Top 6 Best Low-code Platforms in 2023

Businesses across the globe are turning to innovative solutions to streamline their operations, and low-code platforms have emerged as the go-to tool for organizations seeking to develop and deploy applications with minimal manual coding. These platforms empower both seasoned and citizen developers alike to build applications for web and mobile by leveraging the use of drag-and-drop components, revolutionizing how software is built and maintained, and enabling people and organizations of all sizes to realize their digital ambitions.

This blog delves into the dynamic world of low-code development, exploring the best platforms reshaping the digital transformation landscape, hire developers and paving the way for unparalleled efficiency and agility.

• By 2025, low-code or no-code technologies will be used in 70% of new business applications, up from less than 25% in 2020 (Source: Gartner).
• By 2024, 80% of non-IT workers will build IT services and products, and more than 65% will do it with low or no-code technologies (Source: Gartner and Adtmag).
• By 2030, the low-code development platform sector is expected to bring in $187.0 billion in sales worldwide (Source: GlobalNewswire).

The growing requirement for integration, implementation, and consulting services is expected to drive up demand, especially low-code development for small businesses, down the road. Furthermore, a growing need for low-code platform maintenance, technical know-how, upgrades, and monitoring has surged demand for these services.

What is Low-Code Development?

Low-code software development allows programs to be deployed quickly while requiring little manual coding. By removing the need for the underlying programming, these solutions provide developers with modular components that they can integrate into workflows and applications, empowering IT to form business apps and workflows without the need for manual coding.

Instead of writing thousands of lines of intricate code, low-code app development enables users to rapidly and graphically create whole apps with contemporary user interfaces, data, integrations, and logic. As a result, less hand-coding is required, and applications are delivered faster.

Benefits of Low-code Development

Low-code development tools offer myriad benefits, revolutionizing how applications are built and maintained. Know low code development can help small businesses Here are some key advantages:

1. Rapid application development: Low-code app development tools accelerate the application development process by offering prebuilt components, templates, and drag-and-drop interfaces, allowing developers to assemble applications without extensive manual coding quickly.
2. Enhanced productivity: By abstracting away the complexities of traditional coding, low-code platforms empower developers to focus on higher-level tasks such as designing user interfaces, defining business logic, and integrating systems, enabling teams to accomplish more in less time.
3. Flexibility and adaptability: Low-code platforms provide flexibility to accommodate changing business requirements and market demands, allowing easy modifications to applications in real-time to address evolving needs or incorporate user feedback.
4. Empowerment of citizen developers: Low-code development tools allow individuals with varying technical expertise to contribute to software projects. Business users, subject matter experts, and citizen developers can all participate in building applications using intuitive visual interfaces, reducing the reliance on specialized IT resources and fostering collaboration across teams.

With the demand for low-code development platforms growing exponentially due to digital transformation across the globe, finding the one that syncs with your business objectives is imperative. We have shortlisted the best six with a broad outline of each.

6 Best Low-code Platforms

1. Appian

An industry-leading Appian is a minimal code development tool enabling companies to quickly create, implement, and manage robust corporate apps. Users can create apps visually using drag-and-drop features and prebuilt templates when complicated coding jobs are abstracted. Appian improves agility and speeds up digital transformation with its features for process automation and seamless integration.

Suitable application: Large organizations, government agencies, and financial establishments can supercharge developments as Appian streamlines business processes, accelerates application development, enhances CRM solutions, and optimizes HR workflows for improved efficiency.

2. OutSystems

OutSystems is a low-code Android application development platform that helps companies swiftly and efficiently build original apps. The low-code app platform employs a model-driven architecture that makes creating applications without writing codes easy. OutSystems leverages modern mobile and cloud technologies and releases new features regularly. It features a drag-and-drop user interface, cross-platform programming, and data models that facilitate full-stack development.

Suitable application: OutSystems serves a diverse range of sectors, spanning finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and government, and specializes in legacy system modernization and integration projects; customer-facing applications for enhanced user experiences; business process management apps; and supply chain management and inventory control solutions.

3. Salesforce Lightning

Salesforce Lightning is a framework that allows non-programmers to create business user interfaces and workflows on the platform. Unlike previous low-code development platform offerings that let you deploy custom web applications on any public cloud or premises, Salesforce Lightning is for Salesforce CRM users who want to create user experiences and support desktop, tablet, and mobile devices without writing code.

Suitable application: Salesforce Lightning caters to sales, marketing, customer service, finance, healthcare, and retail, offering features for customer relationship management (CRM), sales pipeline management, lead generation, and tracking.

4. Microsoft Power Apps

Microsoft Power Platform, a cloud-based platform, is one of the industry's most popular and fastest-growing low-code development platforms. Using Microsoft Power Platform, business users can develop user interfaces, operational workflows, and data models, which can subsequently be deployed in Microsoft Azure cloud. The four Microsoft Power platform products are power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents.

Suitable application: Microsoft PowerApps targets business professionals and developers seeking to create custom web applications and automate processes with minimal coding. Its use cases span custom business applications, workflow automation, CRM solutions, inventory management systems, and HR processes for employee onboarding.

5. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a robust low-code development platform that helps organizations build unique applications without needing extensive coding or programming. Because of its comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system and excellent visual capabilities, Zoho is well-known among top-tier bespoke web application development businesses. The platform combines a visually appealing user interface with various features, making it versatile and easy to use. It uses a drag-and-drop interface and is compatible with all iOS and Android devices. It may be combined with popular business platforms and apps like PayPal to simplify operations and convert business logic.

Suitable application: Zoho Creator offers custom business applications tailored to diverse finance, healthcare, and retail industries. The most popular use cases include data collection forms and surveys for efficient data gathering, project management tools, inventory management systems, and CRM solutions to streamline business operations.

6. Webflow

Webflow is a web design and development platform allowing users to design, build, and launch responsive websites visually without writing code. It combines the flexibility of traditional web design tools with the power of a content management system (CMS), enabling users to create custom websites with ease. With Webflow, users can design layouts, style elements, add interactions, and manage content—all within a visual interface. The platform also offers hosting services, making it a comprehensive solution for building and managing websites from start to finish.

Suitable application: Webflow can help create stunning websites, landing pages, marketing funnels, and eCommerce stores catering to a wide range of businesses—creative agencies, small businesses, and freelancers.

Conclusion:

The landscape of app development is transforming, with low-code platforms emerging as powerful tools for businesses of all sizes. Consider qualities like scalability, simplicity of use, integration potential, availability of templates, security features, cost, and support when selecting the finest low-code development platform.

From accelerating development timelines to empowering citizen developers and streamlining operations, the benefits of low-code app platforms are clear. As we've explored the top contenders in this space, it's evident that each offers unique strengths catering to diverse needs and industries. Whether you're a budding developer, a business leader, or a novice seeking to use low-code platforms and agility and innovation, investing in the right low-code app platform can propel your organization toward success in today's digital age.

Clarion Technologies' low-code development services enable businesses to discover the potential for transforming their processes, identify the most suitable platforms and tools, and access the necessary resources to implement solutions successfully.