Top 4 Low-code Development Platforms in 2024

As we step into 2024, the low-code landscape has evolved, with platforms offering an array of robust features to accelerate innovation and streamline the development process. However, many companies are wondering how to choose the right low-code development platform for their company. In this blog, we’re excited to unveil the top 4 low-code development platforms of 2024 and provide tips for when to choose these low-code development platforms.

For a comprehensive guide about low-code development platforms, read more here: The Rise of Low-Code Platforms for Software Development

Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps)

Microsoft Power Platform is an app development software that supports the development and operation of modern applications and complex solutions. With over 9 million users, from small startups to large corporations, Power Platform boasts impressive reach. According to the results of “The Forrester Wave Low-code Development Platforms for Professional Developers Q2 2023”, Microsoft Power platform is rated as the strongest low-code development platform.  

Pros

• Endless Creativity: Power Platform has the potential to increase business productivity by up to 30%. Unlike traditional software that offers limited customization, Power Platform provides the flexibility to create solutions that perfectly fit the unique needs of each business. Every day, thousands of new solutions are built on this platform.
• Large community and support: In 2022, Microsoft Power Platform reached the milestone of being regularly used by more than 20 million users. Also, as of 2024, the platform has a large community with over 882,000 members. 
• Cost-effectiveness: Businesses can achieve cost reductions of up to 40% with Power Platform. Power Platform offers a cost-effective solution compared to other competitors, especially for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. 

Cons

• Customization Constraints: Businesses seeking extensive code-level control or highly specialized functionalities might find Power Apps limiting. A study by Gartner found that 60% of users wished for more advanced development capabilities.
• Not Compatible With External Systems: Microsoft Power Apps offers seamless integration with Office 365 suite but it is not easy to integrate this low-code platform with legacy systems. Users are limited to connecting with only a few third-party applications or services.
• Dependency on the Microsoft Ecosystem: Power Apps benefits greatly from integration with Microsoft products, which is advantageous for organizations that predominantly use these tools. Nonetheless, if your company depends on a variety of tools and platforms, you may discover that Power Apps is less adaptable.

When to choose Microsoft Power?

Microsoft Power Platform is a versatile solution suitable for many users, from citizen developers to IT professionals. Citizen developers, who may not have extensive programming backgrounds, can leverage Power Platform’s intuitive visual tools to build and deploy applications quickly. On the other hand, IT professionals can utilize its more advanced features and integration capabilities to create complex solutions that meet the organization’s specific requirements. Power Apps excels at rapidly creating custom business applications with minimal code, making it ideal for building simple to moderately complex solutions such as data entry forms, workflow automation, and basic reporting dashboards

OutSystems 

OutSystems is a leading low-code development platform that empowers organizations to rapidly build, deploy, and manage a wide range of applications with minimal hand coding. Founded in 2001, OutSystems has established itself as a key player in the low-code development space, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to streamline the application development process.

Pros

• High-performance: Its architecture is designed to handle increasing user loads and data volumes, ensuring optimal performance even under heavy usage. OutSystems boasts strong scalability and performance, making it suitable for mission-critical applications and large-scale projects.
• Developer-friendly: OutSystems offers a blend of visual development tools and traditional coding, providing flexibility for both professional developers and citizen developers. 
• Large community and ecosystem: With nearly 500,000 communities, users can get expert tips and more to make their apps the best version.

Cons

• Steeper learning curve: Compared to some simpler low-code development platforms, OutSystems may have a steeper learning curve. Its comprehensive feature set and flexibility may require more time for developers to learn and master, especially for those unfamiliar with its specific concepts and best practices.
• Pricing can be complex: Pricing for OutSystems can be complex, as it depends on various factors such as usage, number of users, and additional features. For smaller projects or organizations with limited budgets, the pricing may be higher compared to some competitors, leading to potential cost considerations and budgeting challenges.
• Limited free plan: While OutSystems does offer a free plan, it comes with limited features and functionality compared to its paid plans. This limitation may restrict the ability of users to fully explore and evaluate the platform’s capabilities before committing to a paid subscription

When to choose OutSystems?

OutSystems is an ideal choice for enterprises with complex development needs. Large organizations often require scalable solutions that can handle increasing user loads and data volumes, and OutSystems excels in this aspect with its architecture designed for horizontal scalability and performance optimization features. Moreover, enterprises prioritize security, and OutSystems offers comprehensive security features such as role-based access control, secure deployment options, and adherence to industry standards

Read more: Empowering The Power of Low-Code with OutSystems Platform

ServiceNow 

ServiceNow is a cloud-based platform that offers a wide range of IT service management (ITSM) and business process automation solutions. Originally known for its IT service management capabilities, ServiceNow has expanded to support enterprise service management (ESM) across different functional areas, including HR, customer service, security operations, and more.

Pros

• Enterprise-focused: ServiceNow is specifically designed to meet the needs of large organizations, offering robust security, governance, and compliance features. These capabilities ensure that applications built on the platform adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• IT service management (ITSM) expertise: Leveraging ServiceNow’s strong foundation in ITSM, the platform excels at building workflow applications specific to IT operations and processes. Organizations can streamline and automate IT service delivery, incident management, change management, and other critical IT functions, improving operational efficiency and service quality.
• Pre-built integrations: ServiceNow boasts extensive pre-built integrations with popular enterprise tools and services, simplifying development and deployment processes. These integrations enable seamless data exchange and workflow automation across various systems and applications, reducing integration efforts and accelerating time-to-value for organizations.

Cons

• Cost: ServiceNow’s pricing structure can be complex and expensive, particularly for smaller projects or organizations with limited IT resources. The platform’s subscription-based model and additional costs for modules and user licenses can lead to high upfront and ongoing expenses, potentially posing challenges for budget-constrained organizations.
• Vendor lock-in: Adopting ServiceNow can result in vendor lock-in due to its proprietary nature. Moving away from the platform can be challenging, as organizations may encounter difficulties in migrating data, reconfiguring processes, and integrating with alternative solutions. 
• Not ideal for non-ITSM needs: Organizations with diverse business needs or requirements for non-ITSM applications may find that ServiceNow’s focus on IT operations and processes limits its suitability or functionality for addressing their specific use cases effectively.

When to choose ServiceNow?

It’s an excellent choice for organizations with complex IT infrastructure and service delivery needs. If your project involves streamlining IT processes, managing service requests, or implementing ITIL best practices, ServiceNow’s robust capabilities in ITSM make it a compelling option. Additionally, ServiceNow’s audience extends beyond IT departments to other business units seeking to automate workflows, manage projects, and enhance collaboration across the organization. 

Read more: VTI Has Officially Become a Consulting and Implementation Partner of ServiceNow

Mendix 

Mendix is a cloud-based app development platform owned by Siemens. It is an autonomous company but uses the Siemens global footprint for its distribution and range. The prime features of Mendix are visual development, multi-channel apps, proactive and context-aware app management, development and operations (DevOps), multi-cloud deployment, security, open and extensible integrations, AI-assisted development, etc. 

Pros

• Market Leadership: Mendix’s position as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms for 4 consecutive years speaks volumes about its robust offering and execution capabilities. This recognition, based on extensive research and user feedback, solidifies Mendix as a trusted solution for organizations seeking low-code development tools.
• Cloud-native platform: Mendix isn’t tethered to outdated infrastructure. As a cloud-native platform, it offers a scalable and secure foundation for your applications. This means you can enjoy 99.95% uptime, automatic scaling to meet demand spikes, and reduced operational overhead.
• Large community and ecosystem: The platform boasts a vibrant community of over 800,000 users and developers, offering valuable support, resources, and over 300 pre-built components to accelerate your development process. Additionally, a network of over 2,400 partners provides expertise and industry-specific solutions.

Cons

• Enterprise-centric: According to a survey conducted by TechValidate, 45% of respondents cited high costs as a challenge when adopting Mendix, indicating potential barriers for smaller organizations or projects with limited budgets.
• Integration limitations: 35% of organizations using Mendix reported challenges with integrating with legacy systems or third-party applications. These integration limitations can result in additional development effort, delays, or compromises in functionality, impacting the overall success of projects.
• Limited free plan: Mendix’s free plan offers basic functionality but may lack advanced features available in paid plans, hindering extensive evaluation and adoption. It is said that 60% of organizations using the platform faced challenges related to cost and pricing, highlighting the importance of evaluating the platform’s capabilities and limitations before committing to a paid subscription.

When to choose Mendix?

Its target audience includes both business and IT professionals who collaborate on application development projects. Mendix offers features that support enterprise-level requirements, such as scalability, security, and collaboration tools, making it well-suited for large organizations that need to develop and deploy applications across their business units rapidly. 

Final Thought

With low-code projected to grow 18.9%, now’s a good time to adopt the technology. In 2024, the landscape of low-code development platforms offers a diverse array of options to suit the needs of modern businesses seeking to streamline application development processes. Through our exploration of the top 4 low-code development platforms, it’s evident that each platform brings unique strengths and capabilities to the table. We hope this blog has provided valuable insights and guidance to help you navigate the top 4 low-code development platforms and empower your organization for success in the digital transformation era.

If you are considering which low-code development platforms to choose, feel free to contact VTI, we are always ready to accompany clients throughout the entire low-code implementation process.