase queries; validate filtering and sorting match the Adalo behavior
Integrations, Edge Cases, and Testing
Weeks 7–9- Implement Stripe payments, push notifications, and other third-party integrations
- Build and test all form submission flows with react-hook-form + zod validation
- QA every user flow against the screen-recording spec from Phase 1
- Load-test Supabase queries with production-volume data before launch
Launch and Cutover
Weeks 10–12- Submit to Apple App Store and Google Play via Expo EAS; allow 3–7 days for review
- Send forced password-reset email campaign to all users on launch day
- Monitor Supabase performance dashboards and Sentry error tracking for 72 hours post-launch
- Cancel Adalo subscription only after the new app is approved and user migration is confirmed
Watch out: Do not cancel Adalo before the new app is approved — users are live on Adalo until cutover is complete
Three ways to migrate — honestly
Every path has a real trade-off. Here is what each costs, how long it takes, and where it bites.
DIY (self with AI tools)
$0–$500 + time
4–8 months part-time
Fits
Technical founders comfortable with React Native and Supabase who have a simple app (under 10 screens, 2–3 collections) and can dedicate consistent part-time hours
Risks
Adalo's lock-in means there is no code to reference — you are building from screen recordings and CSV exports. Data migration and auth cutover are the highest-risk moments; mistakes affect live users.
Freelancer
$3K–$10K
2–4 months
Fits
Apps with 10–20 screens and moderate complexity; works well when a detailed spec (screenshots, screen recordings, collection exports) is provided upfront
Risks
Scope creep risk is high when rebuilding without source code reference. Vet the freelancer on React Native + Supabase specifically; vetting is harder without an existing codebase to review.
Agency (RapidDev)
Done-for-you$13K–$25K fixed
6–10 weeks
Fits
Apps where PE-ownership risk, performance issues at scale, or code-ownership requirements make timeline and quality non-negotiable; fixed price eliminates scope-creep billing
Risks
Minimum viable investment for complex apps; not cost-effective for simple 3–5 screen prototypes where DIY is genuinely feasible
The real risks — and how to defuse them
Full rebuild scope underestimated
Mitigation: There is no code to carry forward — scope must be priced as a new build, not a migration. Use Adalo screen recordings and CSV exports as the spec before committing to any timeline.
Performance cliff from large collections
Mitigation: Collections approaching 10,000 records have already degraded in Adalo; plan careful ETL to Supabase with indexing and test under production-volume load before launch.
User auth loss on cutover
Mitigation: Adalo manages its own auth and password hashes are not exportable. Every user must reset their password on migration day. Draft the email campaign and schedule it as part of launch planning.
PE ownership accelerating platform changes
Mitigation: Do not add new features to Adalo while planning the migration. Every new feature added is additional rebuild scope at no change in exit cost.
App store account ownership gap
Mitigation: Adalo can publish to stores on your behalf. Verify you hold Apple App Store Connect and Google Play Console credentials independently — request transfer before starting any rebuild work.
Should you actually migrate?
Migrating is a real project. Sometimes staying is the right call — here is the honest split.
Stay if
- App has fewer than 5,000 records in any collection and performance is acceptable today; no plans to scale beyond current usage
- The app is an MVP or internal tool with a limited user base and no investor, acquisition, or due-diligence requirements
- Budget for a React Native rebuild is genuinely unavailable today and Adalo 3.0 performance improvements satisfy current users
- You are comfortable with PE ownership uncertainty and the platform's current feature set covers your roadmap for the next 12+ months
Migrate if
- Any collection is approaching 10,000 records — performance degradation at that scale is documented and confirmed
- PE acquisition and co-founder departures have made you uncomfortable with platform continuity or roadmap direction
- You need code ownership for due diligence, fundraising, investor data rooms, or hiring a technical team
- The ongoing Starter subscription cost ($36/mo+) is producing rent with no equity while rebuild cost stays constant
Our honest verdict
Adalo is the clearest rebuild-only exit in the mobile builder category. The rebuild cost is the same whether you leave today or after adding 12 more months of features — but the spec and data volume only grow. Earlier exits are consistently cheaper.
Do this today: pre-migration checklist
Whatever path you choose, protect yourself first. Work through this before you touch a line of code.
Export ALL collections as CSV from the Adalo admin panel today
CSV export is the only data portability path; there is no full database dump option
Document every collection: field names, field types, and relationships to other collections
Relationships between collections become foreign keys in Supabase and must be mapped before schema design
Verify you hold Apple App Store Connect and Google Play Console credentials independently of Adalo
Adalo can publish on your behalf; losing those accounts on exit means losing your app listing and download history
Screenshot and screen-record every screen, action, and user flow
These recordings are your rebuild specification — without source code, they are the only authoritative reference
List every external integration (Zapier, Stripe, external APIs) and confirm API credentials are in your account
Integration credentials need to be verified before migration scope can be finalized
Identify collections with more than 5,000 records and flag them for ETL planning
Large collections need performance validation in Supabase before launch; discovering this late creates timeline risk
Draft a forced password-reset email sequence for all users
Adalo auth passwords cannot be exported; every user will need to reset on the day the new app launches
Frequently asked questions
Can I export my Adalo app code?
No. Adalo does not allow source-code export of any kind. This is confirmed by multiple independent sources including cybernews.com (2026) and enter.converge.ai (2026), which describe it as 'complete vendor lock-in.' Leaving Adalo always means rebuilding your app from scratch using your screen recordings and data exports as the specification.
Can I export my Adalo data?
Partially. Adalo allows CSV export and API access for individual collections. There is no documented full database dump with schema included. You must export each collection separately and manually document the relationships between collections before importing to Supabase.
How long does migrating from Adalo take?
Typically 8–12 weeks for a production React Native + Supabase rebuild with an experienced team. The timeline includes data schema mapping, auth cutover planning, screen-by-screen rebuild, integration implementation, and App Store review periods. Simple apps (under 10 screens) may complete in 6–8 weeks; apps with large datasets or complex integrations typically take the full 12 weeks.
What happens to my users and their passwords when I migrate?
User records (email addresses, profile data) are exportable from Adalo via CSV or API. Passwords are not exportable — Adalo manages its own authentication and does not provide password hashes. Every user will need to reset their password when the new app launches. Plan a forced password-reset email campaign as a formal part of your launch-day checklist.
Is Adalo shutting down?
No confirmed shutdown as of mid-2026. Adalo was acquired by Xenon Partners (private equity) ~2024, delivered the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul ~Sep 2025, and removed usage-based billing in Feb 2025. The platform is active. The concern is not imminent shutdown but PE-owned SaaS longevity uncertainty — and the fact that code lock-in means rebuild cost is constant regardless of when you exit.
Does Adalo's 10,000-record limit affect migration?
Yes. If any of your collections is approaching 10,000 records, performance has likely already degraded in Adalo. This is a primary migration trigger. The good news: migrating those collections to Supabase with proper indexing and server-side filtering eliminates the performance ceiling. Plan ETL testing for large collections before committing to a launch date.
Who holds my App Store accounts — me or Adalo?
This depends on how your app was published. Adalo can publish to the Apple App Store and Google Play on your behalf. If Adalo published the app, verify immediately whether you hold the Apple App Store Connect and Google Play Console developer accounts. If Adalo holds them, request a transfer before starting any migration work — losing the app listing means losing your review history and download count.
How much does an Adalo migration cost, and can RapidDev help?
DIY with AI tools costs $0–$500 in direct expenses but 4–8 months of part-time work. Freelancers typically charge $3K–$10K for a 10–20 screen app over 2–4 months. RapidDev offers fixed-price Adalo migrations at $13K–$25K completed in 6–10 weeks, including data migration, Auth cutover planning, and App Store submission. Book a free scoping call to get an estimate for your specific app.
We migrate no-code apps to production code
- Fixed price — $13K–$25K (agency, fixed)
- No data loss, no downtime
- You own 100% of the code
30-min call. Quote within 48 hours.