Awesome Table vs Glide vs AppSheet Comparison

Your business already runs on Google Sheets. Client lists, inventory trackers, project timelines, inspection logs -- they are all sitting in spreadsheets that get emailed around, duplicated, and slowly descend into version chaos. The question is no longer whether you should turn those spreadsheets into proper apps, but which tool you should use to do it.

The no-code movement has made it genuinely possible for non-developers to build interactive web apps from spreadsheet data. For Australian SMBs running Google Workspace, three tools stand out: Awesome Table, Glide, and AppSheet (by Google). Each takes a fundamentally different approach to what "turning Sheets into an app" actually means, and the right choice depends on what you are trying to build.

Here are the key takeaways from this comparison:

• Awesome Table is purpose-built for displaying and filtering Google Sheets data on websites and internal portals
• Glide creates polished mobile and web apps from spreadsheet data with a visual drag-and-drop builder
• AppSheet is Google's own no-code platform with the deepest Workspace integration and the most powerful logic engine
• All three pull data from Google Sheets, but the complexity of apps you can build varies dramatically
• Your best choice depends on whether you need a data view, a mobile app, or a full business application

Awesome Table: Google Sheets Data on Display

Awesome Table takes the most focused approach of the three. It is not trying to be a full app builder. Instead, it does one thing well: it turns Google Sheets data into interactive, filterable views that you can embed on websites, Google Sites, or internal portals. With a Capterra rating of 4.5 out of 5, it has earned a loyal following among teams that need to publish spreadsheet data without exposing the raw sheet.

Features and Strengths

Awesome Table offers several view types for displaying your Google Sheets data:

• Table view: Interactive, searchable, sortable tables with filters
• Card view: Visual cards for directories, product catalogues, and team listings
• Map view: Plot data on Google Maps using address or coordinate columns
• Gantt chart view: Project timeline visualisation from date columns
• Calendar view: Event-based display from Sheets data

The Google Workspace integration is as native as it gets. Awesome Table is a Google Workspace Marketplace add-on that connects directly to your Google Sheets. Data stays in Sheets -- Awesome Table simply reads it and renders an interactive front end. When someone updates the spreadsheet, the published view updates automatically.

Key integration points include:

• Direct connection to Google Sheets (no data export or sync required)
• Embedding in Google Sites with a simple widget
• Google SSO authentication for restricted views
• Domain-wide deployment through the Google Workspace admin console

For Australian businesses, a common use case is publishing a staff directory, project tracker, or office locations map on a company Google Site. The data lives in Sheets where it is easy to maintain, and Awesome Table handles the presentation layer.

Pricing

Awesome Table's pricing is straightforward:

• Free: Up to 100 rows displayed, limited views, Awesome Table branding
• Pro: USD $7/user/month (~AUD $11/user/month) for unlimited rows, custom branding, and priority support
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organisations with advanced security and admin controls

For a team of 10 users on the Pro plan, you are looking at roughly AUD $110 per month or AUD $1,320 per year. However, Awesome Table also offers view-based pricing where you pay per published view rather than per user, which can work out cheaper if only a few people manage the views while many consume them.

Limitations

Awesome Table is not designed for data input. Users viewing your published tables cannot add new records, edit existing data, or trigger workflows. It is strictly a read-only presentation layer. If you need users to submit data, you will still need Google Forms or another tool alongside Awesome Table.

Glide: Beautiful Apps from Spreadsheets

Glide started as a tool for turning Google Sheets into mobile apps and has evolved into a full-featured platform for building web and mobile applications. With a Capterra rating of 4.7 out of 5, it consistently scores highest for design quality and user experience among no-code platforms.

Features and Strengths

Glide's core strength is creating visually polished apps with minimal effort. You connect a Google Sheet (or Glide Tables, their native database), and Glide generates an app layout automatically based on your data structure. From there, you customise the design, add screens, and configure user interactions using a drag-and-drop builder.

The platform supports:

• Data input and editing: Users can add, update, and delete records through the app
• User authentication: Email-based sign-in, Google SSO, or public access
• Conditional visibility: Show or hide components based on user roles or data values
• Computed columns: Perform calculations, lookups, and transformations without modifying the underlying sheet
• Image and file handling: Upload photos, documents, and signatures directly through the app
• Custom actions: Trigger sequences of operations when users tap buttons (e.g., send an email, update a row, navigate to a screen)

Google Workspace integration is solid but has evolved. Glide originally used Google Sheets as its primary data source, and this remains fully supported. However, Glide has introduced its own Glide Tables as the recommended data layer for better performance. For Google Workspace users, the practical integration includes:

• Google Sheets as a data source (read and write)
• Google SSO for user authentication
• Integration with Google APIs for extended functionality
• Data export back to Google Sheets

A common use case for Australian field service businesses is building a job management app. A plumber or electrician in Melbourne can open the Glide app on their phone, see the day's jobs pulled from a Google Sheet, take photos on-site, record notes, and mark jobs complete -- all syncing back to the spreadsheet in near real-time.

Pricing

Glide's pricing is based on the number of apps and users:

• Free: 1 app, up to 10 users, 500 rows, Glide branding
• Maker: USD $60/month (~AUD $94/month) for 1 app, unlimited users, 25,000 rows
• Team: USD $125/month (~AUD $196/month) for 5 apps, unlimited users, 100,000 rows
• Business: USD $250/month (~AUD $392/month) for 10 apps, unlimited users, 10 million rows
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

The Maker plan at AUD $94/month covers most single-app use cases for small businesses. If you need multiple apps -- say a field service app, a customer portal, and an internal inventory tracker -- you will need the Team plan at AUD $196/month.

Best Use Cases

Glide shines when you need a customer-facing or field-worker app with a polished interface. Internal tools like inventory management apps, employee directories with search, field inspection apps, and simple CRMs are where Glide delivers the most value. The visual quality of Glide apps is noticeably higher than what AppSheet produces, which matters when the app is client-facing.

AppSheet: Google's Native No-Code Platform

AppSheet is Google's own no-code application platform, acquired in 2020 and now integrated directly into Google Workspace. It is the most powerful of the three tools in this comparison, capable of building complex business applications with sophisticated logic, automation, and offline support. With a Capterra rating of 4.5 out of 5, it scores well on functionality but is noted for a steeper learning curve.

Features and Strengths

AppSheet goes well beyond displaying data or building simple input forms. It is a full application platform that supports:

• CRUD operations: Full create, read, update, and delete functionality with validation rules
• Workflow automation: Bots that trigger actions based on data changes, schedules, or user actions
• Offline mode: Apps work without an internet connection and sync when connectivity returns -- critical for Australian field workers in regional areas
• Barcode and QR scanning: Built-in camera-based scanning for inventory and asset management
• GPS and location services: Capture location data, geofence boundaries, and map-based views
• Digital signatures: Capture signatures within the app for approvals and sign-offs
• PDF generation: Create formatted PDF reports from app data
• Role-based security: Fine-grained access control based on user email, department, or custom roles

Google Workspace integration is the deepest of the three by a wide margin. As a Google-owned product, AppSheet offers:

• Native data connection to Google Sheets, Google Forms responses, and Google Cloud SQL
• Google Drive for file and image storage within apps
• Gmail integration for sending automated emails from app workflows
• Google Calendar integration for scheduling features
• Google Maps integration for location-based features
• Google Workspace admin console management for domain-wide deployment
• Included in certain Google Workspace plans (Business Standard and above include AppSheet Core)
• Google Chat integration for bot-based notifications

The inclusion of AppSheet Core in Google Workspace Business Standard and higher plans is a significant advantage for businesses already paying for Workspace. If your organisation is on Business Standard (~AUD $18.40/user/month), you already have AppSheet Core at no extra cost.

Pricing

AppSheet offers multiple pricing paths:

• Free (for development): Build and test apps for free with up to 10 users
• Starter: USD $5/user/month (~AUD $8/user/month) for basic apps with limited automation
• Core: USD $10/user/month (~AUD $16/user/month) for full features including bots and automation (included with Google Workspace Business Standard and above)
• Enterprise Standard: Custom pricing for advanced security, governance, and support
• Enterprise Plus: Custom pricing for large-scale deployments

For a team of 10 users on the Core plan, the cost is roughly AUD $160 per month or AUD $1,920 per year if purchased standalone. However, if your team is already on Google Workspace Business Standard, AppSheet Core is bundled in, making the effective additional cost zero.

Best Use Cases

AppSheet is the right tool when you need a full business application, not just a data view or a simple input form. Asset tracking systems, field inspection apps with offline support, approval workflows, inventory management with barcode scanning, and multi-step business processes are where AppSheet excels. For a construction company in Western Australia sending inspectors to remote mine sites with patchy mobile coverage, AppSheet's offline capability is not just convenient -- it is essential.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Here is how the three tools stack up across the key criteria that matter for Google Workspace users:

Winner by Category

• Best for Data Display: Awesome Table -- purpose-built for publishing filterable views
• Best Visual Design: Glide -- consistently the most polished app output
• Most Powerful: AppSheet -- full business logic, automation, and offline support
• Best Value for Workspace Users: AppSheet -- included with Business Standard and above
• Easiest to Learn: Awesome Table -- simplest scope means the fastest setup
• Best for Field Workers: AppSheet -- offline mode, barcode scanning, GPS, and signatures
• Best for Customer-Facing Apps: Glide -- modern design that impresses clients

Choosing the Right Tool: Australian SMB Scenarios

The three tools solve different problems despite all starting from Google Sheets. Here is a practical guide based on real scenarios Australian businesses face.

Scenario 1: Publishing a Staff Directory on Your Intranet

A mid-sized accounting firm in Sydney wants staff to search and filter a company directory on their internal Google Site. The data already lives in a Google Sheet maintained by HR.

Best choice: Awesome Table. This is exactly what it was built for. Connect the Sheet, choose a card or table view, add filters for department and location, and embed it on your Google Site. Setup takes under an hour, and HR continues maintaining data in the same spreadsheet they already use.

Scenario 2: Field Service App for Tradespeople

An electrical contracting company in Brisbane needs technicians to view job details, capture photos, record completion notes, and collect customer signatures on-site -- including in areas with poor mobile reception.

Best choice: AppSheet. The offline sync capability handles patchy reception in regional Queensland. Built-in photo capture, digital signatures, and GPS location tracking cover the field workflow. Data writes back to Google Sheets when the technician is back online, and automated emails can notify the office of completed jobs.

Scenario 3: Customer-Facing Booking or Catalogue App

A boutique retailer in Melbourne wants a polished app where customers can browse products, check availability, and submit enquiries. The product catalogue is managed in Google Sheets.

Best choice: Glide. The visual quality of Glide apps makes them suitable for customer-facing use. A polished product catalogue with search, filtering, and an enquiry form can be built in a few hours. The modern design creates a professional impression without hiring a developer.

Scenario 4: Multi-Location Inventory Tracker with Barcode Scanning

A wholesale distributor with warehouses in Adelaide and Perth needs staff to scan barcodes, update stock levels, and generate pick lists -- all backed by a Google Sheets inventory master.

Best choice: AppSheet. Built-in barcode scanning, offline support for warehouse environments, role-based access to prevent unauthorized changes, and PDF generation for pick lists make AppSheet the only practical choice here. The inclusion with Google Workspace Business Standard keeps the cost manageable.

Scenario 5: Internal Project Dashboard

A marketing agency wants to display project statuses, deadlines, and team assignments from a Google Sheet on an internal dashboard that the whole team can view.

Best choice: Awesome Table. If the dashboard is read-only and needs to be embedded in a Google Site or internal portal, Awesome Table handles this cleanly. If the team also needs to update statuses and log time directly in the app, AppSheet or Glide would be more appropriate.

Getting Started: Installation and Setup

All three tools connect to Google Sheets and are available through the Google Workspace ecosystem. Here is how to get each one running.

Quick Setup Steps

1. Awesome Table: Install from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Open a Google Sheet, launch the Awesome Table add-on, select your view type, configure filters, and publish. Your first interactive view can be live within 30 minutes.
2. Glide: Sign up at glideapps.com and connect your Google account. Select a Google Sheet as your data source, and Glide auto-generates a basic app. Customise the layout, add screens, and share a link. Expect your first app within one to two hours.
3. AppSheet: Access directly from Google Sheets by navigating to Extensions > AppSheet > Create an App. AppSheet analyses your sheet structure and generates a starter app. Configure views, add automation, and deploy. Allow two to four hours for a functional first app due to the additional setup options.

Tips for Australian Teams

• Start with a copy of your production Sheet rather than connecting to the live one during initial setup and testing
• Use Australian date formats (DD/MM/YYYY) consistently in your Sheets -- all three tools respect the format set in the spreadsheet
• Test on actual devices your team will use, especially for Glide and AppSheet mobile apps
• Consider data residency: AppSheet data processing occurs on Google Cloud infrastructure, which supports Australian regions. Glide and Awesome Table host on their own infrastructure

Affiliate & Partner Programs

If you are considering adopting one of these platforms, their partner and affiliate programs may offer additional benefits for resellers, consultants, and agencies:

• Glide Partner Program: https://www.glideapps.com/partners -- resources and support for agencies and consultants building Glide apps for clients.
• AppSheet (Google Workspace): https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/ -- Google Workspace referral program covering AppSheet and the broader Workspace suite.

The Verdict: Practical Recommendations for Australian Businesses

These three tools occupy different points on the complexity spectrum, and that is actually helpful. The right choice becomes clear once you define what you are building.

If you need to display and filter Google Sheets data without users editing it, Awesome Table is the fastest and simplest option. It does one job well, integrates beautifully with Google Sites, and costs less than the alternatives for read-only use cases. Australian businesses publishing directories, catalogues, or reference data should start here.

If you need a polished mobile or web app with data input and a modern look, Glide delivers the best visual results with a reasonable learning curve. It works well for customer-facing apps, field data capture (in areas with reliable connectivity), and internal tools where presentation matters. The per-app pricing model suits businesses that need one or two focused apps.

If you need a full business application with automation, offline support, and deep Google Workspace integration, AppSheet is the most capable platform. The fact that AppSheet Core is included with Google Workspace Business Standard and above makes it the obvious starting point for any organisation already on those plans. For Australian field service companies, construction firms, logistics operators, and any business with workers in areas of patchy connectivity, AppSheet's offline mode is a genuine differentiator.

If you are unsure, check your Google Workspace plan first. If you are on Business Standard or higher, you already have AppSheet Core -- start there and see if it meets your needs. If your use case is simpler (just displaying data), Awesome Table will have you running in under an hour. And if visual design is the priority, give Glide's free tier a try.

The common thread across all three tools is that your data stays in Google Sheets, the system your team already knows. That means no data migration, no new database to learn, and no disruption to existing workflows. You are adding a better front end to data you already manage, and that is one of the lowest-risk technology investments a business can make.

Useful Resources:
- Awesome Table on Google Workspace Marketplace
- Glide App Builder
- AppSheet Official Documentation
- Google Workspace Marketplace

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