Enterprise No Code Software - Worth Doing the Work Yourself?

What is No Code Enterprise Software?

No Code platforms for enterprises are app builders that allow businesses to build enterprise grade applications without any coding. These enterprise applications can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, and they can also be used to automate processes and workflows.

Compared to traditional No Code platforms, enterprise-focused ones provide greater opportunities for customisation in app development: features, database architecture, hosting options, adding custom code, etc.

Some of the popular enterprise No Code/Low Code software platforms include Appian, Mendix, OutSystems, and QuickBase.

(If you don't know what Low Code is, here's a great guide: What is Low Code)

Advantages of No Code Development Platforms

There are several advantages of using an enterprise No Code platform.

Firstly, they allow businesses to create custom applications quickly and without the need for coding knowledge, through their drag-and-drop functionality.

Secondly, an enterprise No Code platform usually comes with a wide range of built-in features and templates that can be used to create sophisticated applications with little effort and by non-technical users.

Finally, enterprise No Code software platforms often have lower total cost of hiring traditional software development companies or having a specialised IT department.

Disadvantages of No Code Tools

While an enterprise No Code platform does have its advantages, there are also some disadvantages that businesses should be aware of.

The first disadvantage is that while No Code platforms allow businesses to create custom applications quickly, they may not always be as flexible as traditional coding languages. This means that businesses may need to hire professional No Code developers to help them create more complex applications.

Secondly, enterprise No Code software platforms may not always be compatible with existing systems and databases. This means that businesses may need to invest in new hardware and software to use these platforms.

Thirdly, enterprise no code software platforms may require users to have some technical knowledge to be able to use them effectively, anyway.

Examples of No Code Platforms for Enterprises

Bubble.io

Even though it's not specifically advertised as such, Bubble is an excellent app builder for business users and their app development. As a No Code agency, we have a lot of experience with it, and, in short, it's simply our favourite tool to create apps with.

It can be used to create both web and native mobile apps, with little fuss. Reusable components, plugins, templates, and abundant tutorials are available for the tool online.

The tool is free to try, while paid plans range from $25 to $475 a month.

You can read exactly why we love this tool so much in our article on Bubble No Code.

Choose Bubble if:

• You are a small business
• You don't have any coding knowledge
• You are on a tight budget
• You mainly want to focus on web app development

Mendix

Mendix is an enterprise Low Code platform that has gained significant popularity among businesses and developers in recent years. It is has also been named one of the leaders in the sphere by independent researchers.

It allows users to quickly build custom apps, online portals, automate workflows and modernise legacy systems. AI capabilities can also be connected to your apps.  

Mendix also supports multiple deployment types and cloud vendors, so it can be used regardless of where your applications will be hosted.

The basic plan is free, while paid options can cost up to $850 and more (with custom pricing tailored to your organisation) a month.

Choose Mendix if:

• You are an enterprise
• You know at least the basics of coding
• You can spend hundreds of dollars per month for quality software
• Seeing a clear roadmap for the improvement of the tool you are using is important

Clappia

Clappia is a No Code app building platform in which any business user can customise a suite of custom applications.

The cloud based environment enables users to easily create and modify enterprise level apps with ease by integrating third party programs at their own pace, while still being able maintain control over all aspects from configuration settings - giving them full reigns when it comes time for building out new ideas or coming up against limitations within an already existing framework.

The platform works by letting citizen developers connect pre-coded components called 'modules' and connecting them into apps.

Clappia is free to try, while the paid plans cost up to $10,000 a month.

Choose Clappia if:

• You do not need on-site hosting (it's not available yet)
• You need to be able to develop capable mobile applications for iOS and Android
• You are a single user (the platform is free for 1 user)
• You do not know a single coding language

What Can You Make With a No Code Development Platform?

As a No Code development company, we have a lot of experience making websites, web apps and native apps with No Code and Low Code platforms. Here you can read how we scaled our No Code agency.

Below are three main categories of what you can do with a No Code platform.

Web Apps

Making a web application is the most common use case for No Code and Low Code development platforms. A web application is quite simply - an application hosted on the web (and accessed via a browser).

Examples of web applications include AirBnB, Spotify and Facebook.

A great example of a web app we made is Kiwi. The app is a social network for a small local community in Vilnius. Inhabitants confirmed by an administrator could vote on their preferred traffic rules on their street. For example, they could close the street to all non-local traffic.

Confirmed rules would be enforced by a smart sign, which is connected to a database of inhabitants' vehicles.

You can about the app in more detail here: Kiwi Case Study.

Native Mobile Apps

Mobile apps that are designed specifically for one operating system are called native apps. Apps like these can be built with No Code and Low Code platforms. Some of them specialise in making mobile apps, like Adalo, others, like Bubble, merely have the capability to deploy developed apps in a native setting.

However, even the second type of application development platform can be used to build some kick-ass apps. For example, we used Bubble to build Mond, a Facebook-esque social network for the dogs of New York, in native iOS app form.

User profiles were of the dogs themselves and displayed their breed, vaccination status, whether they were neutered and so on. Dogs could become friends and chat with each other on the app.

The main attraction, however, is the map of all of the dog parks in the New York area. Users could check into them and see what other dogs are currently in a dog park. An instagram integration is also available, so owners do not have to upload pictures of their dogs one by one.

Read more about the app here: Mond Case Study.

Websites

Another popular use case for No Code and Low Code platforms is website development. This is because most of these platforms were designed with web applications in mind and have a lot of features that cater to this type of development. Simple websites are very similar to web apps, albeit have less features and are easier/quicker to make.

Many No Code platforms provide capabilities to make simple sites. We use Webflow, another No Code tool, to build representational websites for businesses.

One of them was for an interior design and construction company - Fitup. The firm wanted a new experience for their potential customers, a simple, light, quickly-loading and fully responsive website, which is exactly what we delivered.

Another website we made was for a No Code development agency - ours! The website you are on right now was also made with Webflow.

What Is Better: Building Yourself or Hiring a No Code Agency?

Now that we are familliar with the concept of an enterprise No Code programming platform, the main offerings in this market and what can be built with these Low Code or No Code solutions, let's look into the main choice you will have to make.

Is it better to digitise your business processes yourself, as a citizen developer, or hire a specialised No Code agency to rapidly develop the solutions for you?

Building With No Code Tools by Yourself

Pros:

• Opportunity to learn new skills.
• Can be fun and satisfying.
• Maintain control over the development.
• Cheaper if you have free time/employees.

Opportunity to learn new skills.

‍Learning to build an app from the ground up is a very useful skill to have in the digital age. With the advent of No Code, achieving that skill has become significantly easier, too.

Can be fun and satisfying.

Building an app from scratch can be a very rewarding experience, especially if it is successful. When you see your app being used by people and making their lives easier, it's a great feeling.

Allows you to maintain full control over the development process.

‍When you build an app yourself, you have full control over every aspect of its development. This means that you can make changes to the app as you see fit, and you don't have to rely on anyone else to make changes for you.

Cheaper if you have free time/employees to spare.

If you or someone on your team has the time to build an app, then it will be cheaper than hiring a No Code agency.

Of course, this is only true if the person building the app knows what they're doing, as No Code software development still requires a certain degree of know-how.

Cons

• No Code platforms also have a learning curve.
• Diverts your attention from your core business and competencies.
• Can be costly to upgrade hardware.
• It will take you longer to make a product.
• The quality may not be as high.

Using a No Code platform still requires technical knowledge and proficiency.  

While these platforms can make it easier to build apps quickly, they still require some technical knowledge to be able to operate effectively.

This means that you will need at least one person on your team with the necessary skills and experience, which may not be ideal if you are working under a tight deadline or budget.

There may also be compatibility issues when using No Code platforms with other software and databases, which might require advanced No Code application development skills to figure out.

Building apps yourself diverts your attention.

You will be spending days and weeks learning a new platform, when you could be working on your core competencies and developing your business. This is because developing an app takes time, effort and focus, which could be better spent elsewhere.

If you are an expert in your niche, it might be better to keep doing what you do best and leave software to No Code application development professionals.

Can be costly if you need to purchase new hardware to use these platforms effectively.

Even though No Code platforms exclude the coding part out of software development and do not require any coding skills, they still need a lot of computer resources to work flawlessly.

Bubble.io, from our experience as No Code application development professionals, needs around 16gb to operate truly flawlessly, therefore, your legacy systems might need an upgrade.

For example, we've noticed that even a 2020 MacBook Air with 8gb of RAM does not run Bubble.io to our desired standards, so keep that in mind.

It will take you longer.

If you are not a professional developer, then it might take you longer to build the app than if you were using an experienced No Code agency.

At the end of the day, software development is not only about knowing how to write code or set up No Code workflows, it's about project management and effective resource allocation.

All of these things are core parts of the business strategy of a No Code agency. Not only are they experts at the crafts of visual modeling, making web applications and custom software, they also work efficiently doing it.

Therefore, hiring a professional agency for your new apps will simply be quicker.

The quality of the solution may not be as high.

Even when using a No Code platform, there is still a lot of scope for human error and mistakes in building the app.

If the person developing your solution lacks experience or technical know-how, there is potential for their work to be less accurate and effective than if it was made by a professional No Code agency.

Even though you can simply use a drag and drop interface to make mobile apps with a No Code development platform, there are still things to know: database design, optimised and user-friendly UI and UX principles, effective ways to reduce loading times.

These behind-the-scenes, advanced app development principles are what make a good app that people actually want to use.

Professionals are knowledgeable about these subjects and can build apps that convert customers, so you wouldn't have to.

Hiring a No Code Agency

Pros

• Expertise in using No Code platforms
• No need to hire and maintain an in-house developer team
• Much faster results than if you did it yourself.
• High quality solution that is developed by professionals.

Expertise.

‍No Code agencies have the necessary expertise and experience to help businesses create sophisticated applications quickly and without any hassle.

They know the ins and outs of the No Code development platforms they work with, which means that you benefit from all of the advantages of No Code, with none of the drawbacks.

Your business needs are met with rapid application development and any changes or technical limitations will be handled effectively by professional developers.

In addition, No Code agencies usually offer competitive prices that can save businesses money in the long run.

No need for an in-house developer team.

‍When you hire a No Code agency, you don't need to invest in an in-house team of developers. This means that you can save on costs such as salaries, benefits and training.

In addition, you won't need to worry about managing and coordinating your in-house team, as this will be handled by the No Code agency.

Faster results.

When you work with a No Code agency, they will be able to develop your solution much faster than if you did it yourself. This is because they have the expertise and experience to quickly create sophisticated applications.

As a result, you can benefit from all of the advantages of No Code and not wait months or even years for your application to be available to customers.

High quality solution.  

When you work with a No Code agency, you can be confident that you will receive a high quality solution. This is because the developers working on your project are professionals who have the necessary skills and experience to create a top-quality application.

In addition, No Code agencies usually have a rigorous quality control process in place to ensure that all of the applications they develop meet the highest standards.

Cons

Trades in-house resources for simply paying developers with money.

Depending on your case, this might be more expensive.

If you have a team of developers on hand, hiring an external firm instead of using your own devs that usually write code might mean extra expenditure, as your own professional developers can build functional and secure applications with No Code, in no time.

On the other hand, if you have to train your regular employees to become citizen developers and learn the principles of software development, that is likely to be more expensive than hiring professionals, in the end.

Of course, this depends on whether you prefer paying your developers by the hour or investing thousands of dollars in salaries and benefits each month.

Requires you to trust the No Code agency.

Hiring a No Code agency entails having to trust that the agency will deliver according to your specifications and timeline.

However, if you go to a reputable No Code agency, with years of experience in delivering high quality applications, you can be confident that they will do what they say they'll do.

In addition, No Code agencies usually have a solid reputation built on success stories from past clients - meaning that they are motivated to deliver both quality and timely results.

Always check out their portfolio of previous work before contacting a No Code agency.

Wrap Up

Ultimately, whether you choose to build your own applications using no code programming tools or hire an agency to do it for you, depends on your goals and priorities.

If you are looking for flexibility and control over the development process, then doing it yourself may be the better choice. On the other hand, if speed and cost are more important factors for you, then hiring a professional No Code development agency may be the right choice.

Overall, we believe that hiring a professional No Code agency to help with the digital transformation of your company is usually a better investment than doing it yourself. However, only you can decide which path is best for your business needs.

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References

Cover Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Low Code vs No Code vs Visual Development, What’s the Difference? Code or No Code.

Top 9 No Code Tools (Software) for Enterprises. Code or No Code.

Cons of no-code development. Appmaster.

Compare Bubble and Mendix. G2.

Clappia. G2.