A low-code tool is a visual approach to software development. Instead of programming everything manually, low-code abstracts and automates an application lifecycle to enable the rapid delivery of various software solutions. It breaks the traditional silos of business and IT to promote continuous collaboration.

There are many low-code tools on the market. So, we’ve aimed to make a comprehensive list that looks at some of the top low-code and no-code options for designing and developing functional business tools. The following are some of the best low-code tools.

1. Appian

Appian is a low code app that has a simple design to develop software. It provides a leading low-code automation software development platform that enables organizations to rapidly develop powerful and unique applications, purportedly 20 times faster than typical hand-coding. Several major companies have used Appian.

Pros

• Ability to extend the application with usage of custom plugins.
• Ease of building modern uniformed and dynamic UI.
• It is an open platform that can integrate with external systems.
• Customize the display to the current user and show them relevant information.

Cons

• Appian does not scale up and down without adding physical hardware.
• No way to refresh non-prod environments from prod as well as spin up temporary sandboxes.

2. Kissflow

Kissflow is a Unified Digital Workplace Platform that allows you to manage all of your work in one place. It provides over 45 pre-installed apps to create your own business applications. Each application is made using easy-to-use technology to help even non-technical people create applications. Over 10,000 customers use Kissflow across 160 countries.

Pros

• No coding or complex mapping is required.
• Simple and easy to use interface.
• Quick helpdesk support.
• Compatible with a wide range of workflows or processes.

Cons

• Doesn’t integrate with Oracle Cloud CRM.
• Difficulty exporting reports to personal email.
• Error messages at times.

3. Mendix

Mendix is considered a reliable low-code development platform that can be used to build apps without coding and collaborate with developers in realtime. The Mendix platform supports application development for any device. It has an option of private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises deployment. This platform is developed with a visual development tool, offering re-use of components that ultimately speed up the app development process.

Pros

• Fast and flexible development.
• No coding needed.
• Provides excellent user experience.
• Very secure.

Cons

• Expensive.
• As the scale of application increases, the performance decreases.
• At times, it is a bit complex when using the App store widgets.

4. Outsystems

Outsystems is one of the best platforms for low-code rapid application development with advanced capabilities for enterprise mobile and web apps. The development platform is crafted explicitly with an obsessive attention to detail and is designed to help you build and deliver better apps faster.

Pros

• It is easy to deploy and easy to use.
• Offers training and documentation.
• Offers templates for the fastest app development.
• The ability to upload/download documents.
• The possibility to find defects and make changes very quickly.

Cons

• Less control of infrastructure with the cloud-hosted option.
• Support doesn’t communicate very well in an escalation.
• Requires some coding experience.

5. QuickBase

QuickBase is another low-code tool that lets you automate and improve business processes. QuickBase is a widely-used, cloud-based RAD and database software. It is an easy-to-use platform with a lot of features and the fastest form-based wizard.

Pros

• Very fast basic app creation tool.
• Automated data management.
• Can be customized entirely to the needs of your business.
• Quick and easy development of apps that help in structuring data.

Cons

• No native mobile app.
• Setting up reports is not that easy.
• Automated workflows aren’t very comprehensive.
• Has limited “in-the-box” integration options.

6. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a cloud-based, low-code application development platform that aims to empower users to build enterprise-class applications that run on mobile, tablet, and web. Zoho Creator’s workflow automation feature enables managers to create process-automation scripts with the help of drag-and-drop functionality. It requires the use of a proprietary scripting language to unlock its full customization and automation power.

Pros

• It has an excellent interface, email, and text integration.
• Create a dashboard of graphs and charts that update in realtime.
• Easily import or export large databases.
• Does a lot of the work for you in database creation and manipulation.
• Control – Zoho allows you complete control and portability over your data.

Cons

• It doesn’t show the OTP screen when logging in through the WEB sometimes.
• The product claims that your user data is protected, but there is a flaw with how the dropdown menu data is shared.
• Requires use of proprietary scripting language for app customization and automation.

7. Linx

Linx is a low-code development tool for IT pros to develop rapid integrations, automation, and web services. It can generate Windows processes, create and consume web services, integrate legacy or SaaS systems, automate data transfers, high volume file handling, to name a few examples. It is a good option for automating many backend processes.

Pros

• Easy to use, fast time-to-market solution implementation, excellent customer support, designer free of charges.
• Very helpful in providing access to developer partners to implement a complete solution.
• Linx IDE and Linx Server both maintained a very reasonable memory footprint.

Cons

• The interaction may become sluggish when doing testing of the script steps.
• Linx requires you to understand the APIs you are talking to; there are limited pre-built solutions.
• It doesn’t have the most user-friendly interface as compared to any other low-code tools.

8. Zapier

Zapier is a low-code tool that helps users automate daily workflows involving various applications. It is a cloud-based integration platform. Zapier integrates with Slack, Google Sheets, QuickBooks, Facebook Lead Ads, Google Docs, and other applications. Support is provided via documentation and an online help desk. Pricing is based on a monthly and annual subscription.

Pros

• Creates automated actions between online services.
• Simple to use, but includes advanced features.
• Connect many different platforms.
• User-friendly: it’s easy to create and administer zaps.
• Zapier has a wide range of integrations available for every business need.

Cons

• Field mapping can get tricky in certain zaps.
• No support for Smart Home devices.
• The free version only lets you create integrations with two-steps, making it hard to create more complex and useful Zaps.

9. Oracle APEX

Oracle Application Express (APEX) or Oracle APEX enables you to design, develop, and deploy beautiful, responsive, database-driven applications using only your web browser. It includes a suite of pre-built productivity applications and examples, such as a Survey Builder, Bug Tracking, P-Track project management, and other features.

Pros

• It’s easy to test. Just one click and the page you are working on is executed.
• It’s easy to use, configure, build reports and forms.
• It is ideal for quick amendments and enlargements.
• Oracle Application Express has very friendly use for users and easy to manage the work.
• People can work on reports simultaneously.

Cons

• No built-in printing solution for reports.
• There is no option to take a parameter from APEX application to pl-SQL procedure (database side).
• Plugins could be expanded.

10. Airtable

Airtable is a software platform that empowers people to build the solutions they need to drive innovation and increase agility within their teams. It mainly focuses on small to midsize businesses as well as departments within larger companies. Airtable is different from older database management systems — it’s sleek, like an iPhone app that anyone could use.

Pros

• Enables less tech-oriented teams to build a solution for managing business data that doesn’t require a separate web app to be made to do so.
• Variety of views and ways to manipulate and collaborate on the data.
• Airtable helps to track the progress of recruiting.
• Many ways to implement the database structure according to your needs.
• Different views for different uses make it a very flexible tool.

Cons

• The pricing of the paid tiers are quite expensive.
• Sometimes, the onboarding tips can be a bit intrusive.
• Confusing amount of filters and almost too much stuff in there.

11. Salesforce Lightning

The Salesforce Lightning solution combines data with RAD. It combines the power of Salesforce with low-code app development. It’s designed for building and deploying scalable cloud applications with managed hardware provisioning and app stacks. Salesforce Lightning has a visual toolset and an impressive third party ecosystem that is hard to match.

Pros

• Highly Customizable.
• Work saves automatically, and editing information keeps you on the same page rather than reloading everything.
• A huge amount of data in one place that is easy to access and track.
• Integrates with many other applications to enhance user experience and life.

Cons

• It can be a little slow, but given a large amount of data, this can be expected.
• Searching can be tricky as it doesn’t allow for spelling mistakes.
• Managing events in Lightning seems to be more difficult than classic.

12. Quixy

Quixy is a cloud-based, user-friendly digital transformation platform. It focuses on helping business users with no coding skills enhance efficiency, transparency, and productivity for business operations to automate processes and build enterprise-grade applications. It provides dozens of pre-built solutions for various use cases such as CRM, Project Management, HRMS, Travel and Expense Management, Service Request and Incident Management, and much more.

Pros

• Quixy has helped in developing various business applications for multiple departments at organizations.
• Quixy enables building applications without coding.
• Flexibility to change anytime.

Cons

• Few features such as Calendar controls, Grid, and maps need to be improved.
• Need a lot of improvements but this factor can be ignorable.

13. Orgzit.com

Orgzit is a data management software platform that enables you to utilize, manage, and organize your data from multiple sources. It is a cloud-based Business Process Management (BPM) platform. With Orgzit, one can build highly customized apps and workflows to address multiple business needs and areas, such as CRM, Project Management, Recruitment, and more. Orgzit is a highly flexible, scalable workforce productivity technology platform.

Pros

• Very easy to use.
• Orgzit has a powerful dashboard that helps you track multiple and complex processes easily.
• Reasonable monthly cost varied integrations.
• Works quickly and smoothly.

Cons

• Inability to do invoicing from Orgzit.
• The software lacks in creating customized company specified reports.
• Mix of functionality in a single dashboard is not possible.
• Not very user friendly.

14. IFTTT

If This, Then That (IFTTT) is another useful codeless platform that lets you connect apps, services, and smart home devices. Basically, we can say that IFTTT is a connectivity platform. It is perfect for productivity and optimization geeks that want to do their most out of their time and also for those who have fun letting the Internet of Things unleash in their lives.

Pros

• It supports IoT devices and voice assistants.
• IFTTT can help you to save up some time and day-to-day tasks.
• They are easier to use than other products.
• Connects to a multitude of services and sensors.
• Allows integration between services that would typically require expensive custom solutions.

Cons

• There are some clunky issues when you want to do more than one event at a time.
• Applets don’t always work as expected.
• No enterprise-level support.
• Limited triggers and actions.

15. Clappia

Clappia is a Cloud Digital Workplace platform used to build mobile-ready business process apps. It provides a no-code digital transformation platform where creating complex business process apps (web and mobile) is as easy as working on an Excel sheet. This software is best for businesses and organizations that require their tailored apps for various aspects and purposes, ranging from task management, finance, etc.

Pros

• Strong customer support.
• User interface is simpler and very comfy to use.
• Highly customizable.
• Feature-rich with a robust roadmap.

Cons

• Doesn’t support comprehensive reporting.
• All Excel formulas aren’t supported.
• Difficult to navigate through pages.

16. Pipefy

Pipefy is just another low-code tool platform that caters to the needs of different industries and business sizes. With the help of Pipefy, users can visualize their specific work processes in a way that they can see what has been done, what is being done, and what needs to be done. It allows users to create custom workflows, define work rules, and collaborate in realtime. It streamlines all of the steps new customers need for onboarding quite well.

Pros

• It is straightforward to customize and collaborate on tasks.
• Pipefy is an excellent tool for the ones who need to organize your tasks, schedule, meetings, etc.
• Pipefy has a great UX, is very intuitive, and very easy-to-use.

Cons

• Some changes in the process are possible only at the cost of “losing” some historical data.
• The reliability of the site also is hit or miss on occasion.
• Sometimes, it can be challenging to find specific features.

17. Retool

Retool is a low-code tool mainly geared toward enterprise users. It allows you to build custom internal tools for your team, including tables, textboxes, and dropdowns, with the platform’s property editor. Retool is a fast way to make internal tools. Using Retool, you can drag-and-drop building blocks and connect them to your databases and APIs to build your tools.

Pros

• Retool is a useful tool for putting data into buckets to look at pertinent information.
• User-friendly and cost-effective.

Cons

• The platform is very Javascript-centric.
• Not always reliable, and sometimes the dashboards don’t load well.

18. Google App Maker

Google App Maker is a low-code tool, and it has recently made its place among the top low-code platforms. App Maker is included with G-Suite Business and Enterprise editions and G Suite for Education.

Pros

• Very easy to use.
• User-friendly.
• No coding required for basic app creation.
• Integrates with Google apps and services.

Cons

• No customizable templates.
• To develop advanced apps, advanced coding knowledge may be necessary.
• Not recommended for beginners.

19. Dashdash

The next comes in our top list of Low code tools is Dashdash. It is a spreadsheet software used to access business data and APIs with spreadsheet skills. It uses functions like SUM, IF, INDEX, and MATCH to connect your business tools to the real world. The Dashdash platform looks and acts like a spreadsheet up front, but behind the scenes, each ‘macro’ links to a web app computing feature, or a design element, to build something that ultimately will look nothing like a spreadsheet, bypassing all the lines of code that traditionally go into making web apps.

Pros

• Pre-programed Excel functions to develop your app.
• The tool’s flexibility to interact with APIs without code and automatically onboard that information into the CRM.
• Easy to use.
• Familiar interface, simple & intuitive.

Cons

• Lack of the possibility for collaboration.
• Missing some standard spreadsheet functions.
• It can be challenging to identify the right way to use it — this stems more from the volume of solutions it can provide.

20. Claris FileMaker

Claris FileMaker is another useful low-code application development platform that allows non-technical users to quickly build and share easy-to-use custom apps specific to their business needs. Using Claris, these apps can integrate seamlessly with internal systems, take advantage of emerging tech, and allow teams to share, collaborate, and manage all their information.

Pros

• Highly customizable.
• The system is relatively easy to configure to adapt to all the existing processes that a company contains internally.
• It maintains open standards for fantastic information gathering.

Cons

• This program can be frustrating when entering data in several fields.
• Sometimes, it is hard to build the relational part between files.
• There is no cloud version of this database.

21. Parabola

Parabola is a visual programming language, integrated development environment (IDE), deployment process, and serverless computer environment. Parabola is used by non-developers who are looking to automate their repetitive tasks. It automates repetitive processes and tasks from data analysis to campaign creation by building a reusable visual workflow.

Pros

• It saves a lot of time.
• Simple and easy to use.
• Parabola enables professionals of all skill levels to extract and manipulate data quickly.

Cons

• The number of destinations one can extract to is lacking.
• Once you start to have a lot of Flows, there needs to be a way to organize them so you can find them quicker.

22. Nintex Process Platform

Nintex is another low-code tool that caters to various industries, including energy, health, and life sciences, financial services, and government. It is an online provider of workflow automation solutions for multiple businesses. Nintex serves organizations of all sizes across nearly every industry in both the public and private sector. It also helps organizations automate their business processes quickly and easily.

Pros

• Easy to use. The Set Items permissions is one of the best features.
• It is very visual; you can view the entire process as a map.
• The form tools are easy to work with, as long as you use the New Responsive Designer.
• It is easy for end-users to pick up and work on their own.

Cons

• The performance is slow.
• Forms are not that intuitive; much JavaScript is necessary.
• The UI still looks minimally old and can be significantly moved forward.

23. n8n.io

n8n.io is another low-code platform, which is a node-based workflow automation tool. n8n.io software is an open-source alternative to Zapier. It can be used by small startups to enterprises — freelancers, small and medium companies use the software.

Pros

• It is completely free software.
• It is easy to use.
• Automate daily tasks and sync data between different apps/databases.
• It can be extended and self-hosted.

24. Bubble

Bubble is a cloud-based solution that enables businesses to build and design mobile and web applications without programming. It is powered by a robust point-and-click editor that allows users to create fully customizable web applications and workflows ranging from simple prototypes to complex marketplaces, SaaS products, and more.

Pros

• Bubble is a great way to test out working solutions and ideas.
• Everything can be created on Bubble: from simple sites to complex CRM.
• It has high-speed query processing.
• Everyone can create full-featured applications in short terms.
• Great app for people with or without coding knowledge.

Cons

• For very complex tasks, sometimes the code is still needed.
• The list of 3rd party plugins often don’t have proper how-to documentation.
• One of the limitations of Bubble is that the API Connector can’t handle API Responses that contain nested arrays.

25. Panda Flow

Panda Flow is a low-code platform with no-code automation that enables both business users and developers to integrate their apps and easily create automated workflows easily. The product allows business users to connect & automate SaaS apps with built-in connectors and create automated workflows using drag and drop editor. It also allows developers to write code in popular languages like JS.

Pros

• It syncs all data and creates rules on how the data should sync.
• Well data management.
• Create one or more apps, then create complex workflows.
• Easy to understand and use.
• Easily create workflows using drag and drop editor.

Honorable Mentions

Did we leave out a low-code solution? Comment below, and we’ll consider adding it to our list!

Final Thoughts

So far, we have covered 25 of the best low-code platforms. These tools are being used to perform a lot of tasks. Companies are moving towards low-code tools when they’re building a simple solution. But when you’re building a complex application, you might be in a situation where you have to think ahead of low-code development or say you have to move towards custom development. Companies should also prioritize low-code development tools that can adopt APIs. It can help low-code developed applications be much more robust and work on some complex principles. In the coming years, we could see many improvements in low-code tools as the demand in the market for these tools is increasing day by day.