Glide
Glide is a no-code platform that instantly turns spreadsheets (Google Sheets, Excel, Airtable) into functional apps.
Our Verdict
What is Glide
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could just turn this spreadsheet into an app,” then Glide is probably the tool you’re looking for. It’s a no-code platform that takes your data from Google Sheets, Excel, or Airtable and transforms it into a functional app—without you touching a single line of code.
What I like about Glide is how fast it gets you from raw data to something that actually looks and feels like an app. You connect your spreadsheet, and within minutes, Glide automatically generates a clean user interface. From there, you can start tweaking layouts, adding components, and deciding how users interact with the data.
For example, you can add filters, search bars, and even user logins so different people see different views of the same app. It’s not just a static sheet in disguise—it’s interactive. Apps are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) by default, so they run smoothly on both desktop and mobile, but if you want a “real” native app, you can wrap it with some third-party help.
Glide also has a template library, which I find really useful if you don’t want to start from scratch. There are ready-made setups for things like company directories, lightweight CRMs, or internal dashboards—perfect for small businesses that just need something functional without paying a dev team.
The platform isn’t about building the next Facebook or TikTok—it’s best suited for internal tools, simple client apps, or small business solutions. But for those use cases, it’s hard to beat the convenience.
Is Glide worth registering and paying for
If your main goal is to quickly turn spreadsheets into usable apps—especially for things like CRMs, directories, or internal business tools—then yes, Glide is definitely worth considering. The free plan is great for experimenting or building small projects, but once you need features like higher row limits, custom branding, private sign-ins, or publishing at scale, the paid plans make a lot of sense.
That said, if you’re looking to build a very complex app with advanced logic, offline support, or heavy customization, Glide might feel limited and you could outgrow it. In that case, other no-code platforms or a low-code solution might be better.
Verdict: Glide’s paid plans are worth it if you’re a small business, startup, or team that relies on spreadsheets and wants to turn them into polished apps without coding. For simple use cases, it’s one of the most cost-effective options available.
Our experience
We chose to explore Glide for a team project where we needed to build a custom mobile app for a client’s event management system, and it was a game-changer that made our collaborative workflow seamless, efficient, and empowering. As a team of non-coders—comprising a project manager, a designer, and a marketer—we needed a no-code platform that allowed everyone to contribute while delivering a polished, functional app. Glide’s intuitive interface, robust integrations, and team-friendly features enabled us to create a professional app quickly while keeping everyone aligned.
The drag-and-drop builder was a standout, letting our designer craft a sleek app interface with customizable templates and blocks. We collaboratively designed event pages, attendee lists, and forms, with real-time previews ensuring the app matched our vision. The ability to connect to Google Sheets and Airtable was a lifesaver; our marketer linked event data from a shared Google Sheet, enabling dynamic updates like real-time RSVP counts, which we all reviewed together.
Collaboration features made our teamwork shine. We used Glide’s team settings to invite members, assigning roles like Admin and Editor to control access. Sharing the app prototype via a web link allowed our client to test and provide feedback in real time, streamlining approvals during team huddles. The Workflows Editor, formerly the Action Editor, let our project manager create custom workflows—like sending push notifications for event updates—without coding, keeping tasks automated and our team focused on strategy.
Integrations with tools like Slack and Zapier boosted our efficiency. We set up automated Slack messages for new RSVPs, ensuring the team stayed updated without manual checks. The app’s cross-platform support for iOS, Android, and web meant we could test it seamlessly across devices. Glide’s vibrant community provided templates and support, helping our team troubleshoot and refine the app collaboratively.
Our team’s experience with Glide was cohesive, creative, and made us feel like a unified force capable of delivering a professional app. It’s perfect for non-technical teams, startups, or businesses looking to build custom apps collaboratively without coding. If your team wants to create mobile apps fast while working together seamlessly, Glide is definitely worth checking out.
