Details on the New Pricing Plans

Info & Announcements
53

I think I get the gist of what you’re saying, but here’s where I disagree - if the basis of the issue lies around a small percentage of paid-plan process hogs and a high percentage of free-plan process hogs, Adalo shouldn’t punish the middle makers for something we have no control over.

The low percent, high consumers should be offered an alternative, such as dedicated servers, to get them out of the way, and as for the free-plan users, there’s a simple solution: stop offering the service for free.

A free trial (14 days, 30 days, etc) is sufficient and falls in line with what most other platforms do already. Or, if to keep a free plan, place the heavy-handed limitations there but don’t confine the paying customers because the free customers are taking advantage of the system Adalo developed.

If I’m forced to pay more for less in return to satisfy the greed of free plan users (and the subsequent catering to them by Adalo over their paying customers), with an outlook of reducing those users over a period of time, count me out.

Frankly, Adalo should split their offerings: hosted options and non-hosted, where a customer can pay just for the editor and offsite everything else, because as it stands, a lot of makers with any intended growth already offsite a lot of their infrastructure since Adalo’s is lacking. And many other platforms do the same. It makes the most sense.

But there in lies the issue of allowing makers to download their code from Adalo, which Adalo clearly states belongs to them; that alone is actually quite concerning but another topic.

I surely hope Adalo comes to a better direction, and preferably soon. My monthly renewal is coming due and should I find a reliable alternative before then and hear nothing from Adalo about this topic, then I’ll likely cut losses instead of dumping more money and time into a black hole.

1 Like
54

Adalo as company and Adalo users (including myself)

No

55

Thanks for the reminder.

56

About code downloading,

  1. Would be more effective or more time consuming (the tendency) to change the code in the text editor or change the no code in the visual editor, even assuming the maker have had skill to code ?

  2. It is common practice that proprietary methods are kept secret as long as possible to keep the unfair advantage in front of investors, unless opening up is the way to go to succeed.

  3. If AI algorithm for showing recommendation or personalization exists, which tendency do you think that the creator will allow their users to download the code instead of offering API.

Just being rhetoric.

1 Like
57

Some features can only be tested when the app is compiled to APK like QR code scanning. Can I compile an APK and not have it count as publishing an app?

Can we have a way to compile a test APK and not have it count towards publishing? Brand it to hell with adalo markers for all I care as long as the features work.

58

Less concerned about actually having the code. More concerned with Adalo “owning” my creation. It is what it is. I just need to keep that in mind.

60

I just rebranded my Business, and was about to lunch affordable app services for clients.

To be honest I don’t mind the professional plan price, Adalo should increase the number of pro apps from 2-6 with more actions

Adalo should also limit the number of apps that are not publish to 20 apps

As start ups we need more clients to keep us going.

I would have to review my services and fall back to Codecanyon , flutter flow and Appgyver

1 Like
62

it stinks for Adalo

1 Like
63

I wonder the same, also, it is necessary to have paid the full year to “remain on those plans for the next 12 months”?

64

Sorry but the number of actions is not enough and it is not scalable.

5k active users can consume up to 50k actions per day (5*10)

Sadly, I’ll leave if they go ahead with this, I was enyoing building here. :pensive:

2 Likes
65

Please understand that we can’t control how user behaves in the app.

Imagine if its a delivery app and a user tend to make 30 actions just by ordering.
Can we say “think before you click”? Can we charge them same way?

even if you redesign the app to its utmost functionality, its still up to the users hand.
I’m not sure if a developer will be happy if there’s an increase in users,
I think they’ll be more worried about their number actions.

4 Likes
66

There are plenty of platforms that allow you to take the code with you - the code being for your creation, not the code for the editor; so that means there is a way for these platforms to allow you to download just the app code minus the editor code, it’s not an inconceivable proposition since it’s already been achieved elsewhere.

But as @Toddy noted, the real concern lies in who actually owns the creation (meaning the app/code, not its content). The issue there is that Adalo could, in theory, deplatform you if, just for example, one of your app users uploads a piece of content displaying violence or pornography. As the developer, you do what you can to limit such things and to take action against it as quickly as possible, but what if Adalo catches it first and down your app goes, and further, you’re removed from Adalo’s service entirely. Not only did you just lose your app but you also lost your code, so you can’t quickly relaunch elsewhere.

And (again, hypothetical but should be a consideration given circumstances), let’s say your app was SUPER successful - tons of revenue, hundreds of thousands of users, etc. Adalo deplatforms you and keeps your app/code (because it belongs to them), and then they relaunch your app under their name or hand it off to a “trusted” maker.

The theory then is, Adalo could see a success in the making, utilize technical loopholes to take it from you, and then make themselves rich off of your creation.

I know at its core, this particular concern doesn’t directly relate to the issue at hand (raising prices), but indirectly, if Adalo does raise prices and make growth/sustainability for successful apps impossible, I and everyone else should be able to take our app code (not the editor) elsewhere and carry on.

67

Valid point. To charge us per action (or limit us per group of actions) means we have to pass the same concept to our clients/users, which is laughable. How am I supposed to demo an app for a customer with that line of thinking? Their response would be the exact same as our response to Adalo right now: Hell No!

Difference is, the customer can just source a different developer. For us, we have lost revenue, reputation, AND we have to find a better alternative to begin rebuilding elsewhere, in record time, to maintain our presence in the job bidding community.

68

I wish Adalo the best and hope you make it through whatever you’re going through.

Good luck to those currently in the Adalo ecosystem.
I wish you a bright future and hope you all land on your feet.

2 Likes
69

You leaving? @Adalotaco

1 Like
70

Hey guys, I just thought I would drop you all a little message here as I too have been very concerned with the new pricing structure and I have voiced this to Adalo as did some of the other Community Leaders (We do not work for Adalo - we just love Adalo and are happy to help some of the folk here in the forums).

Adalo is a truly incredible platform as are their people and employees, you all wouldn’t even bother spending the time typing if you also didn’t think so. I feel like some of the comments are a little harsh. Though, I can fully relate to why you feel angry or worried (I’m one of you). What I can say is that, once I voiced my concern to Adalo @David called me to hear me out (on a Sunday night may I add when he should be with his family for over an hour!!). Remember, I’m simply like all of you.

It’s safe to say he is taking very seriously these comments and has not asked me to comment anything here but I feel it’s my duty to relay some of the aspects to maybe lighten the mood a little. Firstly a couple of main things unrelated to the pricing…

  1. Adalo is NOT a sinking ship in any shape or form.
  2. Adalo is listening and reading these comments. With that said, some comments are quite hurtful. Just because we don’t like the proposed prices doesn’t mean we can slander an awesome product or its employees.
  3. The pricing is NOT changing yet… and Adalo are wanting to work with all of us, and I had my opportunity to give my feedback.

I gave David my honest opinion, and he genuinely welcomed the feedback… and that’s what this discussion should be about - feedback.

Onto a couple of the things I brought up;

  • I mentioned that I feel very anxious that these prices make it very hard for me to do business. I said I felt Actions on the business plan should not be limited, and from gauging everyone’s views above, it’s Actions that are being discussed the most. Adalo are listening…
  • I said I totally agree with having to pay for additional apps once you reach your App limit on your tier. That’s completely fine and we shouldn’t expect more. I also agree to paying more if I need more storage… again that’s normal… However,
  • I don’t agree with unlimited seats, maybe Adalo can charge more here. If I have 3 employees on 3 seats, then a business with 50 seats should surely pay extra for the extra users (as they are likely creating more apps with more output)… Similar to Adobe, Autodesk, Monday.com etc (charge per seat)
  • I noted I have some apps that don’t make me money, some made for friends or community projects, and charities… now I need to charge (based on these changes)
  • I said I feel it’s very hard to scale an App particularly if it’s a Freemium Model or Free/Ad based model. The Actions will be capped out before you know it (with free users) and a very high premium conversation rate may still make this difficult to overcome. Even more true if you are driving users to your app through Ads which is pretty much essential in this day and age… (more Actions in the hope of converting)
  • I said I (personally feel) that it’s scary to feel like your costs can get out of control if your app succeeds. It should feel for all of us (the other way), excited that your app is getting traction and that you are building something great…
  • I said that the App business is a tough grind… and we have a tonne of APIs and other software we need to invest in also to make an app work. Not only Adalo

I really did give my honest view/ I don’t know exactly what will or will not be taken on board, but I got the genuine impression that David and his team want us all to stay on Adalo and trust that they are taking the necessary steps to review all of the above. I also did not feel in any way that the pricing as stated above is set in stone… they want to work with us 100%… They simply want to succeed with us.

Before any of you start tearing up bits of the above, please note everyone’s concerns are different, my views are my own based on my circumstances, and they do not need a running commentary of why you think your view is more important. I simply wanted to post the above to shed light that I feel we will be listened to within acceptable grounds.

12 Likes
71

Your post is much appreciated. You’ve shed some valuable light on things, even if it doesn’t directly define the ultimate goal and direction for Adalo. I think a big part of the anger and frustration here (comments, hateful or otherwise) stems from the current unknown.

We heard prices were changing but then left in the dark for nearly a month as to what that actually meant. Then we get this current post/thread with the answer, which has clearly generated substantial pushback from those willing to voice their opinions on the matter, but now we’re waiting yet again for what happens next, which is only adding fuel to a fire quickly raging out of control.

By you posting what you have, despite that I don’t know who you are and how you relate to all of this (aside from your shared credentials), your words at least provide a small blanket of comfort that Adalo is listening, and that we shouldn’t give up just yet. For me, hearing from someone that works for Adalo or who has spoken with them, which would be you, on this thread holds substantial weight in terms of how to move forward, even if Adalo comes back with a final decision not in line with what I would prefer.

Communication can dull the mood a bit, to at least cool tempers. I understand Adalo has undergone some internal strife recently and that their team is quite small when placed against their customer base, which adds some explanation to why things are evolving so slowly on many fronts, but at this current juncture in things, we need to hear from Adalo. We need to know they’re listening (which you’ve enlightened to and I appreciate that). And we need to know they care how we feel about what’s happening here, not just from a profit standpoint but from a genuine concern for what their customers are thinking and saying. Authentic empathy goes a long way. Customer service empathetic “word vomit” does not; having worked in that industry, I learned customers aren’t stupid, they know when you actually care and when you don’t, and one versus the other does make a difference in an outcome.

As for anything I or anyone else has said that may have been hurtful towards the Adalo team, I won’t apologize for. I don’t say that to be an ass, but rather because if Adalo’s team is being hurt by these comments, it means they DO care. Someone who doesn’t care wouldn’t be hurt or offended. Feeling insulted by something indicates an attachment to whatever it is that forms the center of the issue, and it’s the emotional response which shows, at least to me, that the Adalo team is listening and wants to work with us here, not “big corp” us out of the way as nothing more than wasted dollar signs.

So, with that being said, I’ll “stay on the line.” Not forever, mind you, I still would like to hear from Adalo’s leadership. But I’ll give them some reprieve to see what they come up with.

Thank you again for your post.

2 Likes
72

Some suggestions:

  1. If Adalo could work on the professional plan and add 5-6 apps for startups, limit the number of users that can download the app to 1k or 5k users per app

Its now justified for us to request our clients to pay more, in order for their apps to accommodate additional users.

  1. let’s have the option of speeding up our apps from 70% - 100%: with these features we can request for the clients to pay for either 70% speed up or 100% speed up. definitely, the client would go for 100% because their goal is to have the best services.

  2. Adalo should create a module that eliminates custom actions for online ordering and payments

4… Reduce the number of screens that can be created

  1. Reduce the number of not published apps that can be created to 10-15 apps

The major challenge I have in my country is that our currency keeps on falling to the dollar, and I need more apps to balance the ecosystem. A dollar was formerly N320 and is now 630, every month is keeps on falling and I’m not sure If I can sustain my business.

  1. There is a monthly spending limit of $20 a month on master and verve cards in my county Adalo should provide an E-wallet billing whereby we can Add funds and use them later. In my case, I have to use 3 master cards to have a successful subscription.

  2. $20 Monthly spending limit on a normal master card is ($1 - N440)

  3. $20-$1000 on a special bank account that requires you to buy dollars from the black market and deposit in your bank account is ($1 - N620)

That’s why I requested for the wallet feaure to enable adding small funds and converting them to points for subscriptions

I have raised a ticket regarding the e-wallet but Adalo hasn’t replied to me since last month

73

This is the most unreasonable suggestion I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

2 Likes
74

I’ll not comment on the users part as my view differs. However; Yes, I also mentioned the unpublished app status. I personally don’t think I have ever deleted An App… so Adalo may be able to save some resources there for sure. I also raised the concern regarding Dollar Vs other currencies. I have a similar issue.

All in all though as I mentioned in my message above, these are genuine people… and they do not wish to create hysteria or cause issues for us.

If they said that, prices are changing to these prices on X date… I’d be angry. But they have approached this in a way where by we are being included… and they are gauging feedback… many services I pay for make bad decisions in pricing and just roll it out. Adalo are not doing that. I really feel deep down Adalo are behind us all here and will work with us.

1 Like