Building an app has always been challenging — trust us, we know. As experts who initially honed our skills in traditional coding, we've seen firsthand how demanding, time-consuming, and costly app development can be. But after transitioning to the no-code approach, we've experienced a revolution in how digital products come to life.
It is the answer for founders and business owners if you're tired of expensive, time-consuming development. At Sommo, we've put no-code to the test across multiple projects, and we're here to break down what's true and what's just hype.
No-code / low-code is a practical solution for founders pressed for budget, time, and no programming skills. Turning to the no-code approach has many benefits, particularly if you're building a startup: imagine launching your next app or platform without hiring an entire engineering team. The no-/low-code approach allows businesses of any size to build robust applications, from the backend to the frontend, without writing a single line of code.
One of the biggest no code / low code platforms, Bubble, recently released their AI. By using natural language processing to automatically generate detailed build guides, which help users turn their ideas into working apps by outlining the necessary features and capabilities. Analyzing the requests for these build guides has provided fascinating insights into what users were creating with no-code / low-code in 2024:
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What is No-Code and Low-Code Development?
The no-/low-code development approaches are transforming how businesses, from startups to enterprises, bring their digital products to life.
No-code is like a visual interface for pre-built code, allowing non-technical users to easily design apps, websites, and entire platforms, much like WordPress, but on steroids. Think of it as an advanced way to create digital products 10x faster. This is ideal for anyone wanting to launch ideas without traditional programming.
Low-code, meanwhile, provides some level of coding flexibility for those who want extra customization but still want to avoid full-scale software engineering.
These platforms power everything from no-code backends and frontends to specialized applications like no-code marketplaces and HIPAA-compliant healthcare apps. At their core, both no code and low code approaches make building apps faster, easier, and way more affordable for anyone with a great idea: first-time founders or those running a growing business.
Now, let's clear something up: if you've heard people call no-code a scam, chances are they just don't understand its potential. Today's developers blend both approaches to create truly impressive solutions, allowing businesses to launch projects faster and more efficiently.
We've seen firsthand how it empowers people to innovate. In our recent podcast episode, Roman and I share how to start a (no) code development of your app, the challenges you'll face, and a step-by-step guide on what to do and expect during this journey.
Benefits of no code and low code development
From Idea to MVP in Record Time
The agility of no-code is perfect for rapid prototyping. Imagine creating mockups, gathering feedback, and making data-driven adjustments in a matter of days. It speeds up decision-making, especially when integrating new ideas, as we did with Doorstead, where our no-code solutions boosted conversion rates by up to 20%.
Traditionally, building an MVP takes months. With platforms like Bubble and Webflow, we can deliver a fully functional MVP on no-code in just 2-3 weeks, both backed and frontend. For more complex projects, like mental health marketplace Clearly or service for microlenders Miren, the timeline extends to 1 month, but it's still far quicker than traditional coding methods.
For a deep dive into which tools make this possible, read our guide on Best No-Code Development Tools in 2024.
In one of our recent projects, we delivered Dyvo, an application for creating images with artificial intelligence in only 4 week. The app was developed on the no-code platform Bubble.
Significant Cost Savings
Startups and small businesses, in particular, feel the pinch of high development costs. Traditional development involves hiring frontend and backend engineers, which can become a huge line item. No-code tools cut that cost significantly — often down to a manageable monthly subscription. Look at our no-code development cost calculator for a better idea of how affordable this can be.
Flexibility & Customization
Platforms like Bubble and Webflow offer extensive customization options, especially when combined with low-code for added flexibility.
Fun fact: No-code solutions are even making waves in design communities — Awwwards now has a dedicated no-code section where our own projects have received recognition.
Scalability & Security
Cloud-based solutions allow you to start small and expand seamlessly, making them ideal for projects that need to scale, like no-code marketplaces and HIPAA-compliant apps in healthcare. With enterprise-grade solutions, like Bubble's Enterprise features, no-code scales as your business grows without compromising security. For more details about Bubble for Enterprise, check out our article.
Streamlined Automation
Automation is one of the unsung heroes of no-code development. From data transfers between CRMs to sending emails, no-code automation makes life easier for you and your team. Even better, no-code platforms enable the rapid integration of microservices using plugins, so you can quickly connect payment systems, analytics tools, or communication platforms.
For example, we seamlessly integrated Stripe and PayPal to test different payment options with real users while creating the Habit Tracker app. This flexibility allowed us to gather feedback and adjust integrations on the go, ensuring the best user experience. This is one of the reasons no-code or low-code is perfect for fast-moving startups, as it frees up time and resources for strategic tasks.
Our team has a lot of experience implementing such automation, using Make, Airtable, and others, so we can do the same for you: contact us today.
Easy Support and Update
The beauty of no-code is that it allows non-technical people to edit and maintain their projects. This will enable founders, managers, and creative teams to manage their app's growth and direction. If you're building a no-code backend for operations or a user-facing no-code marketplace, it empowers you to oversee and adjust without needing a developer.
Need to tweak a feature or update content? No problem — you can handle minor changes on the fly, even if it's right before a big presentation or launch day.
For those considering hiring no-code devs but lost on their experiences and pricing, check out our guide on How to Hire Bubble Developers for tips on finding the right fit.
Summary
At Sommo, delivering real results through the power of no code is our everyday routine. Our team has brought to life projects like a fintech app, Miren, which raised $250,000 in funding, and Doorstead, where our no-code solutions increased campaign conversion rates by up to 20%. Find more of our cases here and get inspired!
Ready to see what no-code can do for your business? Sommo is here to turn your vision into reality, one no-code solution at a time. Contact our team to discuss your project needs.
FAQ
1. What is better: no code or low code?
It comes down to what your project needs and how comfortable you are with tech.
If you're a founder, startup, or team looking to launch an app, website, or platform fast, no code is a dream. It lets you build and launch without touching a single line of code — perfect for speed and simplicity.
Low code, on the other hand, gives you more room to customize. Low-code is the way to go if you have some technical know-how or a dev team and need specific integrations or custom features.
In short, choose no-code if you want to hit the ground running without a tech team, and go for low-code when you need more flexibility to tailor your project.
2. What are no code and low code good for?
Mostly everything. Those are excellent choices for building MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), internal tools, automation processes, marketing websites, customer portals, and complex platforms like no-code marketplaces or HIPAA-compliant apps. Check our cases to see the various projects we've helped with low and no code.
3. Are no code and low code still relevant?
Absolutely! In fact, they're more relevant than ever. According to Gartner, 70% of new business applications will use low-code / no-code technologies by 2025. As businesses prioritize speed, flexibility, and cost efficiency, no-code and low-code solutions are becoming the go-to tools for digital transformation. They enable companies to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, develop apps faster, and scale seamlessly.
4. What problems do no-code and low-code solve?
No code and low code tools tackle some of the biggest headaches in software development — like sky-high costs, endless timelines, and the need for highly specialized skills. They also cut down the need for extensive development teams, which means startups and small businesses can bring their ideas to life without breaking the bank.
