Pros and cons of no-code and low-code solutions

Low-code and no-code solutions have gained traction as a faster path to digital products, especially with developers in short supply. They are cheaper and faster than custom app development, and a shortcut for business users, such as marketing leads, product managers or founders, to build software with zero coding.

Are they too good to be true? Read this article to find out when these tools are actually beneficial for your business, and when they’re not.

What are no-code and low-code tools?

They are tools that you access online to create apps, websites or automations visually instead of coding. Most of them work on a monthly or yearly subscription, with pricing ranging from tens to thousands of euros depending on features.

These platforms typically run online, although some low-code tools offer optional downloads for advanced tasks like robotic automation or custom plug-ins.

Some platforms let you publish apps to app stores. Platforms like Glide and Adalo support exporting to iOS or Android, though Glide often wraps your app as a PWA. Others, like Appian (geared toward enterprises), don’t allow publishing standalone apps. Instead, users access apps through the official Appian mobile app.

To publish to app stores like Apple’s, you’ll also need a developer account and must follow strict review guidelines about what the app includes and how it’s designed.

The benefits of no-code and low-code platforms

No-code platforms allow anyone to create software without any coding. You drag, drop, click, and publish in their easy-to-use, visual tools.

They are designed for non-technical teams, and familiar examples include e.g. Typeform for data collection, Zapier for workflow automation between tools, and the above-mentioned Glide for creating apps from spreadsheets.

Low-code platforms offer a little bit more flexibility and customization. They let you add custom logic, integrations, and advanced features. Common tools include Microsoft Power Apps, OutSystems and the above-mentioned Appian.

Key benefits of these two options are similar, including:

• Faster development time – With these tools you can build products in weeks, not months. This beats time-to-market compared to custom development.
• Lower development cost – You don’t need dedicated designers or developers, and business users can directly create solutions to problems they face.
• Increased agility – You can build quick prototypes and iterate based on feedback, while making changes in real-time. Tools like these also reduce bottlenecks between IT and other departments.
• Easier maintenance – Many tools include built-in version control, error checking, and automatic updates.
• Built-in integration capabilities – You’ll often have ready-made integrations to common systems, like Slack, Google Sheets, and more, saving you time and effort connecting your data.

 

Overall, these platforms are ideal for specific business needs, especially when the product doesn’t require complex logic or unique design. Internal tools in B2B companies, like sales dashboards, approval workflows, or reporting apps, are often perfect use cases.

They also work well for content-driven consumer apps, where the platform is designed for the job. For instance, sports teams or event organizers usually don’t need a custom-built fan app when ready-made solutions, such as Choicely, offer everything required.

Knowing where these tools fit best helps you avoid overbuilding – and focus your resources where custom development truly adds value.

The limitations of no-code and low-code

No-code and low-code platforms can be powerful tools for accelerating development and empowering teams, but they aren’t a silver bullet. However tempting it may be, we don’t recommend using these platforms to build digital customer products that are at the core of your digital business.

While drag-and-drop interfaces are effortless for prototyping and creating simple, automated workflows, they often fall short when trying to implement nuanced features or sophisticated data structures.

Platform stiffness can lead to workarounds that compromise your product’s performance or maintainability. Hitting the tool’s limits may force you to invest in custom development anyway – doubling your spend and adding overall complexity.

While no-code and low-code solutions are often marketed as affordable, licensing fees and costs for advanced features can quickly increase the overall expense.

Another often overlooked drawback of these tools is vendor dependency. Many platforms operate within closed environments, making it difficult to export code or migrate to another platform. This vendor lock creates challenges when platform pricing increases, or when important functionalities are discontinued.

Businesses may find themselves constrained by the tool’s roadmap – rather than their own strategic priorities.

Security and compliance can also be challenging due to limited visibility into how data is handled behind the scenes. The lack of transparency is risky in regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare, where control over data storage, access, and auditing is critical.

Make strategic choices

Qvik specializes in custom app development, but we recognize that different projects call for different solutions.

The right choice depends on the kind of product you’re building. Are you addressing a straightforward need, or creating the foundation for a long-term digital business?

We would gladly help you investigate which solution suits your needs and determine the best path forward.

Stay tuned for our next article on how custom apps create long-term business value!