Top 8 Low-Code/No-Code Platforms For You In 2024

The tech world is buzzing with low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms, empowering even non-programmers to build their dream apps. Ditch the code, embrace the drag-and-drop! But with so many options out there, where do you start? Buckle up, because we\’re unveiling the top 8 Low-code/No-code platforms to ignite your coding journey in 2024! Whether you\’re a budding entrepreneur, a passionate hobbyist, or a curious soul craving digital independence, this guide is your key to unlocking innovative possibilities. So, grab your creativity and let\’s dive into the vibrant world of Low-code/No-code!

1. What are Low-code/No-code Platforms?

Low-code/no-code platforms are software development platforms that empower people with little to no coding experience to build applications and software solutions visually, using drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and visual logic instead of traditional hand-coding.

Common features of Low-code/No-code platforms

Drag-and-drop interfaces: Create apps visually by dragging and dropping pre-built components, such as forms, buttons, and data fields.
Visual logic builders: Define app logic and workflows using visual tools instead of writing code.
Pre-built templates and integrations: Jumpstart development with ready-made templates for common app types and integrations with popular services.
Deployment options: Easily deploy your apps to the web, mobile devices, or internal systems.

Benefits of using Low-code/No-code platforms

Speed and agility: Build apps significantly faster than traditional coding methods.
Accessibility: Empower those without coding knowledge to create digital solutions.
Reduced costs: Eliminate or minimise the need for expensive developers.
Business alignment: Enable business users to directly create apps that meet their specific needs.

2. Top 8 Low-code/No-code platforms You Need to Consider

2.1. Apps Script

Google Apps Script, nested within Google Drive, empowers you to extend and automate functionalities across various Google Apps like Sheets, Docs, Forms and Gmail. While technically code-based, it utilises familiar JavaScript, making it a powerful tool for beginners and experts alike.

Features

Automation: Automate repetitive tasks across Google Apps
Custom Functions: Create custom functions for calculations, data manipulation, and logic within Google Sheets and Docs
Web Apps: Build simple web applications with user interfaces accessible within Google Drive
Triggers: React to events like form submissions, email sends, or calendar reminders to automate workflows.
Integrations: Connect with third-party services like Gmail, Slack, Drive and Calendar through APIs.
Visual Builder (Advanced): Simplify coding for beginners with the Apps Script editor’s visual builder for basic functions and triggers.

Integrations

Google Suite: Sheets, Docs, Forms, Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.
External Services: Slack, Trello, Asana, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Dropbox, etc.
Web APIs: Connect with any API your project requires through custom code.

Pricing

Free

Trial

Free plan available

Pros

Approachable for various skill levels
Connect with Google Apps and third-party services
Automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows
Build custom functions, web apps and scripts

Cons

Some coding knowledge is still required
Limited visual builder
Require JavaScript coding and concepts for advanced features
Only work with Google products

2.2. Power Apps

Power Apps, a low-code platform from Microsoft, empowers you to build custom business applications without needing extensive coding knowledge. It offers a visual development environment and pre-built components, making it accessible to both citizen developers and professional developers.

Features

Canvas Apps: Build mobile and web apps from scratch using a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components.
Model-driven Apps: Generate apps based on existing data sources like SharePoint or Common Data Service, simplifying development.
Custom connectors: Connect to various data sources beyond Microsoft\’s offerings through custom development.
Workflow automations: Automate tasks and processes within your app using Power Automate.
Offline capabilities: Keep some apps functional even when disconnected from the internet.
AI and machine learning integration: Leverage Azure AI features within your apps for enhanced capabilities.

Integrations

Microsoft Services: Azure, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, Outlook, Teams, etc.
Third-party Services: Dropbox, Twitter, Facebook, Salesforce, etc.
On-premises Data Sources: SQL Server, Oracle, SAP, etc.

Pricing

From $5/user/app/month

Trial

30-day free trial

Pros

Visual development and pre-built components
Build apps quickly
Scalability
Integration with other Microsoft services

Cons

Limited Open-source Community
Difficult to work with formulas in custom scripts

2.3. Web.com

Web.com is a web technology company that offers a suite of services for businesses and individuals looking to build their online presence, such as domain registration, digital marketing and a low-code website builder.

Features

Website Builder: Create and manage websites with drag-and-drop tools, pre-built templates, and responsive design options.
Domain Name Registration: Find and register your desired domain name to build your online brand.
Web Hosting: Choose from shared, virtual private server (VPS), or dedicated hosting plans to suit your website\’s needs.
Email Services: Set up professional email addresses with your domain name for secure communication.
Marketing Services: Gain access to various SEO tools, social media marketing, and pay-per-click advertising to drive traffic to your website.
E-commerce Tools: Build and manage online stores with secure payment processing and inventory management features.

Integrations

Web.com are pre-built for WordPress, Team Support, LiveAgent, accessiBe, Reputation and BlueSnap.

Pricing

From $4.95/month

Trial

Free demo available

Pros

Provide useful services for both individuals and businesses
Competitive pricing
User-friendly for beginners
Design support for experts

Cons

Limited support for custom code
Focus on beginners

2.4. Pega

Pega is a powerful enterprise low-code application development platform aimed at building complex business applications, automating workflows and making real-time decisions fueled by AI.

Features

Digital Process Automation (DPA): Automate complex workflows, case management, and decisions across various departments.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Personalise customer journeys, optimise service delivery, and drive engagement.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Leverage AI for predictive analytics, intelligent decisioning, and robotic process automation (RPA).
Low-code/No-code Development: Build applications without extensive coding knowledge, enabling citizen developers to contribute.

Integrations

CRM Systems: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP CRM
ERP Systems: SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics AX
Marketing Automation Platforms: Marketo, Pardot, Eloqua
Analytics Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics
Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform

Pricing

From $35/month

Trial

Free trial available

Pros

Integrate with many other services
Robust process automation
Comprehensive case management features

Cons

Pricing can be expensive, especially for smaller business
Difficult to set up

2.5. Mendix

Mendix is a leading low-code application development platform that empowers businesses and individuals to build and deploy web and mobile applications without extensive coding knowledge. It offers a visual development environment, pre-built components, and powerful features for rapid application development. In addition, Mendix also offers the Epics feature – a built-in project management tool that allows you to organise teams with either Scrum or Kanban methods.

Features

Visual Development: Drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components make building applications intuitive and accessible.
Model-driven Development: Define your application\’s data model and logic visually, streamlining development and reducing errors.
Cloud-based Platform: Develop and deploy applications in the cloud for scalability and accessibility.
Multi-experience Development: Build native mobile and web apps with a single codebase.
Advanced Features: API integration, offline capabilities, security tools, and automation capabilities for complex applications.
Enterprise-grade Scalability: Handles large volumes of data and users with robust infrastructure and security.

Integrations

Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
Databases: MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server
Marketing Automation: Marketo, Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Payment Gateways: Stripe, PayPal
Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

Pricing

From $60/month

Trial

Free plan available

Pros

Offers a cloud-based architecture and a contribution to Cloud Foundry open source PaaS project.
Built-in project management features
Open platform supports custom solutions

Cons

Not cost-effective for smaller teams
Prone to performance slowdown

2.6. Wavemaker

Wavemaker, previously owned by VMWare but now an independent platform, is a Java-based low-code application development platform geared towards professional developers. Its Application Platform as a Service (aPaaS) features help you manage deployment both off and on-premises.

Features

IDE-like Studio: Familiar environment for developers, allowing for a smooth transition from Java coding to low-code development.
Visual Development: Drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components for building UIs and backend services.
Reusable Components: Create and share custom components for efficient development and consistency.
Data Integrations: Connect to various data sources through APIs and built-in connectors.
API Orchestration: Manage and streamline API integrations for complex data manipulation.
Mobile App Development: Build native mobile apps using React Native Studio within the same platform.

Integrations

Databases: MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc.
Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
API Management Platforms: Kong, MuleSoft
Marketing Automation Tools: Marketo, Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Payment Gateways: Stripe, PayPal

Pricing

From $500/month

Trial

30-day free trial

Pros

No vendor lock-in
Supports React for mobile front-end development
Easily navigable interface for beginners

Cons

Desktop version is no longer available
Not cost-effective for small businesses

2.7. Nintex

Nintex is a comprehensive platform that empowers organisations to automate workflows, manage documents, and build forms and applications. It offers a robust set of process automation tools using a drag-and-drop builder and pre-built templates, catering to various business needs, from simple process automation to complex document management systems.

Features

Workflow Automation: Visually design and automate workflows with drag-and-drop tools and pre-built templates.
Document Management: Securely store, manage, and collaborate on documents with version control and e-signatures.
Forms Builder: Create interactive forms for data collection, approvals, and surveys.
Process Mining: Analyse existing workflows to identify bottlenecks and optimise processes.
Mobile Access: Access and manage workflows, documents, and forms from mobile devices.
Integrations: Connect Nintex with various data sources and business applications through APIs and built-in connectors.
Power BI Integration: Leverage Power BI for advanced analytics and reporting on your workflows and data.

Integrations

Integrations are pre-built for Azure AD Groups, Amazon S3, Google Translate, Openweather, Accuweather, Outlook, Slack, Smartsheet, Signiflow, and Bacon Ipsum.

Pricing

From $2,083/month (billed annually)

Trial

30-day free trial

Pros

Support team is often responsive
Robust automation features
Comprehensive onboarding process

Cons

Steep learning curve
Expensive

2.8. Salesforce Lightning

Salesforce Lightning is a user interface and development framework for the Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. It enhances the user experience and empowers businesses to build custom applications.

Features

Modern Interface: Intuitive and user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality for easier navigation and data manipulation.
App Builder: Build custom applications on top of the Salesforce platform with pre-built components and visual tools.
Flow Builder: Automate workflows and processes with drag-and-drop tools without needing coding knowledge.
Einstein AI: Leverage pre-built AI models for sales forecasting, lead scoring, and more.
Mobile Accessibility: Access and manage data, dashboards, and applications from mobile devices.

Integrations

Integrations are pre-built for Google Workspace, Slack, HubSpot, Mailchimp, monday.com, ZoomInfo, Docusign, Calendly, Dropbox, and LinkedIn.

Pricing

From $25/user/month

Trial

30-day free trial

Pros

Responsive customer support
Robust CRM features
Organised record-keeping system

Cons

Slow performance at times
Steep learning curve for anyone coming from classic Salesforce

3. Selection Criteria For Choosing an Appropriate Low-Code/No-code Platforms

Choosing the right low-code/no-code (LCNC) platform is crucial for ensuring successful application development and maximising benefits. Here are some key selection criteria to consider:

3.1. Your Project Needs

Complexity: Simple forms and workflows vs. complex enterprise applications?
Data Integration: Existing data sources to integrate with?
Mobile Compatibility: Need native mobile apps or web-based only?
Security and Scalability: How sensitive is the data? How many users will use the app?

3.2. Ease of Use

Target Users: Who will be building and using the app? Technical expertise required?
Learning Curve: How intuitive is the platform? Does it offer training and support?
Visual Development: Drag-and-drop tools and pre-built components available?

3.3. Features and Functionality

Pre-built components: Does it offer components for your specific needs (e.g., maps, charts)?
Customizability: Can you tailor the UI and functionality to your brand and requirements?
Integrations: Does it connect with your existing tools and data sources?
Advanced Features: Workflow automation, AI, analytics, etc., needed?

3.4. Pricing and Licensing

Cost Structure: Subscription fees, per-user licences, or one-time purchase?
Scalability: Can you easily scale up or down as your needs change?
Free Trial: Does it offer a free trial to test the platform before committing?

3.5. Vendor Reputation and Support:

Brand Reputation: Track record, customer reviews, and industry recognition.
Support: Quality of support offered, availability, and response times.
Community: Does it have an active user community for support and knowledge sharing?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of free LCNC platforms is your oyster – a vast ocean of potential waiting to be explored. With the tools we\’ve presented, you\’re equipped to turn your ideas into tangible realities, one drag-and-drop at a time. Remember, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination. Experiment, explore, and don\’t be afraid to push the boundaries! So, unleash your inner creator, embrace the power of LCNC, and get ready to witness your vision come to life in the digital realm. Happy coding, and may your future apps be brimming with innovation!

Are you ready to unlock the power of Low-code/No-code in your business? Contact AgileTech today! Register this form for a free consultation and discover how we can help your business turn your ideas into reality.