What is a low-code / no-code platform?

The difference between low-code and no-code

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between them:

• No-code platforms: They are designed mainly for non-technical users (so-called citizen developers) – business analysts, operations staff, etc. They allow development of simpler applications without writing any code, using only ready-made blocks and configurations.
• Low-code platforms: They target both non-technical users and professional developers. They offer visual tools for rapid development of most applications, but at the same time provide the ability to add custom code (e.g., JavaScript, Python, SQL) to implement custom functionality, integrations or more complex logic. They provide more flexibility and capabilities than no-code platforms.

Purpose and benefits of low-code/no-code platforms

The main goal of these platforms is to democratize the software development process and accelerate the delivery of digital solutions. The benefits of using them are:

• Speed of development (Speed): A significant reduction in the time it takes to build and deploy an application compared to traditional coding.
• Lower Costs (Cost Reduction): Reducing costs associated with hiring highly skilled developers (especially with no-code platforms) and accelerating development reducing project costs.
• Increased productivity: Ability to quickly create prototypes, MVPs (Minimum Viable Product) and simpler business applications.
• Democratization of IT (Citizen Development): Enabling non-technical employees to create their own tools and automate processes, easing the burden on IT departments.
• Easier to maintain (in some cases): Visual modeling can make the application easier to understand and modify.

Limitations and challenges

Low-code/no-code platforms also have their limitations:

• Less flexibility and customizability: Compared to traditional coding, the ability to create highly customized, complex or highly optimized solutions is limited, especially for no-code platforms.
• Vendor lock-in risk: Heavy dependence on a specific platform and its ecosystem. It can be difficult or impossible to migrate an application to another platform or technology.
• Scalability and performance issues: Applications developed on some platforms may have performance or scalability problems with heavy loads or complex logic.
• Governance and Quality (Shadow IT): Distributed application development by “citizen developers” can lead to quality, security, consistency and management problems (so-called “shadow IT,” i.e., systems developed outside the control of the IT department).
• Licensing costs: Many low-code/no-code platforms operate on a subscription model, and license costs can rise as the number of users or applications increases.

Applications

Low-code/no-code platforms are used in the development of various types of applications, such as simple business applications (e.g., for workflow management, ticket handling), online forms, internal administrative tools, prototypes and MVPs, simple websites and mobile applications. They are increasingly used for business process automation (BPA).

Summary

Low-code and no-code platforms are a rapidly growing trend in software development, enabling applications to be built more quickly and easily by a wider range of users. While they offer significant speed and cost advantages, they also come with some limitations in terms of flexibility and control. They are a valuable complement to traditional software development, especially for simpler applications and process automation.