Low-Code vs. No-Code: How Much Future Potential Does the “Revolution” in Software Development Have?

Oct 26, 2024

Low-code and no-code are considered a revolution in software application development. While "revolution" might sound exaggerated, when you consider how low-code and no-code break down barriers in development and programming, the hype around this new way of software development is not without reason.

According to current forecasts, by 2025, a full 70 percent of newly developed applications will be based on low-code or no-code. (Source: hellosafe.ch)

Less effort and on a growth trajectory – that already sounds promising. But where exactly are the differences between low-code and no-code, and how much skill is needed to, for example, create an app without coding? If you're wondering what the answer to low-code vs. no-code is, keep reading.

What is no-code and low-code?

Both low-code and no-code are about creating software applications without in-depth programming knowledge. Both systems operate on a modular principle, where pre-built, visually represented functions are assembled as needed.

While no-code requires very little knowledge of programming and no understanding of code syntax, basic programming skills can be useful on low-code platforms. However, a fundamental understanding of software development concepts, such as databases, APIs, and front or backend, is essential for both.

The comparison: who can do what & what suits you best?

Whether no-code or low-code, both offer you a toolbox to drive digitalization in your company. But which one is the right choice for your project? In our comparison, we’ll show you the key differences between low-code and no-code.

	low-code	no-code
Target group	Users who have a basic understanding of programming and application logic and understand (or want to acquire) software design.	no-code platforms are aimed at novices without coding skills but with a basic understanding of software development.
Complexity	The demands are higher than with no-code, and the complexity increases with the expectations for the end result.	Low
Use cases	With low-code, more complex use cases can also be represented.	Suitable for simpler cases.
Customizability	A certain degree of customizability is achieved with low-code.	Significantly lower.
Intuitive use	Provided by a graphical interface	Provided by a graphical interface
Scalability	Depending on the platform	Possibly limited

Which approach is right for my company?

Low-code and no-code platforms offer the opportunity to create a functional app largely without programming languages, although the focuses differ. If you want to know which approach suits your company, you can ask yourself the following guiding questions:

How complex or customized is the use case in your company?

What prior knowledge will the future users of low-code or no-code tools bring to the task?

You can best assess these two aspects and choose the right direction: For a complex task and more prior knowledge, low-code is suitable, while for simpler requirements and little to no prior knowledge, no-code is the better option.

To familiarize yourself with low-code or no-code app builders, you should research, explore the respective communities, and watch web demos from various providers. This way, you'll get a feel for the appropriate solution.

Low-code and no-code: How to use them, where they are applied and when they are effective

Programming without code sounds like the new way of software development—and rightly so! However, low-code and no-code are suited for specific use cases. Consumer apps with intricate graphics and mobile games aren't (yet) achievable with these platforms. But when it comes to entering, outputting, updating, and deleting data from databases and visualizing that data, low-code and no-code shine.

Both low-code and no-code are ideal for digitizing or automating processes within companies to develop applications and collect and visualize data, such as machine and production data. You can give legacy systems modern, mobile user interfaces for data input and output using low-code or no-code solutions.

The benefits: Why programming without coding as a future

low-code and no-code are specialized solutions that excel in specific application areas. While both systems can overlap, they are not interchangeable and share several advantages over traditional programming:

Simpler: Thanks to pre-built modules and functionalities, creating an app becomes significantly easier.
Faster: The time savings with low-code and no-code compared to conventional programming are substantial, reducing the effort by about 50%.
Flexible: Intermediate results can be tested at any time, and development can be adjusted as needed.
Accessible: Both systems allow for entry into app development without programming knowledge.
Cost-effective: Compared to hiring external service providers for traditional coding or new specialized staff, low-code and no-code are more affordable.
Integration: If the chosen solution has the right interfaces, you can connect existing databases and systems to the application.
Less resource intensive: Your company needs to invest less time, money, and expertise in app development.
Addressing skill shortages: Your company can mitigate the shortage of skilled professionals by taking app development into its own hands.

The challenges: What pitfalls exist?

Low-code and no-code come with several advantages. However, like any revolution, there are also some challenges to consider. Here’s how to handle them:

Shadow projects: There is a risk that employees may start projects without the IT department's knowledge. The best way to counter this is by raising awareness among all involved team members early on.
Lack of support: If you value support, you should avoid cheap or free offerings and budget for low-code or no-code app builders.
Starting from scratch: Especially with low-code, a willingness to learn is required. Therefore, plan time for the learning curve.
Customizability: Since low-code and no-code operate with pre-made functionalities and modules, the level of customization is not limitless. Consider carefully for which use case you want to utilize the solution.
Scalability: In the long term, you may encounter scaling issues with no-code. In such cases, you might consider a low-code solution.
Lock-in effect: Depending on the provider, switching to a new system can incur high costs. Therefore, check the compatibility of your low-code or no-code solution with other systems in advance.

First steps: Implementing low-code and no-code tools

Now that we've covered the advantages and challenges of low-code and no-code, let's look at practical applications. Here’s how to proceed if you want to use low-code or no-code platforms in your company:

Identify the use cases: Determine which software applications need to be developed. Where can digitization or automation be implemented using low-code or no-code?
Choose the right platform: Depending on the level of complexity or individuality you require and the knowledge of the users, familiarize yourself with the platform's offerings, such as through a web demo. If the app needs to be used on various devices, consider platforms that allow you to create a Progressive Web App.
Plan the app's structure: Consider the required data processing logic and user interfaces, then simply get started. The platforms are intuitive enough that you can begin low-code app development immediately.

Is low-code or no-code the future?

Whether low-code or no-code is the future cannot be answered universally; it depends on the individual use cases and the knowledge of the project leaders. In both cases, these are trends with enormous potential that will become even more relevant in times of tight budgets and skill shortages. There are particularly significant opportunities in the intersection with AI for graphical programming.

low-code and no-code can be seen as a consistent evolution of programming languages, as they have become increasingly abstract and simpler over time. While the boundaries between low-code and no-code may not always be entirely clear, they undoubtedly elevate the simplification of software development to the next level.

Do you see potential for your company as well? We look forward to introducing you and your business with our platform. Reach out to get a personal demo.