Myths about Low-Code No-Code Platforms Debunked

Quixy Editorial Team

February 2, 2024

Organizations across industry verticals are trying to expedite their digital transformation efforts and evaluating tools to help them in this endeavor. Low-code, no-code platforms are at the top of their list. They are in the spotlight due to multiple reasons, including a lack of skilled software developers and the need to improve turnaround time for digital transformation projects so business problems can be solved quickly.

The current scenario is such that allowing months of development and exorbitant costs is not viable. Companies are struggling and need a way to stay afloat. That is where the Low-Code and No-Code platforms come to the rescue. However, there are a few myths about low-code no-code platforms that are discouraging organizations from taking the final step. These are the myths we are going to debunk in our article, providing you with the facts and helping you understand why they are the game changers today.

Myths about Low-Code No-Code

Listed below are some of the top myths on low-code and no-code technology.

Myth 1: Low-Code No-Code platforms are only for citizen developers

Reality – Many business owners are skeptical about low-code and no-code platforms because they seem like they are only for citizen developers, but the truth is that these platforms allow cross-functional teams to participate in application development. These platforms provide a collaborative environment for all team members to build applications to solve their unique challenges.

While no-code platforms are more suited for business users and citizen developers since the use of the platform does not require any coding, the low-code platforms are suited for power users (business users with technical skills) and professional developers.

Also read: The Rise of the Citizen Developer and why should every business care?

Myth 2: Low-Code No-Code Platforms only work for small departmental applications

Reality – Low-code and no-code apps are currently being used for complex enterprise applications in organizations across the globe. While traditional no-code platforms are ideal for simple departmental applications, there are advanced no-code platforms like Quixy that facilitate business users to build complex enterprise-grade applications. Low-code platforms can be used to build even more complex applications. However, these platforms require technical skills to do so.

Many organizations did not jump the low-code, no-code bandwagon because it feels basic and like only simple solutions are possible. Once they learned more about it, they realized that these platforms did more than just small stuff. Most applications are now scaled and expanded after starting small. It may start with just the onboarding process of a new employee, but it usually expands to take over the entire department and then scale to the others.

Myth 3: Low-Code No-Code Platforms address only the “Build” phase of the application development

Reality – The right low-code no-code platforms support the entire application development life-cycle, right from ideation to deployment and maintenance.

We understand why this is one of the most widespread myths about low-code, no-code platforms. It’s the name! However, their applications are quite complex. They focus not just on the build phase but also on everything else. This includes design, deployment, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

Some platforms also have agile project management capabilities, user feedback loops, social collaboration, etc. All these features together help seamlessness throughout the application’s life cycle.

Also read: The Future of Software is No Code and Low Code Programming

Myth 4: Use of Low-Code No-Code platforms lead to the creation of “Shadow IT”

Reality – If done correctly, low-code, no-code platform implementation enables power users, citizen developers, and business users to solve their unique challenges and build applications under the governance of the central IT team. Governance by the central IT team eliminates the possibility of any shadow IT.

Shadow IT refers to mismanaged and ungoverned development and use of apps. The fear is that since low-code no-code development is so easy, anyone can start building and using the apps, creating application silos in the organization and resulting in disconnected systems and chaos. Therefore governance by the central IT team is the key. With proper governance from the central IT team, the IT backlog can be cleared quickly without the risk of Shadow IT.

Myth 5: With Low-Code No-Code Platforms, custom development is not possible

Reality – Advanced low-code and no-code platforms offer a fair bit of customization without the involvement of complicated tools or extensive coding.

Since low-code and no-code development aims to achieve a lot without code (or with as little code as possible), lack of customization is among today’s most common myths about low-code, no-code platforms. Software engineers are free to expand a low-code platform’s functionality as needed. As for no-code platforms, the advanced ones in the market today provide a lot of flexibility to take care of this. So, even though it was a concern with traditional no-code platforms, today’s advanced options are rising to the occasion quite wonderfully.

Myth 6: Low-Code No-Code platforms can be used by anyone to build apps

Reality – Even though application development with low-code and no-code is far simpler and faster than the traditional approach, it requires users to have a good functional knowledge of the business requirements and proficiency in using all the features of the low-code no-code tool.

While no-code platforms are more suited for business users and citizen developers since the use of the platform does not require any coding, the low-code platforms are well suited for power users (business users with technical skills) and professional developers. However, to avoid any risk of shadow IT, the implementation must be done under the governance of a central IT team.

Read eBook: Myths About Low-Code No-Code Platforms Debunked

Myth 7: Low-Code No-Code platforms make coding obsolete

Reality – Low-code and no-code platforms are the same in one regard – they provide visual tools and elements that allow users to use intuitive drag-and-drop and visual interfaces to build apps. This dramatically reduces application development time and cost.

When you consider no-code, as the name suggests, you really do not need coding. So, this myth is not a myth in the case of no-code development.

However, a certain level of coding is still required when it comes to low code. This is because business process modeling, data integrations, and similar functionalities are complex and need lines of code to be written. It is worth noting that some of the advanced no-code platforms in the market today allow some of these complex functions to be done without any coding.

Myth 8: Low-Code No-Code platforms are suitable only for lightweight apps

Reality – Advanced low-code and no-code platforms can be used to build simple to very complex business applications. Some examples include an insurance claim processing system and an end-to-end HRMS system developed on the Quixy platform. However, traditional no-code platforms have limitations regarding the complexity of the applications that can be built using the platform.

This is one of those myths about low-code, no-code platforms that particularly reduce the popularity of no-code platforms. Many businesses agree that because low-code platforms allow you to write custom code, they can be used to build enterprise-grade apps. But what about no-code apps, they ask? Well, the tide has shifted, and now with some advanced no-code platforms, you can work with an extensive range of functionalities, including reporting, complex workflows and business rules, notifications and triggers, automated forms, etc., and build complex enterprise-grade applications.

Also watch:

Myth 9: Low-code No-Code platforms are very restricted and cannot scale

Reality – Early-stage low-code and no-code platforms came with restrictions, but the latest cloud-based advanced low-code and no-code platforms offer unlimited capability in terms of scalability and performance.

Many businesses adopted low-code no-code platforms for a single workflow and then scaled it to the entire department. This later expanded to multiple departments. Most businesses now have at least 2 departments completely using low-code no-code platforms.

Businesses are able to automate both the core processes as well as support processes with these platforms. Businesses across industries are choosing them to expedite their digital transformation journeys.

Myth 10: Low-Code No-Code platforms are not flexible

Reality – Low-code, no-code platforms were actually built for flexibility and ease of use! Users can convert their ideas to applications in minutes and hours. Like with ready-to-use software, the users are not limited to the functionality they can use. As per their need, they can modify or extend the functionality anytime they want.

This is one of those laughable myths about low-code, no-code platforms because the whole purpose of these platforms is to provide flexibility for business developers to solve their unique challenges and build custom applications as per their requirements.

Moreover, they are evolving rapidly because they are the need of the hour, and flexibility is being stretched like never before!

Myth 11: Low-Code No-Code Platforms hamper collaboration

Reality – This sort of development requires more collaboration than traditional development.

If you have been reading all the myths and realities, you will have already noted that collaboration is an integral part of low-code and no-code platforms. Traditionally, developers work alone to write multiple lines of code. With no code, on the other hand, business users come together to build the final product while being governed by the central IT team. They all have a say! In fact, we have seen many cases in which the entire organization has contributed.

Myth 12: Low-Code No-Code platforms are not secure

Reality – This depends on the platform you choose. The right platform will never take security lightly. They will ensure complete compliance with security and privacy requirements.

Security is a serious concern with any cloud solution. But all serious low-code no-code players in the market understand the need for security, privacy, and compliance. These players, Quixy being one of them, make sure that the right controls are put in place at each step of their operations, including application design, development, delivery, hosting, and maintenance, to ensure that security and privacy are never compromised. And so that the customer can be assured about this, the platform providers get their security controls audited against the best security standards available in the market. These standards include ISO 27001 and SSAE18 SOC 2.

Myth 13: Low-Code No-code platforms give rise to lock-in effects

Reality – Theirs is nothing unique about this in regard to the low-code and no-code platforms. All the cloud-based subscription software works the same way. They follow the pay-as-you-go model, where customers can pay monthly or yearly. Customers get to use the software as long as they pay for it.

However, customers must check that the platform vendor allows them to export their complete data at the time of termination of service.

Myth 14: Low-Code No-Code platforms are just a trend

Reality – The platforms may be trending but are not just another fad/trend.

Low-code development was introduced in 2014, but the concept has existed since the 80s. It is only now that no-code and low-code platforms have shot to fame. The main difference between the old tools of the 80s and low-code no-code platforms today is their simplicity and capabilities. So, these are not just trends that will fade away. They are here to stay!

According to Tehnavio, the low code development platform market share is expected to increase by USD 35.73 billion from 2021 to 2026 with a CAGR of 27.96%.

Takeaway

We hope you have now successfully deduced that most myths about low-code, no-code platforms do not have even a speck of truth in them. A few may have stemmed from certain truths, but modern platforms have also taken care of those problems. This is why we can all positively say that these platforms are no longer a myth. They are a reality.

Quixy is an innovative advanced no-code platform that offers you flexibility, customization, independence, and the highest levels of security, enabling you to develop apps quickly and with complete freedom. Ready to transform your business? Get started now and experience the power of automation and app creation, all without the need for coding skills.

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