COMPARISON

Comparing the best
low-code platforms for developers

Written by:

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Rano Salieva

Posted on:

14.07.2024

Reading Time:

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7 min

In a nutshell

Mendix vs Outsystems vs. Appian… Each of the top low-code tools serves a unique use case, suiting different types of developers and projects.

It’s important to make an informed choice, or you might waste time and resources on a low-code tool that isn’t fit for purpose.

Comparing low-code tools

Ondeva is a low-code platform that prioritizes scalability, iteration, and accessibility. It’s a great choice for rapid application development, data integration projects and digital transformation projects. All while protecting limited dev resources.

As we see it, ondeva is great for stretched dev teams and lean companies looking for maximum impact. If you want the best free low-code platform, ondeva should be on your list.

Ondeva_bg-white

Ondeva

Top features:

  • Seamless scalability. Serve 100 or 100,000 users without performance issues.
  • Customize, personalize, and power-up your tools by integrating your own code.
  • GDPR compliant, with EU-only servers and infrastructure. Zero data processing outside of the EU.

Main Benefits

  • Free forever. Only pay when your app goes above 100 monthly views.
  • Support and documentation to suit your learning style.
  • Powerful automations and pre-coded logic.
  • Extensive platform and API integrations.
Appian

Appian

Appian is all about automating business processes. Tools built with Appian can be just as beneficial for customers as internal teams. If you have complicated data flows in your business, Appian can be a fine choice.

Top features

  • In-built generative AI for document processing and automation.
  • Reactive web and native mobile design - build once, launch everywhere.
  • Process mining gives you a view of inefficiencies in the real-world usage of your apps.

Pros and cons

  • Quality of UI is mentioned regularly in customer reviews.
  • Powerful automations, enhanced by AI.
  • All the tools you need in-platform.
  • Steep learning curve. Even experienced users will need to spend time learning Appian’s most complex tasks.
  • Some reviewers note a lack of integration with popular tools (e.g. Figma).
  • Restrictive and potentially expensive pricing models.
Outsystems_1

Outsystems

Outsystems is popular and well-liked as a low-code platform. Its users build applications for both external and internal use, which speaks to its versatility. The platform is technology-led, with priority placed on features like cloud hosting and scalability.

Top features

  • Full-stack development.
  • Applications can scale to enterprise-level.
  • Cloud-native architecture offers improved uptime and performance.

Pros and cons

  • Reviewers praise the speed of the development environment and the tools it creates.
  • Users can build one app for free, providing a great (if limited) starting point.
  • Mobile development capabilities are highly praised.
  • Reviewers share frustration at a lack of branching for development and deployment.
  • Self-hosting and ISO-standard compliance only available at enterprise level.
  • Not built with smaller organizations and teams as the target users.

Choosing the right low-code development tool

You’ve seen the features of the best low-code platforms on the market, but the devil is in the detail. A more detailed review should help if you’re still trying to decide which to choose.

By the time you’re finished, you should be ready to make an informed choice about seven of the best low-code development platforms.

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Ondeva

Pricing

Pay per page view, only when published. Full access to all features, free forever.

Free Trial

Free tier with full access. Only pay if you go live.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. EU-only servers.

Scalability

Horizontal and vertical scalability without paid upgrades.

Extensibility

Write custom code in JavaScript and Node.js. Developer SDKs available.

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Appian

Pricing

Subscription model with three tiers. Features paywalled on lower tiers.

Free Trial

No free trial or tier.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Apps are scalable, but for an increased price.

Extensibility

Write custom code in Java. Developer SDKs available.

Database_indigo

Outsystems

Pricing

Subscription model with three tiers. Features paywalled on lower tiers.

Free Trial

Free tier. Build one app.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Horizontal and vertical scaling. Adaptive load balancing in-built.

Extensibility

Subscription model with three tiers. Features paywalled on lower tiers.

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Kissflow

Pricing

Subscription model from $1,500/month. Paywalled features over two tiers.

Free Trial

No free trial or tier.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Easy to scale internally, with multiple use cases met by the product.

Extensibility

Write custom code in JavaScript. Developer SDKs available.

 

Database_indigo

Mendix

Pricing

Subscription model from $75/five users/month. Paywalled features over four tiers.

 

Free Trial

Free tier. App shuts down after a few hours.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Scalability only possible with Premium plan.

Extensibility

Write custom code in Java, Typescript, ES6, and JavaScript. Developer SDKs available.

 

Database_indigo

Bubble

Pricing

Subscription model from $29/one user/month. Paywalled features over five tiers.

 

Free Trial

Free tier. Only pay if you publish.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Apps are scalable, but for an increased price.

Extensibility

Write custom code in JavaScript.

Database_indigo

Zoho Creator

Pricing

Subscription model from $8/user/month. Paywalled features over four tiers.

 

Free Trial

Free 15-day trial.

GDPR Compliance

Compliant. Worldwide servers.

Scalability

Apps are scalable, but for an increased price.

Extensibility

Write custom logic in Zoho’s Deluge language. Developer SDKs available.

 

Time to choose your low-code platform

That was a lot of information, but it’s necessary to highlight the differences between the best low-code platforms out there. Only you can decide what’s best for your needs, capacity, and capability, we just hope the information on this page helps make that a little easier.

Honestly? We want you to choose the right platform for you, even if that isn’t Ondeva. If your research is leading you towards Ondeva, though, then we’d love for you to try our platform out.

Whether you’re brand new to low-code or looking for a Bubble.io alternative after a few years of use, you can start building with Ondeva right this second. No commitments, no costs.

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