Capability 

Alpha Anywhere

AppSheets

Cross-platform App Development

AppSheet apps can be distributed using AppSheets' mobile application or as "White Labeled" apps in the iOS/Android stores with limited branding functionality.

Builds Mobile and Web Apps

AppSheet produces mobile apps with limited support for web.

Low Code Architecture

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Most of the development of an Alpha Anywhere app can be built with no code.  

Fast Onboarding to the Platform

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It takes a beginner about 90 minutes to build a sophisticated mobile CRUD app in Alpha Anywhere by following a tutorial. Developers in Alpha Anywhere typically become competent (and confident) in about 2 months, and faster with more focused training or mentoring.  

Support for Citizen Development

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Alpha Anywhere fully supports no-code citizen development by allowing users to create screens, buttons, fields and objects and perform CRUD operations, as well as login/logout with built-in genies; as well as offering hundreds of predefined actions that developers use use via a list metaphor. Low code blocks can be interspersed with traditional coding. Alpha Anywhere also offers mentoring, which allows citizen developers to work directly 1:1 with a "personal trainer" as they build their apps or get up to speed with the product.

Ability to Add Code as Needed

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Alpha Anywhere allows a broad range of control in application design by exposing hundreds of event hooks. [Client-Side: Built in JavaScript Editor features Autosuggest, makes it easy to reference objects used in the applications. Low JavaScript skills required. Server-Side: Built in Server-Side Editor specifically tailored for building Alpha Anywhere Applications, features Autosuggest and other helper tools to make server-side scripting easier. Low programming skills required.]

Limited workflow rules. 

 AppSheet does not offer the ability to add custom code.

Speed of Developing/Updating Apps

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Alpha Anywhere includes a local version of its server that runs on the developer’s machine and can instantly show changes, just by clicking the refresh button.

Ease of Data Integration

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Alpha Anywhere provides many tools for working with REST services, JSON Data, XML, SOAP and oData. Plus it lets you quickly change data sources when you switch from development to deployment. [Working with External Data: Alpha Anywhere includes native SQL drivers for all popular SQL backends (SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, and many others). Alpha Anywhere uses connection strings that allow access to thousands of tables at once. For Web services, Alpha Anywhere supports the oData standard to allow developers to inspect and connect to external data structures. Working with Internal Data: Alpha supports ONLY external databases – so there are no restrictions in the use of 3rd party BI and reporting tools.]

Cloud based data sources are supported. On premise or other solutions require additional purchases.

AppSheet does not integrate directly with any system of record. Integrations can be added through third-party web services such as Zapier or by writing custom applications against the AppSheet API using a third-party platform.
 

Cloud based data sources are supported. On premise or other solutions required more $$$$

Cloud based data sources are supported. On premise or other solutions required more $$$$

Built-in, Robust Offline Capability

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Alpha Anywhere has robust offline capability built-in, with data synchronization and intelligent conflict resolution included. Applications can be used offline for extended periods of time without compromising data integrity. Citizen developers can implement this functionality without code.

Limited to capture of offline data and sync. Does not allow for more complex offline data scenarios (rich media).

AppSheet apps work offline, but do not have intelligent conflict resolution. Prolonged offline use (days or weeks) of AppSheet apps is not recommended and can lead to data loss when an app is synced (the synchronized data will always overwrite existing records.)

Built-in Analytics and Reporting

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Alpha Anywhere includes a built-in banded report writer for server-side reporting. Client-side templating reports can also be generated and viewed offline on a mobile device. All reports can be generated on-demand, as part of workflows, and on a schedule.

Reporting in AppSheet is only permitted on a fixed schedule.

AppSheet offers the ability to view analytics for data submissions through their Business Insights tool. AppSheet does not offer the ability to integrate dashboards and analytics into applications.

Handling and Storage of Large Image, Audio and Video Files

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 Alpha Anywhere allows images to be stored in either local storage or in the devices file system. Media files can be transferred directly between the device and Amazon S3 without going through an application server.

AppSheets is limited to images and signature capture. Other forms of rich media are not supported.

Client- and Server-side Report Writer

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Alpha Anywhere includes a built-in banded report writer for server-side reporting. Client-side templating reports can also be generated and viewed offline on a mobile device.

AppSheet only offers the ability to create a PDF of the data collected in an app on the Server. AppShet does not include client-side reporting.

Built-in Mobile Optimized Forms Builder to Build Data-Capture Apps in Minutes

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Alpha Anywhere includes mobile optimized form technology. Mobile forms offer speed data capture for forms workers with features like: larger buttons or swipe capabilities for one-handed input; customized keyboards for numbers-only data fields, digital ink, and image capture and annotation that can be done without a stylus. Alpha TransForm enables non-programmers and professional developers to build and deploy enterprise-grade offline mobile data capture apps -- with image, audio and signature capture, offline capability, GPS location capture and more -- in minutes. 

AppSheet does not offer custom keyboards, audio capture, or video capture controls.

One Button Deploy to the Cloud

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Alpha Cloud takes care of installing and maintaining server software needed to run your Alpha Anywhere applications, with one-button deployment to the cloud.

AppSheet applications can only be deployed to the AppSheet cloud servers.

Enterprise-Grade On-Site Hosting

Alpha Anywhere can be hosted on your own servers on-site using the Alpha Anywhere Application Server for IIS, giving you control over every aspect of your production environments.

AppSheets' allows hosting on its platform only.

Predictable Pricing

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Alpha Anywhere offers transparent pricing based on the number of application servers needed for deployment. As a result, development costs and ongoing costs (TCO) are easy to predict.

Limited

Per user pricing for the lower tier plans. Pricing for enterprise-level applications, however, is difficult to predict as your needs and requirements grow.