Low-code platforms allow users to build complete and complex applications by incorporating modern user interfaces and data as opposed to writing thousands of lines of complex code and syntax.
Low-code development platforms enable quick setup and deployment of fast coding by eliminating hand-coding activities. During this article, we will explore what are the best Low-code platforms to use in 2022.
What Is Low-Code Development?
A low-code development platform (LCDP) is an application that hosts a development environment platform allowing the creation of application software via a graphical user interface.
Low-code software development demands little to zero coding for creating applications and processes. The technology relies on visual interfaces carrying drag-and-drop features and simple logic instead of extensive coding languages.
Low code environments allow non-coders platforms to build apps for numerous reasons, such as business and mobile apps. Due to their efficiency, these platforms have gained popularity and are widely used by professional and non-professional developers.
Developers use low-code platforms to abstract and automate each development stage, easing the deployment of various solutions by breaking down traditional I.T. and business silos.
They develop applications without writing line-by-line codes for every function and capability. In essence, low-code platforms help them create applications that mimic the drafting of a flowchart.
Low code development is referred to as either click development or point-and-click development.
Where Did Low Code Originate?
Low-code finds its roots from previous rapid application development (RAD) tools, including; Microsoft Access, Excel, and Lotus Notes, frequently used by business users.
Business users need to fully understand these business apps and development environments to develop capabilities. Today, low code has drag-and-drop features where users require little tool knowledge to develop applications.
RAD tools appeal to a few users that create functionality. Low code developed apps are robust and are used across departments and externally by partners and customers.
Low Code Platform Features
1. OOTB Functionality
Low-code systems provide out-of-the-box (OOTB) functionality, thus eliminating the need to create core modules from scratch.
Some popular low code platforms include; customer-facing apps such as sales processes management and service management and media with data management modules.
2. Cross-Platform Accessibility
Low-code platforms are designed for multi-device compatibility. Other than being used on mobile and desktop devices running major systems, these spaces allow users to develop apps that function on all devices and core platforms.
3. Visual Modeling Tools
Low-code platforms help create apps through visual methods and models. These platforms use built-in components that pass information readable to anyone (professional developers and non-technical business users).
4. Scalability
Low code platforms are scalable; they are handy for developing apps that handle higher user capacities to match the business growth.
5. Reusability
The OOTB functionality champions the modules’ pre-configuration and apps functionality. The modules possess core functions critical for dozens of reusable apps and can be used to develop different solutions more quickly.
Users are encouraged to adopt low-code platforms to reuse new and prebuilt plug-ins, modules, and applications.
6. Reporting & Monitoring
Low-code developed apps monitor workflows and processes, making it possible to track effectiveness. The apps track and record other app performances data for accurate analysis.
7. Security
Regardless of how efficient low-code platforms are, they must be secure to be sufficient. Security is a crucial ingredient when developing apps and should be considered before rolling out.
8. Drag-and-drop Interfaces
The Drag-and-drop feature is among the most valuable and critical elements that ease the development process. The feature comes in handy when creating applications.
9. App Lifecycle Management
Low-code tools ease the development of applications in different stages of the software development lifecycle. They simplify and streamline various aspects such as testing, debugging, and deployment.
Users access information regarding the creation and development processes, allowing them to go back to previous versions for better application lifecycle management.
What Is Developed Using Low-Code Platforms?
Low code platforms create different kinds of business applications, including:
Optimization Apps: Low-code platforms are used in creating applications that automate processes that increase operations efficiency. These applications offer numerous benefits to businesses, such as reduced costs and reduced risk of error via automation.
A.I. Solutions: Low code platforms are essential in creating Artificial Intelligence and machine-learning applications. They effectively process data, thus reducing manual operations and fast-track efficiency.
Customer Engagement Apps: Low code platforms are essential for creating enterprise-grade applications for numerous business tasks. They ease the development of customer-facing applications and intricate business processes.
UI, Data model & Business Logic: Low code platforms help define and configure user interface (U.I.), data models, and business logic for mobile devices and web applications.
Business Process: Low-code platforms are great for defining workflows and building processes for automating operations over various departments.
Low-Code Pros and Cons
What Are The Benefits of Low-Code
- Fast delivery of apps your business requires without necessarily having technical knowledge
- Triggers rapid decision-making among cross-functional teams thanks to the inbuilt collaboration tools
- Fast delivery of applications import to your business
- Improves developer productivity attributes such as visual interface, reusable components, etc.
- Creating numerous solutions such as application automation and modernizing critical systems, and bringing down overheads
- Developing solutions that are easily scalable on cloud-native architecture
- Continuously improving end-user products such as mobile conversations, immersive experiences, and a more engaging web
- Breaking down silos promoting better business-IT relationships
- Empowering developers all through the organization to continue building applications
- Quickly responding to ever-changing business and customer needs
What Are The Disadvantages of Using Low-Code Platforms?
- Due to their low cost and ease of use, it’s easy to lose track of applications being built
- Users may result in doing more shadow I.T. projects
- It can be challenging to manage, maintain and scale applications
- Infrastructure and storage costs can go up
- Resource wastage by undertaking tasks that not well suited with low-code platforms
Low-Code Platforms To Use in 2022
1. OutSystems Low-Code Platform
OutSystems is a complete full-stack low-code development platform. It offers high-productivity, A.I. assist and connected tools, developers use to build and deploy a wide range of applications.
The low-code platform is great for consumer apps and plays a vital role in developing business systems. OutSystems is a powerful, feature-packed low-code platform for large organizations and developers building consumer app stores.
OutSystems Features
- Multilingual support
- Full access control and permission management
- Complete application change management with self-healing
- Real-time application usage and performance monitoring
- Suitable for development of enterprise-grade applications
- Complete mobile app deployment and monitoring
- Real-time reporting full access control and permission management
- Complete security functionality
- Fully extensible through APIs
- Full support for Batch Processes and Scheduling
- Complete DevOps automation
- Integrated debugging engine
- Suited for custom application development
- Complete application change management with self-healing
- Integrated user feedback capture and management all application usage and performance
- Native Support for agile Development
- Integrated version control with 1-click deploy and roll-back
- Real-time reporting of all applications usage and performance
- Support entire app development life-cycle
- Full access control and permission management
OutSystems Benefits
Developers use a platform that allows them to build and develop applications that can run on any device and easily handle the needs of every partner, employee and customer.
Many companies in over 22 different industries use OutSystems as their lifecycle management software because this low-code platform is tailored to their business needs.
OutSystems makes it easy to build powerful and customizable apps at a fraction of the cost. The platform makes it easy for developers to continually familiarize themselves with newer and more advanced technologies and innovations.
Tech Specs
| Supported Devices | Types of Customers | Types of Support |
| Web-based | SME and Organizations | Phone/Online |
| iOS | SME and Organizations | Phone/Online |
| Android | SME and Organizations | Phone/Online |
| Desktop | SME and Organizations | Phone/Online |
OutSystems Integrations
- ZenDesk
- UPS
- Amazon EC2
- Salesforce
- Twilio
- SAP
- Box
- GoogleDrive
- PayPal
- DropBox
- QuickBooks
- Okta
Pricing
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Free Plan | $0 |
| ONE | Starting $2,100/month |
| Enterprise | Starting $4,600/month |
2. Appian Low-Code Platform
Appian Low-code platform allows users to develop business process management (BPM) applications. Users automate intricate processes and build custom apps and deploy them on any device.
The platform allows users to collaborate with numerous team members and engage in project discussions. The platform offers data and analytics for document and interactive reports management.
Appian Features
- Drag-and-drop interfaces
- Instant mobility
- Declarative Tools
- Security and Scalability
Appian Benefits
Appian platform ensures users create applications that function smoothly across multiple devices. Users easily access data and collaboration tools.
By building more applications, costs decrease and a few developers can handle all the work thus reducing overheads.
Appian platform leads to high productivity since applications can be built in days or minutes as opposed to months on end. Appian platform encourages better customer experience by helping users adapt to market changes and customer needs.
Tech Specs
| Support Devices | Type of Customer | Type of Support |
| Web-based | SME/Organization | Phone/Online |
| iOS | SME/Organization | Phone/Online |
| Android | SME/Organization | Phone/Online |
Appian Integrations
- DropBox
- QuickBooks
- SAP
- ZenDesk
Pricing
| Free trial | Yes |
| Application | $70/month per user (15 users) |
| Platform | $70/month per user (Minimum 100 users) |
| Unlimited | $70/month per user (Unlimited) |
3. Mendix
Mendix is a high productivity application platform that allows users to develop and continuously improve mobile/web applications at scale. The platform accelerates enterprise app delivery across the app dev cycle from ideation to development and operations.
Users are able to implement Agile and DevOps best practices for better application development.
Mendix Features
- App Development
- Cloud
- Multi-experience
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Integration
- Intelligent Automation
- App Governance
- Enterprise Integration
- Drag-drop Forms Builder
- Public/Private App Stores
- Multi-Channel
- Model-Driven Development
- Multi-Device
Mendix Benefits
Mendix offers solutions that easily integrate with ease to existing systems such as Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, and FICO and access data around the clock. Users access enterprise-grade security that keeps the app and data secure.
Users access a centralized dashboard that helps them manage everything from configuration to resources, and applications. Users can handle maintenance, security, management, and documentation from a central location.
Mendix platform allows single click applications for software deployment. Users can opt to use the Mendix cloud or existing cloud to store and access data. Users can also opt-in for on-premise deployment.
Tech Specs
| Supported Devices | Types of Customers | Types of Support |
| Web | SME/Enterprise | Phone/Online |
| iOS | SME/Enterprise | Phone/Online |
| Android | SME/Enterprise | Phone/Online |
Mendix Integrations
- Lync Online
- Skype
- Salesforce App Cloud
- GitHub
- Tableau Software
- SAP
- CRM On Demand Microsoft Excel
Pricing
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Community Edition | Free |
| Single App Edition | Starts at $1,875/month |
| Pro Edition | Starts at $5,375/month |
| Enterprise Edition | Starts at $7,825/month |
Wrapping Up
Low-code platforms make it easy for IT to adopt new processes and build applications without the need to conduct research, write and test new scripts.
Moreover, users don’t require specialized knowledge of every tool or tech to carry out processes because the code is abstracted away. By using the correct low-code tools, any user is able to create reliable business processes thus accelerating application delivery. At DistantJob, we help companies hire developers with a preference for low-code platforms.
