There's hardly anyone working in the tech space or a large organization who hasn't heard of no-code tools, no-code platforms, or no-code application development.
These are frequently used buzzwords simply meaning tools, platforms, and app development environments that require less programming knowledge than is typically required to build applications, develop software, or automate tasks.
Most no-code platforms have drag-and-drop interfaces and visual backend commands that enable users to easily create web and mobile apps and other business solutions. This is done by following simple commands or using pre-programmed templates. Users of no-code platforms are called citizen developers.
No-Code Platform History
The history of no-code software development began in the 1990s with the invention of Rapid Application Development (RAD) tools like Microsoft Access and Excel. These were the first widely known no-code software tools that put development-like capabilities into the hands of users who weren't programmers.
Today's no-code development platforms are more advanced, with simple user interfaces, step-by-step tutorials, and customizable templates. Business users can build apps and develop software that improves their internal processes, speeds up company-wide digital transformation, and reduces the IT team's workload while keeping the organization running and innovating.
However, no-code functionality does not mean absolutely no code. Some no-code tools require writing a few lines of code and knowledge of specific programming languages to get the most value from them. We call these low-code development platforms, and they provide similar benefits as no-code to help startups and enterprises scale operations and streamline processes quickly and efficiently.
No-Code Platform Benefits
It's an exciting time, not to mention highly productive, as businesses of all sizes leverage no-code app service providers to create more opportunities and capacity for their teams.
No-code tools serve as connectors between everyday business application platforms and their APIs. Non-programmers get to flex their creative muscles and develop business processes and workflow automation they need to become more efficient in their roles.
However, enabling citizen developers to find their inner genius is only one benefit of no-code tools. Here are some more no-code platform benefits:
- Streamlining business process
- Enhancing workflow automation
- Assisting IT teams with no-code app development
- Solving unique business needs in real-time
- Improving cross-team collaboration
- Simplifying software development
- Supercharging the capacity of small businesses even without coding skills
No-Code Development Platform Needs of Small, Medium, and Large Businesses
It's important to note the differences in the no-code needs of organizations of different sizes. A solo entrepreneur or small business would appreciate the increased ability to build enterprise-grade applications or connect to Salesforce and other CRM tools using no-code solutions.
On the other hand, large enterprises are more interested in the no-code and low-code applications that help make development processes faster while maintaining streamlined operational processes.
Small business owners and large enterprise executives both need to understand the best ways to utilize no-code platforms for their specific use case. It's not enough to adopt a no-code or low-code application platform without understanding its benefits to grow your specific business, whether e-commerce, SAAS, or other types of online tech businesses.
Large enterprises' most significant pain points and reasons for using no-code platforms often relate to business process automation, enterprise-grade applications development, and tracking data across various departments and functions. Small businesses, on the other hand, prioritize project management, collecting support requests, and connecting various business applications to work well with each other.
Categories of No-Code Apps for Startups and Large Organizations
There are many types of no-code platforms. Each one focuses on specific use cases and business solutions. They come in web and mobile applications and are increasingly adopted by many businesses. A 2021 Gartner report forecasts global adoption of low-code development technologies is projected to total $13.8 billion in 2021, an increase of 22.6% from 2020.
The three most common no-code platform categories are:
- Workflow automation and process streamlining no-code platforms
- Mobile app and web app building no-code platforms
- Project management no-code platforms
Workflow Automation and Process Streamlining No-Code Platforms
Designed for medium to large enterprises, these no-code platforms’ goals are to streamline workflows that bring operational efficiency across business units. For example, an enterprise may be trying to streamline the contract approval process from request to signing, or an employee benefit process such as leave of absence, or an organization is streamlining the claims management process. They can benefit from these platforms by deploying digital solutions to solve those specific problems in record time.
Examples of such platforms are:
Pulpstream
Pulpstream has incredible benefits for large enterprises and cross-departmental collaborations. It supports enterprise departments to improve results and success rates by streamlining business processes.
This no-code platform enables businesses, teams, and IT staff to solve workflow problems and create solutions at a higher speed. Using Pulpstream creates several centers of innovation within your company. Departments can undertake business process streamlining projects without help from IT.
Departmental teams, regardless of programming experience, gain the ability to modernize workflows and data sources, unlocking new levels of efficiency and nurturing a culture of continuous process improvement.
Pulpstream offers a unique white-glove service that attaches solutions architects to business units. These solution architects become an extension of those departments. They listen to their process challenges and deliver solutions using Pulpstream, all included in an annual subscription fee.
Pricing
Pulpstream offers a unique pricing model. To get started, you can request a demo or register for a 30-day trial before making an informed decision about the no-code workflow solution.
Zapier
When it comes to automating tasks across work applications, Zapier is one of the most well-connected no-code platforms. Zapier allows users to connect different web and mobile apps to automate workflows, eliminate redundant tasks, and ensure predictable outcomes. Once you set up the triggers you need, you can focus on other tasks and get more important work done. Although Zapier does not have an iOS or Android app, its web application offers API integrations to many crucial business applications.
Pricing
Zapier has five standard pricing plans:
- Free at $0/month
- Starter at $19.99/month
- Professional at $49/month
- Team at $299/month
- Enterprise at $599/month
Learn more about Zapier's pricing and features.
Mobile App/Website Building No-Code Platforms
Mobile applications and website building no-code platforms help teams and organizations iterate faster with software development projects, resulting in an improved success rate for app development and IT projects. Our top recommendations are:
Bubble
Bubble provides an easy-to-use app development platform for users to build applications without learning programming languages. The platform curates a visual set of modules to assemble and launch fully functioning web applications, which allows citizen developers to develop and launch real applications, helping teams meet deadlines, collaborate better, and ensure their unique web development needs are met.
Pricing
Bubble has four standard pricing plans:
- Free at $0 per month
- Personal at $25 per month
- Professional at $115 per month
- Production at $475 per month
Learn more about Bubble's pricing and features.
Carrd
Carrd is an easy-to-use no-code tool for building simple, one-page websites to set up a brand or business presence. Its simplicity and affordable pricing make it a perfect solution for solo entrepreneurs and small business owners. For only $9 per year, anyone can create three Carrd websites and gain access to all its core features.
Pricing
Carrd has three standard pricing plans:
- Pro Lite at $9 per year
- Pro Standard at $19 per year
- Pro Plus at $49 per year
Learn more about Carrd's pricing and features.
Webflow
Webflow empowers citizen developers to build professional websites. It makes it possible to create high-quality websites according to your tastes and requirements without writing a single line of code. This no-code tool empowers users to ship and promote websites quickly by combining design, content management, marketing, and e-commerce solutions into one platform.
Pricing
Webflow has four standard pricing plans:
- Basic at $12 per month
- CMS at $16 per month
- Business at $32 per month
- Enterprise (Custom pricing)
Learn more about Webflow's pricing and features.
Project Management No-Code Tools
Project management no-code tools help teams and managers coordinate and execute projects smoothly and successfully. Some of our favorites include:
Airtable
Airtable provides the functionality of a spreadsheet, combined with data sources and sophisticated databases. This no-code tool is useful for many purposes, from planning a timeline to execute a project to building collaborative apps that solve your team's unique needs. When working with external collaborators, you can invite them to your Airtable project with limited permissions levels. This helps establish what they can and cannot do within your workspace.
Pricing
Airtable has four standard pricing plans:
- Free at $0/month
- Plus at $10/month
- Pro at $20/month
- Enterprise (Custom pricing)
Learn more about Airtable's pricing and features.
Coda
Coda is a powerful no-code tool that centralizes all your work into a central platform: a Coda document. Instead of dealing with large, disorganized folders of Excel spreadsheets and haphazard work communication, Coda aggregates all these in one space, making the intricacies of managing or working in a startup more straightforward, transparent, and efficient.
Pricing
Coda has four standard pricing plans:
- Free at $0/month
- Pro at $10/month
- Team at $30/month
- Enterprise (Custom pricing)
Learn more about Coda's pricing and features.
Notion
Notion combines note-taking and project management functionalities into one simple workspace. Whether working on personal projects or bringing your organization's workflows, processes, and documentation into a single source of truth, Notion provides flexibility, customization, and collaboration for teams working in-office or remotely.
Pricing
Notion has four standard pricing plans:
- Free at $0 per month
- Personal at $4 per month
- Team at $8 per month per team member
- Enterprise (Custom pricing)
Learn more about Notion's pricing and features.
Use No-Code Platforms to Your Advantage
There you have it: a guide to all you need to know about no-code platforms to help you make the best decision for your business. Learn more about how no-code platforms empower organizations of all sizes in our No-Code Digital Transformation e-book.
