No-Code vs Low-Code: Which One Can Actually Help Your Startup

Recently, we’ve seen a massive shift in how companies get IT systems. Before, there were just two options: you could build the needed software in-house or hire outsource developers. Today, plenty of tools allow us to create new software from the web to mobile with no- or low-code solutions.

But is it really possible to build a stellar product with no coding at all? Or will you need some engineering anyway? Let’s compare existing options to find out!

First thing first: why is no-code inefficient for business

Before you can really choose the solution for building your product, you need to understand the limitations of different options. For example, despite the marketing messaging pushed by no-code startups and marketplaces, this approach is a way to build some tactical app with limited functionality just to test something. This is not good enough for creating software that will automate key business processes and interact with the business’s core systems.

With no-code, you’ll be able to build a simple product using a drag-n-drop editor with no programming involved. However, the result will be limited in functionality. In addition, it will not be easy to scale the system if you need to accommodate 10x more users in a short time, most likely. Also, you will face multiple limitations in terms of customizations to tailor your unique processes.

I.e., you can use no-code platforms to address specific functions within a more extensive product. Still, it is literally impossible to build anything flexible and scalable with this type of tool. And here we come to a low-code.

Low-code to the rescue: flexibility, speed, cost-effectiveness

Compared to no-code, low-code solutions require some coding but still provide an intuitive UX with drag-n-drop functionality and give a lot of flexibility. Here are several pros of using a low-code solution over a no-code:

Flexibility

Unlike no-code solutions, low-code products provide an option to write actual code to build something completely unique. You also adjust the tool any time you need it. Also, low-code solutions can be integrated with third-party software via API; there can be various deployment options, including on-premise, while no-code tools are always cloud-based.

As a result, you get a solution that can flexibly adjust to your existing business processes. You get complete control over the product, including the on-premise installation. You can test it and expand its functionality by using APIs.

Speed

Differences between no-code and low-code are easy to understand. But if you still need to write code with low-code tools, how is this better than the traditional development approach? The thing is that many old-school engineers think that you can only get a great product if you build every part of it from scratch. It takes lots of time and money (developers are expensive!), and there is no guarantee that the product will be good enough.

In turn, tools like OptimaJet allow you to build your product using ready-made but scalable and adjustable parts. For example, you can use FormBuilder to create awesome forms and bundle them with DWKit. This business application platform will help you effectively manage form and business process development time with drag&drop interaction. Building a product using such blocks speeds up the overall development process by 7x.

Cost-effectiveness

Low-code still requires coding, as said above. This means that you will need engineers, but your IT team will be much smaller compared to traditional software development. First, you will need a business analyst to correctly describe your business processes and decide what building blocks of a low-code solution to use. Then you will need one or two developers who will use this platform and code your business logic using it. No need to have a programmer for every task, from building forms to launching mobile apps.

The low-code development is much faster, and you will cut months to get your product to production, resulting in hundreds of saved hours. All this translates to dozens of thousands of dollars in avoided costs. Also, most low-code platforms have a similar technology stack that includes .Net, which is very popular. This makes it easier to find an engineer capable of working in a low-code environment with no need to overpay.

Final thoughts: how to choose a low-code solution

To sum it up, let’s go through the decision-making process when choosing a low-code solution. Here are the steps to follow:

• Analyze your business processes to find growth points. First, you need to understand your business processes and decide which are efficient and which are not.
• Decide what to automate. Once you understand your growth points, it is a great time to start thinking about automation and its values in every business process.
• Choose the tools for each task. Then, if you understand what you need to improve by using technology, like boosting the cycle management process, you can search for a solution tailored to this task. For example, the Workflow engine by OptimaJet will be a great fit.
• Avoid cloud-based solutions. For any business, owning an IT is crucial. The tools you use should be free from legal risks. You should be able to control them at every step of the software lifecycle, from coding to testing and backups.