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). Your formulas, data, and IP stay under your full control.
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.
Choose 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
Choose 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.