Looking for a no-code app builder in 2025? You’ve probably come across Glide—a platform designed to turn your spreadsheets into powerful apps, fast. With its focus on simplicity, speed, and internal tooling, Glide is becoming a go-to choice for non-technical teams, business owners, and startups.
If you’re exploring Glide to build your next app, this review covers everything you need to know—core features, pros and cons, who it’s best suited for, and how it compares to other no-code tools like AppMySite.
What is Glide?
Glide is a no-code development platform that allows you to build apps from spreadsheets like Google Sheets, Excel, and Glide’s native Glide Tables. The premise is simple: connect your spreadsheet, design your UI, define logic, and publish your app—all without writing a line of code.
It’s designed primarily for internal tools (CRMs, inventory trackers, employee directories, etc.), but many users also build public-facing apps, portals, and dashboards.
Glide apps can be deployed as progressive web apps (PWAs) and accessed on mobile, desktop, or tablets via a browser. While Glide doesn’t support direct app store publishing (like native iOS or Android apps), its web-first approach makes deployment fast and flexible.
Key features of Glide
Glide has evolved steadily over the years and offers a wide array of no-code capabilities. Let’s take a look at the top features:
Spreadsheet-driven app building
You start by connecting a spreadsheet (Google Sheets, Excel, or Glide Tables). Each row becomes an entry in your app, and columns become data fields. This structure makes it easy to build apps if your data is already organized in spreadsheets.
This model is ideal for CRMs, task managers, directories, and inventory tracking—basically, any use case that revolves around structured data.
Drag-and-drop app designer
Glide’s app builder is intuitive and easy to use. You can visually build screens, add components like text, buttons, forms, and lists, and connect them to spreadsheet data. Glide also offers prebuilt app templates, so you don’t always have to start from scratch.
If you’re familiar with tools like Airtable or Notion, the UI and user experience will feel comfortable.
Glide tables (Built-in database)
In addition to external spreadsheets, Glide offers its own Glide Tables—a native database system that improves app speed and performance. You can store user data, app settings, and relational data natively within Glide itself.
This reduces reliance on syncing with external sheets and improves responsiveness, especially for apps with larger datasets.
Role-based permissions
Glide offers user access controls, allowing you to define roles, permissions, and visibility rules. For internal apps (like a sales CRM or team portal), this is essential. You can define who sees what, limit data access, and make experiences more secure.
Logic and actions
Glide supports logic-based workflows using conditions, computed columns, and actions. While not as flexible as full programming logic, it’s powerful enough to create interactive features like form submissions, user-based views, onboarding flows, and more.
You can also trigger integrations via webhooks or platforms like Zapier and Make.
App deployment
Unlike some other no-code tools, Glide apps are web apps by default—meaning users access them via a browser or a PWA shortcut on their phone. You can share a URL with users, embed it on your website, or generate QR codes for easy access.
However, Glide does not support native app publishing to the iOS App Store or Google Play. If store publishing is essential, this is a major consideration.
What does Glide do well?
Glide stands out for its simplicity and business-friendly features. Here are some of the highlights:
Fast app creation
You can go from a spreadsheet to a functional app in under an hour. For internal apps, MVPs, and prototypes, Glide significantly reduces development time.
Great for internal tools
If you’re trying to replace manual workflows or Excel-heavy processes with a sleek, structured interface, Glide is ideal. Sales pipelines, inventory tools, team portals, and HR systems are great fits.
Learning curve is low
Glide is friendly for beginners. If you understand spreadsheets and basic data relationships, you’ll feel comfortable using the platform. The logic builder and action system are intuitive and well-documented.
Responsive, polished UI
Glide apps look modern out of the box, with a design that automatically adapts to mobile and desktop screen sizes. You can tweak branding, colors, and layouts, but the default UI is already solid.
What could be better?
Despite its strengths, Glide isn’t perfect. Here are some limitations to keep in mind:
No native app publishing
You can’t publish Glide apps to app stores like Google Play or the App Store. Glide apps are web-based only. While this makes deployment easier, it’s a drawback if you want app-store presence or offline functionality.
Limited design flexibility
While the UI is polished, there are limits to layout and component customization. You’re somewhat locked into Glide’s design system. Developers and designers may find it restrictive if they want pixel-perfect control.
Complex workflows can get tricky
Glide supports logic and conditional workflows, but it’s not ideal for highly complex apps with branching logic, nested conditions, or advanced user flows. There’s a ceiling to what you can build before things become unmanageable or require external scripting.
Pricing grows quickly
Glide has a generous free plan, but advanced features (like role-based permissions, more storage, higher row limits, etc.) are only available in paid tiers. As your app scales, pricing can grow fast—especially for larger internal tools with many users.
Who should use Glide?
Glide isn’t for everyone. Here’s who can benefit most:
Small businesses & teams
Glide is excellent for teams that want to digitize operations—whether that’s managing leads, tracking inventory, or building HR tools.
Founders building internal MVPs
Need to validate an idea internally or test a workflow? Glide is a fast, low-risk way to get a working prototype.
Freelancers & consultants
Glide can be used to quickly build and deliver client solutions. If you work with clients who need dashboards, portals, or lightweight CRMs, Glide can speed up development and reduce costs.
Nonprofits, educators, & community groups
Organizations that need internal apps or data directories can use Glide without needing to hire developers. It’s fast, low-code, and relatively affordable for smaller use cases.
How can AppMySite help?
If your goal is to publish native Android and iOS apps, Glide may not be the right fit. That’s where AppMySite’s no-code app builder can help.
Like Glide, AppMySite also offers a no-code drag-and-drop interface for building mobile apps. However, AppMySite is designed to publish real native apps for both Google Play and the Apple App Store—ideal for businesses, eCommerce stores, and creators looking to launch on app stores.
You can design apps from scratch or connect existing websites (like WordPress, WooCommerce, or Shopify) and convert them into full-fledged mobile apps. It also supports PWAs and offers features like push notifications, offline access, and real-time preview—all in a no-code environment. AppMySite’s PWA builder thus let’s you build progressive web apps as well.
If app store presence, native performance, or mobile-first experience is important for your use case, AppMySite is a powerful alternative to consider.