Glide is a popular no-code platform known for its ease of use and ability to create eye-catching apps. However, many people wonder about Glide’s different pricing tiers and whether it has a version that fits their needs.
You've come to the right place if you’re one of these folks. I’ve reviewed hundreds of no-code app builders over the past decade, including Glide. I also created a website, NoCode.Tech, dedicated to critiquing and recommending no-code app-building tools.
In this article, I’ll walk you through Glide’s pricing and each tier's functionalities.
What Is Glide?
Glide is a no-code app-building platform best suited to meet the needs of organizations like app-building agencies and businesses. However, Glide has a pricing tier suitable for individuals and entrepreneurs.
No matter whether you’re a business or an individual, you’ll get the following features when you build your web app with Glide:
- Insanely gorgeous templates and features: When it comes to aesthetics, Glide is second to none. All the templates you have to choose from pass the eye test with flying colors — they’ll let you create an attention-grabbing app with minimal design effort.
- Database-first building approach: Glide appeals to organizations and businesses with a database. You must start building your app’s screens (or pages) by connecting a pre-existing database. It integrates with popular database providers like Google Sheets, Airtable, Excel, and PostgreSQL.
- Powerful AI tool: Glide packs a mean AI punch — they’ve got one of the best AI tools in the no-code industry. It will help you organize your data, recognize and describe images, summarize documents, and more. Plug Glide’s AI tool into your app for some serious power.
Glide’s Pricing Tiers: How Much Do They Cost?
Most of Glide’s pricing tiers are suitable for businesses and organizations. But, if you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or individual, Glide’s got you covered. Here are Glide’s 5 pricing models:
Tier 1: Free Plan
Glide’s free version gives you enough power to learn the building interface. If you have your data on Google Sheets, you can easily upload it to your Glide account. You’ll also be able to access up to 3 third-party integrations from which to connect and draw data.
For instance, you can use Glide's Twilio integration to send text messages straight from your app. When you finish building your app, you can publish it on the web. These features make Glide’s free version excellent for creating a start-up app.
Tier 2: Maker Plan for Individuals, $60/month (Billed Monthly)
When it’s time to take your start-up app to the next level, try Glide’s Maker Plan. You’ll have 5 GB of storage (the free version gives you a measly 500 MB) to create your web app. You’ll also get access to all of Glide’s third-party integrations.
The Maker Plan also comes with Glide’s vaunted AI tool. Build this into your app for picture recognition, taking document notes, and more. When you go to publish your app, you’ll be able to use your custom domain name.
Tier 3: Team Plan for Companies, $125/month (Billed Monthly)
The Team Plan is the entry-level pricing tier for companies looking to make apps. It allows unlimited published apps, provides 100 GB of storage space, and lets you work on your apps in real time with up to 5 editors.
You’ll also get some nice database-centric features with the Team Version. For instance, you can integrate with Airtable, Google Sheets, and Excel for seamless database building. Additionally, you’ll get the Glide API, which lets you add, update, and delete data without any fuss.
Tier 4: Business Plan for Companies, $310/month (Billed Monthly)
Starting with all the features of the Team Version, the Business Version is geared toward larger organizations. For instance, you’ll be able to allow 10 people to edit and build apps in real-time, and you’ll get additional database integrations with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Google Cloud SQL.
The Business Plan gives you a staggering 500 GB of data, access to Glide’s advanced API to pull data from your database with a flick of the finger, and a call API to gather data from any source that permits you to do so. And you’ll get priority support to see you through any issues.
Tier 5: Enterprise Plan for Companies, $750/month (Billed Monthly)
Glide’s Enterprise Version starts at $750/month, and the pricing depends on how much space and power your apps consume. This plan is targeted directly at large app-building agencies, as it allows for an unlimited number of editors.
You can negotiate a service-level agreement with Glide to customize your terms. Glide will give you a dedicated account manager who will get to know you and your business and immediately respond to any problems.
Is Glide Worth It?
Many people use Glide to create internal business tools, such as CRM boards, project management apps, inventory trackers, etc. Glide appeals to these businesses because they likely already have a database, so plugging it into Gide is no biggie.
Although Glide has one of the most straightforward building interfaces and produces apps that are second to none in terms of aesthetics, some plans require a database before building. This means you’ll need to build a database if you don't already have one.
Not Made for Native Mobile Apps
Many people want to create an app that can be released to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Glide doesn’t let you do so — you’ll need to use a third-party service like Nativator. And your app’s quality might not be as good as expected after using such a service.
Limited Customization
Additionally, Glide doesn’t offer free-form design freedom to configure your app to your precise needs and tastes: You won’t be able to customize certain features you add to your screens. Users have complained about this drawback on public forums.
Some Glide users have also griped about a specific lack of design features. Glide’s building interface lacks specific font styles, text overlays like shadowing, and more, which limits exactly how you want your app to appear.
High Cost and Rigid Pricing Tiers
Another major issue is that Glide’s pricing is on the high side. To publish a serious app, you must pay at least $60/month (billed monthly). Many no-code app-building platforms give you nearly the same features and functionalities as Glide but at or under $40/month.
Glide’s pricing tiers are yet another point of contention. If you need slightly more power or storage space than the $60/month tier offers, you must upgrade to the $125/month version — double the price of the first tier.
Adalo: The Best Glide Alternative
Want an app builder that’s as simple as Glide but has much fewer customization restrictions and lets you build your database as you go? Give Adalo a try!
Adalo is a super-simple app-building platform. Like Glide, you start by choosing a template. Unlike Glide, you won’t need to create your database first. You can build your screens out and then put together your database. Or, integrate a database from Google Sheets, Airtable, or Xano.
You’ll also have enormous design freedom when building your app. Change the fonts, position, size of images, text boxes, and more to suit your taste.
Once you’ve finished building your app, publish it on the web, the Apple App, and the Google Play Store. This option will allow you to market your app to web users and the billions of daily app store users.
Unlike Glide, Adalo is specifically designed to create native mobile and web apps, so you won’t need to worry. Plus, Adalo’s much cheaper than Glide, starting at $36/month and offering a second pricing tier option starting at $52/month.
Going with Adalo is a no-brainer: You’ll have the power to create any app idea. Start building with Adalo today for free.
