Speed, cost, and flexibility are important factors to consider when launching a startup. This leaves a lot of founders at a loss, especially non-technical individuals with ideas. Fortunately, we have low-code platforms.

These platforms let you build apps quickly using drag-and-drop tools, visual components and ready-made extensions, which require little to no coding experience. Whether you want to test your MVP or create an internal tool, low-code platforms offer a shortcut.

But here’s the thing, while low-code is great for speed, it’s not always perfect for every project. In this guide, there will be a thorough breakdown of what low-code development platforms are, their benefits, the top 15 low-code platforms and when it might be better to bring in development experts.
 

What is Low-Code Development?

You’ve probably heard about no-code development, but it is different from low-code development. Low-code development is an easier way to build software applications without writing a lot of code.

It uses visual tools like drag-and-drop interfaces and ready-made templates to help users create applications easily. It makes it possible for both developers and non-developers to build functional and modern applications at minimal cost and easily.

Low-code development means that people without strong technical skills can build apps quickly, while developers can save time and focus on other technical and complex tasks.

This is almost similar to no-code development platforms, but no-code is specially designed for users with no programming experience at all, while low-code platforms require some basic programming knowledge.
 

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Benefits of Using Low-Code Development Platforms

Low-code development platforms offer a wide range of benefits to startups and entrepreneurs. Here are some of the benefits;
 

1. Easy Accessibility

Low-code platforms are a great help to non-technical users and they help them build solutions without having extensive knowledge of coding languages. Business analysts can create apps on their own and it reduces the burden on IT teams half the time.
 

This innovation gives employees a chance to contribute directly to solving problems and encourages innovation from different departments. Non-developers feel more involved and organizations become more agile and self-sufficient.
 

2. Flexibility and Speed

Low-code development platforms support simple and complex apps. Apps made with a low-code platform can integrate with external services, databases and APIs. They often support mobile, web and enterprise environments. Teams can adapt tools to fit specific workflows.
 

When it comes to speed, because of the visual advantages of low-code platforms, it reduces the time it takes to create software applications. By utilizing drag-and-drop and built-in modules, developers can skip repetitive coding tasks.
 

Teams can experiment, iterate and adapt quickly to user feedback. Faster deployment means quicker ROI and it reduces bottlenecks in workflow.
 

3. Team Collaboration

Low-code platforms help bring business and IT teams together. Shared access to the same tools improves communication and cross-functional collaboration, leading to better solutions.

Features are built with user needs in mind from the start and teams can review progress in real-time. It aligns technology with strategic business goals and everyone has a shared role in driving innovation.
 

4. Faster Iteration and Prototyping

Having access to a low-code platform as an early-stage startup founder is a major advantage as it is perfect for testing ideas quickly. You can build prototypes in a matter of hours and iterations can be made on user feedback without heavy code rewrites.

This speeds up the learning cycle for product teams. MVPs can be tested and improved easily without delays. This helps founders and teams secure internal buy-in and investment quickly and it drastically reduces the risk of launching a product with no users or space in the market.
 

5. Designed to Reduce Cost

Low-code development platforms help reduce the need for large development teams, especially for early-stage startups and businesses.

By minimizing manual coding and reducing the need for larger development teams, businesses can cut down on both development and long-term maintenance costs. This is a usual tool for small startups with limited budgets.
 

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Top 15 Low-Code Development Platforms

Here are the top 15 low-code platforms in 2025 that can be crucial to your startup:

1. OutSystems
2. Mendix
3. Appian
4. Appsmith
5. Xano
6. Zoho Creator
7. Glide
8. Retool
9. Betty Blocks
10. Quickbase
11. Microsoft Power Apps
12. Salesforce Lightning
13. Nintex Automation Cloud
14. Kissflow
15. Backendless
     

1. OutSystems

OutSystems is one of the AI-powered low code development platforms that offers full-stack development, scalability and performance. It is an ideal platform for large enterprises as it supports complex integrations and real-time updates.

OutSystems provides a strong focus on lifecycle management and DevOps. Their AI assistance helps suggest logic and improve performance. The platform also supports PWAs(Progressive Web Apps) and native mobile apps. Its visual development and reusable components help accelerate delivery.
 

2. Mendix

Mendix is a powerful platform for building enterprise applications quickly. It offers both no-code and low-code tooling in one environment and is a great tool for collaboration.
The platform supports integrations through APIs and connectors and it has curated libraries of extensions, multiple integrations and templates. It also has AI assistance that helps speed up design and development. With Mendix, you get access to real-time collaboration, feedback and version control.
 

3. Appian

Appian is a low-code development platform that has a focus on process automation and business workflow. It is mostly used in finance, government and healthcare. It combines low-code development with intelligent automation features.

Appian includes case management, AI tools and robotic process automation (RPA) to make workflows smooth. It was built to streamline operations and its real-time analytics help optimize workflows.

 
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4. Appsmith

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform focused on building internal tools quickly.

It allows developers to visually build dashboards, admin panels, and custom applications using drag-and-drop widgets. Developers get the chance to write custom JavaScript logic directly in widgets for refined control.

The platform supports integrations with major databases and Representation State Transfer (REST) APIs. Deployment is flexible and self-hosted or on the cloud.
 

5. Xano

Xano is a combination of a low-code and no-code backend platform that helps businesses build scalable and secure APIs without writing backend code.

With low code development platforms like Xano, founders and teams who want to skip server setup but retain backend control can accomplish that.
It supports authentication, background tasks, and API versioning out of the box.

It also helps integrate with popular front-end tools like Webflow, Flutterflow and Bubble. An ideal solution for startups focused on backend automation.
 

6. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a platform tailored for small and mid-sized businesses that offers drag-and-drop tools, customizable workflows, and a scripting language (Deluge) for deeper logic.

Zoho Creator apps can run on the web and mobile from the same interface and they include built-in analytics, reports, and automation tools.

It’s a low-code development platform that allows users to deploy apps quickly without needing full-stack skills. It’s a great deal for startups who want a budget-friendly platform with a lot of versatility.
 

Related: How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Web Developer in 2025?
 

7. Glide

Glide is a platform that transforms spreadsheets into beautiful mobile and web apps in minutes.

It’s an ideal platform for non-developers, small teams, and educators. Users simply connect a Google Sheet or Excel file and use drag-and-drop tools to design the interface.

Glide apps are mobile-responsive and can include features like user profiles, automated workflows and forms. Its simplicity makes it an easy choice for quick and easy app building.
 

8. Retool

Retool excels in building internal tools and dashboards. It has a library of ready-made components like tables, charts, forms, and maps. Developers get to connect to nearly any database or API and use JavaScript to customize logic.

It’s a widely used platform by engineering teams to speed up backend admin tool development. Retool supports role-based access, audit logs, and secure hosting.

Its real-time collaboration and version control make it enterprise-ready. It’s great for fast internal app deployment with full developer control.
 

9. Betty Blocks

Low code development platforms like Betty Blocks are designed to customize software suites. It emphasizes its user-friendly experience with modular building blocks and logic flow editors.

Apps built on Betty Blocks are cloud-based and can scale with business needs.
It also supports integrations with external APIs and enterprise systems.

It is well-suited for companies looking to innovate without completely relying on the IT department.
 

10. Quickbase

Quickbase is a platform designed for industries like manufacturing logistics and construction. It enables teams to build custom apps that track progress, automate workflows and manage data diligently.

It is known for its reliability and strength among startups and businesses looking for fast digital solutions to manage complex business processes. It offers role-based dashboards, mobile support and integration tools.
 

Related: Top 11 Web Development Companies (2025)
 

11. Microsoft Power Apps

This is built for the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft Power Apps integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics. It’s great for organizations already using Microsoft products. It’s also a cost-effective option for teams with Microsoft licenses.

Just like the other low code development platforms, it includes AI-powered tools and built-in templates. Just like other low-code platforms, Power Apps offers a wide range of connectors for easy integration.
 

12. Salesforce Lightning

Salesforce Lightning is a platform within the Salesforce ecosystem that allows users to build apps and custom workflows on top of their CRM. It offers drag-and-drop tools, automation builders, and prebuilt components.

For users already familiar with Salesforce products, it’s ideal for them to try out Salesforce Lightning and developers can customize apps using Apex code when needed.

It’s a great tool for creating internal dashboards, customer service tools and approval workflows. Lightning merges CRM data with custom logic to create powerful business apps.
 

13. Nintex Automation Cloud

Nintex is one of the low code development platforms that combines low-code app development with robust automation capabilities. It helps businesses streamline processes like approvals onboarding and compliance tracking.

Users of Nintex can design workflows visually and connect data sources without heavy coding and it’s a good option for enterprise process automation on a wide scale. It is used in regulated industries where process accuracy and audit trails are essential.
 

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14. Kissflow

Kissflow is designed for business process management (BPM) and automation. The platform takes pride in its real-time insights and collaborative app development.

It’s an ideal option for startups and businesses that aim to streamline operations without writing code.

With a simple user interface and workflow designer, business users can automate approvals, manage requests and digitize forms. It also supports third-party services and enterprise apps. This platform is often used in finance, HR, procurement and IT departments.
 

15. Backendless

Backendless is a full-stack low-code platform that provides both frontend UI builders and robust backend features like databases, user authentication, APIs, and real-time messaging. It’s perfect for building scalable apps with complex backend needs.

It stands out for its Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) architecture and it’s a great platform for startups and businesses that need a powerful backend without building it from scratch or doing any heavy coding.

Users can create serverless logic, connect data sources and manage hosting all in one place.
 

Is Low-Code The Best Option?

Low-code development platforms are attractive tools because they offer a fast and cost-effective way to build software. It’s especially great for new founders who need to build their MVPs for quick market validation and they often check all the boxes.

Unfortunately, they can be quite limiting when your app needs high performance, deep customization, or future scaling. Some platforms can limit your design options, integrations, or even ownership over the final product.

Even with “drag-and-drop” features, there’s still a learning curve. For non-tech founders, that learning curve can become a hurdle.

That’s why many startups majorly focus on bringing in technical experts from the beginning to avoid any hurdle that might hinder progress but the price of developers seems to go up every passing minute. Making it difficult for hiring to be an option.

This is where RocketDevs comes in and why the business model created by this outsourcing platform has helped founders, businesses and major organizations.

 
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Why Choose RocketDevs Over Low-Code?

RocketDevs offers startup founders something low-code platforms cannot. That includes deep customization, scalability, and expert guidance. While low-code tools are great for fast builds, they often force businesses into limited frameworks.

RocketDevs connects you with expert developers who have been thoroughly vetted using its AI resume filtering tool. This results in the production of 5% of top developers on the platform who can build your product from scratch or optimize existing systems, without being placed into platform limitations.

With a vetted talent pool of over 15,000 Silicon Valley standard developers, and an average success rate of 98%, RocketDevs helps startups reduce hiring costs by over 70%, with an average hiring time of 24-48hrs.

Unlike low-code development platforms, RocketDevs developers can create apps that match your unique vision exactly.

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