Today low code no code solutions are continuously gaining popularity across various domains. Instead of investing a lot of time and resources in manual coding, businesses can build their apps with ready-to-use components and visual interfaces. That’s a good alternative for those who are looking for quick and efficient ways to optimize their workflows. However, even when you decide not to turn to traditional development, you need to make one more important choice: low code or no code.
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Nevertheless, they represent distinct approaches to software development. Consequently, they can help to address different needs. In this article, we offer you to dive deeper into the comparison of these two development methods and find out which option is the most suitable for your business.
What is no code development?
This development approach presupposes that applications can be created without any programming knowledge. No-code platforms provide drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and modular components to enable business users to build and deploy apps.
Pros of no-code development:
- Accessibility for citizen development. Such platforms are ideal for users outside IT, marketers, economists, and other specialists without coding experience. Of course, they may need some time to understand the key functionality. Nevertheless, all major tasks can be performed without any help from professional developers.
- Rapid development. This approach allows users to prototype and deploy apps really fast. As a rule, such processes take just a couple of hours or days. With traditional development, for the same tasks, you may need weeks or even months.
- Cost optimization. No-code technology reduces the need to hire developers with specialized skills. Moreover, such projects require less time and fewer resources in general. As a result, development costs are lower than in the case of the traditional approach to app creation.
Cons of no-code development:
- Limited flexibility. Due to the lack of coding options, it’s impossible to build complex or unique apps. That’s why before choosing a non-code platform, it is vital to make sure that the provided functionality can fully cover your needs.
- Scalability issues. Scalability possibilities are restricted. As a result, no-code software may face difficulties in dealing with the growing volumes of data, processes, and users.
- Dependency on the platform. Users are fully dependent on the platform’s features and limitations. If you decide to move to a new platform, it can be challenging.
What solutions are traditionally created with no code platforms?
- Internal apps (tools for project tracking, employee feedback forms, etc.);
- Simple customer-facing apps (lead collection forms, product catalogs, etc.);
- One-page websites.
In general, this development approach can be an excellent choice for small businesses and teams with tasks where speed and simplicity are more important than custom functionality.
Google Cloud's AppSheet, Betty Blocks, and Jotform are among the most popular platforms that provide no-code tools.
What is low code development?
Low-code platforms are also designed to simplify application development and offer a lot of tools for non-tech users. Nevertheless, they provide businesses with more freedom in comparison to the no-code approach. They can allow developers to add custom code when necessary. This approach also enables faster development. But it includes possibilities for customization as well.
Pros of low-code development:
- Speed and flexibility. This approach is faster than traditional coding. But it is still customizable enough for some complex or non-standard needs.
- Integration. As a rule, low-code software can be easily integrated into other enterprise systems, services, and databases. From this perspective, businesses also have more freedom than with no-code platforms.
- Scalability. Low-code apps can grow in scope more easily and handle greater complexity or higher user loads.
Cons of low-code development:
- Steeper learning curve. This approach is much simpler than traditional coding. Nevertheless, if we compare this method with no-code development, the learning curve will be tougher. It still requires a certain level of technical knowledge, especially for adding custom code.
- Cost and maintenance. Here, the situation is quite similar to the previous point. Low-code software will turn out to be cheaper than custom development projects. However, the use of low-code platforms can be costlier than the use of no-code tools. Additional customization and integration capacities may be associated with extra costs.
- Vendor lock-in. As well as in the situation with no-code platforms, such tools can lock you into specific ecosystems. As a result, the migration can become rather challenging.
What apps are usually built with low-code tools?
- Customer-facing apps (e-commerce applications, scheduling tools, customer support portals);
- Complex internal business tools (data dashboards, automated workflow apps);
- Enterprise apps with advanced logic (they also can be integrated with other business systems).
Among the examples of low-code platforms, it’s worth mentioning Retool, Mendix, OutSystems, and Zoho Creator. Today such platforms can offer you a very rich choice of tools and ready-made components for building your best low code software.
In general, no code low code development can be applied in a wide range of industries without any restrictions to the specific business domains. You can read more about it here.
How to make the right choice: Low code or no code?
There aren’t two completely equal businesses with the same set of needs. That’s why there can’t be one-size-fits-all solutions. When our customers turn to us for a consultation and want to know whether the low-code or no-code approach will be more appropriate for them, we can’t provide an answer immediately. We always have to analyze each case individually. We need to get enough information about their existing software infrastructure, their current needs, their expectations, and goals. Only after that, we can offer them the best approach to making a no code low code choice.
But to facilitate the decision-making process we have prepared a short guide for you. With its help, you can easily understand which approach can bring the highest value to your business.
- Evaluate the tech expertise of your team. If you do not have specialists with a coding background, it will be sensible to opt for the no-code approach. If your team includes professional developers or other experts with at least basic coding skills, you can consider the use of low-code tools. Thanks to the possibility of adding custom code, it will be possible to enhance your app with extra features and integrations.
- Define the complexity of your app. No-code development works well for straightforward applications with basic functionality. If you are planning to build apps with custom workflows, advanced data handling, or unique UI requirements, it’s better to choose a low-code platform.
- Analyze your customization needs. As a rule, no-code tools provide limited customization options. However, they often have rich collections of templates and pre-built components. And for many solutions that could be enough. Low-code platforms allow for custom coding and design modifications. That’s why they can be suitable even if you have some specific needs.
- Consider your integration requirements. No-code platforms often include some basic integrations with popular apps. However, it is rarely possible to go beyond that. The low-code method ensures more flexibility. You can enjoy more advanced integration options with third-party APIs, internal databases, and custom connectors.
- Assess scalability needs. No-code development is typically good for smaller, less complex applications. Scalability is limited. Low-code platforms are better suited for applications that may need to grow over time.
- Take into account your time and budget constraints. The no-code approach usually offers faster development processes. Such projects are usually less expensive. It is so because they don’t require developer resources. This approach is a perfect choice for rapid prototyping or low-cost solutions. The low-code method may require bigger investments. However, the possibility to customize your software pays off, especially for projects with long-term goals. That’s why even when you have a very limited budget, it may be still a good idea to choose a low-code platform. A lot of tools have flexible pricing policies, as well as free tiers of trial periods.
Final word
The choice between low-code and no-code development is related to finding a balance between your project’s immediate needs and your future goals. For a quick, user-friendly solution without specific customization or scalability requirements, the no-code approach will work really well.
If your business requires custom workflows, robust integrations, and higher scalability, it’s sensible to opt for a low-code platform. Such tools can offer better control and flexibility to expand your software as your business needs evolve.
To fully leverage the benefits of any of these development approaches, it is vital to find the right low code no code platform. The platform should have all the necessary features and its capacities should correspond to your needs. For example, in one of our articles, we explained how to choose a low-code platform for building a mobile app.
If you have doubts regarding the choice of the most appropriate tools for your project, do not hesitate to contact us. At Akveo, we offer professional consulting, as well as no code low code development services.
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