Escaping Vendor Lock-In: Take Control of Your No-Code App

Launching with a no-code platform like Bubble or Adalo feels empowering. You get to build fast, test ideas, and launch a product without writing code. But once your app starts gaining traction, many founders hit a wall they didn't see coming:

You don't truly own your app — the platform does.

This is the quiet but critical problem known as vendor lock-in. And if you're here, you're probably feeling the effects already.

What Is Vendor Lock-In?

Vendor lock-in happens when you build your app on a platform that controls the infrastructure, logic, and source code. It feels fine at first — until you want to:

• Add a feature the platform doesn't support
• Scale performance or reduce load times
• Hire a developer to help you
• Move your backend or UI elsewhere
• Leave the platform entirely

In no-code, you don't really "own" the app — you own access to it as long as you keep paying and playing by platform rules. You can't simply export the codebase and host it yourself. You can't switch vendors without starting from scratch. That's lock-in.

The Real Risks of Vendor Lock-In

As your product grows, lock-in starts to hurt:

• You can't audit or refactor the logic. It's all trapped inside visual workflows.
• Hiring developers becomes frustrating. They can't work efficiently without readable, version-controlled code.
• You're dependent on pricing tiers and plugin limits. Adding core features may require paid workarounds.
• You can't easily transition to mobile. App store deployment often needs third-party wrappers and still lacks native performance.
• You can't exit. If you ever want to switch platforms, there's no direct path.

Even if your app works today, your ability to evolve is boxed in.

What Can You Do About It?

Some founders try to "make it work" by layering Zapier automations or hiring expensive no-code specialists. But the more you patch it, the more fragile and opaque your app becomes.

The better approach: gradual or full migration to real code — specifically, React Native for mobile.

At Appelian, we help you:

• Review your no-code app's structure, logic, and UI
• Generate a migration plan (for free)
• Rebuild your app with modern React Native practices
• Preserve your UI/UX while improving performance and flexibility
• Deliver full code ownership — no black boxes, no surprises

From Locked-In to Fully Free: What Migration Looks Like

1. We assess your current app.

You show us your Bubble/Adalo project, and we break down what's reusable, what needs rebuilding, and what can be improved.

2. We give you a free plan and estimate.

You'll see time, cost, architecture recommendations, and a clear migration roadmap — with no pressure to commit.

3. We build your app in React Native.

You get a production-ready app, prepared for the App Store and Google Play, with every line of code handed over to you.

4. You scale on your terms.

Hire any dev. Integrate any system. Own your tech stack — finally.

Ready to Own Your Product?

If you're feeling stuck inside a no-code system that no longer serves you, it's not your fault. You built fast — now it's time to scale smart and let's help you escape the lock-in trap, for good.