Low-code or no-code development is a hot topic lately. If you are an entrepreneur who deals with software development or an individual who runs software, you know this quite well; you require customized software development, and traditional software development can’t keep up with your demands. As can be seen, these conventional methods take excessively long and require extraordinary skills that are hard to find. The points mentioned above are among the many reasons behind the rapid growth of low-code development platforms.

In this article, we will discuss the following:

• What is Low-Code or No-Code Development?
• How do you build on an application without coding?
• Eleven (11) Pros and cons of low-code/No-code development.
• Ten (10) best Low-code Development Platforms in 2022-23.

What is Low-Code or No-Code Development?

A no-code or low-code development platform is a tool for developing software applications without coding using visual editors to drag and drop objects on a screen. Custom development is quite expensive, time-consuming, and requires continuous maintenance. These projects would frequently run over budget or experience delays for various reasons, for instance, inaccurate estimations, infrastructure issues, code errors, or testing challenges.

It can become quite a challenge for small businesses that work on a strict budget; moreover, hiring a traditional software developer or outsourcing to a software house seems unrealistic. But no code platform brought the power of innovation into the hands of these organizations.

How do you build on an application without coding?

No-code platforms have pre-built drag-and-drop elements, cross-platform functionality, and strong post-deployment. Many of these platforms support integration that is coded for reuse and scaled.

There is a misconception that no-code applications are just simple apps, which is often untrue. During a rapidly evolving technological age, no-code application builders became extremely sophisticated to support rich app functionality to satisfy business demands. Whereas time is of the essence here to keep up with Adversary, who quickly adapts to changes made in my industry, low-code also provides an opportunity for non-technical business people to initiate changes. 

The reason behind the rapid growth of the low-code industry is that these platforms help organizations deliver solutions quickly.

Eleven (11) Pros and cons of low-code/no-code development

1. Less time consuming

The primary function of low code development is to be less time-consuming. The goal is to develop applications faster. By faster means, for example, something that might have taken months to create with the traditional development method was shortened to weeks.

2. Easy to use

Low code development is a drag-and-drop interface built visually with pre-defined actions or selected from a list of pre-prepared applications that do any number of pre-defined functions. Which means building apps is a lot quicker.

3. Increase business productivity

The low code platform helps liberate non-technical teams in large enterprises to fulfill their need for business applications without relying on technical staff or developers.

With these capabilities, anyone without development skills or expertise in data science can develop an app with a modern user interface that can integrate with a business system. However, these platforms can help developers to complete tasks more efficiently.

4. Less expensive

Since developers are expensive, low-code development is the ultimate solution. Custom development requires a lot of skills and time. You can build apps faster and way cheaper.

5. Improved speed

A person can create solutions for several platforms in a low code in one go. Demonstrate to investors or stakeholders a fully functioning MVP within the shortest time possible.

6. Resource-saving

If you’re about to start a new big project, you don’t have to wait for the experts to complete it. With low code, you can complete work faster and at a lower cost than traditional methods, saving business time and resources.

7. Customization limits

The components of low-code platforms limit application customization. However, when encountering that inevitable edge case, you want to customize specific features to meet your needs. You have to change your business to meet the low-code platform’s capabilities instead of the system’s customization.

8. Integration issues 

Many tools and products are combined to build a digital transformation strategy in low code development. However, when heavily relying on a low-code, we will mostly run into integration issues (most certainly with the legacy system). For a system that is the core of your business, you cannot afford to sacrifice custom integration for quickness.

9. Security Concerns

When you build with custom code, you are more confident in relying on it. Because it is your code, you wrote it. But with low-code platforms, you are at risk because you are not in control. 

This lack of control can open doors to many security problems. Your whole system can become vulnerable in case of hacking. By using these, you might be putting your effort at risk.

10. No technical background myth

Despite the name of low code, a person needs a solid technical background to use low-code tools. Also, you should first check the basic low-code development requirements and techniques. These requirements and procedures themselves take time to learn and adapt.

11. Risk of the low-quality app

Low-code applications have a higher risk of being of low quality because, unlike the available applications built by professional programmers, non-coders make them. So, in general, it cannot match the quality of an experienced programmer-coded app.

Ten (10) Best Low-Code Development Platforms In 2022-23

Following are ten (10) best low-code develeopent platforms of 2022-23:

• Visual LANSA
• GeneXus
• Zoho Creator
• Creatio
• Appian
• KiSSFLOW – BPM & Workflow Software
• Mendix
• OutSystems
• Salesforce Lightning
• Microsoft PowerApps
• AppSheet
• Google App Maker
• FileMaker

Conclusion

Now that we know the main advantages and disadvantages of the low-code or no-code approach, we can understand that it does not intend to replace traditional development or professional software vendors. Instead, companies should use low-code practices to reinforce traditional methods and fill in the gaps. To summarize, we can say that if conventional and low-code technologies are combined can ensure faster and more efficient application development. With this in mind, low code significantly improves market speed and overall business efficiency when combined with conventional methods. In general, no panacea can accelerate your business, so it is essential to consider multiple options and get professional advice.