Low-code and no-code (LCNC) platforms are taking the tech world by storm, making businesses ditch traditional coding for these tools, and slashing development time and costs.

By 2026, Gartner predicts that 80% of app development will be done by people outside formal IT departments, a jump from 60% in 2021. This trend shows just how accessible software development has become. Additionally, IDC estimates that no-code platform sales will grow by 13.9% each year through 2026 and low-code platforms are on a similar trajectory.

The appeal of LCNC platforms lies in their ability to streamline the development process. LCNC platforms allow users with little to no programming experience to create applications efficiently. With it, businesses can respond quickly to market demands without incurring the high costs associated with hiring professional developers.

“Low-code software has real value in democratizing software development to include non-developers. It puts users in control of application development and empowers teams to develop and modify applications using intuitive tools without coding expertise,” said Jason Beres, senior VP at Infragistics, creator of App Builder. “The global shortage of skilled software developers drove the implementation of low-code software for non-programmers and has resulted in improved efficiency.”

Major players like Microsoft Power Apps, Salesforce, and open-source platforms like Budibase and WordPress have led the charge in empowering these tools. These tools are user-friendly and can be as simple as “drag-and-dropping” premade components. This allows anyone to build applications, thus removing the barriers typically associated with traditional coding.

TechRadar connects no-code platforms to process mining from an operational aspect, explaining that businesses can use these platforms to analyze their operations and make necessary changes without relying on technical teams. This means more employees can contribute to improving processes and faster-than-enough results.

However, the rise of LCNC platforms also brings hard issues about vendor lock-in, security, and limited customization capabilities. Companies need to ensure that they are not sacrificing essential governance and security for the sake of rapid development.

Still, the potential for no-code platforms extends beyond simple applications. Larger companies with these tools can build complex systems that automate workflows, enhance customer relationship management, and improve data analytics. For example, organizations can use no-code tools to create customized dashboards that visualize key performance metrics in real time, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Moreover, as the market evolves, many LCNC platforms are beginning to incorporate advanced features, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities.

“When AI capabilities are added to LC/NC platforms, it gets easier for non-tech guys to build specific functions. These tools are a great choice to get started before scaling it for a large user base,” said Meghana Jagadeesh, founder & CEO of GoCodeo, at Cypher 2024.

Looking ahead, the future of low-code and no-code development appears imperative to modern businesses and may continue to face pressure to innovate rapidly. By balancing speed with solid governance and security, companies can leverage LCNC tools to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.