Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microsoft PowerApps VS Open As App

Compare Microsoft PowerApps VS Open As App and see what are their differences

Microsoft PowerApps logo Microsoft PowerApps

Microsoft PowerApps provides tools to create, customize, share and run apps.

Open As App logo Open As App

Automatically create a business app from a spreadsheet, no coding.
  • Microsoft PowerApps Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24
  • Open As App Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-10

With Open as App, you can create & share great mobile and web apps simply based on your data in Excel, Google Sheets, or databases. It works automatically, instantly, on any platform, and without any coding skills.

Go to www.openasapp.com to set up your account and to create your apps. Download the Open as App container app from your AppStore to use and organize apps created with Open as App.

On www.openasapp.com, you can build a broad variety of apps that fit your business needs perfectly, match the content and logic of your data and are always up to date: Contact lists, inventory lists, project lists, budgets, quote calculator, invoices on-site, pricing plans, product catalogs, dashboards, reports, finance reports, company performance, time tracking, tracking of billable hours, customer surveys and many more…

Microsoft PowerApps features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Microsoft PowerApps offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to create custom applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge. This drag-and-drop functionality makes it accessible for non-developers.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    PowerApps seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure, enabling users to leverage existing data and build more cohesive applications.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Applications built with PowerApps can run on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers, ensuring maximum reach and usability.
  • Rapid Development
    PowerApps enables rapid application development and deployment, which can shorten project timelines and allow for quicker realization of business benefits.
  • Built-in Templates
    PowerApps provides a variety of built-in templates that can accelerate the development process and provide a starting point for common business applications.
  • Security Features
    With enterprise-grade security built-in, PowerApps ensure that data is protected through features like role-based access control and compliance with various industry standards.
  • Scalability
    The platform supports scalability, allowing applications to grow with the needs of the business without requiring major rework.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft PowerApps

  • Cost
    PowerApps can become costly, especially for larger organizations that require premium features or need many user licenses. The pricing structure may not be suitable for smaller businesses or projects with limited budgets.
  • Limited Customization
    While PowerApps is powerful, it may fall short for highly specialized or complex application requirements. Developers might find limitations in customization that could require additional workarounds or external integrations.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, especially with larger applications or those requiring complex data operations. These issues can impact the user experience and application reliability.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there is still a learning curve associated with mastering PowerApps, especially for users who are unfamiliar with Microsoft Power Platform or related technologies.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    PowerApps relies on a stable internet connection for development and usage, which can be a drawback in environments with limited or unreliable connectivity.
  • Data Source Limitations
    There can be limitations in terms of data source integration, with some connectors requiring premium licenses or not supporting certain advanced data operations.

Open As App features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Open As App allows users to convert spreadsheets into mobile apps with minimal technical knowledge, making it accessible for non-developers.
  • Real-Time Data
    The platform allows apps to update in real-time as the data in the source spreadsheet is modified, ensuring users have access to the most current information.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Open As App supports both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to create apps that work on multiple platforms without needing separate development for each.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize the layout and functionality of their apps to suit their specific needs, providing a degree of flexibility in app design.
  • Collaboration Features
    The platform supports sharing and collaboration, enabling teams to work together effectively by accessing the same app data and updates.

Possible disadvantages of Open As App

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While great for simple applications, Open As App may fall short for users requiring complex app functionalities or custom coding capabilities.
  • Dependency on Spreadsheets
    The app creation process is heavily reliant on spreadsheet data, which may not be suitable for all types of applications and data sources.
  • Design Constraints
    Users might face limitations in design options compared to fully custom-developed applications, which could restrict creativity and branding.
  • Potential Cost
    While there might be a free tier, accessing advanced features and scaling up usage could incur costs, which might not be ideal for all users or businesses.
  • Learning Curve for Complex Use Cases
    Even though it's designed to be user-friendly, there can be a learning curve when trying to implement more advanced functions or integrations.

Analysis of Microsoft PowerApps

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Microsoft PowerApps is a strong choice for those in need of a no-code/low-code platform to develop business applications. It streamlines the development process and offers substantial integration with Microsoft's ecosystem, which can significantly enhance productivity for organizations already using Microsoft services.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft PowerApps is considered good due to its user-friendly interface, robust integration capabilities with other Microsoft products, and the ability to quickly create custom business applications without extensive coding knowledge. It offers a wide range of templates and a flexible platform for users to customize applications to meet their specific business needs, making it a popular choice among businesses looking for rapid application development solutions. Additionally, its cloud-based nature allows for easy deployment and collaboration across different teams.

Recommended for

  • Business professionals looking to automate and streamline workflows.
  • Organizations already utilizing Microsoft 365 or other Microsoft products, seeking seamless integration.
  • Non-developers or those with limited coding experience who wish to build and deploy custom applications.
  • IT departments aiming to enable citizen developers while maintaining governance and security control.

Microsoft PowerApps videos

Are Microsoft PowerApps right for you?

More videos:

  • Review - AppSheet vs. Microsoft PowerApps

Open As App videos

Open as App

More videos:

  • Review - Open as App - Automated App Creation
  • Review - Open as App Webinar

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft PowerApps and Open As App)
Mobile App Dev Platform
Software Development
0 0%
100% 100
Mobile App Builder
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft PowerApps and Open As App. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft PowerApps and Open As App

Microsoft PowerApps Reviews

Top 10 Microsoft Power Apps Alternatives and Competitors 2024
Aimed at streamlining business processes, Microsoft Power Apps provides a low-code development platform for crafting custom applications without the need for in-depth coding expertise. It boasts a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing both citizen developers (business users with limited coding experience) and professional developers to build...
Source: medium.com
10 Best Low-Code Development Platforms in 2020
Microsoft PowerApps is a rich in features low code development platform. AppSheet is best for building mobile apps. Google App Maker provides the low code development platform which is combined with G Suite Business and G Suite Enterprise. File Maker is a flexible solution for any business type to build custom apps.
The 11 Best Low-Code Development Platforms
Microsoft PowerApps averages a 4-star rating. Additionally, according to one source, it has a 97% customer satisfaction rate.
Source: www.xplenty.com
5 PowerApps Alternatives
After retiring Access Web Apps, Microsoft has been pushing users towards Powerapps as an MS Access online alternative. However, many MS Access users have complained about Powerapps’ vastly different structure, and lack of support for relational database features.
3 easy app makers you can start on today
PowerApps offers a point-and-click approach to app design, and the ability to use Excel-like expressions to add logic. It includes a wide variety of templates and sample apps to get you started, such as expenses tracking, help desk management and cost estimation. It also has more advanced features, such as developer tools and the ability to build artificial intelligence (AI)...

Open As App Reviews

We have no reviews of Open As App yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Microsoft PowerApps should be more popular than Open As App. It has been mentiond 12 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft PowerApps mentions (12)

View more

Open As App mentions (2)

  • Ideas for golf scorecard
    Long time since I used one but this one seemed ok. There are others. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Made my own dividend app
    You can build your own through http://openasapp.com. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft PowerApps and Open As App, you can also consider the following products

AppSheet - AppSheet enables users to create mobile apps instantly for both OS and Android. 

OpenXava - OpenXava is a Web Java Framework for Rapid Development of Enterprise Applications.

Dropsource - Mobile development platform for building native iOS & Android apps

AppFlower - AppFlower makes it Rapid and Easy to build Business Applications with our Development Framework.

Siberian CMS - Siberian is an Open-Source and Free App Maker. Unlimited Push Notifications. Unlimited features. Fully Customizable. Download it and build your own app now!

Vaadin Framework - Vaadin is a web application framework for Rich Internet Applications (RIA).