Low-Code vs No-Code: Classic Comparison of Coding Platforms

Rapidops, Inc.
6 min readNov 23, 2022

“By 2025, organizations will build 70% of their new applications using low-code or no-code platforms.”

Gartner

Low-code, no-code (LCNC) platforms are worth the hype in the industry of tech, healthcare, and every one of them that requires technology partners. While both are significantly efficient, they are distinct when it comes to their architecture, outputs, and processes.

Let’s look at the detailed description of both low-code and no-code platforms so that you can figure out where your next tranche can be invested in

What is a low-code platform?

“4 out of 5 businesses in the US currently use low-code, there are still 20% that do not. Worldwide, that number is 23%.”

- GlobeNewswire

A low-code platform is a software development platform that enables non-technical users to easily build and deploy custom applications without having to write code.

These platforms typically provide a graphical user interface (GUI) or drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for anyone with minimal technical skills to create and customize their applications.

Whether you are looking to prototype an app idea or automate business processes quickly, low-code platforms can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

Some of the most popular low-code platforms include:

  • Appian
  • Mendix
  • OutSystems

At its core, a low-code platform makes it easier for organizations to develop and deploy software solutions quickly and efficiently. These platforms help businesses stay agile in an increasingly fast-paced world by streamlining their software development process.

Use-cases of low-code platforms

One critical use case for low-code platforms is in the realm of mobile app development.

With low-code tools, businesses can quickly and easily build custom apps that integrate with existing systems and meet their specific needs.

Additionally, low-code platforms allow businesses to easily scale their app development efforts as needed, adding new features or functionality as required without hiring costly developers.

  • Visual LANSA combines traditional coding with their low-code IDE very well. Both Hard-core coders and those who know the basics feel the ease to fetch components and write code.
  • Caspio is quite a popular low-code platform for building cloud applications. It helps from planning the workflow to designing your database — everything through their dashboard while generating reports rapidly.

Advantages and disadvantages of low-code platforms

Here are the top advantages and disadvantages of low-code platforms that will help you decide whether to use them for your organization or not.

Advantages

  1. One key benefit of low-code platforms is that they enable businesses to reduce time-to-market for new software projects.
  2. With low-code tools, there is no need for lengthy coding processes or lengthy approvals from IT teams.
  3. They make it easy for business users to get up and running with their software ideas quickly.
  4. It can be precious for businesses that rely on agile development practices or need to rapidly iterate on new features.

Disadvantages

  1. Low-code platforms are designed with simplicity and ease of use, so they tend to provide limited customization options.
  2. It might not support advanced features like data analytics or machine learning.
  3. Low-code platforms may need more advanced security features, making it challenging to protect sensitive data.

What is a no-code platform?

“ By 2030, the global low-code/no-code development platform market is expected to generate USD 187 billion in revenue.”

- app my site

No-code platforms allow users to create and customize applications without writing any code at all. These programs use visual programming tools, which let you drag and drop various components into pre-built templates to build your application.

They often require no additional coding knowledge or experience, making them ideal for non-technical users who want to create custom solutions for their business needs.

Some of the most popular no-code platforms include:

  • AppSheet
  • Salesforce Lightning
  • Zoho Creator

Many no-code platforms also include access to a library of pre-made tools, commonly called “apps” or “modules.” These apps can be customized and added to user projects with just a few clicks, providing an easy way for non-programmers to expand the functionality of their solutions.

Use cases of no-code platforms

There are several ways industries have adapted to no-code platform development. Social networking and no-code platforms work like a charm for developing web-based customer portals.

These platforms often come with pre-built templates and modules that enable users to quickly build applications such as e-commerce stores, customer relationship management systems, and mobile apps.

Also, no-code platforms often offer features designed to help developers streamline their workflow and collaborate with team members. For example, version control tools, file-sharing capabilities, and real-time communication help people collaborate and create better.

  • Knack is a no-code platform that empowers users with straightforward tools that help you transform your scattered data into a meaningful and robust database.
  • Bubble’s USP is its visually appealing dashboard. While providing a drag-and-drop interface, it also keeps the interactions and features on the platform engaging.

Advantages and disadvantages of no-code platforms

Here are the essential advantages and disadvantages of using no-code platforms:

Advantages

  1. One of the critical benefits of no-code platforms is their ease of use.
  2. Non-technical users can easily create sophisticated software applications with minimal effort with minimum or no programming language knowledge.

Disadvantages

  1. These platforms may only be suitable for particular software development projects.

Suppose a complex application requires custom functionality or advanced algorithms that cannot be pre-built into the platform’s existing templates or modules. In that case, no-code platforms may not be a good fit for the project.

  1. No-code platforms can sometimes be more expensive than traditional software development tools.

Low-code/No-code in a Nutshell

Summing up

While Metaverse, Web 3.0, and other emerging tech are still a mystery for people, creating beautiful websites and mobile apps without writing numerous lines of code is no more a dream.

Investing resources in low-code/no-code platforms may sound like an experiment if you are an early-stage start-up or a full-fledged working organization. Still, it pays enormous returns in terms of accuracy and automation. Furthermore, it can help you develop better apps much faster.

We won’t comment on pricing and preferences as it depends on your organization’s use case. We hope this article helped you gain better insight into the shazam of the low-code, no-code technology trends.

This article was originally published at https://bit.ly/3V3a4J0

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Rapidops, Inc.

Rapidops is a product design, development & analytics consultancy. Follow us for insights on web, mobile, data, cloud, IoT. Website: https://www.rapidops.com/