About Glean
I had the opportunity to test Glean, an enterprise AI search tool that claims to connect and surface information from over 100 work applications. At its core, Glean is all about making it easier for employees to find the information they need without having to jump between different apps. With integrations for popular platforms like Slack, Jira, and Google Drive, it aims to enhance productivity by centralising information retrieval. The standout feature for me was the Glean Assistant, which offers real-time voice support and proactive suggestions. This feature is particularly useful when you're deep in the weeds of a project and need to find information quickly without losing your flow.
What impressed me about Glean is how it handles enterprise security. With role-based access controls, it ensures that sensitive information remains within the right hands, which is a must for larger organisations. This focus on security doesn't come at the expense of collaboration; in fact, it seems to foster it by allowing team members to access collective knowledge more efficiently. However, while the concept sounds promising, I did find that sometimes the search results could feel a bit scattered. It requires a bit of sifting through to find exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you’re not specific enough in your queries.
Pricing for Glean isn't publicly available, which can be a bit frustrating. In my experience, this tends to indicate a tool that may not be the most affordable option out there, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. If you’re part of a larger enterprise with a budget to match, Glean might make sense, but I can’t help but feel that the lack of transparency in pricing could deter potential users who are just browsing. Overall, Glean is tailored for larger organisations that need to consolidate information from various sources while maintaining tight security, but smaller teams might find it a bit overkill.
In summary, Glean brings a lot of potential to the table, particularly for companies that rely heavily on multiple work applications. Its ability to centralise information retrieval while maintaining security is commendable. However, the sometimes muddied search results and opaque pricing may leave some users wanting more clarity. If you're part of a big team with complex workflows, Glean could be a valuable asset, but if you're a smaller outfit, you might want to explore other options first.
Our Review
Verified 11 May 2026Reviewed by Delv Editorial, Delv Team
When I first got my hands on Glean, I was intrigued by its promise to centralise information retrieval across a plethora of work apps. I mean, as someone who juggles Slack, Jira, and Google Drive daily, the idea of a tool that could pull all of that together was nothing short of exciting. The Glean Assistant, with its real-time voice support, felt like a nifty addition, allowing me to search without breaking my flow. When you're knee-deep in a project and need to find that one document, the last thing you want to do is fumble through tabs.
One of the standout features for me was the proactive suggestions. There were moments when I didn’t quite know what I was looking for, and Glean would throw up relevant results that I hadn't even considered. That's a real time-saver! However, I did find that the search results could be a bit all over the place. If I wasn’t specific enough, I had to wade through a sea of entries, which could be annoying. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack when you don’t even know what type of needle you’re looking for.
Security is a big deal, especially in larger organisations, and Glean seems to take it seriously with its role-based access controls. I appreciated knowing that sensitive information was protected, which is vital in a corporate environment. However, I couldn't help but feel a tad frustrated by the lack of transparency regarding pricing. You know, just give me a ballpark figure! It’s hard to recommend a tool when potential users can’t even gauge if it fits their budget.
When I compared Glean to its competitors, I found it had a distinct advantage in terms of integration with multiple platforms, but tools like Microsoft Search may outshine it if you’re entrenched in that ecosystem. Glean is definitely not for everyone; if you’re a small startup, the complexity might be overkill. But for larger teams that need to access a wealth of information quickly and securely, I can see Glean adding substantial value. In short, while Glean has the potential to improve workflows and productivity, it’s essential to weigh its capabilities against your organisation's specific needs and budget before diving in.
Getting started with Glean
In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Glean and make the most of its powerful search capabilities to access information across various work apps like Slack, Jira, and Google Drive.
Step 1: Sign up and set up
Step 2: Your first search
Step 3: Get better results
Pro tip
Set up notifications for important updates. Go to the Settings menu, then Notifications to enable alerts for specific keywords or projects. This saves you from having to constantly check for updates.
Common mistake to avoid
Avoid skipping the integration step. If you don't connect your work apps, Glean won't be able to pull in the relevant information, rendering it less effective for your needs. Make sure to link all the apps you regularly use.
The Verdict
Glean is a solid choice for larger enterprises that need to unify information retrieval across various applications, especially if security is a top concern. However, its sometimes scattered search results and lack of transparent pricing may leave some potential users frustrated. If you’re a big team with complex workflows, Glean could be worth the investment; if you're smaller, you might want to look elsewhere.
Best For
- Large enterprises with multiple teams using various work applications
- Organisations that prioritise security and need role-based access controls
- Project managers looking for a way to streamline information retrieval
- Customer support teams needing quick access to past interactions and documents
- HR departments managing sensitive employee data
At a Glance
Glean is an enterprise AI search tool designed to unify information retrieval across over 100 work applications, enhancing productivity and collaboration. With features like role-based access controls and a proactive voice assistant, it aims to streamline workflows while maintaining security for sensitive data.
Strengths
- +The integration with over 100 work applications is a major plus, allowing teams to access information from platforms like Slack and Jira without switching contexts.
- +The Glean Assistant offers real-time voice support, making it easy to find information hands-free and keeping you focused on your tasks.
- +Role-based access controls ensure that sensitive information is protected, which is crucial for larger organisations dealing with confidential data.
- +The proactive suggestions feature helps users discover relevant information they might not have thought to search for, saving time and increasing efficiency.
- +The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it relatively easy to navigate, even for those who may not be tech-savvy.
- +Glean's focus on enterprise security helps build trust among teams, knowing that their data is safeguarded while they collaborate.
Limitations
- -The search results can sometimes be scattered, requiring users to sift through various entries to find exactly what they need, which can be frustrating.
- -Pricing information is not readily available, making it difficult for potential users to determine if it fits within their budget or compare it with competitors.
- -The reliance on multiple integrations means that if any of those services are down, it could impact Glean's functionality and user experience.
- -While the voice assistant is a cool feature, it may not be as useful in noisy environments or for users who prefer traditional search methods.
- -There's a learning curve associated with getting the most out of Glean, which might deter users who want something that works straight out of the box.
Use Cases
- -Large teams needing to access information from various platforms without the hassle of switching between apps can benefit from Glean's comprehensive search features.
- -Organisations with sensitive data can securely collaborate using Glean's role-based access controls to ensure that only authorised personnel can view specific information.
- -Project managers juggling multiple projects can use Glean to quickly retrieve relevant updates and files from integrated apps, keeping their projects on track.
- -Customer support teams can efficiently find past interactions and relevant documents through Glean, improving response times and service quality.
- -HR teams can centralise employee information from various databases, making it easier to manage records and respond to employee queries swiftly.
