Glide: transforming spreadsheets into powerful mobile apps without code
Glide is a no-code app builder that specializes in turning spreadsheets into fully functional mobile and web apps. Designed for speed and simplicity, Glide empowers individuals and businesses to build polished, data-driven applications using Google Sheets, Excel, or Glide’s own integrated data editor. With Glide, users can build internal tools, employee directories, CRMs, inventory managers, and customer-facing portals without writing a single line of code. It bridges the gap between non-technical users and functional software by offering a user-friendly interface and powerful customization options.
App building experience and visual interface
Glide delivers an experience that’s both beginner-friendly and capable of handling advanced app logic. Users start by selecting a data source, typically a spreadsheet, and Glide automatically converts that data into a basic mobile or web application. From there, the visual builder allows complete control over the app’s layout, behavior, and style. The interface is intuitive, with drag-and-drop components, simple menus, and real-time previews, making app development feel more like designing a slide deck than coding software.
Every element in the app can be configured to pull dynamic content from the data source. Users can choose how lists are displayed, design custom detail screens, and add components like buttons, charts, maps, calendars, and signature pads. Glide also supports conditional visibility, computed columns, and logic flows, enabling users to create complex user experiences from spreadsheet logic.
Data handling and backend functionality
One of Glide’s strongest features is its deep connection to structured data. By treating spreadsheets as the database, Glide ensures that updates made to the app are reflected immediately in the underlying data and vice versa. This real-time data sync allows for seamless workflows, making Glide ideal for situations where users need to collect, track, and manipulate information on the go.
Glide's native Data Editor offers powerful capabilities beyond what a spreadsheet can typically handle. Users can create computed columns, apply filters, link records, and define relationships between tables—all through an accessible graphical interface. For those who need more than simple lists, this backend capability transforms Glide from a form builder into a fully capable business app platform.
User authentication and role-based access
Glide includes a robust set of tools for managing users and access rights. Users can log in with email, Google accounts, or passwordless methods. Once authenticated, app creators can define visibility rules, user roles, and record-level access. This means different users can see different content depending on who they are or what group they belong to.
For companies that want to build customer-facing portals, internal tools with team-specific dashboards, or personalized mobile experiences, Glide’s authentication features offer secure and flexible access control. Sensitive data can be protected, and user activity can be monitored through analytics and app logs.
Design, branding, and responsiveness
One of Glide’s main selling points is how good the apps look out of the box. The platform uses clean, responsive design templates that automatically adapt to different screen sizes. Apps built with Glide are mobile-first, but they also function well on tablets and desktop browsers, thanks to responsive layout settings.
Branding is easy to apply, with options to add logos, customize color schemes, and even use custom domains for published apps. Glide also allows developers to embed video, audio, web content, and HTML widgets for a more interactive experience. Despite being a no-code tool, the apps produced feel polished, modern, and professional.
Integration and automation capabilities
While Glide doesn’t support direct plugin installation like some other no-code platforms, it does offer seamless integration with tools like Zapier, Make, and webhooks. These allow users to automate workflows, send data to other apps, or trigger actions based on user inputs or form submissions. For example, submitting a request in a Glide app can trigger an automated email, a CRM update, or an entry in an external database.
Glide also supports deep linking, inline actions, and custom button behaviors, giving users the power to create multi-step flows and reactive interfaces. This level of automation makes it easy to build apps that replace manual processes, saving time and improving efficiency for businesses and teams.
Pricing and scalability
Glide’s pricing is flexible, offering free tiers for personal use and more advanced plans for business and enterprise teams. The free version supports basic features and public apps, while paid tiers unlock features like private users, increased data limits, custom branding, and security options. Compared to traditional app development or hiring developers, Glide provides an affordable path to launching scalable, professional tools.
Glide also allows businesses to create multiple apps under one account, making it suitable for teams with various workflows or departments. As the needs grow, users can transition to the enterprise plan with advanced controls, team collaboration features, and dedicated support.
Bottom line
Glide stands out in the no-code landscape as an ideal tool for transforming spreadsheet data into sleek, interactive mobile and web applications. It combines ease of use with powerful data manipulation, real-time syncing, and secure user access. Whether you’re a small business owner managing clients, a teacher organizing a classroom app, or an enterprise team building an internal dashboard, Glide makes it possible to turn raw data into real solutions—quickly, affordably, and without writing code. It’s a platform built for modern problem-solvers who want results without complexity.
