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2025 Comparison Guide

Natively vs. Glide AppsInternal Tools vs. The App Store

If you're comparing Glide and Natively, you're choosing between two very different goals: optimizing internal operations with spreadsheets or launching a real product to the world on the App Store.

Build for App StoreView Comparison Table

Glide

Best for Internal Tools

The champion of "apps from spreadsheets." Glide is phenomenal for turning a Google Sheet into an app for your employees or field team in minutes.

Data Source:

Google Sheets, Excel, Airtable.

Access:

Gated by email (Company/Internal).

Distribution:

Web Link / PWA (Progressive Web App).

Natively

Best for Consumer Apps

The bridge to the App Store. Natively turns your text descriptions into a high-performance native binary ready for millions of users.

Data Source:

Powered by Supabase (Postgres DB).

Codebase:

Real React Native code you own.

Distribution:

App Store & Google Play Store.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Understanding where each platform shines helps you avoid costly migrations later.

Feature
Glide Apps
Natively
Primary Use Case
Internal Tools / B2E
Consumer Apps / B2C
App Store Submission
Difficult / Not Native
Native Support via Expo Launch
Cost Model
Per Private User ($$$)
Starts at $5/mo
Technology
PWA (Web Wrapper)
Native Code
Offline Capability
Basic Caching
Full SQLite / Local DB
Design Flexibility
Strict Templates
100% Custom
Source Code
Locked In
Full Ownership

The "Internal Tool" Trap

Glide is amazing for an inventory tracker used by 10 employees. But what happens when you try to launch that same technology to 10,000 customers?

Pricing Explodes

Glide's business model often charges per private user. For consumer apps, this pricing model scales poorly. Natively starts at just $5/month for unlimited app users.

Trust & Installation

Asking customers to "Add to Home Screen" from Safari confuses 90% of users. They trust and search the App Store, not random links.

Generic "Feel"

Glide apps look like Glide apps. To build a brand, you need pixel-perfect control over animations, transitions, and UI—something only custom code provides.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Natively helps you build, deploy, and scale your mobile app.

The Final Verdict

Choose Glide if...

  • You need an app for internal employees only.
  • Your data lives in Google Sheets or Excel.
  • You have zero coding knowledge and no budget for developers.
  • Functionality matters more than brand aesthetics.

Choose Natively if...

  • You are building a startup or B2C product.
  • App Store presence is critical for your growth.
  • You want to own your source code.
  • You need native features like FaceID, Bluetooth, or Push.

Ready to graduate from spreadsheets?

If you're building a serious business, you need a serious app. Natively helps you package your ideas into a world-class mobile experience.

Start Building from $5/mo

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