Introduction
Choosing the right no-code app builder shapes how fast you deliver and scale digital solutions. Adalo and Glide both offer tools for building functional mobile and web apps without coding, but they diverge in integrations, publishing capabilities, templates, and security features. This comparison breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each, drawing only on verifiable, public details.
Key Takeaways
- Adalo allows native app store publishing; Glide focuses on web and PWA with robust internal and business tool templates.
- Glide integrates natively with a wide range of services and publishes detailed security and GDPR alignment information.
- Both platforms limit higher-tier features by plan and usage, with distinct approaches to app hosting and marketplace ecosystems.
- Template abundance and integrations are notably stronger in Glide for internal tools; Adalo‘s marketplace extends functionality through third-party components.
Summary Comparison Table
| Feature | How Adalo handles it | How Glide handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data sources & tables | Native tables and external collections | Native tables; Google Sheets and other external sources | Internal tool flexibility: Glide |
| Templates & marketplace | Component Marketplace for third-party add-ons | Broad template library across app types | Templates: Glide |
| Integrations | Custom actions; supports Airtable, Zapier, more | Native integrations with Google, Slack, OpenAI, Stripe, etc. | Integrations: Glide |
| Automations (actions/workflows) | Custom actions; external automations via integrations | Actions and rich integration triggers | Automation: Glide |
| Mobile app publishing | iOS/Android app store export (paid tiers) | PWA/web app focus (no native stores) | Native stores: Adalo |
| Web/PWA publishing | Web apps/PWA on paid plans | Core platform feature | Parity |
| Pricing & limits | Paid features tied to publishing and usage | Tiered plans by features and limits | Depends on app type/scale |
| Security/compliance | Not publicly specified | GDPR aligned; HTTPS; data encrypted at rest; hosted on GCP with ISO 27001 | Security: Glide |
| SSO/2FA | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not specified |
| Migration & import/export | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not specified |
What Adalo Is
Adalo is a no-code app builder enabling you to create web and mobile apps visually. With native support for publishing directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play, it’s positioned for those who want a custom-branded mobile app experience. The platform also offers external data integration and a growing marketplace for extendable features.
What Glide Is
Glide is a no-code platform focused on business apps, especially internal tools, portals, and databases that run as web apps or progressive web apps (PWAs). You can build using templates, leverage native integrations, and get GDPR alignment and robust cloud security.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Builders and Data Models
Adalo lets you design with visual drag-and-drop and supports both native database tables and external collections. Glide enables app creation from scratch or template, powering your apps with robust tables or pulling data from Google Sheets and other systems.
Templates and App Marketplace
The Adalo Component Marketplace unlocks add-ons built by third parties, extending core features. Glide stands out for templates: its template library covers many ready-made business apps, giving you a head start on common use-cases.
Integrations and Automations
Adalo connects with external data sources (like Airtable) and offers custom actions. There’s documentation on integrating with Zapier and Make,as detailed here. Glide supplies a larger library of native connections—OpenAI, Slack, Google services, Stripe, and more—making business process automation straightforward. You can trigger actions on user interactions, pushing data and updates to other tools directly.
Pricing Models and Limits
Adalo provides paid plans that control your ability to publish on custom domains or to app stores (see Adalo pricing). Core usage limits, data storage, and advanced features vary per tier. Glide offers Free, Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans, with increasing feature access and usage allowances as you move up (see Glide pricing). For both, confirm current limits and plan details on their official sites, as inclusions may shift.
Publishing (Web/PWA/Native Stores)
Adalo is suitable if you need native mobile distribution—pay for the capability to publish in Apple App Store or Google Play. Glide targets the web: all apps are delivered as web apps or installable PWAs. App store (native) deployment is not a Glide feature—an important distinction for consumer or public-facing mobile projects.
Security, Compliance, and Access Controls
Glide details its security and compliance posture. According to the Security Center, all services use HTTPS, data is encrypted at rest, hosting is on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with ISO 27001 certifications, and Glide aligns with GDPR. For SSO, 2FA, or advanced access controls, no public evidence is available on either platform as of the last review. Adalo’s security and regulatory claims aren’t publicly specified.
When to Choose Adalo vs Glide
Pick Adalo if your goal is to launch consumer-facing mobile apps in native stores with custom branding and moderate integration needs. Choose Glide if your focus is on business apps, especially internal tools, portals, or databases, with rich template options, strong integrations, and transparent security documentation. Glide’s web/PWA orientation also benefits rapid deployment inside organizations.
Migration Notes & Pitfalls
Neither Adalo nor Glide publicly details migration features or import/export of complete apps. Moving between platforms can require rebuilding data models and workflows manually. Plan significant migrations with care and consult platform support for up-to-date options.
Conclusion
Both no-code platforms empower non-developers to build apps quickly, but your choice should reflect project type and operational needs. Adalo shines for custom mobile apps requiring native publishing. Glide excels in workspace apps needing integrations, templates, and trusted cloud security. Budget for plan limits and evaluate the current template and feature ecosystems before committing.
FAQs
Which is better for internal business tools and portals?
Glide stands out with a broad template library and robust integrations tailored for internal tools and business portals.
How do pricing models and limits compare as usage grows?
Both platforms set limits on features and usage by plan tier. You’ll pay more as you require advanced publishing or larger-scale apps. Review the latest plan details on the Adalo and Glide pricing pages to match your projected growth.
Does Glide provide stronger templates and integrations out of the box?
Yes, Glide offers more ready-made templates across categories and a wider range of native integrations compared to Adalo.
Which platform supports native app store publishing vs web/PWA?
Adalo supports publishing to native app stores on paid plans. Glide only offers web and PWA publishing—not native app stores.
What security/compliance guarantees does Glide publish?
Glide publicly states GDPR alignment, HTTPS for all services, encrypted data at rest, and hosting on ISO 27001 certified GCP infrastructure.