|
*'''Agility''' - NCDPs typically provide some degree of templated user-interface and user experience functionality for common needs such as forms, workflows, and data display allowing creators to expedite parts of the app creation process.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Richard |title= Low code and no code app development benefits |url=https://appdevelopermagazine.com/low-code-and-no-code-app-development-benefits/ |website=App Developer Magazine |accessdate=28 January 2019}}</ref>
*'''Richness''' - NCDPs which at one point were limited to more basic application functions increasingly provide a level of feature-richness and integrations that allows users to design, develop, and deploy apps that meet specific business needs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shrivastava |first1=Anubhuti |title= How Zero-Code Platforms Are Becoming A Boon For Enterprises |url=http://trendintech.com/2019/01/15/how-zero-code-platforms-are-becoming-a-boon-for-enterprises/ |website=Trend in Tech |accessdate=28 January 2019}}</ref>
== No-code platforms ==
No-code platforms allow users to build applications, automate workflows, and manage data without writing code. These platforms are designed for non-technical users and feature drag-and-drop interfaces, AI-assisted development, and human-centric design principles. They enable users to create functional applications quickly, making them ideal for prototypes, MVPs, business automation, and scalable digital solutions.
=== Key features of no-code platforms ===
* '''Visual interface''': Drag-and-drop builders allow users to create workflows and applications without programming knowledge.
* '''Pre-built templates''': Many no-code platforms offer industry-specific templates for quick deployment.
* '''AI-powered logic''': Almost all platforms leverage AI now to assist with automation, optimization, and business intelligence.
* '''Integration capabilities:''' No-code tools connect various apps and services through APIs and connectors.
* '''Scalability''': While originally designed for small projects, some no-code solutions now support enterprise-scale automation and customization.
== Low-code platforms ==
While no-code solutions are designed for non-technical users, low-code platforms offer a blend of visual builders and custom coding.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Guthardt |first=Till |last2=Kosiol |first2=Jens |last3=Hohlfeld |first3=Oliver |date=2024-10-31 |title=Low-code vs. the developer: An empirical study on the developer experience and efficiency of a no-code platform |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3652620.3688332 |journal=Proceedings of the ACM/IEEE 27th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems |series=MODELS Companion '24 |___location=New York, NY, USA |publisher=Association for Computing Machinery |pages=856–865 |doi=10.1145/3652620.3688332 |isbn=979-8-4007-0622-6}}</ref> They cater to developers who need flexibility for complex integrations, advanced business logic, and enterprise-grade scalability.<ref>{{Citation |last=Waqas |first=Muhammad |title=Using LowCode and NoCode Tools in DevOps: A Multivocal Literature Review |date=2024 |work=New Perspectives in Software Engineering |pages=71–87 |editor-last=Mejía |editor-first=Jezreel |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-50590-4_5 |access-date=2025-01-29 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer Nature Switzerland |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-50590-4_5#citeas |isbn=978-3-031-50590-4 |last2=Ali |first2=Zohaib |last3=Sánchez-Gordón |first3=Mary |last4=Kristiansen |first4=Monica |editor2-last=Muñoz |editor2-first=Mirna |editor3-last=Rocha |editor3-first=Alvaro |editor4-last=Hernández Pérez |editor4-first=Yasmin}}</ref> AI features help automate tasks, speed up development, and support decision-making, making low-code platforms more efficient and adaptable for different business needs.
=== Key features of low-code platforms ===
Low-code platforms combine visual development with coding flexibility, allowing users to add custom scripts for greater control. They integrate with legacy systems and APIs, enabling deeper automation and enterprise operations. Built for scalability, these platforms can handle large-scale business processes and complex workflows. With AI-powered features, they enhance automation, improve decision-making, and streamline development, making them more efficient and adaptable to business needs.
== Low-code vs no-code: pros and cons ==
No-code tools are simple to learn, require minimal setup, and allow users to launch projects quickly – making them accessible to anyone, regardless of technical expertise.<ref>{{Cite ssrn |last=Yashar |first=Mansoori |last2=Maria |first2=Kandaurova |last3=Adrian |first3=Bumann |title='Everyone' Can Be an Entrepreneur: The Rise of Low-Code/No-Code Entrepreneurship |language=en |ssrn=4815570}}</ref> However, not all no-code platforms offer deep functionality or robust integrations. For example, while [[Zapier]] connects a wide range of apps, it may struggle with large-scale executions. In contrast, no-code platforms like [https://www.shopstory.ai/en Shopstory] are designed for scalability in specific areas like ecommerce and marketing.
Low-code platforms, on the other hand, combine rapid development with greater flexibility. They can handle more complex workflows and larger systems, making them a strong choice for enterprise projects. However, they require some coding knowledge, can be more challenging to manage, and often come with higher costs for large-scale implementations.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!'''Feature'''
!No-code
!Low-code
|-
|Ease of use
|Beginner-friendly, requires no programming
|Requires some coding knowledge
|-
|Speed
|Very quick
|Fast, but may require coding
|-
|Flexibility
|Limited to platform constraints
|Highly customizable
|-
|Scalability
|Suitable for small, medium and large-scale projects, including some enterprise use cases.
|Better suited for large-scale applications
|-
|Integration
|Works well with popular web apps and APIs
|Can integrate deeply with enterprise systems
|}
== Future of workflow automation ==
| 