5 Best Low Code Platform in 2024

As the software industry evolves, low-code tools are increasingly gaining popularity. Implementing the right low-code tools in various business scenarios can lead to remarkable efficiency and productivity gains. This article delves into the most popular low-code tool products in 2024, offering insights and reliable recommendations for making informed choices.

Why Choose Low-Code Tools​

Low-code tools offer several compelling advantages, which include:

• Zero operational maintenance costs
• Ultra-fast development speed
• Reduced need for extensive developer teams
• Accelerated time-to-market for new applications

Typically, low-code tools are particularly well-suited for developing internal tools and Portal scenarios.

The Spectrum of Choices​

We have compiled a list of currently popular low-code platforms for your consideration, with detailed introductions to follow.

• ILLA Cloud: Open-source
• Budibase: Open-source
• Tooljet: Open-source
• SuperBlocks: Proprietary
• Retool: Proprietary

ILLA Cloud​

GitHub link: https://github.com/illacloud/illa-builder

ILLA Cloud is an innovative low-code tool that facilitates the swift creation of internal tools using simple JavaScript, eliminating the need to start new projects from scratch.

Key offerings include:

• Web & App Administration Panels
• Data Dashboards
• Customized B2B Tools

ILLA Cloud boasts a development speed up to 10 times faster than traditional component library building, and it also supports collaborative editing, enhancing teamwork efficiency.

Best Choice​

Unique advantages of ILLA Cloud over other low-code tools:

• Multi-user collaboration support
• Comprehensive workflow capabilities
• Open-source product with options for private deployment
• Compatibility with various mainstream integrations, enabling quick connection to diverse data sources

Furthermore, ILLA Cloud incorporates an AI Agent feature. This unique functionality allows for rapid AI-powered writing, seamlessly integrating into any product developed using low-code tools.

Budibase​

In the realm of rapid application development, Budibase emerges as a powerful low-code platform, tailored to equip developers with the tools they need to swiftly craft bespoke applications. At its core, Budibase offers a user-friendly visual development environment that simplifies the creation process. This environment is enriched with a diverse selection of pre-built components, catering to a range of application needs, from data entry forms to interactive dashboards. Beyond the pre-built offerings, Budibase extends a unique flexibility — the freedom to design custom CSS styles. This empowers developers to infuse their applications with distinct visual identities, reflecting the essence of their projects.

Opensource​

While Budibase doesn’t explicitly advertise itself as open source, a significant hint lies in its foundation. The platform proudly boasts its utilization of open-source technologies, fostering a sense of community-driven innovation. The absence of a clear open-source declaration doesn’t undermine its commitment to collaborative development, tapping into the power of shared knowledge and expertise. However, prospective users keen on an established open-source ecosystem might need to dig deeper into Budibase’s architecture to assess its alignment with their preferences.

Advantages​

An undeniable highlight of Budibase is its prowess in integration. The platform recognizes the contemporary need for applications to communicate seamlessly with diverse external services. Enter plugins — a mechanism that empowers Budibase to integrate with a variety of third-party services. This feature propels the platform’s utility, enabling developers to harness the capabilities of external tools and services while staying within the Budibase environment. This integration-friendly approach fosters efficiency and unleashes the potential for sophisticated, multifunctional applications.

Drawbacks​

As with any powerful tool, there’s a learning curve to conquer, and Budibase is no exception. While it holds the promise of accelerated application development, some users, particularly those new to low-code development, might initially find the learning curve a bit steep. The platform’s array of features and capabilities demands a certain investment of time and effort to master fully. However, for those who persevere through this initial phase, Budibase opens the doors to a world of creative possibilities, enabling the realization of innovative application ideas with remarkable efficiency.

In the competitive landscape of low-code platforms, Budibase shines as a promising contender, offering a balance between user-friendly visual development, flexibility, integration capabilities, and an array of pricing plans. Whether you’re a seasoned developer seeking to expedite your workflow or a newcomer exploring the realm of application development, Budibase presents itself as a canvas for your creative ideas, enabling you to bring applications to life with agility and finesse.

Tooljet​

In the ever-evolving landscape of low-code development, Tooljet emerges as a dynamic contender, offering a platform that empowers users to craft sophisticated web applications without delving into the intricacies of coding. At its core, Tooljet introduces a versatile toolkit equipped with an array of features aimed at streamlining the application development process. Central to its offerings is a seamless drag-and-drop interface, enabling users to intuitively assemble components and design intricate layouts.

Features​

Database modeling, a cornerstone of modern application development, finds its place within Tooljet’s arsenal. Users can shape and mold their data structures with ease, aligning their applications with specific use cases and business needs. The platform’s emphasis on API integrations extends the boundaries of what’s achievable, allowing applications to seamlessly connect with external services and data sources. This integration prowess opens doors to dynamic, data-rich applications that respond seamlessly to real-world scenarios.

Opensource​

While Tooljet refrains from explicitly branding itself as open source, a notable feature stands out — the ability for users to export their generated code. This distinctive attribute empowers developers to take ownership of their creations fully, hosting applications on their servers. This approach combines the efficiency of low-code development with the freedom and control typically associated with traditional coding practices.

Advantages​

Feedback from users highlights Tooljet’s user-friendly interface as a significant advantage. The platform’s intuitive nature accelerates the learning curve, enabling even those with limited technical expertise to bring their application visions to life. Moreover, Tooljet’s capacity to facilitate the creation of complex workflows amplifies its utility, allowing users to orchestrate intricate sequences of actions within their applications.

Disadvantages​

However, no tool is without its limitations. While Tooljet empowers users with an array of features, some might find themselves yearning for advanced customization options. The platform’s focus on user-friendliness and efficiency might occasionally result in constraints for users seeking highly specialized functionalities or intricate design nuances. As with any technology, users must strike a balance between the ease of use and the extent of customization based on their specific project requirements.

In the realm of low-code development, Tooljet emerges as a formidable contender, offering a blend of intuitive design, data modeling prowess, API integration capabilities, and a flexible pricing model. The platform’s unique approach to exporting code and hosting applications on personal servers adds a touch of versatility, bridging the gap between low-code convenience and coding control. Whether you’re an individual exploring the application development landscape or a business seeking streamlined solutions, Tooljet invites you to navigate its feature-rich toolkit and embark on a journey of creativity and innovation.

SuperBlocks​

Superblocks is a leading low-code development platform that empowers businesses to create robust and customized internal tools with ease. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Superblocks offers a range of benefits for organizations seeking efficient and flexible solutions for their development needs.

Key Features of Superblocks​

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Superblocks provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to visually design and build their applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge. This feature simplifies the development process, enabling even non-technical users to create complex internal tools.
• Extensive Component Library: Superblocks offers a vast library of pre-built components and templates that can be easily customized and integrated into applications. This saves time and effort by providing ready-made solutions for common functionalities, such as data visualization, form inputs, and workflow automation.
• Seamless Integrations: Superblocks seamlessly integrates with various third-party services and APIs, enabling users to incorporate external tools and data sources into their applications. This ensures compatibility with existing systems and enhances the functionality and versatility of the developed tools.
• Collaboration and Version Control: Superblocks includes collaboration features that facilitate teamwork and streamline the development process. Multiple team members can work on a project simultaneously, making it easy to collaborate, share feedback, and track changes. Additionally, version control capabilities enable developers to revert to previous versions of the application if needed.

Benefits of Superblocks​

• Rapid Development: With its intuitive interface and extensive component library, Superblocks accelerates the development process. The visual approach and ready-to-use components reduce the need for manual coding, enabling faster prototyping and deployment of internal tools.
• Customizability: Superblocks allows users to tailor their applications to specific requirements. The platform offers flexibility in designing user interfaces, workflows, and data integrations, ensuring that the developed tools align with the organization's unique needs and branding.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By providing a low-code solution, Superblocks reduces the reliance on traditional development resources and expensive coding efforts. This translates into significant cost savings, as organizations can create and maintain internal tools without the need for extensive development teams or specialized expertise.
• Scalability: Superblocks is designed to scale alongside growing businesses. Whether an organization needs to build a simple internal tool or a complex enterprise-grade application, Superblocks can accommodate the scalability requirements, ensuring that the developed tools can handle increased data volumes and user demand.

Retool​

Retool is a popular low-code development platform that empowers organizations to build internal tools with speed and efficiency. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Retool enables businesses to create customized applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

Key Features of Retool​

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Retool offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to visually design and assemble their applications. This simplifies the development process, enabling both technical and non-technical users to build functional internal tools quickly.
• Extensive Integration Capabilities: Retool seamlessly integrates with a wide range of data sources and APIs, including databases, REST APIs, and third-party services. This allows users to leverage existing data and systems within their applications, streamlining workflows and enhancing functionality.
• Pre-Built Components and Templates: Retool provides a vast library of pre-built components and templates that users can leverage to accelerate development. These components cover common functionalities such as data tables, forms, charts, and authentication, saving time and effort in building these features from scratch.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Retool offers real-time collaboration features that enable team members to work together on projects simultaneously. This promotes collaboration, facilitates knowledge sharing, and streamlines the development process by eliminating version control issues and bottlenecks.

Advantages of Retool:​

• Speed and Efficiency: Retool's intuitive interface and pre-built components allow for rapid development, reducing time-to-market for internal tools. The platform eliminates the need to start from scratch, enabling developers to focus on customizing and fine-tuning applications rather than building basic functionalities.
• Customizability: Despite its low-code approach, Retool offers extensive customization options. Users can tailor the appearance, behavior, and workflows of their applications to align with specific business requirements and branding guidelines.
• Integration Flexibility: Retool's robust integration capabilities make it suitable for organizations with diverse tech stacks. The platform can seamlessly connect with a wide range of data sources and APIs, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and allowing for seamless data flow between applications.

Though last on the list, retool is also an excellent choice as a CRUD application. It is a drag-and-drop building blocks platform. You need to customize JavaScript in order to fetch your data from an external database.

Conclusion​

These are the most promising low-code tools in 2024, each with its own characteristics. Different scenarios call for different problem-solving approaches, and we hope readers can choose the most efficient solutions for development in suitable situations. Speed up your work, go home early using low-code tools.