Clear data presentation is critical in today’s digital age. While there are service providers that specialize in developing apps, the emergence of no-code platforms has paved a new way for building web and mobile applications.
That said, professionals in competitive landscapes understand the importance of creating software programs that can handle and present in-depth information. It’s essential to distinguish between the appropriate times to utilize no-code platforms and when to write custom code.
Scenarios Where No-Code Platforms Thrive
No-code development typically involves precoded elements that you can drag and drop into a website or online app. The global market for these kinds of platforms reached $20,305.3 million in 2024, with expectations to generate 171,696.2 million by 2030. It’s an excellent solution when you’re building temporary or simple software.
For Rapid Prototyping
Engineering and manufacturing both involve having a blueprint before going into the production phase to verify the design and minimize resource waste. The same thought process is applied when using no-code for building and testing concepts.
Validating ideas is a key process for saving both time and resources in producing minimum viable products (MVPs), tools or apps. It also helps you identify any features you may want to add later.
For Internal Workflow Automation
No-code platforms can also be ideal for solving internal problems quickly. For example, say a science-based department wants to improve its data entry. Going the no-code route can empower teams to automate those processes with ease.
Other internal workflows, like approval processes, can also be optimized without outsourcing or relying on a dedicated developer. Additionally, there should be sufficient precoded elements to create basic app designs.
For Simple, Data-Driven Applications
No-code platforms can do more than assist professionals in developing MVPs or streamlining workflows. They’re also well-suited for building basic applications. Picture create, read, update and delete (CRUD) apps, such as customer information databases or inventory management trackers. Project managers will be the primary beneficiaries of the simplified data presentation.
The Limits of No-Code Platforms
No-code platforms can be a powerful solution, but they often lack in several areas. For instance, the limited pool of precoded elements can make it challenging to form programs with performance-intensive tasks. The inability to customize logic is also a limitation of no-code platforms. You wouldn’t be able to perform custom data transformation and data cleaning.
There’s also the matter of unique hardware. Edge devices are evolving as model sizes increase and robust security becomes a priority, necessitating more specific silicon optimization. There are low-code platforms available, but they still lack the complex proprietary logic necessary.
Currently, it’s essential to integrate manual coding. Involving AI paradigms would further contribute to these purpose-built versions that emerge from resource-constrained silicon.
Choosing the Best Path
A no-code platform can be helpful, but it’s only one route out of many in the app development process. Professionals must decide whether to opt for low-code, manual coding or AI-powered coding. Here’s an overview of the factors that you need to consider when choosing your path.
1. Scalability
No-code platforms can provide a good level of scalability on the internal front. Extending to external users would require more robust features that present data and offer more interaction through a user-friendly interface.
If external scalability is the goal for a project, it may be better to explore more involved forms of coding. However, if the goal is to create tools that can work well across departments, no-code and low-code solutions may be worth exploring.
2. Integration Needs
Most low-code platforms offer integrations with third-party applications, which eliminates the need to build them from scratch. However, if a low-code platform has REST API integration capabilities, you can also opt to develop API calls yourself for targeting third-party applications.
There are additional limitations to standard integration, like unique hardware or specialized requirements. In such cases, it’s best to turn to traditional programming practices or, at the very least, vibe coding. If minimal integration is required, no-code platforms may still be viable. It’s usually the case when a project calls for MVPs or CRUD apps.
3. Security Requirements
Data security is imperative in almost all projects. There has been a 27.4% increase in annual security breaches in 2024. That said, apps deployed solely for internal use may have fewer requirements. Reputable no-code platforms should have robust security measures in place to protect confidential information.
The lack of customized code can make platforms more vulnerable to cyberthreats. It would also be challenging to apply fixes since they’re reliant on a centralized platform. Assess the sensitivity of your information to gauge the importance of invulnerability. You can also consider self-hosting options to gain complete control over the data flow and storage.
4. Problem Complexity
Projects often request automation to address a specific problem, which raises the question of how unique or complex the solution must be. No-code is the best approach for simpler tasks that would only require basic elements.
Some scenarios include customizing information to meet the business’s quality requirements or to comply with data processing laws. In those cases, it’s best to turn to manual coding instead.
5. Technical Capabilities
It’s critical to check the resources available. Teams without professional developers or the means to hire one can rely on no-code platforms, as they require little to no expertise. Most low-code tools also offer front-end development services.
However, when operationalizing these applications to production, you need to be able to implement industry-standard networking and data warehousing practices. This may require a professional who knows how to optimize the use of the resources that power your application. The median annual wage for software developers had reached $133,080 in May 2024.
Choose When to Go No-Code Wisely
No-code platforms can offer significant value. However, they have several limitations when it comes to performing more complex tasks. Professionals must recognize the type of deliverables required to determine which development approach to use.