Airrange vs Open as App
Both turn Excel files into apps — but the architecture, security model, and capabilities differ significantly.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Airrange | Open as App | |
|---|---|---|
| Excel file upload required | ✗ | ✓ |
| Responsive web apps | ✓ | Phone layout only |
| Calculation engine | Local browser / Graph API | Server-side (latency) |
| REST API creation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Granular sharing | Cell-level | ✗ |
| Rich text / media in apps | ✓ | ✗ |
| Microsoft Teams integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Excel Add-In | Microsoft-validated | ✗ |
| Built-in debugging | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data compliance | Zero upload — EU-hosted | Files in OAA cloud |
| Web app access | Instant via browser | AppStore install required |
| Offline mode | Partial — online start, then offline | ✓ |
| User management | Via Microsoft 365 / AD | Built-in with groups |
| Signature capture | ✗ | ✓ |
| Photo upload | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free plan | Yes — 25 elements | Free trial |
Security & Compliance: The Biggest Difference
With Open as App, your Excel files must be uploaded to their cloud. Your formulas, data, and business logic leave your environment.
Airrange takes the opposite approach: your Excel files never leave your device. Only encrypted metadata is stored on EU servers (AWS Frankfurt).
Responsive Apps vs Phone-Only Layout
Open as App was built for mobile phones. The web version displays only the phone layout — the rest of the screen shows a background image. Apps are not responsive.
Airrange apps are fully responsive. Different layouts for desktop, tablet, and mobile. Apps can be embedded on websites.
Performance: Local vs Server-Side
Open as App's mobile app is fast (local Excel engine), but the web version processes calculations on OAA's server — every cell change must round-trip to the server.
Airrange processes calculations either locally in your browser or via the Microsoft Graph API. Both keep your data private and deliver fast results.
Airrange if you...
- Need responsive web apps (desktop + mobile)
- Want to create APIs from Excel
- Need granular cell-level sharing
- Data compliance is critical (zero upload)
- Work in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- Want to embed apps on websites
Open as App if you...
- Primarily need mobile phone apps
- Offline capability is essential
- Need signature capture or photo uploads
- Don't use Microsoft 365
Verdict
For professional, responsive web apps with full data control, Airrange is the better choice. For simple mobile apps with offline capability, Open as App may fit — but be aware of the cloud upload requirement.