This was written and crafted by Vijeta Pai. Connect with her on the platform,
There's a lot of buzz around low code vs. no code in the cloud-computing world, and it's possible to confuse these two. Both of these approaches are very user-friendly, intuitive, and operating as a boon for non-coders, beginners, and experts who wish to build their applications on the cloud. However, there's a lot of ambiguity around what is low code and what is no code, or the overall usage of these terms, since they appear to overlap at certain places.
Low-code vs. no-code app development platforms come with their unique advantages and disadvantages. It's helpful to learn about the unique features, differences, similarities, and use cases to determine which one is best for you. Let's read ahead and find out which software would provide the best solution to keep your team agile throughout the development process.
What Is Low-Code App Development?
Low code is an app development practice that allows developers to drag and drop blocks of existing code into a workflow to design applications in the cloud. This visual development style is quickly becoming a popular coding option among digital enterprises. Gartner predicts low-code app development will be responsible for 65% of application development by 2024.
This kind of app development is very similar to building software using programming language, with added advantages of having predefined workflows and shortcuts. Rather than writing the code from scratch, learning the programming framework with each new upgrade, or writing several tests before the code's actual line, you can easily create something productive.
In the debate of low code vs. no code, low-code development comes with many advantages. Among them are scalability and speed. Low-code development allows digital enterprises to automate the development life cycle steps, increasing production speeds and cutting down on development backlogs.
Additionally, low-code app development is fast, highly scalable, has resource flexibility, offering teams the flexibility to work with complex architecture without spending a lot of effort writing the code from scratch, duplicating work, or reinventing the wheel.
What Is a Low-Code Platform?
A low-code development platform (LCPD) is a development environment that uses a graphical interface to visually program application software. Low-code platforms use a variety of agile development tools that accelerate digital innovation.
In the discussion of low code vs. no code, it's useful to understand the advantages of using the low-code platform. Along with the benefits of security, speed, and scalability, these platforms also have low-risk ROI since they come with robust security measures, data integration, and customizable support, reducing business risks. However, the most enticing part of a low-code platform is the ability to deploy applications with a single click and send them to production without any hassles.
Low-code development platforms are great for enterprises of all sizes. Still, many teams choose to opt for low-code platforms' security and governance benefits when choosing between low-code vs. no-code platforms.
Best Low-Code App Builders
One of the most significant benefits of low-code vs. no-code app development is versatility. The best low-code app builders on the market should create high levels of cross-functionality across teams. Below, check out some of the popular low-code app builders on the market:
-
Gartner OutSystems
-
Mendix
-
Appian
-
Google App Maker
-
Salesforce App Cloud
What Is No-Code App Development?
To find the best app development option for their team, digital enterprises should also examine no-code app development options when comparing low-code vs. no-code app development. No-code app development is also a visual software design method that allows "citizen developers" to drag and drop code into a framework. Despite sounding similar to low-code app development, some subtle differences exist based on use cases and users.
Unlike low-code, no-code app development allows nontechnical enterprises and people with no coding knowledge to create apps in the cloud quickly. The best no-code app builder will allow for even higher levels of versatility across teams; those working in HR and admin should feel just as comfortable working in no-code app development spaces as those in IT.
Benefits of no-code app development:
-
Versatility
-
Cost-effective
-
Very easy to use
-
Doesn't require extensive training for usage
-
Provides organizations with the ability to address a business need without shifting their attention away from other mission-critical goals
What Is a No-Code Platform?
A no-code development platform (NCDP) is an app development environment that uses a graphic interface and no code or a programming language to develop applications.
Unlike low-code platforms that require some level of programming knowledge, the best no-code app builders use an interface that is simple to take in-house to protect sensitive internal documents like vacation requests, payroll, and more.
No-code platforms place app development control in internal teams' hands, eliminating the need to hire third-party app developers or bring additional members onto a team to streamline and even automate internal processes.
Best No-Code App Builders
If you're looking for a simple solution to bring app development in-house, we've listed down some of the best no-code app builders available to digital-native and enterprise organizations:
-
Kissflow
-
Airtable
-
Nintex Process Platform
-
AppSheet
-
Stackby
Low Code Vs. No Code: Choosing the Right Solution for Your Team
To simplify the conversation, we've broken down the differences between low code vs. no code in the form of an infographic.
In Conclusion:
-
Low-code tools are designed for those "fluent" in coding languages. Low-code platforms eliminate the monotonous tasks for skilled developers, allowing the reuse of foundational code through drag-and-drop functionalities.
-
No-code tools are for individuals outside of the developer space, with little to no programming experience. No-code platforms develop all the tools needed to create an application and allow the users to create their unique app using prebuilt modules.
-
No code is like a Lego set, with the platform providing intuitive pieces assembled into anything with little to no experience, while low code is a more advanced model set, requiring a background of skill for a more detailed and tailored product.