Are no-code platforms better than custom development? And what is a no-code platform anyway? The need for enterprise mobile app development is bigger than ever. But with software developers in short supply, how can companies get the customized apps they need without hiring armies of programmers? Surprisingly, there’s a solution that relies on no coders whatsoever. Companies are increasingly turning to No-Code Platforms—such as Appian—to build their custom enterprise mobile apps themselves.

What is a No-Code Platform?

A No-Code Platform enables non-programmers to create enterprise mobile apps without custom coding. Using a push and pull interface, business users can quickly customize apps with no technical knowledge or software programming experience. With built-in features like drag and drop, buttons and screen flow, No-Code Platforms enable business users to conceptualize, design and deploy custom enterprise mobile applications with ease. These self-service platforms can eliminate reliance on expensive IT departments or third-party developers for creating customized enterprise mobile applications for companies of any size.

Are no-code platforms better than custom development?

The answer depends on your organization. While it’s certainly possible to build an application from scratch, many companies don’t have the time or budget for that. For many of these organizations, no-code platforms can provide a viable solution to the problem of custom mobile application development without creating a significant investment in full-time programmers.

Benefits of No-Code Platforms

1) No need to create custom software from scratch

In terms of benefits, No-code Platforms offer everything that you would expect from enterprise mobile application builders (including a user interface and built-in features), with the addition of tools to simplify customizing them. A no-code platform allows you to quickly build an enterprise application that is tailored to your needs, without the extra hassle of creating a custom software solution from scratch.

2) Quick Integration

No-Code Platforms allow you to integrate workflows and processes across employees. So whether it’s integrating non-profits, accounting departments, or IT–you can easily automate business processes with a No-Code Platform. This saves time and money–and ensures that all your data is in one place.

3) Customizable

No-Code Platforms allow business users to customize the interface and add their own screens. This means that you can easily create an interface that meets your company’s individual needs. Some No-Code Platforms allow you to easily drag and drop elements from other apps as well, so you can quickly integrate an existing app into your custom solution. This helps save time and money by streamlining the development process, rather than having to start from scratch.

4) Plug and Play Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

No-Code Platforms include a built-in IDE which allows you to easily develop your custom mobile app without the need for software programming experience. These platforms provide an easy to use interface for managing elements, screens, and other features in real-time. This IDE can even provide a preview of the completed application so you can see exactly what your enterprise mobile app will look like before it’s finished.

5) Easy to use

Most no-code platforms are designed with usability and simplicity in mind. They are designed to be as easy to use as possible, with a straightforward user interface that allows non-technical users to easily make changes and customize the application as needed. This means that even business users without any software development experience can quickly start creating custom enterprise mobile applications without having to rely on IT or costly third-party developers for support.

How much do No-Code Platforms cost?

No-code Platforms vary widely in price. For example, a popular solution for designing mobile apps for non-profits is Appian. This platform offers a range of solutions to meet the needs of charities and organizations. One of its most popular options is the Free Microsite Builder, which allows you to upload documents, photos and videos as well as develop a basic website using drag and drop editing.

The full suite of solutions also includes Web Programming, Mobile Programmer, Mobile Designer, Mobile Engineer, Cloud Storage Management and more.

Some other popular No-Code Platforms are Airtable ,Appy Pie , Webflow , Sketchup and many others.

However, there are also disadvantages to using a No-Code Platform.

The first is that you, therefore, don’t get the level of support that you would with a custom software development team. What this means is that if your app has any bugs or glitches, it may take quite some time to get them fixed!

That’s why it’s important to have a backup plan, in other words. In addition to this, you don’t get the level of customization that you could get with a custom software solution.

Conclusion

No-Code Platforms benefit a lot of companies, and we wouldn’t be surprised if we see more and more No-Code Platforms in the near future.

Always weigh the advantages versus the disadvantages before deciding to develop a custom mobile app for your business.

No-Code Platforms are a great way to grow your brand, but you also may want to consider hiring a development team or freelancer to work on your project if you need something that is more customized or you need the help of an experienced software engineer in order to fix bugs and glitches.

Read more on custom vs. generic software development, which is better?