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Low-code and No-code Platforms: Which Approach Should I Use?

What is the difference between low-code platforms and no-code platforms? 

Low-code and no-code platforms both provide a visual, easy-to-use approach to development, making automation accessible to a greater number of individuals. This alleviates the pressure on IT who often have a backlog of requests from the business. 

The primary difference is apparent in the name: no-code platforms require absolutely no coding but may have more limited custom functionality, whereas low-code platforms are designed so that scripting can be used to meet certain unique requirements. 

Low-code platforms allow you to create process applications that integrate other intelligent technologies, such as AI and machine learning, and use APIs to connect to popular applications, like Power BI and SAP. Low-code platforms are also a popular way to modernize legacy systems for those organizations that are looking to update their tech stack with new features, while still integrating their current architecture. 

A good example of an app to develop on a low-code platform is a case management app a CRM platform. Or a healthcare management app or hospitality app that caters to the specific needs of the service provider. 

No-code platforms on the other hand perform better when used to create a standalone application. Their straightforward and easy-to-use features make them an excellent tool for enabling citizen developers, but leave little room for customization or added complexity.

An example of apps to develop on a no-code platform include a marketplace or directory. 

You can see the differences between the two platforms compared side-by-side in our infographic, Low-code vs No-code. Click the image below to view the full infographic. 

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When should I use low-code platforms? 

The benefit of low-code over no-code is that it still offers the flexibility and scope to include some script, enabling it to be used for more complex solutions. The features and capabilities of your application can be customized, giving the owner more scope.  

It’s important to note that low-code is not a strategy in itself, but a tool to get the job done. Different platforms may be more applicable depending on your ambition and plans. Selecting the right type of low-code platform for your requirements is crucial to the success of your program. There are two main groups that tools will belong to:

Code generating low-code platforms – These are often designed solely to increase IT productivity and not designed to be accessible for business users to take part in the project. While these tools can be valuable, that value is limited by the size of your IT team in the same way it would be if you were leveraging traditional development.

Business-friendly low-code automation platforms – These are designed to enable non-technical or semi-technical staff outside the IT organization to be involved in or lead automation and transformation projects, depending on requirements. Some business-friendly low-code tools are limited to simpler projects, but the most powerful tools are those that fit into this business friendly category, but are also powerful enough to deliver against extremely complex enterprise requirements. 

 


Is Bizagi a low-code platform?

Bizagi is a low-code process automation platform, but also has no-code features. The platform enables both low-code and no-code approaches in several ways:

When designing an automated application in Bizagi Studio you’ll be offered both a visual interface that Bizagi calls Wizard View, and also a more advanced interface called Expert View. The Wizard view will guide you through steps you need to follow to complete process automation and is the most business-friendly option for the less technical users. The Expert View is best for when you expect to go deeper into technical details, such as integrations with external systems, bots, or Excel files.

Importantly, in Bizagi you can switch back and forth between the two views while working on your project – something that’s not possible in many platforms where your choice at the beginning fixes your path from that point onwards. Both Wizard and Expert views enable a low-code approach.

In terms of no-code features, Bizagi offers Live Processes, which enables business users to define and create simple process applications in a straightforward web interface. It is a 100% no-code process, so it is a great way for business users, also known as citizen developers, to quickly create their own simple workflow apps on an IT-approved platform. This helps to accelerate process automation across the enterprise. 

Bizagi’s customers will have different features to automate and control ALL types of processes in a single platform. It does not matter if you are looking for a low-code, no code, structured processes, or even case management process. Bizagi wraps everything in just one place. Try Bizagi now for free to see for yourself.

You can find out more about the benefits of using a low-code automation platform and how to measure its effectiveness across the enterprise in our Ultimate Guide to Low-Code Automation. 

 

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