No-Code App Building with Adalo
Review

Build and Launch a Custom Web App in 4 Weeks Without Writing Any Code.

Easy
  • Last updated 30/07/2025
by Lacey Kesler

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time researching this course, and here's what we discovered. No-Code App Building with Adalo is a 4-week cohort-based course that promises to take complete beginners from zero to launching their own web application.

The course is taught by Lacey Kesler, who brings serious credentials to the table. She's currently the Senior Community Education Manager at Webflow and previously served as Head of Education at Adalo. She's also the founder of WINC (Women in No-Code) and co-founded Visual Dev School. (We verified these credentials through multiple sources.)

What makes this course intriguing is its project-based approach. Rather than just watching videos about Adalo's features, you're building your own app idea throughout the 4 weeks. The format includes pre-recorded video lessons combined with two live build sessions per week, where you can get direct help from Kesler.

The curriculum covers everything from database architecture to UI/UX principles, user authentication, and finally publishing your app with a custom domain. Students also get lifetime access to a private community on Circle for ongoing support.

One thing we need to clarify: while some sources mention a free "Crash Course" at Adalo App Academy (approximately 1 hour long), this Maven course is a completely different, more comprehensive offering. At $499, it's positioned as a Mid Ticket course, which sets certain expectations for depth and support.



The core promise? By the end of 4 weeks, you'll have designed, built, and launched a working web app. That's ambitious, but based on the curriculum structure and student outcomes we found, it appears achievable for those who commit the recommended 5-10 hours per week.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to build MVPs, freelancers looking to add app development services, small business owners needing custom internal tools, or anyone curious about building web applications without coding

Instructor

Lacey Kesler

No-Code Expert and Educator Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Lacey Kesler is a prominent figure in the no-code movement, known for her expertise in visual development and her passion for educating others. As the co-founder of Visual Dev School and a podcast co-host, she has established herself as a leading voice in the visual software development community. Kesler's background spans web and software development, mobile app creation, and product management, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the tech landscape.
Kesler's career trajectory showcases her versatility in the tech industry. She transitioned from roles in product management and software engineering to becoming a no-code advocate and educator. Her journey includes co-founding Visual Dev School, hosting the Visual Dev FM podcast, and most recently, taking on the position of Head of Education at Adalo. Kesler has also been involved with the OnDeck NoCode Cohort, further solidifying her commitment to nurturing the next generation of no-code professionals.
  • Founded Women in No Code (WINC), fostering a community for women in the no-code space
  • Co-founded Visual Dev School, an educational platform for no-code development
  • Recognized as a leading voice in the visual software development movement by Webflow CEO Vlad Magdalin
  • Appointed as Head of Education at Adalo, a prominent no-code app development platform
  • - Speaker at No-Code Conf 2021 hosted by Webflow
    - Guest on the 'Talks with SaraNoSocks' podcast, Episode 34
    - Co-host of Visual Dev FM podcast
    - Participant in various no-code community events and webinars
    Kesler is a dynamic force on social media, particularly Twitter, where she regularly shares insights on no-code development, educational resources, and industry trends. Her content often revolves around empowering individuals to build without traditional coding, showcasing the potential of visual development tools.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration28
    • 📶 DifficultyEasy
    • ⌛ Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    No coding, design, or technical experience required. The course is explicitly designed for complete beginners.


    💻 Requirements

    Laptop or desktop computer with reliable internet connection. Building in Adalo requires a desktop browser.


    💸 Hidden Costs

    You'll need an Adalo subscription to publish your app with a custom domain (starts at $36/month, billed annually). This is separate from the course fee.


    🙋‍♂️ Support Options

    Two weekly live build sessions with Q&A, lifetime access to Circle community, direct feedback during cohort period.

    Course content

    • Week 1: Foundations & Database Setup - Introduction to Adalo's core components, app idea validation, user flow mapping, setting up databases, understanding database relationships and properties
    • Week 2: Building Your App's UI/UX - Designing screens, working with lists, connecting front-end to back-end database, implementing UI/UX principles for navigation
    • Week 3: Logic & User Actions - Creating, updating, and deleting data, conditional visibility and actions, using formulas and filtering, setting up user authentication
    • Week 4: Finishing Touches & Launch - Connecting custom domain, configuring app settings, final testing and debugging, step-by-step publishing guide

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    The feedback we analyzed shows predominantly positive reactions, particularly from beginners who successfully launched their first apps. However, there's a split between praise for the instructor and concerns about Adalo's platform limitations.

    Praised points

    • Exceptional teaching quality from Lacey Kesler, with students highlighting her ability to break down complex concepts
    • Structured cohort format that keeps students accountable and engaged throughout the 4 weeks
    • Practical, project-based learning that results in a real, launched application by course end

    Criticisms

    • Platform performance issues with Adalo, particularly for more complex applications
    • Limited scalability beyond MVP stage, requiring potential platform migration later
    • Platform-specific skills that don't easily transfer to other no-code tools

    Testimonials

    "I launched my first app in two weeks, never thought that was possible!" (Maven Student)

    "Lacey's explanations made everything just click." (Reddit User)

    "As a founder without a tech background, this was a game-changer." (Twitter)

    "Great for beginners, but I hit a wall for more complex features." (IndieHackers)

    "The live sessions were incredibly helpful for debugging issues." (Course Graduate)

    Social insights

    On Reddit's r/nocode and r/adalo communities, we found discussions praising Kesler's teaching abilities and her contributions to the no-code space. Twitter shows former students sharing their launched apps. The main concern across platforms relates to Adalo's limitations for production-grade applications, not the course quality itself.

    Video review

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    The primary claim, "build and launch your own app in 4 weeks," holds up based on student outcomes. We found multiple examples of students launching apps like Kindred and Wanderlist within the timeframe.

    Price History

    Current price of $499 appears consistent with similar cohort-based courses on Maven. No evidence of frequent price changes or artificial scarcity tactics.

    Upsell Practices

    No forced upsells identified. Visual Dev Co. offers other services, but the course is sold as a complete standalone product.

    Student Success

    Verified success stories include launched apps showcased on the sales page. Students frequently share completed projects on Twitter, tagging the instructor.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Maven provides an excellent environment for cohort-based courses. The platform is modern, reliable, and designed specifically for this learning format.

    Content Accessibility

    Students receive lifetime access to all video content and session recordings. Materials remain available well after the cohort ends.

    Mobile Compatibility

    While you can watch videos on mobile devices through Maven's responsive interface, the actual app-building work requires a desktop or laptop.

    Technical Requirements

    Standard internet connection and modern web browser. No special software installation needed.

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    We found no significant complaints about the instructor or course delivery. The criticism centers on Adalo's platform capabilities, not the educational content.

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    Maven offers a standard 14-day refund policy, clearly stated on the platform. We found no reports of refund disputes or issues.

    😬

    Marketing practices

    The marketing is refreshingly transparent. The course promises to teach you how to "build and launch your own app idea in 4 weeks," which aligns with what students actually achieve. No exaggerated income claims or "get rich quick" messaging.

    😬

    Community feedback

    The Circle community receives consistent praise from students. No concerns about lack of support or abandoned communities.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $499, this Mid Ticket course delivers solid value. Consider that hiring a developer for even a basic app typically costs thousands. If you successfully launch your app idea, the ROI is immediate. The combination of expert instruction, live support, and lifetime community access justifies the investment.

    Conclusion

    After thorough analysis, we can confirm this course is legitimate and high-quality. Lacey Kesler brings verified expertise as a former Adalo Head of Education and current Webflow Senior Community Education Manager. The course structure is thoughtfully designed, taking beginners through a logical progression from basics to launch in 4 weeks.

    What impressed us most was the alignment between promises and outcomes. Students actually do launch apps by course end, as evidenced by numerous verified examples. The cohort format with live sessions provides accountability and real-time problem-solving, something often missing in self-paced alternatives.

    The main consideration isn't the course quality, it's Adalo's platform limitations. If you're building a simple MVP or internal tool, this course will serve you perfectly. However, if you envision scaling to thousands of users or need complex features, understand that you might eventually need to migrate platforms.

    For beginners serious about entering the no-code space, this course offers one of the best structured learning experiences available. Just be realistic about what you're building, a functional MVP, not the next unicorn startup, and you'll find tremendous value here.

    FAQs about this course

    Yes, while you can learn on Adalo's free plan during the course, you'll need a paid Adalo subscription (starting at $36/month) to connect a custom domain and formally launch your web app.

    This course focuses primarily on web applications. While Adalo can publish to app stores, that complex process isn't the focus of this beginner-level course.

    You can build a functional MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Past students have created directory apps, marketplace platforms, and internal business tools. Think practical applications, not complex social networks.

    All live sessions are recorded and accessible in your course portal. You get lifetime access to these recordings, so you can review them anytime.

    The course includes group Q&A sessions twice weekly and community support. Individual coaching isn't part of the standard package.

    Plan for 5-10 hours per week over 4 weeks. This includes watching lessons, attending live sessions, and actively building your app.

    You retain lifetime access to all course materials and the Circle community. Many students continue to iterate on their apps with peer support.

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    No-Code App Building with Adalo Review
    $ 499
    Total score: 8,8/10 ⭐
    • Duration28
    • DifficultyEasy
    • Release Date01/2022
    • Format Enum.course_Format.cohort
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    No-Code App Building with Adalo Review