In this article, we will compare Glide and Google AppSheet, two popular Nocode mobile app development platforms. The purpose of this comparison is to provide you with an overview of the basic features, ease of use, and pros and cons of each of these platforms to help you choose the best option for your needs.

While both Nocode solutions allow you to develop mobile and desktop applications with ease based on data from spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, it is important to understand the differences between the two tools before making a choice.

What is Glide?

Glide is a Nocode tool that allows users to create applications without having to write code. The platform provides an intuitivedrag-and-drop interface to create custom applications. The applications developed on Glide are progressive web app (PWA).

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Glide also offers easy integration with Google Sheets, Excel or Airtable, allowing users to create dynamic applications based on data stored in spreadsheets. Users can create apps for a variety of uses, including e-commerce apps, booking apps, project management apps and more. Glide was founded in 2018 and has grown rapidly following its inclusion in the renowned U.S. incubator Y Combinator in 2019.

What is AppSheet?

AppSheet, founded in 2014, is the pioneer of Nocode solutions for developing applications from Excel and Google Sheets files. It also has the ability to connect to database tools and APIs.

The basic features of Glide and AppSheet

Glide and AppSheet are two solutions that allow you to generate applications from spreadsheets or databases. Let's have a look at their key features.

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Connection with various data sources

In both cases the applications can be generated from an Excel, Google Sheets or Airtable file, so there is no difference between the two solutions on this point.

Application Editor

With both AppSheet and Glide, these Nocode tools automatically generate an application based on the data. The user then customizes the screens, i.e. the visual and design part, and edits the application thanks to a drag-and-drop system.

The Glide editor is more user-friendly than the AppSheet editor. That said, for users familiar with the Google environment, AppSheet may seem more intuitive.

Functionalities of the created applications

Glide and AppSheet allow you to create applications with a number of common features: 

• Data visualization in map form, 
• Data visualization in calendar form,
• Ability to create user profiles and roles per user,
• Ability for users to take pictures or upload pictures from their mobile to add items to the application,
• Ability for users to scan barcodes and save the value in the data source,
• Data visualization in graphical form, 
• Creation of forms,
• Email notifications are possible with Glide as with AppSheet.

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AppSheet and Glide share many common features, and both address many of the use cases necessary for mobile application development.

Native features and notifications

AppSheet allows you to create applications with native features such as offline use, among others.

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Namely, before February 23, 2023, it was not yet possible to send push notifications to web apps on iOS and iPadOS - one of the features offered by native apps. Apple has indeed announced that this is now possible.

Visual application interface

The look-and-feel of Glide applications seems more natural and user friendly than the applications created with AppSheet which have an internal and business app vocation. In both cases, the customization of the interface remains limited and is mostly done with the customization of colors and the organization or size of the elements.

Use of the created applications 

To use an application generated with AppSheet, it is necessary to download an app, while using Glide applications is done directly by accessing a URL or scanning a QR Code.

This is another major difference between the two solutions, which must be taken into account before choosing the most suitable one for the intended use.

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Templates

Both Glide and AppSheet offer a gallery of templates to facilitate the creation of new applications. These templates are divided into various categories or use cases, such as templates for marketing, event management, inventory management or teamwork.

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Data volume

AppSheet is intended for mobile applications that are designed to run seamlessly despite intermittent connectivity or no connectivity at all. Therefore, all data used by the application must be cached locally on the mobile device. This is an important factor to consider when designing your application. 

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While there is no limit to the amount of data, it is still important to keep the data set as small as possible to achieve a smooth user experience. 

On Glide, where the applications work only online, it is possible to have up to 25000 lines of data per application, and soon 100k lines on the Enterprise plan.

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The differences between Glide and AppSheet in terms of ease of use

Glide claims that its user interface is easier and more intuitive than AppSheet's. However, it's important to note that both solutions are fairly intuitive. Users who are already comfortable with the Google environment might find AppSheet particularly intuitive because of its integration with Google tools. Both platforms offer a user-friendly interface and simple navigation to help users create and manage their applications with ease. 

Ultimately, ease of use will depend on each user's level of experience and personal preferences, but both solutions are quite accessible for novice users. It is important to consider the features and capabilities of each platform to determine which one is best suited to the specific needs of each user.

The price of AppSheet and Glide

In terms of price, the models are very different between AppSheet and Glide.

For a small number of users, AppSheet is more advantageous with a price of 5 to 10$/user/month.

For a large number of publishers and especially for a large number of end users, Glide becomes more interesting with plans at $249 per month for 25 publishers, and up to 1000 people being able to access the application.

Advantages and disadvantages of Glide and AppSheet

The benefits of Glide 

1. Glide makes it easy to create applications with a professional and user friendly look
2. Applications created via Glide can be accessed on a computer or phone via a simple URL or QR Code link.
3. Glide can also be particularly interesting when a large number of users are expected to access the application.
4. Recently, Apple allows web apps to push push notifications to iPhone owners. A real progress.

The benefits of AppSheet

1. AppSheet is an inexpensive and intuitive solution to develop business applications or applications from databases or files in a short time.
2. AppSheet allows you to publish applications in stores such as Google Play or Apple's App store, and thus benefit from native features.
3. AppSheet also allows offline use which is particularly useful for business apps in areas with little network coverage.

AppSheet also claims more options and certifications related to data security.

The disadvantages of Glide

If Glide is very easy to use, there are no native mobile features, the applications are not publishable in the application stores. This is the main drawback of Glide.

The disadvantages of AppSheet

A less user-friendly editing interface, and a less modern and pleasant visual rendering of the applications.

In addition, the user must download the created application to use it. Indeed, this one cannot be accessible via a URL link as for the Glide applications.

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