Appian alternative – Gluu
As a former IDC analyst, I’ve taken a fact-based approach to comparing Gluu as an alternative to Appian. We’re not looking to attract customers who aren’t a good fit. Below you’ll find summaries of what leading software review sites say about features and user feedback, plus an additional comparison from GPT-5 Thinking. I hope this helps you make a well-informed decision.
Features compared
Gluu has significant more listed features than Appian. It is particularly functionalities related to process execution and communications that are missing compared to the most common BPM features. One reason is that Appian is also an app development platform with the idea that users should be provided with apps rather than with traditional work descriptions and check lists. On the other hand, Appian has more features for process automation.
NOTE: Appian may have chosen not to list all features in the source I found.
Gluu
Appian
Total Features
94
Key Features
Task Management
Workflow Management
Process Modeling & Designing
Access Controls/Permissions
Workflow Configuration
Task Progress Tracking
Complete list of features on getapp.com
Total Features
22
Key Features
Task Management
Document Storage
Business Process Control
Business Process Automation
Process Modeling & Designing
Audit Management
Complete list of features on getapp.com
User reviews compared
Gluu has somewhat better reviews than Appian, especially for customer support and value for money. However, Appian still have good scores, and if you are looking for a tool for developing and deploying apps for supporting your organization’s workflows, Appian is a strong candidate. If, however, you are a process manager or specialist looking for an operational tool that offers an end-to-end overview of your business processes and facilitates user feedback, Gluu is more likely to meet your needs.
Review comparison is available on softwareadvice.com
Interfaces compared
This is a matter of taste and personal preference. Gluu’s UI is based on Microsoft’s Fluent Design system for high resembles with everyday applications like Office 365, so if your company uses this then Gluu’s UX means fewer mentally demanding context-shifts for business users in everyday work.
Screenshot from Gluu
Screenshot from Appian
Use cases compared
This is the result from ChatGPT 5 Thinking’s from the prompt “write a comparison table where Gluu is objectively compared with Nintex on the following parametres”:
| Criteria | Gluu | Appian |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Easy to implement and use | ✔️ No-code SaaS setup with intuitive UI for business users | ❌ Requires technical setup and training; more suited for developers |
| #2 Makes your standard way of working easy to understand | ✔️ Visual process maps with embedded work instructions and clear ownership | ❌ Focus is more on workflow automation than explaining standard procedures |
| #3 Enables ongoing communications and feedback | ✔️ Built-in comments, @mentions, task discussions, and MS Teams integration | ❌ Collaboration features require custom implementation or third-party tools |
| #4 Makes processes easier to execute the right way | ✔️ Step-by-step guidance, task tracking, and real-time process context | ✔️ Strong workflow automation with rules and decision logic |
| #5 Collects input and data to improve business processes | ✔️ Native forms, user feedback, dashboards, and open API for exports | ✔️ Customizable data models and integrations for advanced analytics |
| #6 Integrates with other systems to automate tasks | ✔️ Open REST API, Webhooks, OpenAPI schema, Azure-native setup | ✔️ Extensive integration support via low-code connectors and APIs |
| #7 Ensures solid governance around processes | ✔️ ISO 27001-aligned, with versioning, access roles, and audit logs | ✔️ Strong governance and compliance support for regulated industries |
| #8 Can work directly with AI agents | ✔️ API-accessible for integration with AI tools and agents | ✔️ Built-in AI services and third-party AI integrations |
Reasons to choose one over the other
Choose Gluu if… you are a process manager or specialist looking for an operational tool that provides an end-to-end overview of your business processes, focuses on orchestrating tasks and activities, and facilitates strong user feedback and communication in daily operations.
Choose Appian if… your primary need is a low-code application development platform to build custom enterprise-grade applications, automate complex processes, and provide end-users with app-driven experiences rather than traditional work descriptions.