The No-Code Movement: Changing the Way Apps Are Made

Making an app with the help of no-code tools is a lot like building a house out of Legos. You can choose the colors and shape and customize it in all sorts of ways. But you are using pre-built blocks and snapping them together.

With no-code platforms, you’re grabbing pre-built functions and widgets, placing them where you want, and customizing them without using code. Once your creation is complete, the platform assembles the code for you. 

If you’re thinking that this sounds great for amateurs and small companies, think again. General Electric used no-code methods to create a tool that automatically generates proposals for clients. Pfizer created its own internal app store to solve the problem of Shadow IT using no-code tools. Thinkmoney created a digital banking app that includes online loan automation and debit card management.

In 2021, Forrester predicts that 75% of all app development will use no-code or low-code platforms — an increase of 44% from 2020. The overall market for low-code and no-code apps is forecast to reach $21.2 billion by 2022. So let’s get to know the latest entrant into the app competition.

The Benefits of No-Code

One of the biggest benefits of the no-code movement is that non-technical business users can create applications without needing developers in some cases.

No-code provides:

  • Greater agility: Pre-built modules increase the speed with which you can build apps and make changes.
  • Reduced costs: Companies using no-code don’t need an in-house or outsourced team of talented developers for every app build.
  • Increase productivity: No-code also frees developers to work on higher-level projects without limiting app creation.
  • Enhanced flexibility: Changes in flexibility are simple. Just swap out a module and let the platform reassemble the app.

No-code platforms are being used to build a variety of apps for both internal and customer use, including mobile apps, database apps, and websites.

The Limitations of No-Code

While no-code made have its benefits, there are also some limitations.

Because modules are pre-built, there may be some limitations on customization. You may be able to make cosmetic changes, but changing functionality and interoperability may be difficult.

If you’re using an online no-code platform, you may also discover you don’t own the underlying code. Even if you can get to the underlying source code, it may not be transportable. It may also rely on proprietary code that you can’t use elsewhere.

No-Code vs. Low-Code

Many developers use no-code and low-code interchangeably. In reality, there’s little difference between the two for most users. Both use visual interfaces to create apps. Low code platforms allow you to customize and create more advanced apps by tweaking the pre-built codes in ways a no-code platform may not allow.

If a no-code platform doesn’t allow the specific functionality or customization you require, low code can be the solution. For example, you may require a different workflow or integration with other third-party applications that require some coding knowledge for the functionality you desire.