What is Glide?
Glide is a premier no-code development platform that enables users to build powerful, custom business applications by connecting to existing data sources like Google Sheets, Excel, Airtable, or SQL databases. At its core, Glide eliminates the traditional barriers of software engineering, syntax, servers, and front-end frameworks by providing a visual logic and design layer over your data.
Unlike many other builders that focus on pixel-perfect canvas design, Glide adopts a data-first philosophy. This means that as you update your spreadsheet or database, your app updates in real-time. It is specifically optimized for creating internal tools, client portals, and mobile-responsive dashboards that look and feel like professional enterprise software without a single line of code.
Key Features
- Data Syncing: Seamless, real-time integration with Google Sheets, Excel, Airtable, and PostgreSQL.
- Glide AI: A built-in AI Wingman that can transcribe audio, extract data from images (OCR), and summarize text within your app workflows.
- Glide Agent: A generative AI tool where you describe your app in plain English, and it builds the initial schema and UI for you.
- Computed Columns: Advanced logic layers (like Relations and Lookups) that perform complex math or data linking directly within the Glide data editor.
- Native Design System: A pre-set library of adaptive components that ensure your app looks great on mobile, tablet, and desktop without manual resizing.
Who Can Use Glide?
- Operations Managers: To build inventory trackers, field inspection tools, or internal CRMs.
- Small Business Owners: To create customer portals or appointment booking systems.
- Agencies & Freelancers: To deliver custom software solutions to clients 10x faster than traditional coding.
- Educators: To manage student rosters, resources, or event schedules.
- Non-Technical Founders: To build a functional MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to test business ideas.
Why Is It Better Than Its Competitors?
- Speed of Deployment: While platforms like Bubble offer more design freedom, Glide allows you to go from a spreadsheet to a published app in minutes, not weeks.
- Automatic Aesthetics: You don’t need a UI/UX designer. Its components already look modern and cohesive by default.
- Maintenance-Free: It is built on your data, you don’t have to manage hosting, security patches, or API versioning, It handles the infrastructure.
- AI Integration: Glide has one of the most user-friendly implementations of AI (Glide AI), allowing non-technical users to build smart apps that process files and logic automatically.
English
Glide is an all-in-one no-code platform designed to turn business data into high-performance work software. It bridges the gap between static spreadsheets and custom-coded applications by providing a visual interface for data management and UI assembly. Whether you are building a warehouse management system or a sleek executive dashboard, Glide provides the LEGO blocks of software, buttons, charts, maps, and forms, that automatically sync with your backend. With the recent addition of Glide Agent and Workflows, the platform has shifted from a simple viewer to a robust automation engine capable of handling complex enterprise logic.
2018
San Francisco, California
Private
Based in San Francisco, Glide (GlideApps, Inc.) is a leader in the no-code movement, backed by top-tier investors including Y Combinator. The company’s mission is to create a billion new developers by making software creation as intuitive as editing a document. They maintain a highly active community, extensive documentation through Glide University, and a rigorous Certified Experts program to ensure quality support for enterprise-level clients.
Explorer
$25
MonthlyMaker
$60
MonthlyDo I need to know how to code?
No. If you can use a spreadsheet and navigate a web browser, you can build a Glide app.
Is Glide a Native app?
Glide apps are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). They are accessed via a URL and can be installed on a phone’s home screen, but they are not typically downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
How much data can Glide handle?
Standard plans handle up to 25,000 rows, while the Enterprise plan can scale to 10 million rows using High-Scale data sources like Big Tables or SQL.
Can I use Glide offline?
Glide apps require an internet connection to sync data, though some basic offline caching exists for viewing recently accessed data.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Glide is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and offers features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and row-level permissions to ensure users only see data they are authorized to see.
Can I sell my Glide apps?
Yes. Many Glide Experts make a living by building and selling custom templates or bespoke apps for clients.
Glide is the top choice for building tools used inside a business. While it prioritizes speed over custom design, its new AI features make it essential for companies that want to automate paperwork and data entry. It perfectly connects the ease of a simple spreadsheet with the strength of complex business software.
Pros
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Insane Speed: Fastest path from idea to functional software on the market.
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Superior AI: Built-in AI features are more intuitive than almost any competitor.
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Responsive by Default: Apps work perfectly on any screen size without extra effort.
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Clean UI: The Automatic Design System prevents users from making ugly apps.
Cons
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Design Rigidity: You cannot move elements to specific pixel coordinates; you must follow Glide’s layout.
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PWA Only: Difficulty in getting apps into official App Stores without third-party wrappers.
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Pricing Jumps: The cost increase from Maker to Business can be steep for growing startups.
CA Tushar Makkar

