- you have a lot of experience in writing endless code lines
- a lot of money for building and testing ideas with developers
- a lot of time to think, create, test, and retest your ideas
This higher barrier to entry meant most great ideas were never given a chance to shine. Today, that’s all changed.
With no-code and low-code solutions, any non-technical entrepreneur can develop a SaaS platform or website from scratch quickly and affordably. But what do these two terms mean and what is the difference? How would you get started with no-code if you never worked with it before?
Buckle up because here is everything you need to know.
What is no-code?
When you think of developing a mobile app from scratch, you imagine the quest for writing endless lines of code, testing it, tweaking, and then testing again. For many years that's how product development was but today everything is changed. No-code tools allow everyone to leverage visual drag and drop editors to develop applications in real-time.
Also, no-code movement eliminates layers of abstraction between the user interface and code underlying the app. No-code platforms allow founders to develop their own software solutions visually and in a relatively simple-to-use interface. We shared 15 of our favourite no-code tools to build an MVP quickly.
What is low-code?
Low-code is similar to no-code, but it offers slightly less automation and more freedom to implement more complex design. A low-code development platform generally includes the same visual editor, drag and drop creation tools as its no-code platforms counterparts. It will also include a specific area where hand-coding can be effective to enhance functionality or design tweaks. It is a fine balance for more tech-savvy users and those without technical background.
The difference between low-code and no-code
In terms of output, no-code should be used for front-end-use- cases. While low-code helps you to create user-friendly and more responsive apps. Here are the biggest differences between no-code and low-code development:
- No-code movements generally target non-technical entrepreneurs. It is more user-friendly at least at a high level.
- Low-code generally targets users with some technical background or developers who want to skip the more mundane steps of the development process.
- No-code platforms function as a closed ecosystem. It interprets that any customization an operator makes will keep working no matter what. With low code, the introduction of hand-coded elements means version to version compatibility isn't always guaranteed.
- No-code movements target audience looking for website creation, project design, Automation, Integration.
Should you choose low-code or no-code
Whether you are lifting side-hustle to the next level or you are creating a startup you are probably looking at which platforms are better, no-code or low-code. To decide, you must carefully consider the scope and requirements of your project. Consider and observe available no-code platforms and align them with your business concept. Is this a good fit? If yes, you can possibly daisy chain a few of these to develop your MVP. However, if you see a piece of functionality that asks for a more custom approach, low-code might be just a piece of cake.
Why are no-code and low-code tools so important?
Both approaches give you the freedom to build MVPs, products, and apps fast and affordable, understanding what’s happening under the hood of your product development.
The requirements for creating a digital product just a decade ago were far higher. Today it is possible to build an MVP using a single platform like a Bubble or by using low-code and no-code tools like Webflow for a website, Mailchimp for email campaigns, and Airtable for customer databases, and so on.
Not convinced? low-code and no-code save your time and money, enable you to move fast, and keep you flexible.
1) Speed
When you're developing applications with low-code/no-code tools or platforms, you don't need to spend time distressing about complex front-end or backend code solutions, trying to understand how the code works and why it takes so much time or knowing the technical capabilities of a specific programming language. With no-code/low-code the non-technical entrepreneur deploys changes in minutes and understands how the product works under the hood. While all these take much less time compared to traditional development.
2) A level playing field
With low-code/no-code movements, ideas that would have never been realized can be implemented at a fraction of cost. Even if makers use only no-code/low-code platforms for their MVPs, such platforms offer them a jumping-off point to create a potentially successful business without the need to bring in a technical team.
3) Lower development costs
Both no-code and low-code tools and platforms bid lower pricing. This order of magnitude is reasonable than hiring an entire development team.
No-code and low-code platforms and tools support non-technical founders, entrepreneurs, and dreamers. With so many instructions and affordability on how best to leverage no-code or low-code platforms, what else have you got to lose?
Maybe it's time to take the no-code movement seriously?
