Google Sites vs Appy Pie: Comprehensive comparison guide for 2024

Final verdict

Appy Pie and Google Sites cater to different needs and audiences, with Appy Pie emerging as the more versatile and feature-rich platform.

Google Sites (Overall Grade: 5.6/10)

is best suited for users deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem, looking for a simple, collaborative website-building tool. It shines in user management, security, and hosting quality, making it a reliable choice for basic websites, especially for educational or small team projects. However, it falls short in ecommerce, AI capabilities, and advanced marketing features.
Appy Pie (Overall Grade: 7.2/10)

stands out for its ease of use, comprehensive ecommerce features, and innovative AI capabilities. It’s a robust choice for individuals and businesses aiming to quickly establish an online presence without coding knowledge. With superior customer support, marketing tools, and a wide range of templates, Appy Pie caters to a broader audience, including those looking to create more dynamic and interactive websites.

	Overall grade: 5.6	Overall grade: 7.2
Design functionalities & templates	4.9	6.8
Ease of use	8.3	8.3
Ecommerce	1.8	7.2
Website Editors	7.0	7.7
Product testing options	6.9	8.9
Price	8.1	7.4
Hosting quality	8.2	6.9
Website speed optimization	3.3	5.0
Plugins and integrations	6.4	6.4
Marketing features	2.6	7.5
Customer support	7.2	8.2
Security	9.3	7.5
AI capabilities	0	7.2
User Management	7.8	7.3
Overall	5.6	7.2

Best for ecommerce

1.8

7.2

Verdict

: For users looking to build and manage an online store, Appy Pie is the clear winner over Google Sites, offering a comprehensive suite of ecommerce features.

Google Sites

: Lacks built-in ecommerce capabilities, relying instead on third-party integrations for any ecommerce functionality. It’s more suited for simple websites and not ideal for those looking to run an online store.
Appy Pie

: Provides a robust platform for ecommerce with features like product and inventory management, shopping cart functionality, and multiple payment gateways. It’s designed for ease of use, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes looking to sell online.

Best for informational & business websites

7.2

7.4

Verdict

: With closely matched capabilities, Appy Pie edges out slightly over Google Sites for informational and business websites, thanks to its slightly higher score and broader design options.

Google Sites

: Offers a straightforward, no-frills approach to website building, making it ideal for creating simple, collaborative informational sites. Its integration with Google Workspace tools enhances its appeal for users already embedded in the Google ecosystem.
Appy Pie

: Stands out for its ease of use and a vast array of design templates, making it slightly more versatile for creating diverse informational and business websites. Its focus on no-code development and quick deployment aligns well with businesses looking for efficiency and simplicity.

Detailed comparison

4.9

6.8

🏆

Winner: Appy Pie.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control, a wider array of design features, and a larger number of templates, Appy Pie is the preferred choice.

Google Sites offers a limited number of templates suitable for various purposes, from personal blogs to business websites, with both free and premium options available. These templates are designed for user engagement, simplicity, and functionality, allowing for customization to meet specific needs.

Google Sites Themes

Compared to Google Sites, Appy Pie offers a wide array of website templates with over 10,000 options, catering to various needs and budgets. Categorized across industries, these templates are mobile-friendly and customizable, allowing users to edit colors, fonts, layouts, and add features.

Appy Pie Themes

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8.3

🏆 Winner: Tie

. Both Google Sites and Appy Pie scored an 8.3 in ease of use. Google Sites offers a user-friendly interface that integrates seamlessly with other Google services, making it an efficient tool for creating basic websites. On the other hand, Appy Pie is known for its simplicity and intuitive design, making it highly accessible for users without coding skills.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites offers a wide array of learning resources, from practical guides for educators to comprehensive digital skill development programs. Appy Pie also provides learning resources, but they are not as extensive as Google Sites.

Learn Google Sites

Learn Appy Pie

1.8

7.2

When it comes to ecommerce, Appy Pie clearly outshines Google Sites. Google Sites does not have built-in ecommerce features and relies heavily on third-party integrations for any ecommerce functionality. On the other hand, Appy Pie provides a comprehensive set of ecommerce features, making it a more suitable choice for building and managing online stores.


Ecommerce themes and templates	0.0	6.0
Product page customization	0.0	7.0
Payment processing and commissions	1.0	6.5
POS capabilities	0.0	6.0
Payment gateways	2.0	7.5
Product numbers	0.0	6.5
Additional ecommerce features	0.5	7.0

Google Sites ecommerce features:

Google Sites itself does not have built-in eCommerce features. However, you can integrate eCommerce functionalities into a Google Sites website by embedding third-party tools or widgets, linking to an external eCommerce platform, or using buttons that link to payment processors. For instance, you could use Google Forms for order forms and integrate PayPal or another payment service for transactions. To have a full-fledged eCommerce platform with Google Sites, you’d need to rely on these external integrations or services.

Appy Pie ecommerce features:

Product and Inventory Management
Shopping Cart
Multiple Currencies
Promotions and Discounts
Order Management
Shipping Options
Analytics
Tax management

Appy Pie add a product

Ecommerce themes & templates

Google Sites does not offer any ecommerce templates. On the other hand, Appy Pie offers a small selection of ecommerce website templates. These templates are designed to help users create online stores quickly and efficiently, without the need for coding skills. Appy Pie’s ecommerce templates feature mobile-first designs, customizable product galleries, and various other features aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience for both the store owner and their customers.

Product page customization

Google Sites lacks any product page customization features, as the products can be listed with embedding third-party platforms, all the customization can be done within the mentioned platforms. In contrast, Appy Pie’s Website Builder provides users with extensive customization options for product pages, enabling the creation of unique online stores or product showcases without requiring advanced coding skills. Users can personalize product details like descriptions, images, and pricing, ensuring they can offer comprehensive information to assist customers in making informed purchasing choices.

Payment processing

You can integrate payment gateways into Google Sites using external tools or links, not through native features. This can be done by embedding HTML code for payment buttons from services like PayPal, Square, or Stripe, or by linking to an external checkout page. Third-party eCommerce widgets also offer a way to add payment functionalities. However, Google Sites doesn’t offer the comprehensive eCommerce capabilities that dedicated platforms provide.

On the other hand, Appy Pie offers a user-friendly platform for integrating payment processing and POS capabilities into mobile apps and online stores, supporting multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square for secure and versatile customer transactions. While it facilitates easy payment integrations, commission management may require third-party solutions or custom setups. This makes Appy Pie an effective tool for businesses looking to provide a comprehensive shopping experience with a focus on mobility and flexibility.

7.0

7.7

🏆

Winner: Appy Pie

. Appy Pie, with a score of 7.7, offers a user-friendly, cloud-based platform that allows individuals, professionals, and small businesses to create mobile-friendly websites without needing to code. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and various features like social media integration, ecommerce capabilities, and SEO tools. This makes it an ideal solution for quickly creating a wide range of websites, from landing pages to online stores, tailored to users’ specific needs and brand identities.

Appy Pie editor

Google Sites’ editor, scoring 7.0, offers a user-friendly website builder editor that allows users to create and design websites without needing coding knowledge. With its drag-and-drop interface, users can easily add, customize, and arrange elements such as text, images, and videos on their web pages. It also provides a variety of templates and design options to help users get started quickly and ensure their site looks professional. Additionally, Google Sites integrates seamlessly with other Google services, enabling the incorporation of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Maps directly into the website.

Google Sites editor

Mobile editor/app

5.5

🏆

Winner: Appy Pie

. Neither Google Sites nor Appy Pie offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, Appy Pie has an advantage as it allows users to edit their websites using a mobile browser. This feature provides flexibility for users who need to make quick changes on the go. On the other hand, Google Sites does not support mobile editing, which can be a significant limitation for users who prefer to manage their websites from mobile devices.

6.9

8.9

Overall Result

:

Appy Pie Wins

. Appy Pie scores 8.9 in product testing options, significantly higher than Google Sites’ 6.9. Appy Pie offers a 30-day free trial, during which all premium features can be tested. Google Sites, on the other hand, offers a 14-day free trial with the possibility to test some premium features. Neither of the platforms offers a money-back guarantee.


Free Plan	Yes	No
Trial Duration	14 days	30 days
Testing Premium Features	Some features during free trial	All features during free trial
Money Back Guarantee	No	No

8.1

7.4

Google Sites and Appy Pie both offer competitive pricing, but Google Sites provides more comprehensive features, especially for larger businesses and enterprises.

	Offerings	Offerings
$0-$10	Business Starter ($7.20/month): This plan includes basic features suitable for individuals or small businesses, offering professional email through Gmail, 30GB of storage per user, and video meetings for up to 100 participants. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for price: 6.0	No offering at this amount.
$10-$15	Business Standard ($14.40/month): Suitable for growing businesses, this plan provides 2 TB of storage per user, video meeting capacity for up to 150 participants with recording features, and access to smart booking pages and shared drives. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for price: 7.5	No offering at this amount.
$15-$25	Business Plus ($21.60/month): Designed for larger businesses needing more robust capabilities, offering 5 TB of storage per user, advanced security options, and video meetings for up to 500 participants. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for price: 8.5	Start ($18/month): Suitable for personal projects, offering 50 GB storage and access to professional theme templates, domain connection, no Appy Pie ads, CSS & Java customization, etc. Value for price: 6.5
$30+	No offering at this amount.	Grow ($36/month): Aimed at small businesses, providing unlimited storage, advanced marketing and monetizing tools, multiple payment gateways, etc. Value for price: 8.5

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

8.2

6.9

Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites offers cloud-based managed hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and operates 21 data centers globally. Appy Pie, on the other hand, offers a proprietary hosting service with a 99% uptime guarantee and relies on Amazon Web Services for its data centers. Google Sites’ higher uptime guarantee and more extensive network of data centers give it the edge in this category.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, basic storage with 100MB free per site, can be increased by upgrading to Google Workspace	Yes, plans with storage options ranging from 50GB to unlimited, includes unlimited bandwidth
Data Centers:	Google operates a total of 21 data centers across the globe: 2 in Asia, 5 in Europe, 13 in US and 1 in South America	Appy Pie relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Type of hosting:	Cloud based managed hosting	Proprietary hosting service
Uptime:	99.9%	99%
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.9%	Yes, 99%

3.3

5.0

🏆 Winner: Google Sites

Both Google Sites and Appy Pie prioritize website performance and page speed, but Google Sites takes the lead with its automated optimization, CDN, mobile optimization, browser caching, and code minification strategies.


Focus	Automated Optimization, CDN, Mobile Optimization, Browser Caching, Code Minification, Use of AMP	No specific strategies disclosed
Performance Tools	Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights	No specific tools disclosed
Key Strategies	Automated Optimization, CDN, Mobile Optimization, Browser Caching, Code Minification, Use of AMP	No specific strategies disclosed
Load Times	Not disclosed	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location
Page Speed Scores Range	Not disclosed	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	No information disclosed

Google Sites, as part of the Google Workspace package, places a strong emphasis on website performance and page speed. It uses automated optimization, CDN, mobile optimization, browser caching, and code minification strategies to enhance site speed. Google Sites also utilizes Google AMP for faster mobile page loads. However, Google does not disclose specific statistics about website Page Speed scores or load times.

On the other hand, Appy Pie, as a website building platform, doesn’t directly implement specific speed optimization strategies for your website. They offer various tools and features that can help you optimize your website’s speed on your own. Both load times and Page speed scores vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location. Appy Pie does not disclose any information on their Core Web Vitals improvements.

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6.4

🏆 Winner: It’s a tie.

Both Google Sites and Appy Pie score 6.4 in plugins and integrations. Google Sites offers a wide array of plugins and extensions to enhance website functionality, catering to various needs such as social media integration, e-commerce, chats, forms, video, audio, and more. On the other hand, Appy Pie provides a range of plugins and extensions for website enhancement, with the availability differing across plans. While the free plan offers basic features like contact forms and social media icons, paid plans grant access to the Appy Pie marketplace, which includes over 100 plugins across categories such as marketing, design, social media, SEO, analytics, payments, and more.

Google Sites Applications

Common Ninja Google Sites plugins

Appy Pie Applications

Appy Pie integrations

2.6

7.5

🏆

Overall Winner: Appy Pie

. Appy Pie stands out for its comprehensive marketing tools, especially in email marketing, blogging, and ad campaign management. Google Sites, while offering basic SEO and analytics features, lacks in email marketing, blogging, and ad campaign management.


SEO Tools	Basic SEO settings	Comprehensive SEO tools
Email Marketing	No	Yes
Blogging	No	Yes
Social Media Integration	Basic social media integration	Advanced social media integration
Analytics and Reporting	Google Analytics integration	Comprehensive analytics and reporting
Ads and Promotions	No	Yes

7.2

8.2

🏆 Winner: Appy Pie

. With a customer support score of 8.2, Appy Pie outperforms Google Sites, which has a score of 7.2. Appy Pie offers 24/7 customer support through various channels including live chat, email, and phone. They also provide extensive documentation and tutorials on their website to help users troubleshoot common problems on their own.

Google Sites, on the other hand, offers customer support primarily through self-service resources like a Help Center and community forums. Direct support, including phone, email, and live chat, is available to Google Workspace customers, with the level of support varying by subscription tier. Google Workspace provides 24/7 support for critical issues to eligible customers, with support availability and response times depending on the user’s specific plan.

9.3

7.5

🏆

Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites, part of the Google Workspace, offers robust security measures including data encryption in transit and at rest, strict access controls with two-factor authentication, and adherence to international data protection regulations like GDPR. It also provides customized security settings, such as data loss prevention and advanced threat protection, to safeguard against unauthorized access and cyber threats. Google’s infrastructure offers DDoS protection and data redundancy, safeguarding against data loss and maintaining site accessibility under heavy traffic.

Appy Pie, while offering secure private data storage and protection with advanced encryption and strict access controls, does not match the comprehensive security measures provided by Google Sites. However, it does ensure website security through SSL encryption, regular security audits, secure hosting, two-factor authentication, and password protection for user accounts. It also has a dedicated team that monitors and responds to any security threats or breaches.

7.2


AI Website Builder		Appy Pie offers an AI website builder for easy website creation
AI Ecommerce Features		AI-driven personalized shopping experiences and customer service
AI Content Generation		AI algorithms for generating high-quality content
Additional AI Features		Chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-powered analytics

🏆 Winner: Appy Pie

. Appy Pie, with a score of 7.2, offers a range of AI capabilities including an AI website builder, AI ecommerce features, AI content generation, and additional AI features such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-powered analytics. These features make website creation, content generation, and customer interaction efficient and personalized.

Appy Pie AI feature

Google Sites, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This makes Appy Pie a clear winner in this category.

7.8

7.3

🏆 Winner: Google Sites

. Both Google Sites and Appy Pie offer different user roles and access levels, but Google Sites provides more flexibility.

Google Sites allows multiple users to collaborate with different roles, including Owners, who have full control, and Editors, who can modify content but not site settings. There’s no strict limit on the number of users who can edit a site, allowing flexibility in management and development. Viewers can only see the site, with no editing permissions. This structure supports collaborative website building with varied levels of access and control for different users.
The Appy Pie website builder offers different user access levels based on the plan chosen. For the Free Plan, one user has full editing privileges. Paid plans include the Starter Plan (3 users), Hobby Plan (5 users), Professional Plan (10 users), and Enterprise Plan (unlimited users). Each plan designates an Admin with full access and additional Editors with varying editing rights. Additionally, paid plans allow for customization of roles, enabling tasks such as content editing or design adjustments.

Unfortunately, there are no user roles and access levels tables available for both platforms.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate
Custom Domain
Free Custom Domain Included
International Domains
Mobile Responsive
Page Speed
Website Builder Mobile App
Convert a Website To An App
Website Analytics
Multilingual Sites
Multiple Users

User Feedback

Google Sites

42,340 reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

Appy Pie

1328 reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

Users consistently praise Google Workspace, particularly Google Sites, for its seamless integration, ease of use, and collaborative features, making it a go-to solution for various professional and educational needs. The platform’s simplicity and user-friendly interface are lauded, enabling effortless website creation and sharing of information within organizations. While some users desire more customization options and additional features, overall, Google Workspace remains highly valued for its versatility and streamlined workflow facilitation.

Appy Pie garners positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, offering low-code solutions for app and website building without requiring coding experience. Users appreciate its ease of use, extensive features, and ability to create apps and websites quickly. While some express a desire for more customization options and templates, overall, Appy Pie serves as a valuable tool for businesses and individuals seeking to create apps and websites efficiently, solving the problem of complex coding requirements and providing a platform for easy communication and engagement with users.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for creating an online store, Google Sites or Appy Pie?

Appy Pie is the clear winner for creating an online store. It offers comprehensive ecommerce features like product and inventory management, shopping cart functionality, and multiple payment gateways, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes looking to sell online. Google Sites lacks built-in ecommerce capabilities and relies on third-party integrations for any ecommerce functionality.

Can I use both Google Sites and Appy Pie for creating informational and business websites?

Yes, both platforms can be used for creating informational and business websites. However, Appy Pie slightly edges out over Google Sites due to its broader design options and ease of use, making it more versatile for creating diverse informational and business websites.

How do Google Sites and Appy Pie compare in terms of ease of use?

Both Google Sites and Appy Pie scored an 8.3 in ease of use, making them equally user-friendly. Google Sites offers a seamless integration with other Google services, while Appy Pie is known for its simplicity and intuitive design, making both platforms highly accessible for users without coding skills.

Which platform offers better customer support, Google Sites or Appy Pie?

Appy Pie offers better customer support with a score of 8.2, providing 24/7 customer support through various channels including live chat, email, and phone. Google Sites offers support primarily through self-service resources like a Help Center and community forums, with direct support available to Google Workspace customers.

Are there any AI capabilities available in Google Sites or Appy Pie?

Appy Pie offers a range of AI capabilities, including an AI website builder, AI-driven personalized shopping experiences, AI content generation, and additional AI features such as chatbots and AI-powered analytics. Google Sites does not have any AI capabilities, making Appy Pie the clear winner in this category.

Which platform is more secure, Google Sites or Appy Pie?

Google Sites offers robust security measures including data encryption in transit and at rest, strict access controls with two-factor authentication, and adherence to international data protection regulations like GDPR. While Appy Pie also ensures website security through SSL encryption and advanced encryption, Google Sites provides more comprehensive security measures.

Can I manage multiple users on both Google Sites and Appy Pie?

Yes, both platforms offer different user roles and access levels. Google Sites allows multiple users to collaborate with different roles, including Owners and Editors, without a strict limit on the number of users. Appy Pie offers different user access levels based on the plan chosen, with the ability to designate an Admin and additional Editors with varying editing rights.

Do Google Sites and Appy Pie offer mobile responsiveness?

Yes, both Google Sites and Appy Pie offer mobile-responsive designs, ensuring that websites created on either platform will look good and function well on mobile devices.