Comparison of No-Code Development Platforms & Tools

Low-Code/No-Code Definition: What is a No-Code Platform and Why is it Needed?

More and more processes in companies are being digitized. This has immense advantages at different levels. Without a corresponding transformation, most brands can hardly remain competitive today. Therefore, there are standardized and often highly useful software solutions for a huge number of typical requirements.

However, there are always needs that cannot be satisfactorily covered by standard programs. This can concern important and perhaps manually complex internal processes as well as external software offerings for customers, partners or other interest groups, which a company wishes to attract with a perhaps completely new digitization idea. In order to enable advantageous digitization here, individual programming is necessary.

Creating such a unique digital solution not only takes a lot of time in planning and development, but ultimately also a lot of money. A no-code programming platform - also called a no-coding platform, no-code programming platform, zero-code platform, no-code development platform, zero-code app development platform, or no-code app builder - can help to drastically reduce all these factors of effort.

With the help of such a system, even laypersons (with a little software understanding) can create functional, helpful applications. No specialized developer or no-code developer is required. This allows programs to be created, tested, used, sold and possibly continuously developed independently - all within the company. The basis for this is a toolbox with various drag-and-drop features and other easy-to-use functions and prefabricated modules that can be used exactly according to the requirements or can be assembled into the required program.

Since it is very important, once again: Low-Code and No-Code – what's the difference? No-code and low-code platforms are often confused with each other because their functions are similar. However, low-code platforms are generally intended for users with some development experience. In contrast to no-code apps, they offer access to the source code and thus more precise control over application configurations, making them overall more flexible than no-code platforms.

How do No-Code Platforms work?

To clarify: Those who rely on a no-code platform also create software using code, but this does not need to be written manually. No-code systems usually have prefabricated or pre-coded drag-and-drop elements on board that can be assembled as desired.

A no-code development platform essentially is a user interface builder where users can quickly assemble and immediately see each part of the desired construct using drag-and-drop. Furthermore, they can test these on the devices (mobile devices, tablets, and desktops). Here, the use or connection of visual modules replaces the complexity of textual coding and thus enables very simple software creation. Good software development platforms without code offer users more or less detailed descriptions of their functions, which are quickly accessible within the system and further facilitate the work.

A big misunderstanding about no-code platforms is that they are suitable only for very simple applications. This was undoubtedly the case in the past, but today this assumption is not necessarily true. Although there are still very simply knitted solutions - as the strong technological development of recent years has made no-code developers more demanding, providers have integrated more extensive functions into their solutions. Nowadays, the best no-code platforms can actually serve very complex requirements.

The no-code development with corresponding software typically takes place in three simple steps (excluding strategy and conception).

1. Design: Users have full control over the appearance of their app. They can choose from a variety of themes, for example, to match the current corporate design of the company. Custom color schemes, uploading company logos, selecting fonts, and other individual design must-haves are easy to implement.

2. (Content-)Modules: No-Code-App platforms usually contain pre-coded modules and other content that users can easily adjust to their needs. It is facilitated by drag-and-drop to easily insert, edit, remove corresponding content and thus let the own software grow. Tests of individual components are immediately possible - the application should also be checked as a whole in the end.

3. Publishing/Use: After setting the design and features (the content elements) and everything working as desired, only one thing remains to be done: publish or use the application! If there are entirely new or changed requirements for the software in the future, it can be relatively flexibly adapted to these with a good no-code platform.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of No-Code Platforms?

No-Code development software offers the following main advantages.

• User-Friendly: Since they are designed not to require any development experience, no-code platforms are often generally very easy to use. These systems primarily use visually oriented user interfaces instead of text editors. Usually, they offer pre-made templates on which companies can build their app(s). Using drag-and-drop functions, drop-down menus, and other simple features, the developers can then very easily select what they want to build into the software. After some final arrangement options and possible visual adjustments (such as brand colors), the users have created an application without ever having to learn a code.

• Development Speed: Due to the user-friendliness of these platforms, application development is much faster. Apart from the fact that coding a software normally requires costs for appropriate professionals, it also takes a lot of time. Drag-and-drop is simply much faster than manually writing code. Even with extensive code snippets, library methods, and the like, it always takes significantly longer to manually integrate exactly what is needed and to link it in an error-free way with other important elements. Not to forget in this context are tests and possible adjustments. If a no-code module is not suitable for the intended purpose, it can be replaced in minutes or even seconds. The programmer also needs considerably more time for this with code.

• Security: As strange as it may sound, but creating software with no-code development platforms is usually more security-friendly than manual app development. Since there is no access to the source code, platform users cannot accidentally create vulnerabilities or security gaps during the development process. The responsibility thus lies with the platform's developer company. Such tools often come with relevant GDPR features - at least when they are intended for the European market - or they can be added. Users therefore run less risk of falling into potentially costly data protection traps. Those responsible should make sure before purchasing that the no-code platform under consideration meets all the existing security requirements.

Are there disadvantages to using a no-code platform? In fact, certain problems can arise - especially when the own needs are not precisely estimated in relation with the system's possibilities.

• Lower App Complexity: Even though no-code platforms can already implement very complex requirements in apps today, they are still at a disadvantage compared to complete individual programming or low-code systems. Depending on the solution or provider company, the complexity and richness of features of an application may be more or less strongly limited. The lack of coding means that platform users are bound to the functions, themes, and no-code frameworks that the platform encompasses - and there is no real way to circumvent this, as there is no access to the source code. If you decide on a development platform without code, you should therefore pay even more attention to ensuring that the targeted solution really (long-term) meets your needs.

How to Choose the Right No-Code Platform/What Should You Especially Look Out for?

Which is the best zero-code platform for your own purposes? To answer this question, it is first necessary to deal with some smaller questions. In doing so, you will automatically get closer to the solution that is most advantageous in your particular context.

• What are your goals – are there perhaps special no-code software that takes up exactly these, such as No-Code-website platforms, Zero-Code-App systems, or No-Code-Solutions for Finance, HR, Marketing, etc?

• Who will ultimately use your software - does the platform need to bring special tools to be able to serve typical internal or external app requirements or business or private users?

• What functionalities do you want to provide in your app – can the development platform realize these?

• What degree of management and maintenance of your app does the no-code platform offer – do you have to do the work yourself or does most of it run automatically?

• To what extent can you use your application for commercial purposes – does the no-code platform support you in everything you need for the publication of your software?

• How secure are the no-code platform and the app(s) you create with it – is there sufficient protection against hackers and is everything GDPR compliant?

• Does the no-code platform or its provider provides the needed customer service – user training, direct support, community support, etc?

• Is the no-code software scalable so that our software developed with it can grow with the company?

• Can the programs created with the tool be integrated with other software relevant in the respective context?

Many no-code providers specialize more in the creation of solutions for simple tasks. Applications created with them can hardly be scaled and generally only handle less complex tasks. If integration into another system or advanced functionalities are required, they quickly reach their limits.

For more complex, perhaps strongly changing requirements over time, low-code platforms are often the better choice. However, they require a certain level of programming knowledge and are correspondingly difficult for absolute beginners.

Ideally, no-code platforms should offer an easy entry into the project as well as a balanced mix of flexibility and scalability to quickly and long-term use an application usefully or indeed to market it successfully. It is important to bear in mind in order to make the ROI correct.

In addition, interested parties should of course have an overview of the possible or typical features of no-code tools. The following functions should always be considered in a no-code app comparison.

• Visual User Interface: Unlike code-centered development platforms, where software creation is primarily based on text editors, no-code development systems rely primarily on visual or graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Here, interested parties should ideally check with a test - for example in a trial version - whether they really like the usability. Because there are also more and less user-friendly approaches to no-code platforms.

• Drag-and-Drop: Very typical and of course also an important factor for usability are drag-and-drop functions in no-code platforms. With these, the necessary modules can be easily assembled using the mouse and keyboard or without direct code access.

• Frameworks: Software or apps are generally built on certain frameworks. Good no-code platforms have several frameworks to choose from. If a certain framework is needed, interested parties should of course make sure that this is on board with the targeted solution.

• Basic Integrations: Many business applications require at least basic integrations with databases, web services, or simple APIs. No-Code development platforms should bring along the most important integrations for the respective purposes.

• No-Code Workflow Management: Some no-code development tools contain special workflow management functions that make working on and with apps very efficient.

• Individual Branding: Software created using a no-code platform can usually be branded extensively. Colors, layouts, logos, and other important elements of the corporate design can be integrated. As with usability, however, there are also considerable differences from provider to provider in the branding possibilities.

• App Templates: Each no-code software provides templates or modules, which can then be assembled into an app and possibly further individualized. However, the selection offered by some providers is much more abundant than that offered by others.

How Much do No-Code Platforms Cost?

The prices of no-code development platforms strongly depend on the flexibility offered in development. Solutions for simple mobile apps can already be used for a few Euros per month. Some platforms allow users to create simple applications for free. However, the price range generally goes far up.

High-level no-code development, i.e., with maximum individualization options, can cost well over €1,000 per month. Such powerful tools particularly focus agencies and others who regularly develop software for customers. Typical self-users in the business can get a useful software for their no-coding project for around €50 per month or even less.