Low Code Application Platform

Low Code Application Platform

If you want to create an app, you first need to know the difference between a no code and low code application platform.

There's been a rise in low-code platforms. They don't just enable non-programmers to get a foothold in the app market; they also make it easier for developers to create apps on the fly. Easy-to-use development kits and low-code platforms make it easier to see positive results and ROI. Programmers are able to develop apps without "reinventing the wheel," only using code when they really have to. Warren Rupp is one of the more popular low code examples.

What is low code development and why is it important? It's really just a method of developing an app with minimal coding. Web apps can be designed with WordPress, by configuring the site through templates, rather than by creating it through programming.

There are a lot of low code platforms for business developers. Google App Maker used to be one. Today, there's Appian, AppyPie, and many more. But they aren't no code app development platforms.

No code platforms require no code at all. Lumavate is a no code platform. With Lumavate, you're able to create an app through a WYSIWYG drag-and-drop interface. While Lumavate isn't an open source no code platform, it does call upon open source philosophy with its Lumavate Library, a repository of functions, features, and components that can be added directly to your app.

So, what is low code? Low code is a way to make apps with minimal programming. Meanwhile, no code is a way to make apps with no programming at all. Both make the process of building apps faster and easier, but only one is perfect for non-programmers of all levels of experience with apps. Lumavate provides completely free no code application development, depending on your goals and your usage.

Low Code Development Examples

There are many no code or low code platforms for mobile app development out there today — but Lumavate is the no code platform for building Progressive Web Apps. Let's take a look at a popular list of low code development platforms:

• Appmakr. Appmakr has actually been acquired by Appy Pie. It's a no code mobile app and web development platform, but it focuses on web apps and native apps, not PWAs.
• Appsheet. Appsheet review comments are positive, but the system is mostly designed to create spreadsheet-based apps — it doesn't have a lot of versatility.
• Appy Pie. As noted, Appy Pie can create web apps and native apps without a single line of code. But most people believe that PWAs, supported by Lumavate, are the way of the future.
• Appian Low Code. Appian is a low code, not no code, method of developing apps. Most non-programmers will need some training to use even a low code development system.

These low code development examples, along with a Low Code for Dummies guide, can be used to learn more about using a no code app builder. There are also dev kits like low code Angular JS or the jQuery archive.

But if you're a non-programmer, your eyes might glaze over just looking at an Appian code example. Lumavate makes it possible to create an app simply by selecting a Starter Kit, adding the Components, and hitting "publish." A no code platform for marketers, Lumavate deploys Progressive Web Apps — something that most low code systems are not set up to do.

Lumavate is the only no code app development kit for Progressive Web Apps. And that's what makes it so powerful.

Best Low Code Platform

What's the best low code platform? What about the best no code platforms?

Consumer behaviors change fast today. Because of this, marketers and other teams need to keep up. Many are doing so with low code or no code platforms.

People need to be aware that the average person spends two to five hours on their mobile device a day. There's a tremendous opportunity within the mobile market. People use their mobile devices for everything, so it's no wonder that nearly 150 billion apps are downloaded every single year.

But with so many apps being downloaded, users don't actually want to download an app for everything. That's where the free no code app builder provided by Lumavate can help. A free no code app development kit, Lumavate makes it possible to create a Progressive Web App that doesn't have to be downloaded or installed — but can still be used by your audience.

There are many low code platforms in India and the world over that can be used to create apps quickly. But these all do require some level of knowledge in the app development world, as well as programming expertise. Lumavate does not.

Are you ready to build an app in a no code environment? Lumavate can help.

Gartner Low Code

Gartner doesn't offer its own low code platform or no code platform. Rather, they analyze the best low code platforms. The Gartner Magic Quadrant has been used to rate many systems, including providing the Gartner Low Code Magic Quadrant for assessment.

The Gartner Magic Quadrant rates companies both based on their completeness of vision and their ability to exercise. In short, it doesn't just rate companies based on what they do, but where they'll be in the future. Companies that have no ability to exercise and no completeness of vision are niche players. Companies that have the ability to exercise and completeness of visions are leaders. Others can be challengers or visionaries.

The idea of the Gartner Magic Quadrant Low Code Platform methodology is to identify the low code platforms Gartner believes will be winners in the future. Companies can use the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low Code Application Platforms to identify companies that are going somewhere. While Lumavate isn't on the Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low Code Application Platforms (it's a no code, not low code, solution), it has been mentioned in Gartner's reports.

Along with assessing low code development platforms Gartner recognizes that progressive web apps are growing in popularity. PWAs are likely to be the way of the future because they so neatly fill the slot between a true web app and a native application.

Outsystems Low Code

Outsystems enterprise is a low code system that has a few quirks. You can read more about Outsystems enterprise in an Outsystems low code review or Outsystems low code tutorial, but it's an easy-to-use system that's designed to scale for enterprise use. The confounding factor is Outsystems pricing. Outsystems pricing, as mentioned in nearly every Outsystems review, is much higher than average. A company would likely spend about $75,000 annually to create an app through this company.

Be that as it may, most Outsystems review comments are positive, and the Outsystems tutorial can give individuals key insights into what makes an app "enterprise-grade."

Who would use Outsystems? Developers who are interested in creating an enterprise-grade app but who don't want to start from step one of the development lifecycle. These are apps that may need to be used by tens of thousands of people.

Lumavate’s free subscription plan costs nothing to create an app with. Further, Lumavate is designed for marketers. Marketers are empowered to create the apps that will resonate with their audience. Marketers can complete split testing and change their apps at will. Outsystems is more or less marketed toward developers, though they may be internal developers of a company.

Low Code App Development Google

Google App Maker was Google's last foray into the app development space. Google firmly believes in Progressive Web Apps, as seen in Progressive Web Apps: The Future of Mobile Web. A Google App Maker expert could create an app pretty fast using the Google App Maker form, Google App Maker Templates, or Google App Maker Tutorial.

But you won't find many Google App Maker examples today. Google App maker was discontinued, much like many of Google's other projects. It's unknown whether Google will ever revive its efforts within the app space.

In the meantime, though, those who develop apps can use Google Lighthouse. Google Lighthouse is a system that's designed to tell you whether your applications, specifically web apps and PWAs, are operating correctly. If the system is too slow, Google Lighthouse will work to identify why — such as identifying scripts that should be properly cached or minified. Google Lighthouse is still an excellent utility to use for those who are developing web apps and PWAs, though Lumavate already ensures that apps are properly built and properly optimized and configured before they're launched.

Those who were using Google App Maker may want to switch to a system that's even easier to use. Lumavate is the leading no code PWA builder. Lumavate can onboard clients with on-demand training, has Starter Kits for specific industries, and has a number of tutorials and templates to follow. Someone who was already a Google App Maker Expert will find Lumavate very easy to use.

You can get started with Lumavate today for free — just sign up and start building.