What is a
Low-Code Development Platform?
With the rise of digital transformation, embracing a low-code development platform—which anyone can use to rapidly develop new applications—is a major way your company can adapt and prosper.
Microsoft Power Platform
Power Apps
Build custom business applications quickly with a low-code platform that connects to your data and works across web and mobile.
Power Pages
Create secure, professional websites with a low-code platform that enables business users to design, host, and administer modern external-facing business websites.
Digital Transformation Made Simple
Discover why organizations are embracing low-code platforms
Remote Work & Mobile Support
As workplaces continue to shift and evolve, more people work from home and use mobile devices. Businesses must make quick changes to meet employees' new needs.
Empower Business Users
Unlike professional developers, business users might not know much about hand-coding but they can still build applications using low-code platforms.
Address Growing Business Needs
Low-code platforms help your business address the growing need for top-of-the-line internal workflow applications and seamless integrations.
Faster Development
Professional developers can also benefit from low-code platforms to build apps faster and avoid writing code line by line.
The Benefits of a Low-Code Development Platform
Discover how low-code platforms can transform your business operations and accelerate digital innovation.
Efficiency
You do not need to wait for developers to have openings in their schedules. With a low-code development platform, your other teams can simultaneously develop apps.
Flexibility
With low-code development, business users can create flexible apps that accomplish specific tasks. That agility is also critical for scaling.
Responsiveness
Sometimes your business must pivot to accommodate market shifts. With low code, you can quickly deliver and change a full-stack application.
Iterability
Your company can provide customers with a positive experience every time they interact with your brand through consistent, frictionless experiences.
While low-code application platforms can empower your employees who do not have technical app building skills, they can be a great option for professional developers too. Many low-code platforms are extensible and offer building blocks that are intended for developers to use, which makes these platforms a smart choice for just about any kind of user.
Ultimately, these benefits can help your business boost profitability. Low-code app development is designed for internal teams, so you can save money by keeping low-code app development in-house instead of hiring external development teams.
Making the Right Choice
Understanding the differences between low-code and no-code platforms helps you choose the right solution for your business needs.
Low-Code Platforms
Best For:
- Complex business applications
- Enterprise-grade solutions
- Custom integrations and workflows
- Teams with some technical knowledge
Considerations:
- May require basic coding knowledge
- Steeper learning curve initially
- More powerful and flexible
No-Code Platforms
Best For:
- Simple applications and workflows
- Quick prototypes and MVPs
- Non-technical users
- Rapid deployment needs
Considerations:
- Limited customization options
- May not scale for enterprise needs
- Fewer integration capabilities
What You Can Build with No-Code and Low-Code Platforms
From simple workflows to complex enterprise applications, discover what's possible with modern development platforms.
Event Management
Create an app that allows users to sign up for events your company hosts, send them reminders about upcoming events, and manage attendee lists efficiently.
E-Commerce Platform
Build a custom online store with product catalogs, shopping cart functionality, payment processing, and order tracking capabilities.
Customer Onboarding
Streamline your customer onboarding process with automated workflows, document collection, and progress tracking for new clients.
Food Delivery Management
You could build an app to keep track of when food is made, when it's sent for delivery, and how long it takes for a driver to drop an order off. You could even add GPS functionality that gives delivery drivers the fastest route to their destinations.
When to Go Low-Code or No-Code
Both kinds of app development software can help you build apps that your business needs in a shorter time frame than with traditional development. But how do you know which one is right for you?
Choose No-Code If:
- Speed is your biggest concern
- You only want to create apps that accomplish simple tasks
- You don't have anyone on staff with coding skills
Choose Low-Code If:
- You want the speed of no code but don't want to compromise on customizability or scalability
- Both professional developers and business users will use the apps
- You need flexibility and control over your solutions
Whatever the size of your business, low-code platforms give both technical and non-technical users the power to build apps they need to do their jobs more efficiently. Going low code means you can save money, save time, and be more productive.
Common Questions About Low-Code Platforms
What are low-code application platforms?
Low-code application platforms—also called low-code development platforms—simplify app development with techniques like drag-and-drop functionality and visual guidance. With low-code platforms, anyone in your company, regardless of their technical expertise, can build apps that increase productivity, collaboration, and efficiency.
What is the difference between low-code and no-code?
A low-code development platform needs minimal hand-coding and generally involves moving existing code into a workflow to build apps. No-code solutions are designed for users who might not be familiar with programming at all.
What are examples of low-code apps?
Low-code platforms can be used to build a variety of business apps. For example, instead of relying on email or physical documents, a company can create a low-code app that manages employee purchase requests and automates approvals. To increase productivity and efficiency, company could also build apps for tracking time off and travel requests.
What is low-code used for?
Organizations use low-code development to respond faster and more efficiently to business and market needs. Nontechnical people can use low-code platforms to solve challenges and take advantage of new opportunities—while freeing IT and development resources for more complex projects. Professional developers can also use low-code platforms to build apps faster and avoid writing code line by line.
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