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If a business thinking to develop their mobile app. They constantly seeking efficient and cost-efficient ways to develop mobile app. There are different processes of development.
In the past, IT teams had to write a lot of code to turn business needs into useful system. Now, advancement in low code and traditional development are changing how companies create the mobile apps they need.
According to Gartner, 70% of new applications will be built by using low code or no code development by 2025.
Also, according to Markets and Markets, the market size of low code development platforms is projected to surge from $13.2 billion in 2020 to an astounding $45.5 billion by 2025.
As an entrepreneur, you might dreamed for mobile app development without needing to write codes. Who wouldn’t want to bring their app idea to life without investing a lot of time and money. Still traditional coding will be important in the future and is the better option for many projects.
However, decision-making need to carefully compare their options to choose the best approach for their custom app development needs.
To help this decision we will compare no code/low code and traditional development. So, you can make an informed choice.
Understand What Low Code, No Code and Traditional Development is
What is Traditional Coding?
Traditional coding involves collaborating with a team of developers and programmers to gather requirements, create a plan, and write custom code to meet specific needs. While this approach is perfectly valid. It often leads to complex, expensive projects that can be delayed due to several factors, including,
- Software coding errors
- Inaccurate time estimates
- Testing difficulties
- Infrastructure delays
Additionally, this method requires ongoing maintenance by developers to keep the custom software secure and up-to-date.
What is Low Code and No Code
No-code and low-code platforms let you develop business applications without writing any code or needing any programming skills. These platforms are part of the first generation of tools designed for rapid mobile application development. As technology advanced, businesses of all sizes realized they needed to undergo a digital transformation to stay competitive and meet customer expectations.
No-code and low-code development offer many benefits, such as being accessible to a wide range of users, fast, and affordable. They provide a powerful visual interface that makes application creation easy with features like:
- Drag-and-drop modules
- Spreadsheet imports
- Picklist selection boxes
Users can access a full library of pre-built functions, which they can drag and drop onto a graphical interface to create complete applications using templates for common business processes and logic.
In-Depth Comparison Between No Code and Low Code Vs Traditional Development
Coding Experience
The experience in low code and traditional development is different, and it can be a choice.
Low Code and No Code Development: Needs minimal coding skills, so it’s easier for more people to use.
Traditional Development: Requires advanced programming skills, including knowledge of algorithms and software architecture.
Defining System Requirements
Choosing the operating system for the project is essential when setting system requirements, and this is where low code development and traditional development differ significantly.
Low Code and No Code Development: No need for preplanning because low code’s drag-and-drop visual interfaces work seamlessly across various operating systems.
Traditional Development: Requires selecting a specific environment, programming language, and device focus before starting the project. For instance, a system designed for an Android mobile app won’t easily convert to a MacOS desktop solution.
Speed of Development
Low Code and No Code Development: Allows for quick development using drag-and-drop tools, visual workflows, and pre-built components.
Traditional Development: Usually slower because it involves a lot of coding, debugging, and testing.
Accessibility
Low Code and No Code Development: Accessible to both developers and non-developers.
Traditional Development: Mainly accessible to skilled developers with coding expertise.
Deployment
The deployment of any type of code module you choose will depend on the mobile app. Choose one deployment module from low code and traditional development.
Low Code and No Code Development: Skips many common deployment tasks. Pre-tested low code modules reduce the testing effort. Additionally, the cloud-based nature of low code platforms makes testing easier and more efficient.
Traditional Development: Every piece of code must be tested in a non-production environment before moving to production, complicating deployment. Application instances must be verified in their configurations, making traditional app deployment time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Agility
When comparing low code and traditional development, several key differences emerge. These distinctions highlight how each approach addresses various aspects of the development process. From coding experience and system requirements to speed, accessibility, deployment, and agility.
Low Code and No Code Development: Uses an agile approach with interactive cycles, making it easy to make quick adjustments and updates. New features can be added easily, apps can be released quickly, and fixing errors is straightforward.
Traditional Development: Changes can be slower in traditional development. However, custom web applications can be made more agile by applying agile development techniques.
Integration
Low code and traditional development are different from each other. It is important to understand how each approach handles integration with external systems and databases.
Low Code and No Code Development: Offers built-in connectors and APIs, making it easy to integrate seamlessly with external systems and databases.
Traditional Development: Requires manual integration using custom code and APIs, which can be more time-consuming and complex.
Level of Customization
The level of customization is different in low code and traditional development. They have different levels of flexibility in tailoring applications to specific needs.
Low Code and No Code Development: While low code tools offer less detailed control over customization and functionality, some platforms allow users to add their UI elements.
Traditional Development: Provides complete control over every aspect of the application, making it highly adaptable and customizable to meet specific requirements.
Security
When comparing low code and traditional development, security is a key factor to consider. Each approach offers different levels of control and protection for your applications.
Low Code and No Code Development: The platform includes built-in security features and usually complies with standards like ISO 2007 and SOC2, along with major data protection laws. However, customization options may be limited.
Traditional Development: Developers have full control over security measures, but this can be time-consuming and may impact the software’s overall quality.
Pros and Cons Between Low Code Vs Traditional Development
When choosing between low code and traditional development, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each approach.
Pros of Low Code and Traditional Development
| Pros of Low Code/No Code Development | Pros of Traditional Development |
| Reduced Skill Barrier: Allows non-technical users to participate in mobile app development, reducing the need for extensive coding knowledge. | Full Customization: Provides complete control over every aspect of the application, allowing for highly tailored solutions. |
| Cost-effective: Cuts down on mobile app development time and labor costs, making it ideal for projects with tight budgets. | Flexible Integration: Offers greater flexibility for integrating with various external systems or legacy software. |
| Standardization: Often enforces best practices, resulting in more consistent and maintainable code. | Scalability: Applications can be optimized for performance and can handle complex and high-traffic scenarios. |
| Collaboration: Visual development tools help improve communication between business stakeholders and developers. | Efficient Complex Logic: Complex business logic and intricate algorithms are easier to complement. |
| Faster Prototyping: Quickly create, test, and refine ideas, reducing the time to market. | Platform Independence: Allows for development across various platforms without being limited by a low-code platform’s capabilities. |
| Citizen Development: Enables non-developers to contribute to app creation, encouraging innovation. | Code Reusability: Custom code can be reused in future projects, potentially saving time. |
| Security Control: Gives developers more control over security measures, allowing for detailed security management. |
Cons of Low Code and Traditional Development
| Cons of Low Code and No Code Development | Cons of Traditional Development |
| Scalability Concern: Some low code platforms might struggle with scaling for large or complex applications. | High Customization: Provides complete over every aspect of the application, allowing for highly tailored solutions. |
| Vendor Lock-in: Applications built on proprietary platforms might face challenges if you want to migrate to other systems. | Higher Costs: Custom coding takes more time and effort, leading to higher mobile app development costs. |
| Performance Issues: Low code apps may have performance limitations compared to those coded by hand. | Maintenance Challenges: Custom code can be harder to maintain over time, needing ongoing updates and fixes. |
| Security Concerns: Some platforms might have security vulnerabilities that need to be carefully managed. | Slower Iterations: Extensive coding and testing can slow down the process of making changes and updates. |
| Limited Integration: Integrating with specialized or legacy systems might be difficult. | Learning Curve for Users: Non-coders might find it difficult to participate in the development process. |
| Limited Customization: Creating highly customized or complex applications can be challenging with low code tools. | Limited Collaboration: Requires more effort to ensure both technical and non-technical stakeholders understand the project. |
| Limited Complex Logic: Visual tools might not fully support complex business logic. | Longer Development: Building from scratch usually takes longer than using pre-built components. |
Difference Between No Code Vs Low Code Vs Traditional Development
Low Code Vs No Code
| Low Code | No Code | |
| Accessibility | It requires some coding skills. | It is designed for users with no programming experience. |
| Flexibility | The low Code platform offers more flexibility and customization options. | No Code platform is more rigid. |
| Target Users | Low Code is aimed at both developers and tech enthusiasts. | No Code is targeted at non-technical users. |
| Use Cases | Ideal for projects needing more complex functionality and customization, where users have some technical knowledge. | Best for simpler projects or quick solutions where the focus is on ease of use and rapid deployment without technical involvement. |
Low Code Vs Traditional Development
| Low Code | Traditional Development | |
| Speed | Low Code enables faster development and deployment. | Traditional development can be time-consuming. |
| Cost | It is a cost-effective development process. | It can be expensive in terms of time and labor. |
| Customization | Low Code has more contaminants for customization. | Traditional development offers complete control of the customization |
| Use Cases | Suitable for projects needing quick deployment, iterative development, or when there are budget constraints. | Best for complex projects requiring full customization, high performance, and intricate functionalities. |
No Code Vs Traditional Development
| No Code | Traditional Development | |
| Accessibility | It is designed for non-technical users. | It requires advanced programming skills. |
| Scalability | No Code platform is rigid. | Traditional development offers better scalability for complex and high-traffic applications. |
| Development Speed | No Code platforms enable faster development for simpler applications | Traditional development can be slower but more robust. |
| Use Cases | It is ideal for simple, user-friendly applications and quick deployment, especially when technical skills are limited. | Suitable for complex, scalable applications with detailed customization needs. |
Factors to Consider While Choosing Your Development Process
When deciding between low code and traditional development. It is essential to consider several factors that can significantly impact the outcome of your project. Here’s a detailed look at the key factors to evaluate.
Project Complexity
The choice of mobile app development primarily comes from the complexity of your project.
Low code development is best suited for projects with moderate complexity. It is ideal for creating applications with standard functionality and straightforward requirements. However, they may fall short if your project demands highly specialized features or complex business logic that exceeds the platform’s capabilities.
Traditional development is more appropriate for complex projects. Because you can go for the extensive customization and intricate functionalities. It allows for detailed control over every aspect of the applications, making it suitable for high-complexity projects with unique requirements.
Timelines
Timelines will be the next steps to consider. Low code development offers faster development and deployment due to pre-built components, visual development tools, and reduced coding requirements. This makes it a good choice for projects with tight deadlines or those that require rapid iteration and deployment.
However, traditional development typically involves longer development cycles because of the need for extensive coding, debugging, and testing. This approach is better suited for projects with more flexible timelines or those that can afford longer development periods to achieve a high level of customization.
Budget
Low code development is generally more cost-effective because it reduces development time and labor costs. This is particularly beneficial for projects with limited budgets, as low code platforms can provide a significant return on investment by streamlining development and minimizing the need for specialized coding skills.
Whereas, traditional development is often more expensive due to higher development costs associated with custom coding, skilled developers, and longer project timelines. If budget constraints are a major concern, traditional development may require careful planning to ensure that costs remain manageable.
Team Skills
Team skills are a choice for the development process, between low code and traditional development.
Low code development is designed to be accessible to both technical and non-technical users. If your team includes members who lack extensive programming skills but have some technical proficiency, low code platforms can enable them to contribute effectively to the development process.
Whereas, traditional development requires a team with advanced programming skills and expertise. If your team consists of experienced developers capable of handling complex coding tasks, traditional mobile app developers can leverage their skills to build highly customized and sophisticated applications.
Final Thoughts
The choice between low code/no code and traditional development hinges on various factors, including project complexity, timelines, budget, and team skills.
Low-code and no-code platforms offer remarkable speed, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for projects requiring rapid deployment and iterative development.
Traditional development, while time-consuming and expensive, provides unparalleled control, customization, and performance optimization, essential for intricate and high-traffic applications.
As the low-code market continues to expand, businesses must carefully evaluate their specific needs and resources to determine the most suitable approach. By giving the strengths of both low code/no code and traditional development, organizations can harness the full potential of technology to drive digital transformation and achieve their strategic objectives.
FAQs
Low-code and no-code development both aim to simplify and speed up application development, but they differ in their target users and flexibility. Low-code platforms are geared towards developers with some coding knowledge, offering more customization and control. No-code platforms, on the other hand, are designed for non-technical users, providing an entirely visual interface with less flexibility but greater ease of use.
No code platforms are generally not designed to handle highly complex applications. While they can manage a range of business processes and simple applications, they lack the flexibility and control needed for intricate, large-scale projects that demand custom coding and sophisticated functionalities.
Industries that benefit most from low-code development include finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. These sectors often require rapid deployment of applications to improve operational efficiency, customer engagement, and compliance. Low-code platforms allow these industries to innovate quickly and adapt to market changes without extensive development resources.
Yes, no-code platforms have limitations such as restricted customization options, scalability challenges, and potential performance issues for complex applications. They may not support advanced integrations or custom business logic required for specific use cases, making them less suitable for large enterprises or projects with unique requirements.
Choosing between low-code and no-code depends on your project’s complexity, team skills, and specific requirements. If you need a highly customizable application and have access to skilled developers, low code may be the better choice. For simpler applications or when speed and ease of use are critical, no-code platforms are more suitable. Assess your needs, resources, and long-term goals to determine which approach aligns best with your objectives.
