Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Zoom Clone with Adalo

Building a Zoom-style video conferencing app typically demands specialized developers fluent in real-time communication protocols, complex server infrastructure, and separate codebases for web, iOS, and Android platforms. For entrepreneurs and small teams, this traditional development path means months of work, significant technical debt, and budgets that can quickly spiral into six figures—all before a single user joins their first call.

That's where Adalo changes the equation. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. By combining Adalo's native app capabilities with third-party video integrations, you can create a fully functional meeting platform complete with user authentication, scheduling, push notifications, and the polished experience users expect from professional video conferencing tools.

Why Adalo Is Perfect for Building Your Own Video Conferencing App

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. This cross-platform approach makes Adalo an ideal foundation for creating a Zoom clone, allowing you to reach users on desktop browsers, iPhones, and Android devices simultaneously without writing a single line of code or managing separate development teams.

For video conferencing apps, app store presence is essential—users expect to download meeting tools directly from the Apple App Store and Google Play, just like they do with Zoom or Google Meet. Adalo's native push notifications keep participants informed when meetings start, send timely reminders for scheduled calls, and maintain engagement with your platform. Combined with built-in user authentication, database management, and a polished native experience, Adalo handles the heavy lifting while you focus on creating a seamless video meeting experience.

Building a Zoom-like video conferencing app seems like a massive undertaking—one that typically requires specialized developers, complex real-time infrastructure, and months of coding. The challenge multiplies when you need your app to work seamlessly across web browsers, iPhones, and Android devices, each platform traditionally demanding its own codebase and expertise.

Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, offers a practical path forward for entrepreneurs and teams ready to launch their own meeting platform. Create database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps from a single build—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months.

Why Adalo Works for Building a Video Conferencing App

Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps alongside web apps from a single codebase. This cross-platform capability makes it an excellent foundation for building a Zoom clone, allowing you to reach users on desktop browsers, iPhones, and Android devices without maintaining separate codebases or rebuilding your app for each platform.

For a video conferencing app, app store distribution is crucial—your users expect to find meeting apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play, just like they found Zoom. With Adalo, you can leverage push notifications to alert participants when meetings are starting, send reminders for scheduled calls, and keep users engaged with your platform. While we'll integrate third-party video services for the actual streaming functionality, Adalo handles everything else: user management, meeting scheduling, in-app chat, and the polished native experience your users demand.

This comprehensive tutorial guides you through building a video conferencing app using Adalo's platform. While Adalo has specific limitations for native video conferencing, we'll show you how to create a functional meeting app by integrating third-party video services and building supporting features. The AI Builder (coming early 2026) will enable prompt-based app creation and editing, but today's visual builder—described as "easy as PowerPoint"—already lets you publish the same app to web, native iOS, and native Android without writing code.

Important Limitations Upfront

Before starting, understand that Adalo cannot natively provide:

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.

What we can build:

Prerequisites and Initial Setup

Step 1: Create Your Adalo Account

  1. Go to Adalo.com and sign up
  2. Click "Create New App"
  3. Choose "Desktop Web App" (better for video conferencing)
  4. Name your app (e.g., "MeetingApp")
  5. Select "Start from Scratch" or use Magic Start to generate a foundation from a description like "video meeting scheduling app with user profiles and chat"

Step 2: Choose Video Provider

Before building, select a video API provider:

Sign up for your chosen provider and get API credentials.

External API integration guide

Building the Database Structure

Adalo's paid plans include unlimited database records—no caps on how much meeting data, chat history, or user information you can store. This removes a common scaling constraint found in platforms like Bubble, where Workload Units and record limits can create unexpected costs as your app grows.

Step 3: Enhance Users Collection

  1. Click Database icon in left sidebar
  2. Select default "Users" collection
  3. Add properties (click "+ Add Property"):
    • Display Name (Text)
    • Profile Picture (Image)
    • Title (Text)
    • Company (Text)
    • Time Zone (Text)
    • Meeting URL (Text - personal room)
    • Calendar Connected (True/False)
    • Is Premium (True/False)

Database setup documentation

Step 4: Create Meetings Collection

  1. Click "+ Add Collection"
  2. Name it "Meetings"
  3. Add properties:
    • Meeting ID (Text - Auto-generated)
    • Title (Text)
    • Description (Text - Multiline)
    • Start Time (Date & Time)
    • Duration (Number - minutes)
    • Meeting URL (Text)
    • Passcode (Text)
    • Recording URL (Text)
    • Is Recurring (True/False)
    • Recurrence Pattern (Text)
    • Max Participants (Number)
    • Waiting Room (True/False)
    • Status (Text) - "scheduled", "live", "ended"

Step 5: Create Participants Collection

  1. Click "+ Add Collection"
  2. Name it "Participants"
  3. Add properties:
    • Join Time (Date & Time)
    • Leave Time (Date & Time)
    • Role (Text) - "host", "co-host", "participant"
    • Audio Enabled (True/False)
    • Video Enabled (True/False)
    • Screen Sharing (True/False)
    • Hand Raised (True/False)

Step 6: Create Chat Messages Collection

  1. Click "+ Add Collection"
  2. Name it "Chat Messages"
  3. Add properties:
    • Message (Text)
    • Timestamp (Date & Time - Automatic)
    • Type (Text) - "public", "private"
    • File Attachment (File)

Step 7: Create Calendar Events Collection

  1. Click "+ Add Collection"
  2. Name it "Calendar Events"
  3. Add properties:
    • Event Type (Text) - "meeting", "webinar"
    • Recurring Rule (Text)
    • Reminder Time (Number - minutes before)
    • Time Zone (Text)

Step 8: Create Recordings Collection

  1. Click "+ Add Collection"
  2. Name it "Recordings"
  3. Add properties:
    • Recording URL (Text)
    • Duration (Number)
    • File Size (Number)
    • Created At (Date & Time)
    • Transcript (Text - Multiline)
    • Password Protected (True/False)

Step 9: Set Up Relationships

  1. In Meetings:
    • Host → Users (Many to One)
    • Created By → Users (Many to One)
  2. In Participants:
    • User → Users (Many to One)
    • Meeting → Meetings (Many to One)
  3. In Chat Messages:
    • Sender → Users (Many to One)
    • Meeting → Meetings (Many to One)
    • Recipient → Users (Many to One) - for private messages
  4. In Calendar Events:
    • Meeting → Meetings (Many to One)
    • Owner → Users (Many to One)

Building the Home Dashboard

Step 10: Create Dashboard Screen

  1. Add new screen "Dashboard"
  2. Add App Bar:
    • Logo on left
    • User profile picture (right)
    • Settings icon
  3. Create main sections:
    • Welcome message with user name
    • Quick actions area
    • Upcoming meetings list
    • Recent recordings

Step 11: Add Quick Action Buttons

  1. Add horizontal button group:
    • "New Meeting" → Create instant meeting
    • "Join" → Enter meeting ID
    • "Schedule" → Calendar view
    • "Share Screen" → Instructions only

Step 12: Build Upcoming Meetings List

  1. Add Custom List:
    • Data: Meetings
    • Filter: Host = Logged In User OR Participant contains Logged In User
    • Filter: Start Time > Current Time
    • Sort: Start Time (Ascending)
  2. Display for each meeting:
    • Meeting title
    • Date and time
    • Duration
    • Join button
    • Edit/Cancel options (if host)

Creating Meeting Scheduling

Step 13: Build Schedule Meeting Screen

  1. Create "Schedule Meeting" screen
  2. Add Form component:
    • Text Input for title
    • Text Area for description
    • Date Picker for date
    • Time Picker for start time
    • Dropdown for duration (15, 30, 45, 60, 90 minutes)
    • Toggle for recurring meeting
    • Dropdown for time zone

Step 14: Add Meeting Options

  1. Add security section:
    • Toggle for waiting room
    • Toggle for require passcode
    • Text Input for passcode (conditional)
    • Number Input for participant limit
  2. Add video options:
    • Toggle for host video on
    • Toggle for participant video on
    • Toggle for allow recording

Step 15: Create Recurring Meeting Logic

  1. Add conditional visibility section:
    • Show when "Recurring" toggle is on
    • Dropdown for frequency (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
    • Number Input for occurrences
    • Date Picker for end date
  2. Generate recurring events using:
    • Custom actions
    • External automation (Zapier/Make)

Building the Video Conference Room

Step 16: Create Meeting Room Screen

Note: This is where we embed third-party video

  1. Create "Meeting Room" screen
  2. Add layout structure:
    • Top bar for meeting info
    • Main area for video embed
    • Bottom control bar
    • Right sidebar for chat/participants

Step 17: Embed Video Service

Using Web View component:

  1. Add Web View component (full main area)
  2. Set URL dynamically:
    • For Daily.co: https://[your-domain].daily.co/[room-name]
    • For Whereby: https://[your-account].whereby.com/[room-name]
    • For custom: Your video service URL
  3. Pass parameters:
    • User name
    • Meeting ID
    • Authentication token

Video integration guide

Step 18: Build Meeting Controls

  1. Add bottom control bar with buttons:
    • Microphone (toggle icon)
    • Camera (toggle icon)
    • Share Screen (opens instructions)
    • Participants (show/hide sidebar)
    • Chat (show/hide chat)
    • Record (if host)
    • End Call (red button)
  2. Note: These update database but don't control actual video

Step 19: Create Participants Panel

  1. Add sidebar Custom List:
    • Data: Participants
    • Filter: Meeting = Current Meeting
    • Show real-time count
  2. For each participant show:
    • Profile picture
    • Name
    • Audio/Video status icons
    • Host/Co-host badge
    • More options menu

Step 20: Build In-Meeting Chat

  1. Add chat panel in sidebar
  2. Add Custom List for messages:
    • Filter: Meeting = Current Meeting
    • Sort: Timestamp (Ascending)
  3. Add message input:
    • Text input
    • Send button
    • File attachment option
  4. Add chat options:
    • Toggle between Everyone/Direct message
    • Save chat option

Creating Supporting Features

Step 21: Build Join Meeting Flow

  1. Create "Join Meeting" screen
  2. Add form:
    • Text Input for Meeting ID
    • Text Input for Passcode (optional)
    • Text Input for Display Name
  3. Add pre-join options:
    • Audio test
    • Video preview (instructions)
    • Virtual background (not functional)

Step 22: Create Waiting Room

  1. Build "Waiting Room" screen
  2. Display:
    • Meeting title
    • "Waiting for host" message
    • Estimated wait time
    • Leave meeting option
  3. Auto-redirect when admitted:
    • Check participant status
    • Navigate to meeting room

Step 23: Implement Screen Sharing

Note: Actual sharing happens in video service

  1. Create "Share Screen" modal
  2. Add instructions:
    • How to share in the video service
    • Supported browsers
    • Audio sharing options
  3. Update participant status in database

Step 24: Build Recording Management

  1. Create "Recordings" screen
  2. Add Custom List:
    • Filter: Meeting Host = Logged In User
    • Sort: Created At (Newest First)
  3. For each recording show:
    • Meeting title
    • Date and duration
    • File size
    • Play button (link to video)
    • Download option
    • Delete button

Adding Calendar Integration

Step 25: Create Calendar View

  1. Install Calendar Component from Marketplace
  2. Configure to show:
    • User's meetings
    • Different colors for meeting types
    • Click to view details
  3. Add month/week/day views

Calendar component docs

Step 26: Build Meeting Invites

  1. Create "Send Invite" screen
  2. Add participant selection:
    • Email input (multiple)
    • Contact list picker
    • Add message option
  3. Generate invite with:
    • Meeting link
    • Passcode
    • Calendar file (.ics)
    • Instructions

Implementing Advanced Features

Step 27: Create Breakout Rooms

Note: UI only, not functional

  1. Add "Breakout Rooms" to host controls
  2. Build room management screen:
    • Number of rooms
    • Automatic/Manual assignment
    • Room names
    • Participant distribution
  3. Show status in main meeting

Step 28: Add Virtual Backgrounds

Note: Selection only, applied in video service

  1. Create background gallery
  2. Options:
    • Blur background
    • Virtual backgrounds
    • Upload custom image
  3. Save user preference

Step 29: Build Webinar Mode

  1. Create webinar-specific features:
    • Attendee vs panelist roles
    • Q&A module
    • Polling system
    • Registration page
  2. Different UI for attendees:
    • View-only mode
    • Raise hand feature
    • Q&A participation

Step 30: Implement Analytics

  1. Create "Analytics" screen for hosts
  2. Display meeting metrics:
    • Attendance charts
    • Participation rates
    • Average duration
    • Device types used
  3. Export options:
    • CSV download
    • Email report

Optimizing Performance

Following Adalo 3.0's infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, apps run 3-4x faster than before. The platform's modular infrastructure scales with your app's needs, supporting apps with over 1 million monthly active users. Use X-Ray to identify performance issues before they affect users.

Step 31: Handle Video Bandwidth

  1. Add quality settings:
    • Video resolution options
    • Bandwidth test
    • Low bandwidth mode
  2. Implement fallbacks:
    • Audio-only mode
    • Dial-in numbers
    • Mobile app redirect

Step 32: Scale for Large Meetings

  1. Implement pagination for participants
  2. Limit chat history display
  3. Use lazy loading for recordings
  4. Cache frequently accessed data
  5. Add meeting size tiers

Security and Compliance

Step 33: Add Security Features

  1. Implement meeting locks
  2. Add participant approval queue
  3. Create report/remove participant
  4. Enable end-to-end encryption notice
  5. Add watermarking option (UI only)

Step 34: Build Admin Controls

  1. Create admin dashboard:
    • User management
    • Meeting oversight
    • Usage reports
    • Security settings
  2. Add audit logs:
    • Meeting access logs
    • Feature usage
    • Security events

Testing and Deployment

Step 35: Test Integration

  1. Test with your video provider:
    • Room creation API
    • User authentication
    • Meeting controls
    • Recording retrieval
  2. Test edge cases:
    • Network failures
    • Browser compatibility
    • Mobile responsiveness

Step 36: Prepare for Launch

  1. Upgrade to Professional plan minimum
  2. Configure custom domain
  3. Set up SSL certificates
  4. Create user documentation
  5. Build support system

Pricing Comparison

Platform Starting Price Key Limitations
Adalo $36/month Unlimited usage, unlimited database records, native iOS/Android
Bubble $59/month Usage-based Workload charges, record limits, web wrapper for mobile
Thunkable $59/month Usage restrictions, responsive apps require custom pricing

Video Service Costs

Critical Limitations

  1. No native video/audio handling
  2. Limited real-time capabilities
  3. Dependent on third-party services
  4. No true screen sharing control
  5. Recording happens externally

Alternative Approaches

For better video conferencing capabilities:

  1. Hybrid Approach: Adalo for UI + Native SDK
  2. Web App: Full custom development
  3. White Label: Reskin existing solution
  4. Different Platform: Consider Bubble.io (note: mobile apps are web wrappers, not native)

Additional Resources

Final Recommendations

This Zoom clone provides a functional video meeting platform with realistic expectations: video handled by third-party services, UI/UX and meeting management built in Adalo, suitable for small teams and basic needs. Consider it an MVP or prototype rather than an enterprise solution.

For production use, invest in a premium video API service, set clear user expectations about capabilities, and plan for scaling costs with user growth. Adalo's infrastructure can handle the growth—with no data caps on paid plans and modular scaling to millions of users—but your video provider costs will scale with usage.

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically.

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. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process so you can focus on features rather than certificates and provisioning profiles.

Can I build a video conferencing app without coding?

Yes. Adalo handles user management, meeting scheduling, in-app chat, and the native app experience. You integrate third-party video services like Daily.co or Whereby for actual streaming functionality, combining their video capabilities with Adalo's app-building strengths.

What are the limitations of building a Zoom clone with Adalo?

Adalo cannot natively provide real-time video/audio streaming, screen sharing, recording, virtual backgrounds, or breakout rooms. However, you can build meeting scheduling, user authentication, chat functionality, calendar integration, and meeting analytics while integrating third-party video services.

Which video API providers work best with Adalo?

Daily.co offers the easiest integration with a good free tier, ideal for beginners. Whereby provides simple embedded rooms. Agora.io offers more features but requires complex setup. Twilio Video is enterprise-grade but more expensive.

How much does it cost to build a video conferencing app with Adalo?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and database records. You'll also budget for your video service provider, ranging from free tiers to thousands per month depending on usage. Unlike Bubble's $59/month starting price with Workload charges and record limits, Adalo has no surprise usage fees.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record caps. Bubble starts at $59/month but includes Workload Unit charges that can increase costs unpredictably as your app scales. Adalo also creates native mobile apps, while Bubble's mobile solution is a web wrapper.

Is an Adalo-built video conferencing app suitable for enterprise use?

An Adalo-built video conferencing app works well as an MVP or for small teams. For enterprise requirements, invest in premium video API services and consider custom development for critical features. Adalo's infrastructure scales to millions of users, but video provider costs will grow with usage.

How long does it take to build a video conferencing app?

With Adalo's visual builder and Magic Start, you can have a functional meeting app with scheduling, user profiles, and embedded video in days rather than months. The complexity depends on how many features you implement—a basic MVP can be built in a weekend.

Do I need coding experience to build this app?

No coding required. Adalo's visual builder is described as "easy as PowerPoint." You'll configure API connections to your video provider, but Adalo's documentation and external API integration guides walk you through the process step by step.