Why Google Opal Isn't Enough for Business (and What to Use Instead)

Google Opal is currently the shiny new toy in the AI space. It promises "apps from prompts," and for simple, throwaway tools, it delivers.

But here is the hard truth: You cannot build a business on Google Opal.

Why?

1. It's "Labs" software: Google kills Labs projects all the time.
2. No Persistence: It’s great for a 5-minute task, but it doesn't have a real database.
3. Walled Garden: Good luck integrating it with Stripe, HubSpot, or your own API.

If you are graduating from playing with AI to building with AI, you need a tool that offers stability, data ownership, and real integrations.

Here is my guide to the best specialized alternatives for founders who need more than a toy.

1. For Chat-Based Products: OpenAI GPTs

If your idea is fundamentally a chatbot (e.g., "A coach that helps you write emails"), don't overcomplicate it with Opal's flowcharts.

• Why it wins: Massive distribution via the GPT Store.
• The Trade-off: You rely entirely on OpenAI's ecosystem.

2. For Internal Business Tools: MindStudio

This is the "Pro" version of the visual builder concept. MindStudio lets you build workflows just like Opal, but it adds two critical things: Model Agnosticism (use Claude, Gemini, and GPT-4 together) and Data Privacy.

• Why it wins: You can charge users for your app.
• The Trade-off: Higher learning curve than Opal.

3. For Complex Automation: Zapier Central

Opal chains prompts together. Zapier chains your business together. If your app needs to "Read an email, update CRM, and Slack the team," Opal can't touch Zapier Central.

• Why it wins: 6,000+ integrations.
• The Trade-off: Can get expensive at scale.

4. For Real Mobile Apps: Glide

Opal builds logic. Glide builds software. If you need an app that looks like Airbnb, has a login system, and runs on an iPhone, Glide is the answer. Opal is just a text interface; Glide is a full UI builder.

• Why it wins: Real user interfaces (buttons, maps, lists).
• The Trade-off: Limitation on "AI logic" complexity compared to pure agent builders.

5. For Open Source Control: Dify.ai

If you are technical, don't trust Google to keep the lights on. Dify is an open-source orchestration engine you can host yourself.

• Why it wins: You own the code. You own the infrastructure.
• The Trade-off: You need to be technical enough to deploy it.

The Bottom Line

Use Google Opal to sketch your idea. Use MindStudio or Glide to build your business.

Don't let the hype of a "Google Experiment" trick you into building your castle on sand.