Frontly

What is Frontly?

Frontly is a platform for hosting AI solutions and building no-code web applications. After users describe their requirements, a preliminary version of the application is created; subsequent adjustments can be made through the configuration of pages, blocks, data, and actions to develop customer portals, internal tools, or public websites.

It is suitable for teams that want to launch business software quickly without having to start from writing the front-end and back-end code. The application generated still relies on the Frontly hosting environment, and this does not mean that a fully functional, independently deployable source code set is available.

Main functions

AI-generated applications

The user enters the application’s purpose, as well as the requirements regarding pages and data; the AI then creates a preliminary structure. After it is generated, it is necessary to verify each field, permission, operation, and error status page by page.

AI Copilot

Copilot can adjust pages and configurations based on natural language during the setup process. Complex business rules should be broken down into smaller steps, to avoid making changes to too many modules at once.

Visual page editing

The editor provides elements such as text, forms, lists, details, containers, and timelines, and it supports dynamic variables and display conditions. Users can organize navigation and content for both desktop and mobile interfaces.

Databases and external data sources

Applications can use Frontly’s built-in database, or they can be connected to Google Sheets, Airtable, and Supabase. When selecting a data source, factors such as concurrency, permissions, the number of rows, latency, and audit requirements need to be taken into account.

Form and data operations

Forms can be used to create or update records, and custom actions enable the combination of conditions, variables, emails, Webhooks, and data modifications. Each read, creation, update, or deletion operation may be counted as part of the monthly volume of operations.

User login and permissions

Frontly supports logging in, registration, customizing user fields, and displaying content based on specific conditions. Application creators need to define the boundaries of different roles on their own; relying solely on hiding elements in the interface is not sufficient to protect sensitive data.

AI Request action

Workflows can utilize AI to generate content, classify it, or provide explanations, and write the results back into fields. Users can connect available OpenAI or OpenRouter keys; the costs associated with invoking these models as well as the data-related terms are determined by the respective suppliers.

Brands and custom domain names

Free apps come with the Frontly brand, while paid plans offer a limited number of apps with a custom brand. These branded apps can use their own logo and domain name, but the number of such apps is not equal to the total number of apps that can be created.

API and Webhook

Professional offers API access, and its built-in database enables the creation of endpoints for creating, reading, updating, and deleting data based on various data sources. Users can also connect to services such as Zapier and Make for automation via real-time Webhooks.

Applications, brand applications, and users

Complete setup process

1. Register an account and describe the application’s objectives, users, and key pages.
2. Let AI generate a draft, and then remove irrelevant pages and example fields.
3. Choose the Frontly database or connect to an external data source.
4. Define table structure, unique identifiers, relationships, and required validation.
5. Configuration list, details, form, and search serta filtering sections.
6. Set the login requirements, roles, and access conditions for each operation.
7. Add emails, Webhooks, AI Requests, and custom actions.
8. Use test data to verify the empty state, duplicate submissions, and privilege bypass.
9. Configure the brand, subdomain, or custom domain name.
10. After deployment, monitor monthly operations, AI credits, and third-party costs.

Price packages

\"Unlimited applications and users\" does not mean unlimited database operations, storage, AI calls, or branded applications. The monthly volume of operations should be estimated based on the actual number of page visits and read/write actions.

The old lifetime plan and migration benefits are available only to previous purchasers; they cannot be considered part of the offers available to current new users. Taxes, annual prices, and any related rules are specified on the settlement page.

Comparison of data sources

Suitable for users and scenarios

• Small businesses: Creating customer portals, order tracking, and service requests.
• Operations team: Tools for production approval, inventory management, task handling, and data management.
• Agent: Delivers a limited number of brand applications to customers.
• Entrepreneur: Test the catalog, market, membership, and vertical SaaS prototypes.
• Data team: Wrap Sheets, Airtable, or Supabase into an interface.
• Developer: Use database APIs and Webhooks to connect with existing systems.

Advantages

• AI draft generation and visual editing offer a balance between speed and subsequent control.
• The free tier allows for the creation of an unlimited number of prototypes over an extended period.
• The data source, authentication, actions, and brand together constitute a complete application workflow.
• Database endpoints can be enabled separately for creation, reading, updating, and deletion.
• You can use your own AI keys to access a wider range of model options.

Restrictions and risks

• An unlimited number of users can still quickly exhaust the quota for database operations.
• The built-in database documentation still contains limitations from the testing phase.
• Fields, permissions, and logic generated by AI may not correspond to the actual business operations.
• The number of available brand applications is limited, so agents need to calculate the cost per customer.
• The downtime and capacity limits of external data sources have a direct impact on the application.
• After the platform terminates an account, application access and hosting may be affected.
• Fees are generally non-refundable, unless a separate agreement is in place.

API Integration and Security

The Frontly database API uses organization keys, application subdomains, and data source identifiers to locate requests. Each data source should have only those endpoints enabled that are actually needed, in order to prevent the client from having access to all functions related to creation, modification, deletion, and retrieval of data.

• The key is stored in the server-side or in the secret variables of the automation platform.
• Use separate data sources and the minimum required permissions for different applications and environments.
• Verify all form fields; do not rely on the type hints provided by the frontend.
• Log abnormal operations and implement rate limiting, pagination, and retry mechanisms.
• The Supabase project must have row-level security configured; it is not sufficient to merely hide pages.

Privacy and data security

The account and application configuration databases for Frontly are hosted on AWS in Canada, while the front-end and back-end servers are located on Heroku and Google Cloud in the United States. Files are usually stored using Cloudinary, and administrators can also use their own Cloudinary accounts.

External data sources are read in real time on demand by default, without any recording in cache; however, the table headers and configurations entered in the backend are still saved. Administrators can enable preview caching to improve speed, which involves storing the actual records in the Frontly database.

• Sensitive applications should prioritize the use of simulated data for backend development.
• AI requests only send the fields necessary for the task, preventing entire rows of customer data from being fed into the model.
• Check the data scope of Intercom, analytics, marketing, and file services.
• The deletion request is intended to be processed and confirmed within 30 days.
• Provide end-users with their own privacy and usage instructions prior to release.

Copyright, Commercial Use, and Open Source

Users retain the right to their submitted content, and they grant Frontly the permission to use, copy, modify, and display that content for the purpose of operating the service. Agents can develop applications for clients, but the platform is not responsible for any disputes related to backend access between the two parties.

It has not been confirmed that the source code of the Frontly product is licensed under an open license. The availability of public APIs, templates, and external integrations does not mean that the platform itself is open-source or that it can be deployed independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many apps can be created with the free version of Frontly?

Currently, all tiers indicate that it is possible to create an unlimited number of applications; however, free applications carry the platform’s brand and are subject to a limit of 1,000 operations per month as well as 250 AI credits.

What is a database operation?

Viewing, creating, updating, or deleting a record all count as operations. A single page may trigger multiple reads.

How many custom brand applications does Basic support?

The current package contains 1 item. The Professional package contains 3 items; for a larger number, you need to check the account upgrade options.

Can it be connected to one’s own database?

It is possible to connect to Supabase, or use Google Sheets or Airtable as well. The specific permissions and quotas are determined by the external services involved.

Which package includes an API?

The current price list classifies API Access under the Professional category; the built-in database endpoints need to be enabled one by one.

Can I use my own model key?

It is possible to connect to services such as OpenAI or OpenRouter by using the available keys in the integration settings. The costs associated with the models and the data policies are covered by the respective accounts.

Does Frontly cache external data?

By default, data source records are not cached, but table headers and backend configurations are saved. If the administrator activates preview caching, the actual records may be stored.

Is Frontly open source?

It has not been confirmed whether the product’s source code is available publicly or whether there is an official license. The lack of access to code editing tools and APIs does not mean that the product is open source.

Can I get a refund?

According to the terms, fees are generally non-refundable, unless a separate agreement is in place. It is necessary to confirm the duration and cancellation policies before making a purchase.

Summary

Frontly is suitable for using AI to rapidly create the framework of an application, after which functional business web pages can be developed through no-code components, data, and actions. The free version is useful for creating prototypes, while the paid version offers advantages in terms of functionality, brand integration, and API access.

Before going live officially, it is essential to test permissions, the stability of data sources, and the operational overhead. For sensitive applications, it is also necessary to set rules regarding the minimum amount of data to be used, caching strategies, and the boundaries related to third-party services.