No-code vs. Low-code Development Platform: All the Pros & Cons 
Published: 2021-10-13 06:13:15

Developers often have headaches with the tough decision of whether to code their application or use a pre-made development platform. Therefore, this blog post will discuss all the pros and cons of both options – no-code vs. low-code, giving you all the information necessary to make the right choice.   

## What Do You Know About No-code Development? 

[No-code development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-code_development_platform) refers to the use of tools that allow you to create an application without writing code. Depending on the applications, no-code workflows can be based on prebuilt components (visual building blocks), require no coding but do need design, or rely entirely on collaboration and task automation.  

No-code development is used for different purposes, including rapid prototyping of MVPs, stable release of small-scale applications, agile experiments with new features for existing apps, and even high-quality product development. The restrictions on what you can build with no code are only the limits of your creativity.  

No-code development is not one thing but rather a collection of tools and processes. From simple drag-and-drop interfaces to complex automation flows where the application builds tasks based on predefined templates. Apps with no code can range from simple calculator apps to multi-feature mobile or web applications requiring much more than just visual building blocks. 

## What Do You Know About Low-code Development? 

[Low-code development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-code_development_platform), also known as rapid application development (RAD), is a form of software development that lets non-technical users build applications without having to write code. Instead, there is a graphical user interface (GUI) drag-and-drop builder with pre-defined functionalities which can be accessed out of the box.   

Applications are created by assembling discrete blocks of the functionality represented by the GUI elements. This development approach is easy to learn, does not require much time or money, and can be used for a variety of purposes.  

For instance, you could create an application that manages your employees' work schedules in just a few hours. You can build anything from small applications like this one to large-scale enterprise applications. It automatically generates all the required code, so you are not required to have extensive knowledge of programming. 

## The Advantages of No-code & Low-code

The no-code vs. low-code debate has not come to an end. However, their advantages can't be ignored. A no-code or low-code app development platform offers many benefits to businesses, no matter the size. 

### Save Time and Money

By using a no-code or low-code app development platform, products can be created quickly and easily, drastically cutting the time to develop a digital product. This leads to significant cost savings since hours spent on a large development team are no longer necessary. 

### Productivity Gains

As mentioned above, using no-code or low-code app development platforms leads to significant productivity gains since these tools can allow one developer to create multiple apps without requiring the help of an entire team of expensive native programmers. This also increases output and allows for more products to be completed in a shorter amount of time.   

### Quicker Onboarding of New Employees

Since no-code and low-code app development platforms allow for the creation and deployment of quality apps, businesses no longer need to look outside their company when it comes to hiring employees that specialize in this type of work. This means that no-code and low-code app development platform users no longer need to rely on recruiting agencies and can instead support their own hiring needs, potentially leading to improved productivity and increased revenue.  

### Easier Maintenance of Existing Apps

No-code and low-code app development platforms make it easier for businesses to maintain current products, leading to increased customer satisfaction and even more revenue. This is because no-code and low-code app development platform users no longer need to rely on outside help for things like bug fixes since these tools allow one developer to handle multiple apps at a time, including the maintenance of existing ones. 

### Higher Quality Output

It can be assumed that no-code and low-code app development platforms lead to higher quality output since no mistakes are made in the actual coding of apps. With no code being written, one developer is able to concentrate on designing an app's end result while no time is wasted debugging or fixing errors which leads to a much more efficient process and in turn provides a more desirable end result.  

### Flexibility for Rapid Changes

Rapid changes no longer need to be made by outside contractors since no-code and low-code app development platforms allow users to make any necessary changes to their existing apps with no issues. This makes these tools the ideal choice for any business, no matter the size since businesses no longer need to worry about hiring additional employees to make changes, saving both time and money. 

### Higher Customer Satisfaction Ratings  

When no-code and low-code app development platform users no need to rely on outside help for bug fixes, this increases customer satisfaction ratings as no mistakes are being made in the actual coding of apps. Also, no-code users can provide their customers with a higher level of service by responding to any necessary changes or requests more efficiently than with no-code app development programs. 

### Better User Experience (UX)

A no-code and low-code user will be able to create an app with no learning curve or coding experience since no-code and low-code development platforms allow for the creation and deployment of apps in a matter of minutes without having any previous knowledge. This means no-code users can design better mobile applications, which will lead to improved user experiences and increased customer satisfaction ratings. 

### Higher Sales

The no-code and low-code app development platform allows no-code users to provide their customers with the same sales, marketing, and customer service tools that are found in native mobile applications. A no-code user can design an app's layout, so it looks no different from a native mobile application that proves helpful when increasing sales. 

### Faster Project Completion   

Since no-code and low-code apps can be made in no time, no or little outside help is needed when creating projects which mean business no longer need to hire additional employees. This saves both time and money whose no-code and low-code app development platform users can significantly impact the bottom line. 

 

## No-code vs. Low-code: The Disadvantages 

Although no-code and low-code platforms have the potential to bring innovation into your organization, they are not without their drawbacks. The following table will outline the disadvantages of both no-code and low-code development. 

<table>
    <tr>
        <td><strong>No-code</strong></td>
        <td><strong>Low-code</strong></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>
            <ul>
            <li>Lack of flexibility </li>
            <li>Limited control over design and layout  </li>
            <li>Difficult to find a developer for fixing or adding new features  </li>
            <li>Difficulty when it comes to scaling the business. </li>
            <li>Unable to customize payment processing options such as PayPal, Square, etc.  </li>
            <li>Less user-friendly experience than when using apps with available templates and add-ons for specific tasks.</li>
            </ul>
        </td>
        <td>
            <ul>
                <li>More expensive than no-code.  </li>
                <li>The Low-code development process takes longer than the no-code process.  </li>
                <li>Low-code development requires a larger upfront investment of time and money.  </li>
                <li>Hard to find low-code developers who are skilled at the <a href="https://www.orientsoftware.com/technologies/">latest technologies</a> due to high demands.  </li>
                <li>Less flexibility in customization and configuration. </li>
                <li>Low-code is less secure than traditional software development. </li>
                <li>Low-code apps are typically only good enough for simple, straightforward tasks. </li>
                <li>Low-code apps aren't as sophisticated or powerful as traditional software. </li>
                <li>Difficult to select the right low-code development tool among too many available options. </li>
                <li>Low-code apps have limited business logic. </li>
                <li>Require more programmers to build a low-code app than a traditional software application.</li>
            </ul>
        </td>
    </tr>
</table>

## Conclusion 

As you can see, the debate about no-code vs. low-code development platforms is a difficult one to settle because both sides have their merits and drawbacks. Our conclusion? Consider your needs first before deciding which platform will work best for you - do some research or talk to experts to decide what's right for you!