The difference between No-Code and Low-Code: Which tool to choose for your business?

Rafał Kozłowski, Software Development / EdgeUI

21 November 2024
No-code & Low-code
4 min

For years, the no-code and low-code technology market has been divided to distinguish different approaches to application development and automation. Although both worlds have their roots and specific features, the boundaries between them are becoming increasingly blurred. Many tools that were originally intended to be “pure” no-code have gained the ability to add code over time. Low-code platforms, on the other hand, often enable solutions without programming. As a result, the division is becoming increasingly blurred, making clear classification difficult.

Different perspectives on division

One can approach the distinction between no-code and low-code in many ways. Here are the most popular ones:

1. Target group

No-code is often associated with tools designed for non-technical users who can create a simple application or automation without IT assistance. Low-code, on the other hand, are solutions that offer developers the flexibility to adapt off-the-shelf components to more complex requirements. Reality, however, shows that business users are also reaching for low-code, and developers are eager to use no-code features, causing the two worlds to intermingle.

2. Size of the organization

By convention, low-code tools are targeted at larger organizations with complex infrastructure and more complex needs. No-code, on the other hand, is often chosen by smaller companies and startups that quickly need a prototype (MVP) without involving the IT department. However, even this division is not fixed, as more and more no-code tools offer enterprise-class features, while low-code tools are available to small businesses in the Microsoft or Google ecosystem.

3. Flexibility and expansion of functions

Traditionally, low-code has been associated with greater flexibility because it allows code to be added to extend functionality. No-code was originally geared toward simple and functionally limited solutions, but now offers options for adding code components. For example, the FlutterFlow platform allows users to add custom code components, while Bubble, classified as no-code, offers enterprise-grade features.

4. Intersection of functions

It is worth noting that in the market reality, many tools combine both no-code and low-code features. One example is the Power Platform from Microsoft – while dedicated to larger companies, its licensing method also allows small organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem to create their first automations and applications. This permeation of functions makes the classic division between no-code and low-code less relevant.

Low-code vs no-code - what should i choose?

Examples of No-Code and Low-Code tools

There are hundreds of No-Code and Low-Code tools on the market, and their number is growing every day. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Power Platform – Microsoft’s extensive low-code platform. It consists of several components, such as Power Apps for application development and Power Automate for automation. It integrates well with other applications in the Microsoft ecosystem.
UiPath – A platform mainly associated with business process automation (RPA), it also offers tools for application development, cloud automation and AI integration.
SAP Build – A low-code tool from SAP, a global leader in business software development, that enables both automation and business-specific application development.
Bubble – A comprehensive No-Code platform that allows you to build frontend, logic and database without leaving your application. Bubble has a large community and is a popular choice for building web applications.
FlutterFlow – A platform dedicated to mobile app development, based on the Flutter language. It allows you to extend functionality by adding your own code components.
Make – A tool for creating simple automations. Ideal for tasks requiring several steps, such as merging applications and automating business tasks.

We as Apollogic are a partner of both Microsoft, UiPath and SAP. If you are interested in one of these solutions or need help choosing the right technology.

What to choose for your business?

There are several key aspects to consider when choosing the right tool:

IT infrastructure – Analyze your organization’s existing technologies and see if the chosen tool can be integrated with them.
Available licenses – Make sure your company does not already have licenses that can be used for application development, such as Microsoft licenses.
Internal competencies – Check whether you have the right competencies within the organization to use the tool effectively, or decide whether it is worth investing in employee training.
Availability of specialists – If there is a lack of internal competence, consider whether you can easily find specialists in the market or use the support of external companies.
Alignment with business needs – With more specific requirements, it is worth looking for tools that best fit the organization’s needs.

How can we help you?

If you are considering implementing no-code or low-code technology, Apollogic can help you:

In the selection of technology – We will select the tool that best fits your requirements.
Identifying areas of automation – We will diagnose where automation can bring the most benefit and help you implement it.
Creating tailor-made applications – Take advantage of our rapid application development services.
Implementing off-the-shelf applications – We can help you integrate off-the-shelf solutions based on Power Platform, such as Service Desk or an employee onboarding system.