You no longer necessarily need a lot of time, money, or a development team to build complex apps. Extensive programming skills are also not a must, as long as you are using one of these low-code or even no-code development platforms.
What is a low-code development platform?
As the name suggests, a low-code development platform lets you build apps without any programming knowledge. Instead of starting from scratch and writing endless lines of code, these platforms opt for a graphical user interface with drag-and-drop functionality that almost anyone can use.
If you’re looking for the easiest app building solution of all, then a no-code development platform is for you. One lets you build an app without writing a single line of code.
How popular are low-code or no-code development platforms today? So popular that Forrester predicts its market will exceed $ 21 billion in the next five years.
Read: Low-code and no-code: is it really that simple?
Reasons to Use a Low-Code Development Platform
When you have to keep busy building apps, there are several reasons why you should take the low-code route:
- Incredibly Fast Build Times – Without extensive coding (or coding at all), these automation platforms let you build and launch apps in days or even hours. According to Forbes, these platforms allow you to build an app 10 times faster than programming by hand.
- Lower costs – Since low-code development platforms make it easy to build apps yourself, you don’t have to hire expensive, experienced developers. You can also avoid the high cost of tools that many developers use to make their lives easier.
- Simplified Compliance – Keeping up with ever-changing regulations can be difficult.
- However, if you are using a low-code development platform, you can be compliant in no time.
- Levels the playing field – Rather than having to learn complex programming languages and gain extensive programming skills, low-code development platforms allow beginners to turn ideas into a variety of apps that were historically reserved for developers only.
- Fewer Errors – By eliminating complex coding, low-code development platforms can result in fewer errors and easier debugging.
What are the top low code development platforms?
Now that you know what a low-code or no-code development platform is and what the perks it can be, here are some of the best apps to get you started building amazing apps today.
Zoho Creator
Here is a low-code development platform that makes the app creation process quick, easy, and secure. Whether you need to develop a simple call log app or a complex ERP application, you can do it with Zoho Creator and its pre-built templates (logistics, supplier management, inventory management, etc.), visual builders, easy-to-use code editors, simplified automation, and more.
As long as you understand the business logic, you can create an app that suits your business needs – without any coding.
Read: Professional developers are driving the adoption of low-code tools
Appian low code tool
According to his website, Appian can help you build apps ten times faster than programming by hand while cutting your development costs in half. How can it do that? By simplifying the app creation process and creating solutions quickly by drawing a workflow diagram.
With Appian, you get drag-and-drop coding, robust platform security, and real-time process monitoring. The low-code development platform is easy to customize, simplifies debugging, and has a great user interface that makes the app production process much more pleasant than usual.
Visual LANSA
You can use Visual LANSA to easily create web and desktop applications. It gives you all the tools you need in one IDE so you can streamline the app development process to build complete enterprise applications.
While other low-code platforms may require workarounds and knowledge of other development languages, Visual LANSA does not because it uses a hybrid low-code approach and seamless integration with other services. By letting each developer build an app from start to finish, this platform can save you time and money by eliminating the need to find front-end and back-end developers to get the job done. Add tons of extensibility and limitless functionality and it’s easy to see why companies like Honda and Allianz are using Visual LANSA to quickly turn their concepts into working apps.
talent
No code is required to quickly build business applications with talent. The clear and uncluttered user interface lets you immerse yourself in the app creation process and you can customize your creations by adding logos, colors and the like.
Knack specializes in turning data into a robust online database. It makes it easy to structure data with types like names and emails, and you can connect data by linking related records and adding formulas, equations, and other specialized options.
Use Knack to build a custom user interface that suits your business needs so you can view and update your data. Add forms, search, cards, calendars, reports and registrations. When you’re done, manage and share your data using popular services like Zapier.
Quickbase
Quickbase is a low-code development platform that brings IT and business teams together. You can come from any technical background, no programming experience, and use this platform to build the app you want. Quickbase not only speeds up the app creation process, it also makes it more cost-effective, as there are no traditional deployment, development or maintenance costs.
Quickbase’s capabilities include end-to-end process automation, centralized data, and multiple payment tiers. It’s known to work well as a CRM solution, has automated data management, is fast, has live updates, and has solid support. A common criticism of Quickbase is that some claim that it is not fully optimized for mobile devices. So keep that in mind before you try it out.
Mendix
They can be simple or complex with. walk Mendix. Use it to create a nifty tool to save time or an enterprise-class app to make a factory more efficient. In any case, little to no coding is required as this low-code development platform promises: “Anyone with an idea can develop powerful apps.”
Multiple industries can use Mendix to quickly build apps to boost their business. Here are just a few examples of apps Mendix users have built in the past, all of which demonstrate the flexibility of the platform:
- AI smart banking
- Analysis and reporting
- Delivery management
- Digital insurance solutions
- face recognition
- Logistics tracking
- Plant equipment maintenance
- SAP supply chain processes
And by eliminating the need for complex coding, Mendix levels the playing field between developers and companies looking to develop such solutions.
The strengths of this platform include analytics, source control, collaboration tools, great security, solid support, and compatibility testing.
Read: Mendix named a Leader in Low-Code Development Platforms
OutSystems
OutSystems is a Rapid App Development (RAD) platform that is easy to deploy and use. Unlike some of the other choices on this list, OutSystems may require some programming experience. So, if you’re a beginner with limited knowledge of the field, you might be looking for something a little less practical.
Developers can use OutSystems to build and manage their apps through various functions, such as: and more.
Read: OutSystems combines low-code platform with AWS services
