“By 2024, low-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity.”
Gartner, Inc. “Low-Code Development Technologies Evaluation Guide”, February 26, 2019, Paul Vincent, Mark Driver, Jason Wong
What is low-code application development?
Low-code application development is a way to design and develop applications with little or no coding. Low-code application development platforms empower businesses to build custom solutions with innovative functionalities that cater to specific business models. These platforms offer intuitive visual builders, ready-to-use code snippets, form and report templates, and built-in connectors that speed development and extend the ability to innovate to a broader set of people. Users can also jump right in to building their applications, as these platforms eliminate typical coding processes, like creating frameworks, modeling data, and developing user interfaces.
What can you build with low-code platforms?
You can use low-code platforms to build applications for automating various business processes. A few of them are:
Customer engagement applications
- Customer relationship management
- Customer service management
- Point of sale
Mission-critical applications
- Custom ERP software
- Client portal
- Payments manager
WFH applications
- Time tracker
- Task management
- Approval software
Data analysis applications
- Online databases
- Data management software
- BI dashboards
No-code AI applications
- Feedback analyzer
- Object detection software
- Sales predictor
Line of business applications
- Operations management
- Supply chain management
- Accounting and financing
Real-world examples of low-code application development
- Sales optimization
- Digital transformation
- Construction ERP
- Remote team tools
Sales optimization
Optimized ecommerce sales
Key features
- E-procurement Online
- Warehouse management
- Online order tracking
- Digital invoices
Digital transformation
Powering digital transformation
Key features
- Native mobile apps
- Custom reporting
- KPIs & dashboards
- Centralized data
Construction ERP
End-to-end real estate management
Key features
- Construction tracking
- Agent onboarding
- Payment tracking
- Courthouse data mining
Remote team tools
Running remote elections
Key features
- Registration portal
- OTP verification
- Approvals
- Schedules
Benefits of low-code application development
Rapid application development
By abstracting most of the repetitive coding, low-code enables you to release applications as quickly as the needs arise. You can also make constant iterations at any point in the application lifecycle.
Business-IT alignment
Business users can bring innovative ideas to life by just dragging and dropping low-code elements. These prototypes simplify the life of programmers who can use them as a starting point when building enterprise software.
Eliminate shadow IT
Since business users can build their own solutions on an IT-sanctioned low-code platform, the use of unsanctioned software can be curbed.
Effective security and governance
Low-code platforms provide all the necessary security framework, authentication mechanisms, and governance controls for your applications under one roof, making security easy to manage for an entire organization.
Low-code vs traditional application development
“Low-code platforms make software development 10 times faster than traditional methods.”
-Forrester
Who does the development?
(Skill set requirements)
- Traditional programming
Technical expertise required
Needs developers with expertise in programming languages for web (Javascript, Python, CSS, PHP), iOS (Swift), and Android (Java, C++).
- Low-code development
Little to no coding needed
Low-code's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for both non-technical users and developers to create applications.
What will it cost?
(Cost of development)
- Traditional programming
Expensive
Upfront investment for infrastructure setup, developer fees, continuous maintenance, and more.
- Low-code development
Economical
License-based pricing allows you to pay as you grow and save on the massive amount needed for infrastructure.
How fast is development?
(Cost of development)
- Traditional programming
Takes months to go live
With many teams building applications from scratch through extensive coding and multiple revisions of prototypes, development takes a very long time.
- Low-code development
Launches in days
Ready-to-use code blocks and templates enable you to develop 10x faster. Building off an existing framework in low-code is significantly faster than writing, debugging, and compiling traditional code.
What about mobile devices?
(Multiplatform)
- Traditional programming
Runs on one OS only
Applications need to be developed separately for each OS, and code can’t be shared between Android and iOS.
- Low-code development
Multiplatform apps
With low-code, you build the application only once, and it works for desktop, mobile, on-premise, and in the cloud.
Is my data protected?
(Security/Privacy)
- Traditional programming
Risky and complicated
The developer will have to edit the code behind each module in each application to build in the necessary defenses.
- Low-code development
Up-to-date, built-in security
All the applications running on a low- code platform automatically inherit the latest security protection, audit logs, user controls and automated threat assessments, ensuring complete safety of data
Will it fit into my existing ecosystem?
(Enterprise application integration)
- Traditional programming
Limited integration capabilities
Requires complex scripting and testing of compatible code to integrate with new external applications.
- Low-code development
Fast and seamless integrations
Easy coupling with external and existing systems with low-code’s out-of-the-box APIs and smart integration tools.
How do I stay current with the technology?
(Application updates and maintenance)
- Traditional programming
Requires dedicated labor
Difficult to implement the latest technologies across platforms (web and mobile) once the application is deployed.
- Low-code development
Automatic upgrades
Handled by the hosting company, low-code tools periodically roll out the latest updates and features to all applications built on them, without the need for a team or third-party vendor.
Can I scale my application?
(Scalability/Changes)
- Traditional programming
Monolithic, complex codebase
Scaling after deployment is a cumbersome task that demands the involvement of various teams—development, testing, production, etc.
- Low-code development
Modular, highly scalable codebase
You have the flexibility to gather feedback, make changes, and update your low-code applications in real time.
What support comes with my application?
(Support)
- Traditional programming
Separate cost and effort required
Huge costs involved in getting comprehensive support for the application.
- Low-code development
Built-in support
Lifelong support at a fraction of the cost, through AMC, for the low-code platform.
Switch to low-code application development with Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a low-code platform that abstracts 90% of the complexities in the app development lifecycle, enabling you to create the apps you need easily, without reinventing the wheel.
DATABASE & FORM CREATOR
Collect and manage all your data in one place
Gather, unify, analyze, share, and manage data from multiple sources seamlessly. Instantly create and publish forms that can capture over 30 types of data, like locations, signatures, and QR and barcodes.
BUSINESS PROCESS CREATOR
Get productive with automatic workflows
Set up business workflows in a snap with our user-friendly, drag-and-drop workflow builder. Use our ready-to-use code snippets to create automatic workflows, send automated messages, trigger actions based on user input, schedule routine tasks, speed up multitiered approvals, and configure payments.
BI & ANALYTICS CREATOR
Track key metrics with interactive dashboards
Bring all your important reports together to create meaningful dashboards and gain a 360-degree view of your business. Use components like widgets, gauges, buttons, and custom KPI panels to add everything you need and get a quick understanding of what's happening.
INTEGRATION CREATOR
Break down silos with prebuilt connectors
It’s simple to integrate Zoho Creator with your other business applications. Just drag and drop the built-in connector, choose the service you want to integrate with, and connect your key applications.
Three ways to get started with low-code
Build your application from scratch.
Accelerate development using 100+ prebuilt applications.
Import an existing spreadsheet or migrate from MS Access, FileMaker.
Tap into more knowledge about low-code
Kickstart your journey to low-code application development with Zoho Creator
SIGN UP FOR FREEFrequently Asked Questions
Who can create mobile apps with low-code?
Anyone—a cook, project manager, business owner, IT developer, or CEO—can quickly create the web and mobile app they need on a low-code platform, without writing extensive code. Here are some tutorials.
No-code vs low-code: What's the difference?
As the name suggests, low-code is a technology that includes prebuilt app-building components and easy-to-understand logical scripting language, while no-code is all ready-made components and snippets that users can drag and drop to get results. Low-code is suitable for businesses who are looking to build customized applications with unique use cases, whereas no-code is best for applications where the degree of complexity is very basic. To learn more, click here.
How can you create an app without coding?
By choosing a low-code platform like Zoho Creator, you can skip learning programming and get right to building your application logic without the need for hand coding.
Is low-code the future of application development?
Low-code platforms are increasingly becoming the go-to platforms for developing web and mobile applications, as they offer increased agility, faster time to market, and a minimal learning curve, as well as requiring little investment in software maintenance and deployment. This trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Why are enterprises adopting low-code?
Low-code platforms enable large organizations to build all the applications they need for their complex business processes under one roof. This simplifies application security, scalability and governance of enterprise apps. To learn about Zoho Creator's enterprise features, click here
Can startups use low-code?
Yes, low-code empowers startups to build modern business apps faster, and more importantly, gives the flexibility to add new features or modules, switch templates, and make customized changes whenever needed.
How do I get started with low-code?
Zoho Creator, a pioneer in the low-code space, offers a 15-day free trial period that includes all premium features. Sign up here to kick-start your low-code journey with Zoho Creator.
Can I use low-code as a part of my existing application system?
Yes, integrating low-code platforms with your existing system enhances its performance and gives more functionality and flexibility.