No-code platforms are an amazing way to expedite the time-to-market of your product or solution, which in turn automates workflows quickly and easily. There are many no-code tools available on the market, but not all of them might be the right one for you. Find more about Glide vs Adalo in this article.
When picking a no-code platform, also called zero-code platforms, you need to make sure you are placing resources in the best technology available. Two of these platforms are Adalo and Glide—there is a debate in the no-code community regarding which is better. Let’s talk about which no-code platform to pick between Adalo and Glide and which fares better.
What is Adalo
Adalo is an app-building software platform that allows users to build websites and applications without having to learn how to code.
This no-code platform is similar to Bubble, for example, and other no-code platforms, in that it offers a design and website host platform that also has databases, workflow actions, and integrations.
Adalo can publish to Android and iOS to produce native mobile apps, which can be a real advantage.
Who can use Adalo?
Adalo is designed for small to medium businesses (SMBs), hobbyists, freelancers, and startups. It is available to anyone who wants to build a mobile app without having to know how to code it, or those completely new to web development, and want to build their own website or app.
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Why Choose Adalo vs Glide
Adalo and Glide are similar tools because they build mobile-first tools with great UI’s. User interface (UI) design is how designers build interfaces in software, i.e. the look and style of the software.
Adalo has an integrated database, which makes data available to different users without having to duplicate it. It is very intuitive to use and has a close-to-zero learning curve required to soak up its full potential. Adalo also has App Store support and allows design for web/desktop size.
It has a powerful designer to easily and beautifully customize an app.
Glide, however, two years younger than Adalo, has slightly fewer features and functionalities. While Adalo can publish through the app store for iOS or Android as a PWA or native app, Glide restricts only to PWAs.
What Is Glide
Glide no code app builder is a specialized no-code/low-code platform and tool that relies on Google Sheets to fuel an app’s data. Specialized tools are those which function only with other tools.
Because Glide uses Google Sheets, Excel, and Airtable as its databases, you will have complete control of your data in the platform’s visual interface. You can interact with your freshly created database without the use of any code, just as you would with the spreadsheet.
Glide allows you to manipulate your data through a visual interface rather than the command line, which traditional databases usually offer. It gives you many components to play around with, such as:
- A map view
- A calendar view
- A user list
- A chat interface
Who can use Glide
Glide is made for users whose priority is creating a solution in the quickest way possible. Glide has one of the lowest learning curves out of nearly all no-code tools. It is a great option if you are new to the no-code movement and looking for a quick answer to your no-code needs.
Why Choose Glide vs Adalo
Adalo vs Glide takes much longer to learn and get used to. When it comes to build-time, Glide overshadows Adalo because it’s quick , so it can be great if your priority is hitting the lowest time-to-market.
Glide is amazing for its simplicity. All you need to do is connect your spreadsheets from Google or Excel or your Airtable database, choose the document you want to upload, and create the design—and voila, it’s ready.
Discover the pros and cons of Glide app building in our in-depth review of Glide
This sounds like a great feature for busy small-to-medium business owners who need to get things done, fast.
Adalo vs Glide: Full Comparison
Target Audience
Adalo target audience: Adalo suits those seasoned no-code users with enough time to build a slightly more involved solution.
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Glide target audience: Glide is for people who care to create robust apps quickly and efficiently, with simplicity always top of mind.
Learning Curve & Ease-of-Use
Adalo learning curve: Adalo takes longer to learn than Glide, but it has great and useful documentation as well as templates to help get started.
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Glide learning curve: Glide is easier to learn; the only requirement to get started is to have a spreadsheet from Google or Excel or an Airtable database you can upload to the Glide system.
Adalo ease-of-use: Adalo offers more flexible options than Glide, so it is slightly more difficult to use.
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Glide ease-of-use: Glide is the easiest to use, by far. It takes around 5 minutes to create the most basic template.
Compatibility & Integration
Glide Compatibility: Glide is compatible with the following browsers and platforms:
- Chrome 60 or newer
- Safari 11 or newer
- Firefox 60 or newer
- Android Oreo 8.0.0 or newer
- iOS 11 or newer
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Adalo Compatibility: Adalo is compatible with:
- Chrome 60 or newer
- Safari 11 or newer
- Firefox 60 or newer
- Android Oreo 8.0.0 or newer
- iOS 11 or newer
Adalo Integration: Adalo has integrations with:
- External Collections with APIs
- Custom Actions
- The Adalo API
- Zapier
- Integromat
- Mixpanel
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Glide Integration: On the other hand, Glide has integrations with:
- Zapier
- Google Analytics
- Make (Formerly Integromat)
Flexibility & Scalability
Adalo Flexibility and Scalability: Adalo can be published as a PWA or as a native app through the iOS or Android app store. Adalo is a no-code all-in-one tool that stores application data and design all in the same place. It offers more customized, flexible options.
Glide Flexibility and Scalability: Glide, however, restricts publishing to PWA only. It is a no-code tool that uses Google Sheets, Excel, and Airtable to store its application data.
These kinds of specialized tools need to work with other tools to publish their applications. Glide is great for simplicity, not too much for flexibility.
The Tech Is Only Half the Story
Though Adalo and Glide weigh themselves in different criteria and factors, they are both similar solutions that achieve the same overall goal: allow users with absolutely no prior coding experience to produce an app or website.
While both have their pros and cons, Adalo is best suited for users wanting to fully customize their solution, and have the time to do so. Whereas Glide is more for someone who wants a fast interface to produce their solution in no time.
Both are similar. Adalo is more customizable and Glide is easier to use. The main difference is that Adalo provides you with native app builds for the Play and App store whereas Glide only offers Progressive Web Apps that can be installed on a user’s device.
Glide provides great design options and simplicity-of-use. It is amazing for someone who doesn’t have much time to develop a solution, but still wants a clean result.
Yes, Adalo offers native app builds, unlike Bubble or Glide. That is its main differentiator and makes it simple to publish to native stores without too much hassle.
Yes, Glide uses Progressive Web Application (PWA) technology to power its applications, making it a flexible and modern tool to build your own business solution.
Discover if Glide is the right choice for your project with our certified Glide experts! At our Glide Agency, we’ve completed over 273 projects and offer personalized guidance to help you decide between Adalo and Glide. Don’t wait—book a free discovery call today and let our expertise pave the way for your app’s success!
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Jesus is the founder of Low Code Agency: a low-code development agency that allows small business owners to get their mobile and web apps done fast and cost-effectively while maintaining quality.
