Low-code development platforms
Low-code development platforms represent a type of technology that allows for creating apps through configuration of functions, rather than coding those functions. Low-code development platforms enable accelerated delivery of business applications by reducing the amount of hand-coding required as well as the initial investment in setup, training, and deployment.[1]
Though not given a specific name until June 9, 2014 [2] (by industry analyst, Forrester Research), the Low-code Development Platform market can be traced back to 2011.[3]
Low-code development platforms trace their roots back to fourth-generation programming language and rapid application development tools of the 1990s and early 2000s. Similar to these predecessor development environments, Low-code development platforms are based on the principles of model-driven design, automatic code generation, and visual programming.[4]
Use
As a result of the microcomputer revolution, businesses have deployed computers widely across their employee basis, enabling widespread automation of business processes using software. The need for software automation and new applications for business processes places demands on software developers to create those custom applications in volume, while tailoring to organizations’ unique needs.[5] Low-code development platforms developed as a means to allow for quick creation and use of working applications that can address the specific process and data needs of the organization.
Reception
Research firm Forrester estimates that the total market for Low-code development platforms will grow to $15.5 billion by 2020.[6]
Low-code development’s market growth can be attributed to its flexibility and ease.[7] Low-code development platforms are shifting focus towards general purpose of applications, with the ability to add in custom code when needed or desired.[8]
Mobile accessibility is one of the driving factors of using Low-code Development Platforms.[9] Instead of developers having to spend time creating multi-device software, Low-code packages typically come with that feature standard.[10]
Because of a minimum amount of required coding knowledge, low-code development platforms can be taught to nearly anyone. Using features like drag and drop interfaces which give visualization of the application rapidly speed up construction times.[11]
Security concerns
Concerns over Low-code development platform security is growing, especially for apps that use consumer data. Some argue that there should be concerns over the security of apps built so quickly.[12] Others believe Low-code apps are fueling security innovations—with continuous app development in mind, it is becoming much easier to create secure data workflows.[13]
Analyst coverage
Low-code Products featured in the The Forrester Wave™: Low-code Development Platforms, Q2 2016:[14]
- Agile Point
- Appian
- Bizagi
- Caspio
- K2
- MatsSoft
- Mendix
- MicroPact
- MIOsoft
- Nintex
- OutSystems
- QuickBase
- Salesforce
- ServiceNow
- XF
Crowd evaluated Low-code development platforms
Low-code platforms evaluated on G2Crowd (excluding above) https://www.g2crowd.com/categories/low-code-development-platforms:
- ActiveTcl
- Angular.io
- Apache Isis
- ColdFusion Builder
- CommonTime Infinity
- CUBA platform
- EASA Software
- Elevate Web Builder
- FIS Platform
- King of App
- Linx
- Mavo
- Omnis Studio
- Progress Rollbase
- RAMP from LANSA
- Rapidsoft
- Simplicit Software
- Spring Boot
- Spring Roo
- TrackVia
- Visual LANSA
- WaveMaker
- WhoGloo
- WorkflowGen
- Xojo
- XtraBuild Designer
- Zengine
- Zoho Creator 3
- Zudy
- XF
Commercial Low-code development platforms
Product | Established | Pricing | Premium Support | Free Editions/ Trial | Codebase | Customer profile | Speciality |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AgilePoint NX | 2003 | $5- $125 per user per month depending on number of apps and license type | N | C# | Enterprise | BPM | |
Appian | 1999 | Application Edition: $75 per user/month
Enterprise edition: 1$50 per user/month |
Available. Prices not published | Y | Java | Medium - Enterprise | BPM |
Bizagi | 1989 | $800 | $160 | Y | Java | All | BPM |
ColdFusion Builder | 1982 | $299 | Y | Javascript | All | Application Builder | |
CommonTime Infinity | 1994 | Business: £1,250/month
Enterprise £2,500/month |
Available. Prices not published | Y | Javascript | Medium - Enterprise | Application Builder |
CUBA | 2008 | Commercial: $389/year | $8,000/year | Y | Java | All | Enterprise Applications |
DaDaBIK | 2001 | Commercial: on-premises solutions starting from €45 to €490 | Available | N | PHP | All | Application Builder |
EASA | 2005 | At least one concurrent author at $16.5k annually. Additional cost per user. | Included | N | Enterprise | RAD | |
Elevate | 2011 | $359 | $19 /session | Y | Object pascal | Small - Medium | Web Builder |
EntelliTrak | 1997 | From $50,000 for 5 concurrent users | From $34,000 | Y | Java | Enterprise | BPM |
Formotus | 2005 | From $20/user per month | Y | All | Mobile Form Apps | ||
GVinci | 1998 | $60/Month per developers. | Various | Y | C# asp.net | All | Web and Application Builder |
Knack | Commercial: starting from $39/month | Y | Application Builder | ||||
Linx | 2001 | Free | $49/month | Y | C# | Small - Medium | BPM and Integration |
MATS Low-code (MatsSoft Ltd) | 1998 | No single pricing model.
Blank Instance £750 ‘Out-of-the-Box’ MATS Solution £2,495 |
Available. Prices not published | Y | All | BPM / Web & App / SMS / GDPR | |
Mendix | 2005 | $1875/month for 1 application
Multipple apps from $5375/month |
Various | Y | Java | All | Web and Application Builder |
MioEdge | 1998 | $3.92 per edge unit-hour + 2 cents per gb-hour | N | Javascript | Enterprise | Big Data | |
Omnis Studio | 1997 | Variable, based on components | Various | Y | C++ | All | RAD |
Oracle Application Builder | 1977 | Per developer | Y | JavaScript | All | Web & Mobile Apps | |
OutSystems | 2001 | From $2,100/month | Various | Y | C# | All | RAD, Application Builder |
Progress Rollbase | 2013 | $15per user/month, $1,000/month minimum | Y | Javascript | All | RAD | |
Salesforce Lightning | 1999 | 75$ per user/month | Available. Prices not published | Y | Javascript | All | Web Applications |
Servicenow | 2004 | Enterprise from $42,000/year | Y | All | BPM | ||
Simplicit | 2006 | Cloud 20€ per user/month | Y | Java | All | Education Support | |
Trackvia | 2006 | Custom Quote | N | Java | All | BPM | |
Wavemaker | 2003 | $249 per developer/month | $3,000/year | Y | Java | Medium - Enterprise | Enterprise Applications |
WorkflowGen | 2003 | From $9,900 | Y | C# | All | BPM | |
Xojo | 1997 | Desktop $299/year
Pro $699/year Enterprise $1,999/year |
N | Basic | All | Application Builder | |
Xtrabuild | 2012 | Lite $199/year
Standard $599/year Professional $1,199/year |
Lite 99$/year
Standard 299$/year Professional 599$/year |
Y | Small - Medium | Data Management | |
Zengine | 2014 | Pro $79/year
Plus $149/year Pro $299/year |
Y | Javascript | Small - Medium | Enterprise Applications | |
Zoho | 2006 | Basic €5 per user/month
Premium €15 per user/month Express €199 per user/month Express Plus €1,999 per user/month Ultimate Edition - Quote |
Y | C | All | Online Applications | |
Oneweb | 2010 | Variable, based on components | Available. Prices not published | N | Java | Medium-Enterprise | Application Builder and BPM |
Notes: Prices quoted are as advertised on vendors website. The actual price may differ depending on the service package purchased. Typically, a package is made up of software, services, maintenance and possibly even future growth.
Speciality definitions:
- Application Builder: Cross platform, mobile focused.
- Web Builder: Web applications, browser accessed, self hosted.
- Online Applications: Web applications, cloud hosted by supplier.
- BPM: Business Process Management (including workflows)
- RAD: Rapid Application Development
Criticisms
Some IT professionals question whether Low-code development platforms are suitable for use when building large-scale and mission-critical enterprise applications.[15] Additionally, some CIOs have expressed concern that adopting Low-code development platforms internally could lead to an increase in unsupported applications built by shadow IT.[16]
References
- ↑ Richardson, Clay. "New Development Platforms Emerge For Customer-Facing Applications". www.forrester.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Richardson, Clay. "New Development Platforms Emerge For Customer-Facing Applications". www.forrester.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Marvin, Rob (12 August 2014). "How low-code development seeks to accelerate software delivery - SD Times". SD Times. San Diego TImes. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Lonergan, Kevin (29 July 2015). "On the down low: Why CIOs should care about Low-code - Information Age". Information Age. Information Age. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ↑ Marvin, Rob. "Building an App With No Coding: Myth or Reality?". PCMAG. PC Mag. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Richardson, Clay. "Vendor Landscape: The Fractured, Fertile Terrain Of Low-code Application Platforms" (PDF). Forrester Research.
- ↑ Rubens, Paul. "Use Low-code Platforms to Develop the Apps Customers Want". CIO. CIO Magazine.
- ↑ Marvin, Rob (12 August 2014). "How low-code development seeks to accelerate software delivery - SD Times". SD Times. San Diego TImes. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Marvin, Rob. "Building an App With No Coding: Myth or Reality?". PCMAG. PC Mag. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Marvin, Rob. "Building an App With No Coding: Myth or Reality?". PCMAG. PC Mag. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Richardson, Clay. ""Vendor Landscape: The Fractured, Fertile, Terrain Of Low-code Application Platforms"" (PDF). Forrester Research. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Rubens, Paul. "Use Low-code Platforms to Develop the Apps Customers Want". CIO. CIO Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Rubens, Paul. "Use Low-code Platforms to Develop the Apps Customers Want". CIO. CIO Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Richardson, Clay. "The Forrester Wave™: Low-code Development Platforms, Q2 2016". www.forrester.com. Forrester Research. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Rymer, John. "Low-Code Platforms Deliver Customer Facing Apps Fast, But Can They Scale Up?". Forrester Research. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ↑ Shore, Joel (31 July 2015). "How no-code development tools can benefit IT". Search Cloud Applications. TechTarget Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2017.