Those who want to digitalize or automate processes, build custom software and business applications, have quite an arsenal of different techniques and methods in which to choose. Low-code is one of them. We list the three alternatives and compare them:

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• Low-code vs. no-code

• Low-code vs high-code: traditional software development

• Low-code vs. full-stack development

Let's start by defining low-code. A low-code application platform (LCAP) uses a visual development interface to make applications and solutions faster and automated. You hardly need manual programming (but a little - otherwise it would be no-code). 

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Low-code vs. no-code

No-code and low-code can be considered close. But there are clear differences. No-code is especially suitable for very simple projects that really don't require any programming skills.

• The difference between low-code and no-code

Whereas in low-code you sometimes need some code, and can choose to use more code, in no-code development, you really don't use any code at all. These tools or platforms consist entirely of visual interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality and configuration settings. Perhaps you've clicked together on an online survey or a simple web form with email follow-up? Those kinds of projects can be done just fine in no-code.

• The advantage of no-code

You need absolutely no technical knowledge to get started with no-code. No-code is very user-friendly, and you can click little things together quickly.

• The disadvantage of no-code

Because you use no-code, you have limited functionality. You can only use a no-code platform in the way it was intended to be used: adjusting or expanding it yourself is not an option. No-code is perfect if you want to develop a simple online survey but will prove limited if you have different requirements.

• Low-code vs. no-code

Choose no-code if you have modest requirements and can get along just fine with the features offered. Choose low-code if you are looking for something more advanced.

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Low-code vs high-code: traditional software development

This is perhaps the most interesting comparison: how does low-code compare to high-code, or traditional programming? We list the main points.

• The difference between low-code and high-code

By traditional software development, we mean old school manual programming, which is the purest method of building software. With the right programming languages, development frameworks, and a good deal of knowledge and experience, you can build anything. It is the development method that offers the most freedom, control, and flexibility. 

• The advantage of traditional software development

There are many reasons to choose manual programming. Firstly, you have complete control over your code, so you can create exactly what you want, making projects enormously flexible and scalable. Secondly, you have 100 percent control over the security of your software. As a high-coder, you are very flexible and can make new technology the way you want.

• The disadvantage of high-code or traditional software development

The unlimited possibilities of traditional programming ensure that the time-to-market of your software can increase considerably and that a lot of time goes into quality assurance testing, managing, and securing your software. But because you are 100 percent responsible for your security, what you do not provide in terms of security isn’t there. In addition, this form of software development requires considerable background and knowledge. A solid programmer quickly has several years of experience and a considerable amount of expertise–and charges a considerable price tag. Apart from the lower productivity in traditional software development, the labor market is very tight, making it difficult to recruit good people.

• Low-code vs high-code software development

These two approaches serve different purposes. You choose low-code when you want to build quickly and flexibly, with specific wishes that are possible within the low-code platform of your choice (and that you may partly fill in with high-code). Do you have very specific wishes that cannot be realized with low-code or full-stack development? Then traditional programming may be your best option. This also applies when you want to manage the security of your application yourself. If, on the other hand, you find it important to adapt quickly and to significantly reduce the time to market, low-code is the better option.