Low-code development tools are targeted toward two very different types of app builders. The first is everyday users who want to quickly create and share apps with team members to help solve a specific business problem or process. Second, the developers and IT workers typically tasked with building these types of business process apps that want a faster and more efficient way to do this type of work.
When you encounter a deal or a process that simply can’t be addressed by off-the-shelf, third-party software, that’s when you’ll face the multi-headed hydra that is the custom, in-house development project. If you’re just in the same situation, this article has prepared top 5 low-code application platform for you to choose from.
Microsoft PowerApps
PowerApps is a low-code RAD solution brought by Microsoft. While not as well-known as many of the others, it is a robust option that offers data solutions among many other useful services.
Platform Features:
Can be used to create canvas, model-driven and portal apps
Offers free 30-day trial
Offers two different affordable pricing options
Customized branding
App templates for faster app development
Rating:
Microsoft PowerApps averages a 4-star rating. Additionally, according to one source, it has a 97% customer satisfaction rate.
Pros:
Very user-friendly
Cost-effective
Users can simultaneously create mobile and desktop apps
Easy to learn
Cons:
The software itself is not optimized for mobile
Sometimes has glitches
Salesforce Lightning
The Salesforce Lightning solution combines data with RAD. It has all the power of Salesforce with low-code app development. Salesforce Lightning Platform combines tools such as App Builder, Lightning Flow, SalesforceDX, and Heroku in an all-in-one utility that dramatically speeds up the software development process.
Platform Features:
Low-code app development
Easy integration of business solutions for various industries
Includes style guides
24/7 support
Rating:
Salesforce Lightning has a 4.1/5 stars on G2, where it’s been named a “Leader” in the low-code development platform space.
Pros:
Highly customizable
Keeps track of lost and gained opportunities
Excellent reporting dashboards
Easy data tracking
Cons:
Glitches are common
Somewhat steep learning curve
Appian
Appian is offering app development up to 20X faster than typical hand-coding. Additionally, it is a BPM (Business Process Management) platform. It is very commonly used and offers many case studies to prove its reliability.
For enterprise organizations willing to invest in the platform, low-code veteran Appian transforms app development into a social, collaborative, and productivity-driven experience for business users without a shred of coding experience.
Platform Features:
Platform security
Drag-and-drop coding
Real-time process monitoring
Easily shareable
Rating:
It has an average of four stars out of several hundred reviews, and it has been used by several major companies.
Pros:
Excellent UI (User Interface)
Real-time data updates
Easy to customize
Very easy to debug
Cons:
The three-month upgrade schedule can be a challenge to adjust to
Difficult integration testing
Yeeflow
Yeeflow is a low-code application development platform that helps you deliver web and mobile applications at the speed of your business.
Yeeflow offers a 30-day Trial Edition based in a secure cloud, and its pricing plans start at $6 per user per month for the Application Edition. Yeeflow doesn’t limit platform functionality based on tier, so the Yeeflow Edition gets you access to the full range of features including drag-and-drop app design, the Yeeflow form builder, BPM process modeling, an integrated rules engine for more complex logic, app analytics and reporting, teams integration, and more.
Conclusion
Depending on your business needs, any one of these tools would be ideal for helping your organization get started with low-code app development. Democratizing access to simple app-building tools within your company has the potential to improve productivity, solve business problems faster, and give both your tech savvy and average Joe employee the means and the ability to apply the innovation of SaaS and modern mobile apps exactly where they need it. Read on to decide which low-code development platform is right for you.
