16 Best Low-Code Development Platforms in 2023

In this article you’ll find a brief overview and pricing details of the top 16 low-code development platforms available on the market today. The article should serve you as a basis for your platform evaluation efforts, and it should assist you in selecting the right platform for your organization.

So let’s begin! 🚀🚀🚀

What is low-code development platform?

Low-code / no-code development platform, is a type of software development framework that allow users to build user-centric or business-centric applications with minimum coding or no code at all.

Why companies are embracing low-code / no-code development platforms?

Today, increasing number of organizations are embracing low-code development platforms to rapidly develop new business apps, and there are several reasons for this trend.

The past few years, have seen a number of disruptive events, starting from the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the global economic uncertainties (raise of inflation rates, trade barriers…), as well as the increased customer expectations.

All these events have accelerated the need for digital transformation, putting development teams under big pressure. They are required to maintain, manage, and develop the current applications portfolio while also delivering considerably more sophisticated apps in increasingly shorter timeframes. On top of that, companies are also struggling to hire new developer talent, as there aren’t enough engineers to fulfill the current development needs.

“The global shortage of full-time developers will increase from 1.4 million in 2021 to 4 million in 2025, which means that the full-time developer labor force will perform 90.8% capacity in 2021 and 84.9% capacity in 2025.”

— IDC, Quantifying the Worldwide Shortage of Full-Time Developers

Key benefits of low-code and no-code platforms

#1 Faster time to market

Low-code and no-code platforms speed up the development and delivery of applications because most of the functional development can be achieved without writing a code leading to less development effort. In the digital age, when businesses must race to meet employee and customer demands or risk being disrupted by competitors who do so, this is a crucial element.

#2 Empowering the non-IT staff

These platforms give non-IT professionals more problem-solving options, enabling regular employees to easily build business apps that make their jobs more efficient.

#3 Cost predictability and added value

Low-code / no-code development platforms provide greater control on costs when compared with an equivalent decision to embark on in-house R&D initiatives.

The future of low-code / no-code application development

According to Gartner’s latest estimate, the global low-code development technologies market will be worth $13.8 billion in 2023, up 22.6% from 2021. Even though it won’t completely replace traditional application development, industry experts predict that low-code will continue to be adopted by businesses in the future, especially for quick development and niche business requirements.

“By 2025, 70% of new applications developed by enterprises will use low-code or no-code technologies, up from less than 25% in 2020.”

— Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms

Top 16 low-code development platforms

In the table below you may find a short summary of the top low-code development platforms available on the market today. For more details about each platform, continue reading after the table.

#1 VIENNA Advantage Framework

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (Community Edition)
Pricing: Starts at $15 per end user/month/app

VIENNA Advantage Framework is an open source, .Net-based and low-code development framework that helps users build data-centric enterprise applications with minimum coding, from simple contact management forms to complex manufacturing, ERP or WMS solutions.

Most of the functional development can be achieved without writing a single line of code due to pre-built modules, components, ready-to-connect integrations and business content, saving your developers up to 70% of coding time. It also enables you to deploy your apps to any device or operating system, remotely with just a few clicks. VIENNA Advantage Framework ensures that solutions are secure, resilient, cloud-ready, and built to scale.

Platform highlights:

• Menu, table and report composer — helps you build custom modules/functionalities for your existing app, or create completely new business application
• Workflow painter and process automation — build complex workflows without coding using your data structure and user interfaces
• Automatic task scheduling, notifications, emails, SMS, etc.
• User, Role and Tenant Management
• User Interface (web-based UI, mobile and tablet deployment, UI controls)
• Powerful web services layer (connect to or exchange data with any other system or app)
• Business Intelligence and Reporting Cockpit — create dynamic reports and dashboards without coding. It takes only a few minutes.
• Session and Change Audit
• Security and Encryption — multi-level encryption at server and client side, 2FA, etc.
• Multi-language support
• Record search
• Backup and restore methods
• Excel Import and Export
• Dynamically Generated Help
• Access controls and permissions
• Collaboration Tools

Get detailed info about VIENNA Advantage Framework here.

#2 Mendix

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (very limited functionality, community support)
Pricing: Starts at €800/month + €10 per user/month/app

Using abstraction and automation in a drag-and-drop fashion, Mendix enables developers to rapidly build enterprise-grade solutions. Within the Mendix Platform, users can build software with complex data integrations, define workflow automation, or develop react native and progressive web mobile applications. Mendix has low-code and no-code IDEs, letting developers with a range of skillsets to collaborate on the same application.

Platform highlights:

• Agile project management
• Visual modeling tools
• Reusable components
• AI-assisted development
• Model API & SDK
• Model sharing
• Cloud Foundry support
• One-click cloud deployment
• Full application lifecycle management support
• Integrated app store
• Web-based applications, AJAX

#3 m-Power

Free Trial: ✅ Available for 30 days
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $1,500 /month (unlimited developers, users, and apps)

The m-Power Development Platform combines low-code development, business intelligence, reporting, workflow automation, and mobile into one platform. With no user or application fees, m-Power customers deliver all types of applications across their entire business.

Platform highlights:

• Full customization: m-Power lets you add custom business logic, create custom templates, and even edit applications at the code level if needed.
• Simple Integration: easily integrates with your existing software and third-party applications.
• Open Architecture: built on open libraries and frameworks.
• No vendor lock-in
• Built-in security: enterprise-class security baked in.
• Flexible deployment: Deploy applications on-premise, in the cloud, or in hybrid scenarios.
• Simple Automation: Easily automate your business processes using m-Power’s drag-and-drop workflow designer.
• No hidden fees: m-Power is licensed per database with no run-time fees, user fees, distribution fees, data fees, or application fees. That means that m-Power will not become more expensive the more you use it.

#4 Service Now

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (Developer instance, Community Edition)
Pricing: Starts from $30,000 per year for the Standard ITSM package, and $60,000 for the Professional ITSM package.

ServiceNow is a cloud-based workflow automation platform that enables enterprise organizations to improve operational efficiencies by streamlining and automating routine work tasks with low-code / no code digital workflow building and extension tools.

Platform highlights:

• Privacy and security controls and encryption
• Admin center
• Process optimization
• Workflow and process automation
• Intelligent chatbots
• Performance analytics and predictive intelligence
• Collaboration tools
• Mobile app builder
• Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
• Flow Designer

#5 GeneXus

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Enterprise Edition starts at $900 per developer/month (unlimited apps and users)

GeneXus is a low code, cross-platform, knowledge representation-based development tool, mainly oriented towards enterprise-class applications for web applications, smart devices, and the Microsoft Windows platform. GeneXus uses mostly declarative language to generate native code for multiple environments. It allows users to just develop new functionalities in their existing systems so they can leverage their investments. The platform also supports integration with other external systems and application which allows users to develop apps better. Moreover, it allows developing complementary solutions for SAP ERP.

Platform highlights:

• AI-based automatic software generation
• Create multi-experience apps (model once, generate for multiple platforms — responsive and progressive web apps, mobile native and hybrid apps, Apple Tv, chatbots and virtual assistants).
• High flexibility — large number of database support
• Future-proof — evolve systems over long periods of time and change between technologies and platforms automatically.
• Business Process Management Support: Digital Process Automation through integrated BPM modeling.
• Deployment flexibility: Deploy apps on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid scenarios.
• Application security module included.
• No runtime for generated applications, price by developer seat.

#6 OutSystems

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (limited functionality + limitation of end users, up to 100)
Pricing: Starts at $1,512.50/month (billed annually)

With a clean and simple user interface you can easily design applications that support a range of business use cases. OutSystems easily integrates with your existing systems and supports the development of APIs for more flexibility. The platform was designed to give you everything you need to quickly build, deploy, manage and change your enterprise mobile and web apps.

Platform highlights:

• Real-time monitoring and reporting of all apps usage and performance
• Scalable through APIs
• Quick mobile app deployment and monitoring
• DevOps automation
• Access control and permission management
• Native support for Agile development
• Integrated debugging engine
• Multilingual support
• Full support for Batch Processes and Scheduling

#7 Visual Lansa

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $999 per developer/month (unlimited apps)

Visual LANSA is a cloud-based application development solution designed to help software developers build multi-experience applications for web, desktop, and mobile devices. The WYSIWYG screen editor allows teams to improve any aspect of existing applications using a single programming language.

Platform highlights:

• Single development environment (powerful low-code IDE to create desktop, web, and mobile app)
• Batch debugging
• Access controls and permissions
• Code refactoring
• Version control
• Data modeling

#8 Appian

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (up to 15 users, limited functionality, no support)
Pricing: Starts at $75 per user/month (minimum charge for 100 users)

The Appian service is primarily aimed at companies that need a low-code building of business process management (BPM) applications, with a broad deployment. The platform offers automation of complicated processes, provides visual development tools and gives an intuitive and simple-to-use interface. Along with app development, Appian offers business process automation solutions to set processes and procedures. The platform makes it easy to simply reference the object from one application to another, enabling information sharing at an organization level.

Platform highlights:

• Process modeling and automation — Automate enterprise-wide workflows with a unified suite of native automation technologies (RPA, intelligent document processing, AI, business rules)
• Integrate data from anywhere. Data migration not required.
• Security compliance certifications including: AICPA, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FDA, FISMA and more.
• Audit management
• Real-time reporting and analytics
• Collaboration tools
• Alerts and notifications

#9 Salesforce Lightning

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $25 per user/month (billed annually)

Salesforce Lightning enables users to build mobile apps with advanced security. Pro-Code tools will allow you to use any programming language for app creation. It offers features like embedding AI & IoT and integration with Salesforce & third-party data.

Platform highlights:

• No-code builder and instant app creation from a spreadsheet
• Process Builder for building complex workflows
• Built-in security
• Seamless integration trough APIs
• DevOps and open technologies
• Collaboration tools
• Change-and-release management tools

#10 Retool

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (up to 5 users, limited functionality)
Pricing: Starts at $10 per user/month/dev environment

Retool is a low code development software that helps businesses mainly in the eCommerce, finance, and media, to organize and connect various components including charts and lists to build applications. Administrators can connect with various data sources to write queries and design actions with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Platform highlights:

• Edit functionalities and view the application in the editor as well as user mode on a unified interface
• Version Control
• Access controls and permissions
• Integration with dozens of popular data sources
• Connect to anything with a REST or GraphQL API
• Write JavaScript anywhere for full customization of your app
• Secure applications with fine-grained access controls and audit logs as well as SAML SSO and 2FA

#11 Quixy

Free Trial: ✅ Available for 14 days
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $20 per user/month (Unlimited apps. Billed annually. Minimum charge of 20 users.)

Quixy is a cloud-based user-friendly business application platform that empowers enterprise business users with no coding skills to automate workflows & processes, and build enterprise-grade applications, using simple drag and drop design. Quixy provides dozens of pre-built solutions for a variety of use cases such as CRM, Project Management, Travel and Expense Management, Service Request, and much more.

Platform highlights:

• Build User Interface the way you want it using 40+ field controls
• Model processes and build workflows
• Ready to use apps to get you started in minutes
• Rules engine to give you the control you need
• Data tables and functions
• Seamlessly integrate, and extend applications
• Test what you build with the Quixy simulator
• Task notifications, reminders, and escalations
• Document Generator for faster, error-free operation
• Data Sources for the wider view
• Reports and dashboard builder

#12 Creatio

Free Trial: ✅ Available for 14 days
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $25 per user/month (Studio Creatio, Enterprise Edition)

Studio Creatio is an intelligent low-code and process management platform that helps users to automate workflows and build applications with maximum degree of freedom. Creatio Marketplace has ready-to-use apps and solutions that will extend the platform functionality.

Platform highlights:

• BPM engine to flexibly manage structured and unstructured processes
• Low-code/no-code automation to build configurative solutions effortlessly
• AI/ML tools to accelerate business processes and simplify analytical work
• UI for visual modeling
• Build various types of apps through the app wizard
• Security and administration

#13 Zoho Creator

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Professional Edition starts at $25 per user/month (Billed annually. Including 5 apps, 20 integration flows and 10 BI & Analytics); Ultimate Edition starts at $400/month (Billed annually. Including unlimited apps, 100 integration flows, unlimited BI & Analytics and 10 users) + $25 per additional user/month.

Zoho Creator is a workflow automation and application builder that helps you create custom apps, workflows, streamline communication, and automate routine tasks efficiently. Design and automate workflows for every process fast with drag-and-drop interface.

Platform highlights:

• Build custom apps
• Import data from existing apps
• Model app structure and data flows
• Visualize data from multiple sources with cross-functional analytics
• Process automation
• App integrations
• Custom UX design. Localization and branding
• Personalization and security
• Deploy multi-device apps to the platform of your choice
• Developer tools to code and extend app capabilities

#14 Quickbase

Free Trial: ✅ Available for 30 days
Forever Free Plan: ❌ Not Available
Pricing: Starts at $30 per user/month (Minimum charge for 20 users. Including up to 50 customizable business apps. Billed annually)

Quickbase is a no-code platform that helps your team tackle projects of limitless complexity. Designed to unite IT and business teams by allowing people without developer knowledge to work together safely and sustainably. The clean and simple platform makes it simple to track end-to-end process automation and collect data from various points throughout the business.

Platform highlights:

• Automated workflows
• Continuous deployment with Sandbox capabilities
• Extend data and processes from core business systems
• Real-time, actionable insights
• Roles, permissions and audit logs
• Application Lifecycle Management (AML) Sandbox
• IP filtering and SSO
• Two-step authentication

#15 Oracle Apex

Free Trial: ✅ Available
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (if you have Oracle Database)
Pricing: Starts at $360/month (for 1 OCPU and 1TB of Exadata storage)

Oracle APEX (also known as APEX or Oracle Application Express) is an enterprise low-code development platform from Oracle Corporation that is used to develop and deploy web applications on Oracle databases. Apex offers an intuitive developer experience with easy drag and drop page design and a graphical user interface. APEX is a fully-supported no-cost feature of the Oracle Database and can be installed anywhere Oracle Database runs. APEX is also offered on Oracle’s Cloud across various services including Autonomous Database Cloud Services and the stand-alone APEX Application Development service.

Platform highlights:

• Display, manipulate, chart, and process data easily and efficiently
• Local. Remote. REST. Access.
• Forms and Automatic Data Model Processing
• Mobile-ready
• Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
• Versatile UI Components
• Authentication and Authorization
• Session Management and Activity Monitoring
• Code Instrumentation and Tracing
• Multi-language support
• Localization — format and display content in the application based on where the end user is located.
• Workflow and Integration with External Process Automation Systems

#16 Microsoft Power Apps

Free Trial: ✅ Available for 30 days
Forever Free Plan: ✅ Available (Developer Plan)
Pricing: Starts at $5 per user/month/app or $20 per user/month (for unlimited apps)

Microsoft Power Apps is a suite of apps, services, and connectors, as well as a data platform, that provides a rapid development environment to build custom apps for your business needs. Using Power Apps, you can quickly build custom business apps that connect to your data stored either in the underlying data platform (Microsoft Dataverse) or in various online and on-premises data sources (such as SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, SQL Server, and so on).

Platform highlights:

• Easily create and design apps
• Unify data from many sources to create interactive, immersive dashboards and reports
• Powerful workflow automation with a no-code approach
• Easily build chatbots

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