The Pros and Cons of Glide

Hello and welcome! If you’re considering no-code development platforms, you’ve likely come across Glide. This article is here to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of Glide, with a clear picture of when it’s the right tool for your project. We’ll discuss what sets Glide apart, where it excels, and where it might have limitations, along with suggesting alternatives when necessary.

The goal is to give you the insights needed to make an informed decision about using Glide for your app development.

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TL;DR

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Overview of Glide

Glide is a versatile no-code platform that allows users to create mobile and web applications using a variety of data sources. While it initially gained popularity for its seamless integration with Google Sheets, Glide has evolved to support other data sources such as BigQuery and SQL. This evolution has transformed Glide into a comprehensive tool suitable for various use cases, from personal productivity apps to enterprise-level solutions.

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Advantages of Glide

Flexible data integration

One of the standout features of Glide is its ability to connect with multiple data sources. Beyond Google Sheets, Glide now supports integrations with BigQuery, SQL, Airtable, and other databases. This flexibility allows users to build apps that leverage existing data infrastructure without the need for data migration.

Users can create powerful applications that integrate seamlessly with their existing data workflows, ensuring consistency and accuracy in data management.

While platforms like Bubble and Adalo offer data integration capabilities, Glide’s ease of connecting to popular data sources like BigQuery and SQL sets it apart, making it particularly appealing for users with complex data needs.

Example: A retail business uses Glide to create an inventory management app that pulls real-time data from its SQL database, providing up-to-date stock levels to employees across multiple locations.

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• ‍Related: Glide vs Bubble‍
• Related: Glide vs Adalo

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Cross-device compatibility

Glide apps are designed to work seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices. This cross-device compatibility ensures that users have access to their applications regardless of the device they are using. Some no-code platforms focus primarily on either mobile or web applications, but Glide’s ability to deliver a consistent experience across all devices is a significant advantage. You can also access critical information and perform tasks on the go.

Example: A sales team uses a Glide app to track client interactions and sales metrics, with team members accessing the app on their phones while in the field and on their desktops when in the office.

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Speed and efficiency

Glide’s development environment is designed for rapid app creation and deployment. The platform’s intuitive interface and robust feature set enable users to build and launch applications quickly. Traditional development methods and even some no-code platforms can have longer development cycles, it’s more difficult to launch an app as well as incorporate new features. With Glide, you can launch and iterate more frequently, incorporating feedback from users and making improvements without long delays.

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High-quality user experience

With Glide you can create modern, user-friendly applications out of the box. The platform adheres to UX and design best practices, so the apps built on Glide are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. When an app is not only useful but also enjoyable to use, it can increase user adoption and satisfaction.

While other platforms do offer customization options, the final result can be less polished. There are platforms like FlutterFlow that have plenty of customization options, but it’s more difficult and time-consuming to get the aesthetics right. Glide’s commitment to design excellence ensures that even basic apps look professional and polished.

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• ‍Related: Glide vs Flutterflow

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Disadvantages of Glide

While Glide offers many advantages, it also has its limitations. These constraints can impact the suitability of the platform for certain projects. Here are some of the key drawbacks of Glide and suggestions for alternative platforms that may better suit specific needs.

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Native app development

One significant limitation of Glide is its lack of support for native app development. Glide apps are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which means they run in a web browser and can be installed on mobile devices but do not have the same capabilities as native apps, and aren’t downloaded from official app stores.

For projects that require deep integration with mobile device features such as push notifications, camera access, or offline functionality, Glide may not be the best choice. PWAs can provide a good user experience but may fall short in performance and capabilities compared to native apps.

Alternative: FlutterFlow is a no-code platform that supports native app development for both iOS and Android. It allows users to create applications with rich user interfaces and full access to device capabilities.

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Limited customization

Glide’s customization options, while sufficient for many use cases, can be somewhat limited compared to other no-code platforms. This can be a drawback for users who need to create highly customized, consumer-facing applications with advanced functionalities and unique user interfaces. For projects that require extensive customization and complex workflows, Glide may not provide the necessary tools to achieve the desired level of detail and functionality.

Alternative: Bubble is known for its extensive customization capabilities and is a great alternative for building advanced, consumer-facing applications. Bubble provides a wide range of tools and features that allow users to create highly customized applications with complex logic and unique designs. If your project demands advanced customization, Bubble might be a better fit.

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• Related: Bubble capabilities and limitations

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Lack of code export

Another limitation of Glide is that it does not allow users to export the source code of the application you create. This means that you are locked into the Glide platform and cannot migrate your app to another environment or modify the code outside of Glide. This constraint can be a significant issue for users who want to have full control over their application’s code for security, compliance, or future development purposes. 

But, consider that for many use cases, especially in the early stages of a project or for smaller-scale applications, the ease of development and speed to market that Glide provides can be incredibly valuable. While you may not have access to the underlying source code, Glide does provide scalability in terms of its ability to handle increasing user loads and data volumes as your application grows. 

Alternative: FlutterFlow also addresses this limitation by allowing users to export the source code of their applications. You get greater flexibility and control since you’ll be able to further develop or modify your app outside the FlutterFlow environment. If source code ownership and portability are crucial for your project, FlutterFlow offers a more suitable solution.

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When to use Glide?

Let’s explore some ideal use cases to develop with Glide:

Internal business applications

Glide is particularly well-suited for building internal business applications. These apps often require quick development and deployment to improve efficiency and productivity within an organization.

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Inventory management: Companies can create inventory tracking apps that integrate with their existing data sources, ensuring real-time updates and easy data management.

Project management tools: Teams can develop project management apps to track tasks, deadlines, and resources, all integrated with their existing data in Google Sheets or SQL databases.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Organizations can build custom CRM apps to manage customer interactions, sales pipelines, and customer data, tailored to their specific business processes and requirements.

Operations and logistics management: Companies can develop apps to streamline operations and logistics processes, such as asset tracking, service request management, field service scheduling, and supply chain management.

Glide can also be used to build applications that support charitable causes. That’s the case of Sheltering Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to providing furniture donations to those in need, helping them create a comfortable living space. We built an app that facilitates the whole donation process: it makes it easier to coordinate donors, organization members, recipients, and logistics.

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Event management

Glide is ideal for building apps that facilitate the organization and management of events, whether for personal gatherings or large-scale corporate events.

Event schedules: Event organizers can create apps that provide attendees with schedules, speaker information, and venue details.

RSVP tracking: Apps that manage guest lists, RSVP responses, and seating arrangements can streamline the planning process.

Feedback collection: Post-event surveys and feedback forms can be integrated into an app, allowing organizers to gather and analyze attendees' opinions.

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Educational tools

Educational institutions and teachers can leverage Glide to create interactive and engaging tools for students and staff.

Student portals: Schools can create portals where students access schedules, grades, and resources, providing a centralized hub for academic information.

Classroom management: Teachers can build apps to manage class activities, assignments, and student progress, making it easier to track and communicate with students.

Learning resources: Educational apps that offer quizzes, study guides, and interactive lessons can be developed to enhance the learning experience. 

Wondering how a learning app built with Glide looks? You can check out our case study to Language Keeper, an app to help students practice their skills in new languages. Nibras Clapp, a teacher, envisioned this app where students can access exercises to practice their reading, listening, and grammar skills. Language Keeper also includes an AI chatbot, so students can have interactive conversations and receive feedback on their progress.

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Community and membership apps

Organizations and groups that need to manage memberships and community activities can benefit from Glide’s capabilities.

Member directories: Clubs and associations can develop apps to maintain and share member contact information and profiles.

Activity tracking: Community groups can use apps to track participation in events and activities, enhancing engagement and communication.

Resource sharing: Libraries, co-working spaces, and other resource-based organizations can create apps to manage bookings and the availability of shared resources.

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Human resources

Glide is a great option for organizations to build custom applications that streamline and automate various human resources processes.

Employee portals: Organizations can build employee portals to handle various processes like performance management, payroll information, pay stub access, manage their personal information, and more. At LowCode agency we have our own portal built in Glide!

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Internal communication and collaboration: Apps that facilitate information sharing, employee engagement, and teamwork. These apps can include features like company news and announcements, employee feedback and suggestion systems, internal knowledge bases, and document-sharing capabilities.

Onboarding: Glide can be used to develop onboarding apps that guide new hires through the entire joining process. These apps can house onboarding checklists, training materials, course registration, and workflows for completing necessary documentation and procedural steps.

Managing job applications: With Glide you can build applicant tracking systems and job posting management apps. These apps can streamline the recruitment process by allowing HR professionals to post job openings, collect and review applications, track candidate progress, and schedule interviews.

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• ‍Related: What can you build with Glide?

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Final thoughts

Having used Glide for many projects, we can confidently say that it’s a powerful tool that has impressed us time and time again. The no-code approach opens up so many possibilities, making app development very efficient. Glide’s strengths in data integration, cross-device compatibility, and user experience have made it a go-to platform for a variety of applications, and even some of our internal processes.

Exploring the full range of no-code platforms can be incredibly rewarding, as each offers unique strengths that can help bring your ideas to life. Keep experimenting and finding the best tools to suit your specific requirements. No-code tools are continually evolving, and staying open to new possibilities will ensure you always have the best solutions at your fingertips.

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Looking for a competitive edge? Book a free discovery call and we'll help you use Glide to innovate and set your business apart!