$36/month Yes (iOS & Android) Unlimited on paid plans AI-assisted building, single codebase for web and native mobile

50 B2B Reliance on Legacy Coding Languages Stats – Critical Statistics Every Enterprise Leader Should Know in 2026

Q: Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo's $36/month plan includes unlimited usage with no caps on actions, users, records, or storage—the most affordable path to native app store publishing. As the no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps, Adalo lets you see every screen on one canvas, preview on any device form factor, and visually direct the AI to make changes. One version across all three platforms, and publish directly to both the App Store and Google Play.

Q: What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Start by describing your app—Magic Start turns your app description into a working prototype with database, screens, and user flows. From there, view all your app's screens on a single visual canvas, preview on any device, and visually instruct the AI by pointing at what you want changed to get it exactly right. Adalo takes care of the App Store submission workflow, letting you get from concept to a live app in the App Store in days, not months.

August 25, 2025

Comprehensive data compiled from extensive research across enterprise technology, legacy systems, and modern app development transformation trends

Key Takeaways

Legacy code creates an unsustainable crisis — With 200-300 billion lines of COBOL still running and 70-80% of IT budgets consumed by maintenance, enterprises face existential threats from technical debt that modern AI-powered app builders can help address.
Developer shortage accelerates exponentially — COBOL programmers average 45-55 years old with growing retirement rates, while platforms like Adalo enable business users to build applications without specialized programming knowledge.
Modern platforms deliver proven ROI — Returns can exceed 500% with 50-90% faster development, and Adalo's unlimited database records on paid plans eliminate the scaling constraints that plague legacy systems.
Incremental transformation succeeds — Phased adoption shows 65% higher success rates than big-bang migrations, making AI-assisted visual development ideal for risk-managed modernization.

Global Legacy System Dependencies

70-80% of global business transactions still process through COBOL systems. According to Integrative Systems, this staggering dependency on 60-year-old technology underpins the entire global economy, from banking to insurance to government services. The concentration of risk in these aging systems creates systemic vulnerabilities that could trigger cascading failures across industries.

Organizations continuing to rely on COBOL face mounting operational risks as these systems become increasingly difficult to maintain and impossible to integrate with modern technologies. This reality makes AI-powered app builders increasingly attractive for creating modern interfaces and functionality without touching legacy cores.

200-300 billion lines of COBOL code actively run in production systems globally. Industry estimates from The Stack suggest this massive codebase processes critical business operations daily and encompasses more code than many modern programming languages combined. The sheer volume makes comprehensive modernization challenging through traditional means, potentially requiring decades and significant investment.

43% of banking systems worldwide utilize COBOL for core operations. Major financial institutions process trillions in daily transactions through these legacy systems, creating massive operational risk. Reuters research via BMC Software shows the inability to quickly modify or enhance these systems prevents banks from competing with fintech disruptors using modern technology stacks.

Ada, Adalo's AI builder, lets you describe what you want and generates your app. Magic Start creates complete app foundations from a description, while Magic Add adds features through natural language.

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. With AI-powered features like Magic Start generating complete app foundations from simple descriptions and no record limits on paid plans, Adalo offers financial institutions a path to modernization without risking core system stability. Organizations can build customer-facing applications that integrate with legacy systems while providing modern experiences.

95% of ATM transactions globally pass through COBOL systems. Every cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, and fund transfer relies on technology created before the internet existed. Industry reports from The New Stack confirm this dependency creates significant security vulnerabilities as legacy systems cannot implement modern encryption and authentication methods effectively.

92 of the top 100 banks worldwide depend on IBM mainframes. As of 2020 data from Precisely, this concentration of technology dependency creates systemic risk for the global financial system. Banks spend billions annually maintaining these systems while struggling to implement digital transformation initiatives their customers demand.

US federal government spends 78-80% of its IT budget on legacy maintenance. GAO reports show that in FY2024, $74 billion of the $95 billion federal IT budget went to operations and maintenance rather than innovation or improvement. Government agencies struggle to hire contractors willing to work on 50-year-old technology, leading to critical system failures during peak demand periods.

Citizen development approaches could enable government workers to build modern applications without waiting years for IT department resources. Platforms with visual builders described as "easy as PowerPoint" make this transition practical for non-technical staff.

74% of insurance companies rely on legacy systems for core functions. Pricing, rating, underwriting, and claims processing all depend on technology that predates modern risk modeling and customer expectations. Earnix's 2026 Industry Trends Report reveals these limitations prevent insurers from offering personalized products or responding quickly to market changes.

Over 60% of hospitals operate critical applications on legacy software. Patient records, billing systems, and clinical applications run on outdated technology that cannot support modern healthcare delivery models. Healthcare IT studies from Aalpha show this technological debt prevents implementation of AI diagnostics, telemedicine platforms, and integrated care coordination systems.

IRS processes taxes through systems built in the late 1960s. GAO confirms the Individual Master File, built using COBOL and Assembly Language, represents the oldest continuously operating software in government at over 55 years old. System limitations prevent implementation of real-time tax processing, automated fraud detection, and modern taxpayer services.

Billions of lines of COBOL process $3 trillion in commerce daily. According to Planet Mainframe, this represents the backbone of global financial infrastructure. The business logic embedded in this code represents decades of regulatory compliance, business rules, and operational knowledge that cannot be easily replicated.

Maintenance Costs and Technical Debt

Significant portions of enterprise IT budgets consumed by legacy system maintenance. Deloitte's 2026 research shows companies spend 55% on maintenance with another 19% on mandatory upgrades, though percentages vary significantly by industry and company maturity. Companies spending millions monthly on mainframe licensing and maintenance cannot fund modern initiatives their competitors pursue.

The contrast with modern platform pricing demonstrates potential economic advantages. Adalo's web and true-native mobile builder starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing with unlimited updates to apps once published—a fraction of legacy maintenance costs.

Technical debt consumes varying percentages of technology estate value. McKinsey research reveals technical debt can represent 20-40% of estate value in some organizations, though this varies widely by industry and modernization efforts. The debt grows daily as systems age and become harder to maintain, creating a compounding crisis.

40% of IT budgets projected to be consumed by technical debt by 2026. Multiple sources confirm this Gartner projection, with SIG research showing technical debt growing faster than IT budgets in certain sectors. Organizations reaching this threshold cannot fund new initiatives, entering a maintenance-focused cycle.

Critical federal legacy systems average $33.7 million annually in operational costs. GAO analysis of 10 critical systems reveals enormous maintenance burdens for mission-critical applications. Large enterprises typically maintain dozens or hundreds of such systems, creating billion-dollar maintenance burdens.

COBOL programmers earn varying salaries based on location and contract type. Salary.com reports median salaries around $85,936 while ZipRecruiter shows ranges from $60,000 to $121,161, with contractors often earning significantly higher rates. The scarcity of COBOL skills creates hiring challenges and retention costs, particularly in major metropolitan areas.

Modern platforms that eliminate specialized programming knowledge requirements help address this challenge. With over 3 million apps created on Adalo and its visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint," organizations can reduce dependence on expensive specialized talent.

Legacy systems often require more effort to maintain than modern systems. Research from vFunction shows maintenance complexity can increase 2-3x as systems age, though exact multipliers vary by system architecture and documentation quality. Each year of delay adds incrementally to eventual modernization costs while increasing failure risks.

Legacy system integration typically costs more than modern system integration. Connecting legacy systems to modern applications requires expensive middleware, custom adapters, and extensive testing to ensure compatibility. Industry studies from RecordPoint show costs can be 2-5x higher depending on system complexity and integration requirements.

Enterprise COBOL training programs cost $5,000-$15,000 per employee. Organizations must invest heavily in training new developers on 60-year-old technology that has limited relevance outside legacy maintenance. Training industry data from CBT Nuggets shows this training takes 6-12 months before developers become productive, creating massive opportunity costs. Modern visual development platforms typically require just days or weeks of training for business users to become productive.

Companies with high technical debt may spend more on IT per employee. McKinsey analysis reveals organizations burdened by legacy systems can have IT costs 20-40% above industry averages, depending on sector and modernization maturity.

72% of IT budget goes to "keeping the lights on" activities. Forrester research shows the majority of technology spending maintains existing systems rather than driving innovation. Modern development approaches enable innovation while potentially reducing maintenance costs.

Developer Shortage Crisis

Average COBOL programmer age ranges from 45-55 years old. Industry surveys from CBT Nuggets indicate the majority of COBOL developers are in their late career stages, with Zippia data showing 72% are over 40. Universities haven't taught COBOL widely since the 1980s, creating limited pipeline for replacement talent.

Modern visual development environments enable any employee to build applications, reducing dependence on scarce programming talent. Adalo's AI Builder, due for release in early 2026, promises prompt-based app creation and editing that will further democratize application development.

COBOL workforce declining through retirements. While specific retirement rates vary, industry reports from The New Stack consistently show workforce reductions with limited new developers entering the field. Organizations lose decades of accumulated system knowledge with each retirement, making systems increasingly difficult to maintain.

State and local governments face significant IT workforce retirement waves. NASCIO reports document growing concerns about succession planning as experienced workers retire. States cannot compete with private sector salaries to attract replacement talent, creating staffing challenges for government IT.

6 million worker deficit projected by 2032 across all industries. Lightcast's "Rising Storm" report via The HR Digest and Korn Ferry studies project this shortage will affect all sectors, with technical roles particularly impacted. The urgency of adopting alternative development approaches increases as this deadline approaches.

Only 27% of universities offer any mainframe or COBOL courses. IBM Academic Initiative data from TechChannel shows minimal academic programs teaching legacy technologies. The educational gap ensures limited new developers will enter the field at scale.

46% of IT professionals report difficulty finding COBOL programmers. Survey data from DXC Luxoft reveals these shortages manifest as delayed projects, deferred maintenance, and increased system failure risks. Organizations cannot maintain current service levels, much less implement improvements or new features.

Mainframe skills gap creates significant costs for enterprises. Industry estimates from Precisely show the combination of higher salaries, contractor premiums, and project delays creates substantial hidden costs. Critical systems operate without adequate support, increasing failure risks.

Contractor premiums vary widely for legacy system maintenance. Organizations increasingly rely on expensive contractors and consulting firms for legacy maintenance, often paying 50-100% premiums above standard rates. Industry reports from Mendix confirm these contractors often lack deep system knowledge, providing basic maintenance rather than improvements.

Average tenure for COBOL programmers exceeds 20 years at same company. LinkedIn workforce data via Zippia shows COBOL developers stay in positions far longer than other IT professionals. This creates knowledge concentration risk as entire system expertise resides with individuals approaching retirement.

COBOL ranked among least popular languages with minimal developer interest. Stack Overflow's 2026 Developer Survey shows very limited developer interest in learning COBOL. The absence of new talent pipeline ensures the skills crisis will continue to worsen, making AI-assisted development approaches increasingly necessary.

Migration Failures and Modernization Challenges

Legacy migration project failure rates vary significantly by type. Gartner research shows data migration projects can have failure rates of 80% or higher, while application modernizations may succeed more often. Organizations waste billions on failed migrations that leave them worse off than before.

Only 30% of digital transformations achieve expected outcomes. BCG research reveals that despite massive investments, 70% of organizations fail to achieve sustainable improvements from transformation efforts. Legacy system dependencies sabotage transformation initiatives by preventing true modernization.

Large enterprise migration costs vary widely by scope and complexity. IDC research via Net Solutions shows enterprise-scale digital transformations can range from millions to tens of millions, with some exceeding $50 million for comprehensive initiatives. The time required means business requirements change before projects finish, resulting in obsolete solutions.

Government legacy modernizations take 3-5 years on average. GAO reports document how public sector projects face additional complexity from procurement requirements, political changes, and budget constraints. These multi-year projects often span multiple administrations, losing support and funding midstream. Alternative approaches can enable government agencies to modernize within single budget cycles.

Only 42% of insurance modernization projects stay within budget. Industry studies from Insurance Business America reveal the majority of projects exceed budgets by 50% or more, with some doubling or tripling original estimates. Cost overruns force organizations to reduce scope, accept inferior solutions, or abandon projects entirely.

82% of modernization projects take longer than initially planned. Research from McKinsey shows timeline extensions cascade through organizations, delaying dependent projects and preventing realization of business benefits. Extended projects accumulate technical debt as requirements change during development.

Companies achieve only 31% of expected revenue from transformations. McKinsey's analysis reveals legacy system complexity prevents organizations from achieving projected efficiency gains and cost reductions. Hidden dependencies and integration requirements eliminate most anticipated benefits.

Incremental migrations show 65% higher success rates than big-bang approaches. Studies from BCG demonstrate phased approaches that gradually replace functionality dramatically outperform complete system replacements. Organizations can validate each phase before proceeding, reducing risk and ensuring value delivery. Application-by-application replacement strategies align with proven incremental methodologies.

Legacy system failures cost Fortune 1000 companies $1.25-$2.5 billion annually. ITIC research shows that 98% of organizations say a single hour of downtime costs over $100,000, with 81% indicating it exceeds $300,000. The inability to quickly recover outdated systems multiplies these losses.

Organizations take 277 days average to identify and contain breaches. IBM's Cost of Data Breach Report 2026 reveals extended detection times in complex legacy environments. Legacy systems lack modern monitoring and detection capabilities that could identify threats immediately. Cloud-native architectures typically include built-in security monitoring and automatic threat detection.

The AI-Powered App Builder Revolution

The market for visual development platforms is projected to grow significantly through 2032. Fortune Business Insights estimates the market could grow from $28.75 billion to potentially over $200 billion by 2032, representing 25-35% CAGR depending on adoption rates. The growth reflects widespread recognition that traditional development cannot meet modern business demands.

Adalo is positioned to benefit from this expansion. With its Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul launched in late 2025, the platform is now 3-4x faster and can scale infrastructure with app needs. Most third-party platform ratings and comparisons predate this major update.

70% of new applications will use visual development tools by 2026. Gartner's projection via Alpha Software shows visual development becoming increasingly common rather than exceptional. Organizations not adopting these platforms may fall behind competitors building applications faster.

75% of large enterprises will use at least four visual development tools by 2026. Gartner's research via Kissflow indicates multi-platform adoption demonstrates enterprises' commitment to visual development transformation across business functions.

84% of enterprises have adopted visual development to reduce strain on IT. Research from AIMultiple shows professional developers embrace these tools to accelerate delivery and focus on high-value activities rather than repetitive coding.

How Modern Platforms Compare

When evaluating alternatives to legacy systems, understanding platform differences matters:


Platform	Starting Price	Native Mobile Apps	Database Limits	Key Consideration
Adalo	$36/month	Yes (iOS & Android)	Unlimited on paid plans	AI-assisted building, single codebase for web and native mobile
Bubble	$59/month	Web wrapper only	Limited by Workload Units	More customization but often requires experts for scale
FlutterFlow	$70/month per user	Yes	External DB required	Low-code (technical users), separate database setup needed
Glide	$60/month	No app store publishing	Limited rows	Template-focused, fast but limited creative freedom
Softr	$167/month	No native apps	Limited per app	PWA only, no App Store/Play Store support

Bubble offers more customization, but that often results in slower applications that suffer under increased load and frequently requires hiring experts to help. Claims of millions of MAU are likely only possible with hired help. Bubble's mobile app solution is also a wrapper for the web app, introducing potential challenges at scale.

FlutterFlow is "low-code" rather than true visual development—it's designed for technical users. FlutterFlow users also need to manage and set up their own unrelated database, which requires significant learning complexity, especially when looking for scale. This is an ecosystem rich with experts because so many people need help and end up spending significant sums chasing scalability.

50-90% reduction in development time with visual development platforms. Multiple studies via Tadabase confirm applications that traditionally required months or years can be built in days or weeks using visual development tools. This acceleration enables organizations to respond to market changes immediately rather than planning years ahead.

Adalo's Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions—tell it you need a booking app for a dog grooming business, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. What used to take days of planning happens in minutes. Magic Add then lets you add features from natural language requests.

ROI from visual development platforms varies widely but can exceed 500%. Forrester's Total Economic Impact studies via OutSystems show returns ranging from 200% to over 500% depending on use case, scale, and implementation quality. Organizations typically recover investments within months while generating value over years.

10x faster application development compared to traditional coding. Industry benchmarks from Kissflow show this order-of-magnitude improvement for certain types of applications and use cases. Projects previously deemed impossible due to time constraints become achievable.

Cost reductions of 50-70% possible versus traditional development. Forrester Research via Tadabase confirms visual development platforms can eliminate expenses for specialized developers, lengthy development cycles, and ongoing maintenance. Actual savings depend on application complexity and platform selection.

Citizen developers save 10+ hours weekly using visual development platforms. Studies from AIMultiple show business users building their own applications eliminate wait times for IT requests and iterations. This time savings compounds across organizations with hundreds of citizen developers.

86% of developers believe visual development is the future. Developer surveys via Appstylo reveal overwhelming consensus that visual development platforms represent the evolution of software creation. This fundamental shift reduces communication gaps and delays inherent in traditional development.

Scalability and Performance Considerations

For enterprises considering legacy system modernization, scalability is paramount. Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with 1 million+ monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. Unlike app wrappers that hit speed constraints under load, Adalo's purpose-built architecture maintains performance at scale.

The platform's X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users—critical for enterprise deployments where downtime costs exceed $300,000 per hour. With the right data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million monthly active users.

App Actions, the usage-based charge, have been removed from all Adalo plans. All Adalo plans now have unlimited usage, meaning no bill shock—a significant advantage over platforms like Bubble where Workload Units create unclear and uncertain cost calculations.

One build on Adalo publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store simultaneously. This single-codebase approach means updates deploy across all platforms at once, unlike wrapper-based solutions where each platform may require separate maintenance.

The Path Forward

The data paints a clear picture: legacy systems represent an unsustainable burden that grows more expensive and risky each year. With COBOL programmers retiring, technical debt compounding, and migration projects failing at alarming rates, organizations need practical alternatives.

AI-powered app builders offer a viable path forward. Rather than attempting risky big-bang replacements, enterprises can adopt incremental approaches—building modern interfaces and applications that work alongside legacy systems while gradually replacing functionality.

The window for action narrows as experienced workers approach retirement and competitors adopt modern development approaches at scale. Organizations that delay modernization face not just technical challenges, but competitive disadvantage in markets where speed and adaptability determine success.

Sources Used

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you avoid the scaling constraints and bill shock common with other platforms.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process so you can focus on features and user experience instead of certificates and provisioning profiles.

How can visual development platforms help address the COBOL programmer shortage?

Platforms like Adalo enable business users and citizen developers to build applications without specialized programming knowledge, reducing dependence on scarce COBOL talent. With the average COBOL programmer aged 45-55 and minimal new developers entering the field, visual development tools create modern interfaces that work alongside or gradually replace legacy functionality.

What ROI can enterprises expect from adopting visual development?

Studies show visual development platforms can deliver ROI ranging from 200% to over 500% depending on the use case and implementation. Organizations typically see 50-90% reduction in development time and 50-70% cost savings compared to traditional development, with investments often recovered within months.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing. Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and limits on records. Adalo also includes true native mobile apps, while Bubble's mobile solution is a web wrapper.

Which is better for mobile apps, Adalo or FlutterFlow?

Adalo is designed for non-technical users and includes an integrated database with no record limits on paid plans. FlutterFlow is "low-code" for technical users and requires setting up a separate external database, which adds complexity and cost. FlutterFlow starts at $70/month per user before database costs.

Is incremental modernization more successful than complete system replacement?

Yes, research shows incremental migrations have 65% higher success rates than big-bang replacement approaches. Adalo supports this phased strategy by enabling you to build modern applications one at a time, validating each before proceeding, which reduces risk and ensures value delivery throughout your modernization journey.

Can citizen developers without technical backgrounds use Adalo effectively?

Absolutely. Adalo's visual builder is described as "easy as PowerPoint" and is designed for business users without coding experience. Studies show citizen developers save 10+ hours weekly using visual development platforms, and training takes days or weeks rather than the 6-12 months required for legacy programming languages.

How does Adalo handle scalability for enterprise applications?

Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with 1 million+ monthly active users with no upper ceiling. The Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul launched in late 2025 made the platform 3-4x faster. X-Ray identifies performance issues before they affect users, and there are no record limits on paid plans.

Can I build apps to interface with legacy systems using Adalo?

Yes. Adalo enables you to create modern customer-facing applications that can integrate with existing systems through APIs and custom integrations. This allows you to modernize user experiences without replacing core legacy infrastructure, following the incremental approach that shows higher success rates.