Design Converter
Education
Last updated on Apr 17, 2025
•9 mins read
Last updated on Apr 17, 2025
•9 mins read
The no-code and low-code movement is changing how apps are built in 2025. Platforms like Glide have made it easier for people to create mobile and web apps using just spreadsheets. However, as businesses grow and their app needs become more complex, many users begin searching for alternatives to Glide. These options offer greater flexibility, improved scalability, and enhanced control over the development process.
If you're a startup founder, designer, or developer, this guide will help you find the right Glide alternative for your unique app development needs.
No-code app development has revolutionized the way mobile and web applications are created, allowing users to build data-driven web apps without writing a single line of code. This approach has democratized app development, making it accessible to a broader range of people, including non-technical entrepreneurs, small business owners, and educators. No-code platforms, such as Glide, offer a user-friendly interface that enables users to create apps directly from Google Sheets or other data sources. With the rise of no-code app development, users can now focus on designing and building apps without worrying about the complexities of coding.
Glide is a popular no-code platform that turns Google Sheets or Airtable databases into mobile apps. But it has its limitations:
If you’ve hit these roadblocks, it’s time to consider other tools. Let’s break down what to look for.
The benefits of no-code app development are numerous, including rapid development, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use. No-code platforms provide a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to build apps quickly and efficiently. This approach also enables users to test and iterate on their apps in real-time, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional app development. Additionally, no-code app development platforms often provide pre-built components, templates, and extensive customization options, making it easier for users to create complex apps without requiring custom coding capabilities. With no-code app development, users can create powerful, data-driven applications that meet their specific needs, without needing to write code.
Before jumping ship, evaluate platforms that offer:
Best For: Developers and teams who need full control, automation, and scalability.
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
**Why it’s better than Glide:**While Glide is great for internal tools, DhiWise offers true scalability and production-level app creation, especially for development teams that want to own their codebase.
Best For: Entrepreneurs and beginners building mobile-first apps
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
**Why it’s a good Glide alternative:**Adalo brings simplicity like Glide but with more app-specific components like navigation, database, and logic blocks.
Best For: Developers looking to build mobile apps with real Flutter code
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
**Why it’s a good Glide alternative:**Unlike Glide, FlutterFlow provides real code and enables cross-platform native development using Flutter.
Best For: Educators, students, and early-stage builders
Key Features:
Pros:
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**Why it’s a good Glide alternative:**Thunkable offers more device capabilities and native features than Glide while maintaining no-code simplicity.
Best For: Designers who want their Figma work to go live without coding
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
**Why it’s a good Glide alternative:**If Glide feels too “spreadsheet-based,” Bravo gives you complete visual freedom as a designer.
Microsoft Power Apps is a powerful no-code platform that enables users to create custom apps directly from various data sources, including Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and other databases. As an alternative to Glide, Power Apps offers advanced customization options, seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, and extensive data management capabilities. With Power Apps, users can build complex apps with offline functionality, role-based access control, and data encryption, making it an ideal choice for enterprises and organizations with sensitive data. Power Apps also provides a comprehensive feature set, including workflow automation, conditional logic, and version control, making it an attractive option for users looking for a robust no-code platform.
Tool | Best For | Code Export | Design Integration | Backend Support | Pricing | User Authentication | Database Management |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glide | Spreadsheet-based apps | ❌ | Google Sheets | Limited | Free / Paid | ❌ | Limited |
DhiWise | Developers & Scaling | ✅ | Figma | ✅ (REST, Auth) | Free tier | ✅ | ✅ |
Adalo | Beginners | ❌ | Native Builder | ✅ (basic) | Starts at $36/mo | ✅ | ✅ |
FlutterFlow | Devs with Flutter skill | ✅ | Figma/Native Builder | ✅ (Firebase) | Starts at $30/mo | ✅ | ✅ |
Thunkable | Educational use | ❌ | Drag-and-drop | ✅ (APIs) | Starts at $13/mo | ❌ | Limited |
Bravo Studio | Designers | ✅ | Figma | ✅ (Airtable, API) | Free / Paid | ❌ | ✅ |
One of the key advantages of no-code app development platforms is their ability to provide cross-platform compatibility, allowing users to build apps that can run on both mobile and web platforms. This feature is particularly important for businesses and organizations that need to deploy apps across multiple devices and platforms. No-code platforms, such as Glide and Power Automate (formerly Power Apps), provide a single development process for building apps that can run on both iOS and Android devices, as well as web browsers, making it easier for users to reach a wider audience. With cross-platform compatibility, users can create apps that provide a consistent user experience across various devices and platforms, eliminating the need for separate development processes.
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
While no-code app development platforms are designed to be user-friendly, some platforms may have a steeper learning curve than others. For example, Power Apps requires a basic understanding of Microsoft’s ecosystem and may require more time to learn and master. On the other hand, Glide and other no-code platforms offer an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to build apps without requiring extensive coding knowledge. However, as users progress to more complex projects, they may need to invest time in learning advanced features and customization options. With extensive tutorials, documentation, and community support, users can quickly overcome the learning curve and begin building powerful, data-driven applications tailored to their specific needs.
Glide made it easy to enter the no-code world, but it’s not the only player in the game anymore. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a growing dev team, choosing the right Glide alternative can determine how fast and how far your app goes.
👉 DhiWise stands out in 2025 as the most powerful Glide alternative for developers, offering code generation, design-to-code automation, and backend support — all in one platform. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Power Platform, providing enterprise users with enhanced data connectivity and the ability to automate business processes. This makes it an excellent choice for developing both web and mobile applications.
Evaluate your needs, explore the tools, and select the one that best empowers your app journey.
Tired of manually designing screens, coding on weekends, and technical debt? Let DhiWise handle it for you!
You can build an e-commerce store, healthcare app, portfolio, blogging website, social media or admin panel right away. Use our library of 40+ pre-built free templates to create your first application using DhiWise.