Imagine streamlining your business processes with a tool only to find out it’s not as seamless as promised. In this article, insights from a founder and a Director General uncover the limitations of using Google AppSheet. From limited customisation for complex workflows to performance issues with large datasets, their expertise sheds light on the challenges you might face. Read on to discover seven expert insights that will help you make an informed decision.
- Limited Customisation for Complex Workflows
- Learning Curve and Customisation Challenges
- Data Syncing Issues and Spreadsheet Limits
- Restrictive Interface and Performance Issues
- Low Customisation and Technical Complexities
- Performance Issues with Large Datasets
- Time-Consuming Setup and Spreadsheet Flaws
Limited Customisation for Complex Workflows
One disadvantage of using Google AppSheet is its limited customisation for complex workflows. While it’s great for simple app creation and streamlining processes, it can become restrictive when trying to implement advanced features or unique functionalities, especially for larger or more intricate projects.
For example, at our sustainability company, we used AppSheet to build an inventory management system for tracking eco-friendly products. While the app served basic functions like order tracking and stock alerts, we found it difficult to customise reports and integrate with some third-party tools we needed for detailed analytics.
This limitation slowed down our ability to scale efficiently in certain areas. However, we mitigated this by combining AppSheet with other specialised tools for more complex tasks. Despite this drawback, we were still able to save time and reduce errors, resulting in a 18% improvement in operational efficiency.
AppSheet is a great tool for simple applications but may require additional resources for more sophisticated business needs.
Swayam Doshi, Founder, Suspire
Learning Curve and Customisation Challenges
I’ve explored various tools for improving efficiency, and while Google AppSheet offers many advantages, there are some limitations to consider.
One drawback is the learning curve. While AppSheet is a no-code platform, it still requires users to grasp critical concepts like data structuring and workflow automation. This could slow initial adoption and implementation for teams unfamiliar with app development.
Another challenge is customisation. While AppSheet allows for a high degree of flexibility, it has limitations compared to custom-built applications. Workarounds might make complex functionalities or particular features easier to implement, which could be a barrier for organisations with more advanced needs.
AppSheet also has pricing considerations. While it’s affordable for smaller teams or simple projects, the cost can increase quickly as your app scales or if you need advanced features, which may not be ideal for organisations on a tight budget.
Lastly, while integration with Google Workspace is a strength, integrations with third-party tools outside Google’s ecosystem can sometimes be cumbersome or limited, potentially requiring additional development or third-party connectors.
In short, while Google AppSheet is a powerful tool, other solutions may be better suited for some organisations, especially those with complex needs or limited technical resources.
Fawad langah, Director General, Best Diplomats
Data Syncing Issues and Spreadsheet Limits
Data syncing with AppSheet is where things get messy. You’re stuck with all these spreadsheet limits—do a few calculations, add some cell references, and suddenly everything slows to a crawl. My clients who tried this run into this problem constantly: AppSheet forces constant syncing between systems, which causes major headaches for both speed and security. The platform can’t handle connected company data properly, so you end up with scattered information everywhere and duplicate entries piling up..
Aaron Franklin, Head of Growth, Ylopo
Restrictive Interface and Performance Issues
AppSheet looks simple on the surface, but there are some serious limitations you need to know about. The interface builder is quite restrictive—you can’t customise the UI much beyond basic layouts and colors. This means your apps will always have that “template” look that screams “this was built with AppSheet.”
Performance becomes an issue as your data grows. Since everything is tied to Google Sheets, apps start to lag once you hit a few thousand rows. The official limits are much higher, but in practice, you’ll feel the slowdown much sooner.
Documentation is frustrating. While there’s plenty of it, finding specific answers is like a treasure hunt. You often end up in forum threads from years ago trying to piece together solutions.
The biggest drawback is lock-in. Once you’ve built an app in AppSheet, moving it to a different platform means rebuilding from scratch. There’s no easy way to export your app’s logic and structure.
So while AppSheet is great for simple data collection apps, be careful about building anything too complex or mission-critical on it. The limitations will start to bite as your needs grow.
Vincent Schmalbach, Web Developer, AI Engineer & SEO Expert, Vincent Schmalbach
Low Customisation and Technical Complexities
Despite the fact that AppSheet makes it easier to create apps without programming, there are some setbacks. The tool also has a very low degree of customisation, which can be an issue if you attempt to go beyond what is typical for AppSheet products. The app is ideal for smaller applications, however, with larger-scale applications, especially those where large databases are used, there may be problems with speed. Even though the case can be sold as no-code, there are technical complexities that may discourage non-technical residents and those unfamiliar with data structure and logic.
Moreover, it has some limitations in terms of offline use, which negatively affects its performance in areas rare to the internet. So if your aim is to scale the application, things may get a little tricky because all the integration with third-party products may cause the price to diverge from the standard plan. To sum up, there’s a general consensus that AppSheet is probably the best fit for simple applications where robust and complex customisation is not really required but just adding a few internal processes will be enough.
Khurram Mir, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Kualitatem Inc
Performance Issues with Large Datasets
From a performance perspective, Google AppSheet might not always deliver the speed required by larger or more data-intensive applications. Users often report lag and slow response times when apps are scaled up or when dealing with large datasets, which can frustrate users and hinder real-time data processing needs. This is particularly challenging for dynamic industries where decisions need to be made quickly and based on the latest information. If your business model relies on speed and efficiency, AppSheet’s performance issues could become a bottleneck.
Alari Aho, CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Time-Consuming Setup and Spreadsheet Flaws
The biggest disadvantage is the time and energy required to set up logic within Appsheet. It is rarely worth the effort, especially considering that there are other tools available that don’t require the same investment. Then there are the same old spreadsheet flaws, where multiple calculations slow everything to a crawl. In addition, its app size limit means that rows and columns and data are very limited. It’s just not a useful tool for large projects.
Bill Mann, Privacy Expert, Cyber Insider
