When I first heard about low-code development, I assumed it was just another buzzword, something built for startups without dev teams or enterprises chasing speed.
But once I started digging into how teams actually use these platforms, it became clear: low-code development platforms have become the go-to for teams that need to launch fast, pivot quickly, and reduce reliance on overbooked dev resources. In fact, low-code platforms are projected to scale from $37.39B (2025) to $264.40B by 2032 at a 32.2% CAGR. Early on, I was asking myself what is the best low-code environment for startups, especially for teams trying to build fast without full-time engineering staff.
The right low-code platform can empower everyone, from building internal dashboards to launching customer-facing apps in record time. But with so many tools available, choosing the right one takes more than comparing feature lists.
TL;DR
- Top product picks: G2 review data shares Salesforce Platform, ServiceNow App Engine, UiPath, OutSystems, Quickbase, and Microsoft Power Apps as leading low-code solutions, each offering standout strengths across enterprise scalability, business automation, and small business app development.
- Key features: Low-code platforms excel at drag-and-drop interfaces, workflow automation, and seamless integrations with databases, CRMs, and third-party tools. They allow teams to quickly build custom apps, whether for business automation, mobile app development, or office productivity, without heavy developer involvement.
- Common use cases: Teams use these platforms to create internal dashboards, automate complex business processes, and build web and mobile apps. Whether you’re a startup searching for the best low-code environment for startups or an IT department evaluating the best-reviewed low-code platforms for enterprise needs, these tools help accelerate app delivery while reducing technical bottlenecks.
In this guide, I’ve evaluated the top low-code development platforms of 2025. Based on real G2 user reviews, standout features, and scalability, these are the tools helping teams build without bottlenecks.
6 best low code development platforms for 2025: My top picks
-
Salesforce Platform: Best for highly customizable business apps
Build deeply tailored apps atop Salesforce data and automation, with robust security, workflows, and an extensive ecosystem of integrations. -
ServiceNow App Engine: Best for enterprise-grade workflow and process automation
Rapidly design, govern, and scale workflow apps with role-based access, catalog items, and end-to-end process orchestration across IT, HR, and operations. -
UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation: Best for RPA and task automation at scale
Automate repetitive, rule-based work with robots, AI-powered document processing. -
OutSystems: Best for complex, scalable low-code applications
Ship mission-critical apps with visual development, reusable components, and AI-assisted lifecycle management for performance, security, and governance. -
Microsoft Power Apps: Best for apps that plug into the Microsoft 365 stack
Create responsive apps that integrate seamlessly with SharePoint, Teams, Dataverse, and Azure services, with low-code logic and enterprise controls. - Quickbase: Best for business-built workflow and reporting apps
Enable non-technical teams to create, customize, and connect cloud apps quickly, linking data, approvals, and dashboards without heavy IT lift.
These best low code development platforms are top-rated in their category, according to G2’s Fall 2025 Grid Reports. Pricing details are available upon request.
6 best low code development platforms I’d recommend
Without the right platform, even the simplest ideas can get stuck in a backlog.
Low code development tools promise a faster, more accessible way to bring those ideas to life. They let you design workflows, build dashboards, and launch functional apps with minimal coding, and in some cases, no code at all. Whether you’re streamlining internal operations or prototyping a customer-facing tool, these platforms meet teams where they are.
After evaluating product demos, exploring real G2 reviews, and comparing usability, scalability, and integration features, I’ve narrowed it down to six platforms that stand out. Some shine for enterprise-grade complexity, others for how approachable they are for business users, especially if you’re wondering what’s the best low-code platform for custom app creation when you don’t have full-stack developers on hand.
Let’s break down the platforms I’d actually recommend.
How did I find and evaluate these top low code development tools?
I spent weeks evaluating low code development platforms, narrowing down the best options based on features, ease of use, pricing, and real user feedback. I also used AI-driven research to analyze product updates, developer preferences, and common app-building challenges to ensure these recommendations are as accurate and helpful as possible.
In cases where I couldn’t personally test a tool due to limited access, I consulted a professional with hands-on experience and validated their insights using verified G2 reviews. The screenshots featured in this article may be a mix of those captured during testing and ones obtained from the vendor’s G2 page.
Each tool on this list is reliable, intuitive, and designed to help teams build applications faster, reduce development bottlenecks, and scale with confidence. My research and analysis are also based on real-time buyer sentiments and the proprietary G2 scores each low code platform offers.
What makes the best low code development platforms worth it: My perspective
As I evaluated different low code development platforms, I realized that building apps isn’t just about dragging and dropping a few user interface (UI) elements.
Some platforms truly empowered teams to create scalable, functional tools without writing much code, while others felt more like restricted form builders dressed up in tech jargon. I learned that the best low code tools don’t just simplify development. They unlock real agility.
Here are the features I paid close attention to while evaluating these platforms:
- Visual interface and reusable components: A clean, intuitive interface can make or break the building experience. I looked for platforms that offered drag-and-drop builders along with reusable components like forms, charts, and workflows. Platforms that made it easy to prototype quickly and maintain visual consistency across apps stood out to me. This kind of accessible interface is exactly why many business users ask me for recommendations on the best low-code platform for non-technical users who want to build apps without needing to learn how to code.
- Integration flexibility: Building in a vacuum isn’t realistic. I prioritized tools that made it easy to connect with external systems via APIs or pre-built connectors. Whether it was syncing with Salesforce, pulling from a SQL database, or triggering a Slack notification, the smoother the integrations, the better the platform fit into real business workflows.
- Workflow automation and logic building: Some tools made it dead simple to set up conditional logic, trigger-based workflows, or approval chains with a visual builder. Others buried these features behind developer-only settings. I gave extra points to platforms that made logic creation accessible, without compromising on power or flexibility.
- Role-based access and governance: Not every user should have the same permissions. I looked for platforms with robust access control and audit logs so teams could collaborate securely. This was especially important for enterprise scenarios where governance and compliance can’t be an afterthought.
- Scalability and deployment options: Some platforms were perfect for MVPs but fell short when it came time to scale. I looked for tools that supported multi-channel deployment (web, mobile, PWA), handled user growth, and offered both cloud and on-premise options. Bonus if they included built-in testing and versioning tools.
- Collaboration and version control: Development doesn’t happen in isolation. I paid attention to how well each platform supported team collaboration. Whether that was real-time editing, shared libraries, or Git integration. The best tools felt like they were built for fusion teams: business users, designers, and developers working together.
Over the span of several weeks, I researched and tried close to 20+ low code development software. I narrowed down the best six based on their features and ease of use.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
- Provide environments to develop custom full-stack enterprise applications
- Be designed for use by developers and other technical and semi-technical teams
- Offer a visual UI builder
- Integrate with production databases and software as a service (SaaS) providers
- Allow developers to write custom frontend and backend code using modern programming languages
- Support git-based source or version control by connecting to git providers
- Offer out-of-the-box audit logging and observability
*This data was pulled from G2’s Fall Grid Report in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
1. Salesforce Platform: Best for highly customizable business apps
Salesforce Platform is the kind of platform that sparks strong opinions and for good reason. Users consistently highlight how customizable and scalable it is, and how much power it offers when you know how to tap into it. But that power comes with a learning curve, and sometimes, a price tag that makes smaller teams think twice.
What stood out across hundreds of reviews is Salesforce’s ability to be shaped around your business, your clients, your workflows. Users love the flexibility to build custom objects, tailor page layouts, and create automated workflows that reflect how their teams actually operate. Whether it’s setting up approval flows using Flow Builder, automating lead qualification through Process Builder, or going deeper with Apex triggers, the platform gives users a wide toolkit to streamline work and scale up.
That’s one of the reasons I often hear Salesforce recommended to those asking which low-code development platform is the best for enterprise solutions, since it’s built to support deep customization at scale.
The automation capabilities are a big win. I saw multiple users call out how Salesforce reduces repetitive work and lets their teams focus on higher-impact tasks. Flows, in particular, were frequently mentioned as a go-to for creating multi-step processes without writing much code. And for teams with technical chops, Apex allows for deeper customization when needed.
Integration is another standout strength. Users spoke highly of how easy it is to connect Salesforce with other systems. Whether that’s through native API integrations, middleware, or apps from the AppExchange. This makes it a solid option for organizations with an existing tech stack they don’t want to disrupt. 90% users rate its platform compatibility highly.
Another recurring theme? Scalability. From startups to enterprises, users felt confident that Salesforce could grow with them. The platform’s structure supports multi-team, multi-department use cases and can handle complex setups over time, though, as some noted, technical debt can pile up quickly if you don’t manage customizations well.
That said, there are trade-offs to plan for. Verified reviews on G2 note a learning curve, especially for teams new to Salesforce or low code, with parts of Lightning described as less intuitive and occasional UI changes adding confusion. G2 users also flags total cost of ownership: beyond licensing, line items like data storage, API usage, and third-party add-ons can add up for small and mid-sized businesses.
Even so, Salesforce remains a high-leverage choice when approached deliberately. Teams that invest in admin enablement, create a Center of Excellence, and map workflows to real processes tend to unlock outsized value. G2 reviews suggest practical guardrails, use sandboxes for safer releases, monitor storage/API consumption, and lean on vetted AppExchange packages, to preserve speed while keeping costs predictable.
What I like about Salesforce Platform:
- Users love how much they can tailor Salesforce to their needs. Whether it’s building custom dashboards, designing specific workflows, or adapting fields to match business logic, there’s a lot of flexibility to make the platform your own.
- Despite being an enterprise-grade tool, many users appreciated how easy it was to get started with basic configurations and low code tools. The visual interface and declarative features made simple automation feel accessible.
What G2 users like about Salesforce Platform:
“The Salesforce Platform offers unmatched flexibility for building custom applications and automations using tools like Flow, Apex, and Lightning Components. The low code capabilities enable rapid development, while the AppExchange ecosystem adds immense value. Integration with other systems is smooth, and the overall performance and scalability are impressive. The Trailhead learning platform is a huge bonus for continuous learning.”
– Salesforce Platform Review, Roshan B.
What I dislike about Salesforce Platform:
- G2 users noted that sales tools can feel overwhelming. Even though it’s a strength, the depth of sales features can also be too much. Some users found it hard to navigate.
- While the basics are accessible, the learning curve steepens quickly. Users shared that the more advanced automations or integrations often require a technical background to implement smoothly.
What G2 users dislike about Salesforce Platform:
“I have sometimes faced performance issues as it can be very slow while using large complex datasets. Also sometimes the updates coming on Salesforce platforms adds new features and functionality which is great but they sometimes breaks the existing workflows. Another downside which our team has discussed is the licensing costs are expensive for premium features and also there is a steep learning curve and it may be sometimes overwhelming for new users due to its complexity.”
– Salesforce Platform Review, Anju P.
2. ServiceNow App Engine: Best for enterprise-grade workflow and process automation
From the reviews I evaluated, one thing is clear. ServiceNow App Engine is helping teams move fast. Whether you’re a developer or a business user with no coding background, users consistently say this platform makes it easier to build and launch applications across the organization and it’s 4.5/5 rating on G2 is a testement to this.
At the heart of the praise is the low code/no-code experience. Tools like App Engine Studio and Flow Designer come up again and again. Users love being able to drag and drop components, set up automation, and design interfaces without needing to dive into JavaScript, though it’s there if you need it. The platform’s focus on citizen development really shows, and teams appreciate that business users can roll up their sleeves and build things themselves.
I saw a lot of positive sentiment around ease of use, too. People highlighted the guided templates, prebuilt components, and UI wizards that help simplify the learning curve. And once you get going, the speed and efficiency factor kicks in. Users say they’re delivering apps faster than ever, thanks to how well everything is laid out and integrated.
Speaking of integration, that’s another area where ServiceNow App Engine shines. The tight alignment with the rest of the ServiceNow platform makes it easy to connect with ITSM, HR, and security workflows. And because of that, it often comes up when IT teams are evaluating the best-reviewed low-code platforms for IT departments that need cross-department visibility and secure governance.
On the customization front, users love how they can create custom tables, scoped apps, UI policies, and scripts to tailor the experience to their exact needs. Some also called out update sets and version control as helpful tools for moving customizations across environments, especially in larger orgs.
That said, there are limits to plan around. G2 users note that debugging in Flow Designer can be time-consuming; error messages don’t always provide enough context to move quickly. UI feedback is mixed, too, some teams find pages busy or slow with data-heavy views, occasionally switching to Classic for features still migrating. Pricing comes up in G2 user feedback as well: add-on tables, premium integrations, and extra licenses can raise total cost of ownership for smaller teams. A few reviewers also mention performance slowdowns with large datasets and uneven results from early AI recommendations.
On the upside, teams that lean into best practices tend to unlock strong results. G2 users suggest using subflows and naming conventions to simplify troubleshooting, enabling Performance Analytics for heavy dashboards, and staging large imports through IntegrationHub or mid-server patterns. With those guardrails, ServiceNow App Engine remains a high-leverage way to standardize processes, speed releases, and scale enterprise apps without sacrificing control.
What I like about ServiceNow App Engine:
- Using Flow Designer to automate multi-step processes is a major time-saver. Users frequently mentioned how this tool helps reduce manual effort and enforces consistency across business processes.
- From tables and forms to business logic and field configurations, the ability to mold the platform to fit unique workflows is something users genuinely appreciate.
What G2 users like about ServiceNow App Engine:
“One of the most important thing that I like about the App Engine is the ease of doing business that is building at your fingertips. The interactive interface, the user-friendly components, the ease of integrating the apps that were created with the source control like GitHub and many more that contribute to the ease of Implementation makes the best of ServiceNow App Engine. With these cool features, the frequency of using App Engine is increasing rapidly and with the customer support around, I think it is one of the best in ServiceNow.”
– ServiceNow App Engine Review, Sumanth Reddy K.
What I dislike about ServiceNow App Engine:
- Limits on field types, configurations, or resource constraints were mentioned frequently. These boundaries can get in the way when trying to scale more complex apps.
- Users felt that customization can sometimes be limited by platform constraints, and advanced configurations may require more technical expertise than expected.
What G2 users dislike about ServiceNow App Engine:
“The only downside is that, as a light user, some of the more advanced features feel a bit overwhelming or unnecessary for my needs. Navigating certain menus can be a bit clunky at times, but once you get used to it, the overall experience is still smooth and efficient.”
– ServiceNow App Engine Review, verified user.
3. UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation: Best for RPA and task automation at scale
From the reviews I dug into, it’s clear that UiPath Platform for Agenic Automation has built something pretty special. For anyone looking to automate business processes, this platform offers a toolkit that’s as deep as it is powerful. And what I kept seeing across the board? It’s built to make automation accessible to a wider range of users, not just seasoned developers.
Let’s start with the user experience, because that’s where a lot of people seem to fall in love with UiPath. The interface is clean, intuitive, and honestly, even welcoming if you’re new to the automation world. UiPath Studio, with its drag-and-drop workflows and rich library of pre-built activities, makes it easy to get started. You don’t need to know code to build something meaningful and for business users or analysts, that’s a game-changer. 93% of G2 users rate the application templates highly since it provides templates that users can build atop.
Beyond ease of use, the automation capabilities are where UiPath really shines. For buyers asking what low-code service should I use for business automation, UiPath frequently lands at the top because of its deep automation layers combined with flexible low-code design.
Users praised how effortlessly it handles repetitive workflows, manages background processes, and scales to enterprise-level complexity. And the automation isn’t just rule-based anymore, thanks to Agentic Automation, AI Center, and Document Understanding (DU), you can start weaving in machine learning models, handle unstructured data, and even delegate nuanced decisions to software agents powered by LLMs and Gen AI.
Another big highlight was the UiPath Academy and community. People leaned heavily on the training modules, forum support, and documentation to ramp up their skills. A few noted gaps around advanced tutorials, but overall, the learning resources were seen as a huge plus.
That said, there are cost considerations. Some users note that licensing, especially for custom bots, AI add-ons, or enterprise features, can feel heavy for smaller teams, and certification fees add up. The upside: rightsizing bot types, consolidating unattended workloads, and phasing AI usage typically helps teams keep total cost predictable while still unlocking the biggest wins.
On usability, the interface earns praise, but reports mention Studio freezes, slower Excel activities, and performance dips with large datasets or VDI runs. The good news is that tuning bots (e.g., background execution, queue-based chunking, modern Excel activities, and VDI resource policies) often smooths these rough edges without re-architecting flows.
Integration is broadly a strength, though some teams run into hiccups with Git workflows, error visibility in integration services, or syncing with external platforms. Adopting branching standards, pull-request gates, and orchestrator logs/alerts, as well as using official connectors where possible, tends to stabilize pipelines and shorten debug time.
Net-net, UiPath suits builders aiming for more than task automation, teams designing adaptive, AI-powered systems that evolve with the business. With sensible licensing strategy, performance tuning, and disciplined DevOps practices, organizations typically realize the platform’s full value while keeping operational overhead in check.
What I like about UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation:
- Users kept coming back to how robust UiPath is when it comes to automating repetitive, rule-based processes. From simple tasks to complex workflows, the platform gives teams a ton of control.
- The ability to set up software agents that run independently and escalate to humans through Action Center makes a big difference in high-volume workflows. It adds a new level of agility to automation strategies.
What G2 users like about UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation:
“UiPath offers a user-friendly interface with powerful automation tools, seamless integration across applications, and strong community support. Its low code approach, combined with advanced features and Orchestrator’s control, makes it ideal for building, managing, and scaling automation efficiently.”
– UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation Review, Sonam S.
What I dislike about UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation:
- Licensing came up a lot as a pain point. Between bot costs, platform fees, and add-ons, users felt UiPath could be pricey, especially for small or mid-sized teams.
- Some users mentioned that building is easy, but debugging and testing workflows can be frustrating. They wanted clearer error messages and more intuitive test tools.
What G2 users dislike about UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation:
“Experienced developers may find the graphical interface limiting for complex logic. Updating automation workflows after changing UI in applications is frustrating sometimes.”
– UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation Review, Laura C.
4. OutSystems: Best for complex, scalable low-code applications
From the reviews I went through, one thing is abundantly clear. OutSystems is built for speed. If you’re specifically looking for the best low-code solution for web app builders, I found OutSystems especially strong because of its full-stack flexibility and rich integration options.
The overall sentiment is that this platform helps teams build full-stack applications dramatically faster than traditional development. And not just simple apps. We’re talking about enterprise-grade, integrated, scalable solutions with real logic behind them.
The low code/no-code environment is the backbone of that speed. Users kept highlighting how intuitive the drag-and-drop interface, pre-built widgets, and web development tools are. Even folks without deep coding knowledge were able to contribute, while seasoned developers appreciated the productivity gains from skipping boilerplate tasks and jumping straight into higher-value logic.
One of the things people really seem to love is the ease of integration. Whether it’s hooking up to a REST API, adding SSO or Active Directory connectors, or leveraging SOAP services, OutSystems handles it with minimal hassle. That’s huge when you’re trying to connect to older systems or work across multiple apps.
I also noticed consistent appreciation for the built-in features. Things like accelerators, scaffolding tools, and reusable components in the Forge. These make setting up CRUD operations, workflows, and even more complex BPT processes way faster. Plus, features like CI/CD pipeline support and modular deployment give it real development cred.
Another strong point was agility. Teams loved how quickly they could adjust to new requirements, rebuild modules, or spin up proofs of concept. The AI Mentor, used to catch quality issues early, also got a few nods for helping with architectural integrity.
That said, there are a few gotchas to plan for. Users note pricing can feel unpredictable, especially at enterprise scale or for smaller teams trying to grow, and some features in OutSystems Developer Cloud (ODC) haven’t fully caught up to older editions. Feedback also mentions performance hiccups (lag during module publishing, slow data-heavy screens, occasional hangs), and the UI builder can feel limiting for pixel-perfect front-end work.
The upside: teams report good results by sizing infrastructure appropriately, caching and indexing data, splitting large modules, and extending UI with React/CSS where finer control is needed, practical ways to smooth those edges without abandoning the platform’s speed advantages.
Net-net, if you need to move fast while retaining robust enterprise capabilities, OutSystems remains a strong contender. With cost guardrails, performance tuning, and a plan for ODC feature parity, many teams continue to unlock rapid delivery, consistent governance, and a cleaner path from prototype to production.
What I like about OutSystems:
- A lot of users mentioned how easy it is to hook OutSystems into other systems. Whether it’s external APIs, legacy platforms, or third-party tools. That kind of flexibility makes it feel like you’re working in sync, not in silos.
- Users love the development experience. You can go from idea to deployment quickly, thanks to drag-and-drop tools, a solid toolbox, and full-stack support. It’s low code that still feels high-impact.
What G2 users like about OutSystems:
“What I like best about OutSystems is how easy it makes building apps without needing tons of coding experience. The drag-and-drop interface is super intuitive, so you can get an app up and running really fast. Plus, it’s simple to make changes on the fly, which is great for adapting to feedback or shifting project needs. OutSystems also integrates really well with other systems, so you don’t get stuck with compatibility issues. Overall, it’s just a solid platform that lets you create and update apps quickly without the usual headaches!”
– OutSystems Review, Abed B.
What I dislike about OutSystems:
- Some users said the newer ODC platform hasn’t caught up with the functionality of the original environment. It’s promising, but not quite there yet for heavy-duty use.
- There’s common feedback around licensing. Users found it expensive and not always transparent, especially when it comes to scaling or unlocking specific features.
What G2 users dislike about OutSystems:
“Performance issues in complex applications: The platform works well for applications in general, but performance issues can arise when dealing with very complex systems. Such as slow load times.”
– OutSystems Review, verified user.
Curious how no-code compares? Check out my colleagues hands-on review of 10 no-code platforms built for non-developers.
5. Microsoft Power Apps: Best for apps that plug into the Microsoft 365 stack
Microsoft Power Apps is like a fast track to building apps, especially if you already live in the Microsoft world. It’s not trying to replace full-stack development, but for business users and technical folks who want to build fast, automate quickly, and connect everything in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, it’s a powerful tool.
What people consistently highlight is how low code development really delivers here. Users appreciate the drag-and-drop interface, the simplicity of the logic setup, and the way built-in templates and themes help you spin up functional apps without starting from scratch. It’s not just for IT. Many users say Power Apps empowered teams across departments to prototype apps without needing a developer every time. In my testing, it stood out as a leading low-code tool for developing office apps, especially for companies already operating heavily inside Microsoft 365.
The integration with Microsoft services is one of its biggest strengths. You can connect your app directly to SharePoint, Excel, Microsoft Teams, Dataverse, and even bring in Power BI for visualizations. People loved how seamless it felt, pulling in data from OneDrive, triggering flows through Power Automate, or even setting up custom approvals right in Outlook. If you’re already using Microsoft products, Power Apps fits right into your workflow without any extra configuration.
Speed is another big win. Many users said they were able to go from idea to live prototype in a matter of hours. That speed doesn’t just come from templates, it comes from how the platform supports reusability of components and the simplicity of data bindings and UI logic.
Documentation and community support also came up positively in multiple reviews. Whether it’s using official Microsoft docs or leaning on forums, users appreciated having resources to turn to, especially when they hit a snag during automation or formula creation.
That said, there are trade-offs to plan for. G2 users mention licensing complexity, costs can rise with premium connectors, extra environments, or Dataverse usage, and some teams note slow page loads with large datasets or heavy logic, especially on mobile. Even in a low-code world, advanced work still carries a ramp: Power FX, Dataverse schema, and debugging flows in Power Automate take time. A recurring theme is ecosystem lock-in; Power Apps works best when the rest of your toolkit is also Microsoft.
Even so, Power Apps remains a strong pick for organizations already invested in Microsoft 365. Teams that design lean data models, paginate queries, cache results, and standardize environment strategy typically see reliable performance and predictable costs. For companies prioritizing mobile functionality, it’s frequently listed among the top-rated low-code options for mobile when paired with the broader Power Platform, making it a solid launchpad for modern business apps.
What I like about Microsoft Power Apps:
- Many users appreciated how seamless it is to create automated workflows using Power Automate. Whether it’s approvals, notifications, or data syncing, the built-in logic flows help eliminate repetitive tasks.
- If your data already lives in SharePoint, Power Apps makes it pretty straightforward to build interfaces around it. Users consistently called this out as one of the platform’s strengths.
What G2 users like about Microsoft Power Apps:
“It ties in with the Microsoft 365 cloud environment seamlessly! You can create a custom application for your company and design its look and feel in power apps. If you wanted to collect data in the field for example and needed an app for employees to upload pictures, notes, etc, you could design an app and have the data get loaded wherever you want in share point. Perhaps it goes into an excel sheet, database, using it with power automate can allow automated data capturing to occur as well as endless other automations in 365. There are also app templates you can reference.”
– Microsoft Power Apps Review, Robert Z.
What I dislike about Microsoft Power Apps:
- There’s a learning curve. Even though it’s low code, users said building more advanced apps required a solid understanding of Power FX, connectors, and environment configurations, which isn’t always beginner-friendly.
- Several users mentioned sluggish performance when dealing with large datasets or loading screens on mobile. It’s a common friction point that affects the user experience.
What G2 users dislike about Microsoft Power Apps:
“One disadvantage is that solving the issues with complex operations in the Power Apps is not easy due to the lack of an efficient debugger. Due to several data inputs and numerous transformations, it is difficult to find out failure points if there is no proper insight into how the system functions at every step of the process.”
– Microsoft Power Apps Review, Noemi D.
6. Quickbase: Best for business-built workflow and reporting apps
Quickbase stands out as a platform built for teams that want control without the coding burden. What users love most is how flexible it is when it comes to building custom workflows, organizing data, and adapting apps to match the way their business actually operates.
Users really value how Quickbase lets them tailor apps down to the field and table level. Whether you’re tracking inventory, managing projects, handling vendor onboarding, or all of the above, Quickbase gives you the tools to build it your way. I saw plenty of users calling out the ease of creating custom forms, designing workflows, and building dashboards that actually mean something to their team.
The low code/no-code approach is another big win. Users talked about how empowering it feels to build functioning apps without deep technical knowledge. Users talked about how empowering it feels to build functioning apps without deep technical knowledge. That’s exactly why Quickbase often gets recommended as the best low-code platform for small business apps where internal teams need control but can’t dedicate full developer resources.
Data organization is another strength. I kept seeing feedback about how Quickbase helps teams centralize messy, siloed data into a single source of truth. Paired with its strong relational database structure, users can link tables, roll up metrics, and create dynamic relationships with minimal scripting.
The reporting and dashboard tools were also a highlight. People loved how easy it is to build real-time views that surface what matters most. Whether it’s a progress tracker, performance metrics, or a filtered project view, the reporting engine helps teams make informed decisions quickly.
And when it comes to workflow automation, the platform really clicks. The Pipelines feature is mentioned as a go-to for integrating with tools like Salesforce, cloud databases, and APIs. While it’s not always perfect (more on that in a bit), it’s a core reason people choose Quickbase in the first place.
“The helpdesk. More often than not, when a case is submitted, it takes a long time for the support after the first interaction. I recently had a scenario where I published an updated app from the sandbox, but I could not find any documentation on migrating the sandbox pipeline to the production app. The person had to go research it themselves. A day or more when by and I finally figured it out on my own and let the tech know.
I simply felt that the pipeline helpdesk crew should have known the process or point me in the correct direction – they did not.”
Have more questions? Find more answers below.
Quickbase is designed for business teams to spin up workflow and reporting apps fast without heavy IT lift. It’s flexible enough to evolve with your processes, and its point-and-click builders make iteration easy as your team scales.
OutSystems excels when you need complex, scalable apps with governance, performance controls, and AI-assisted lifecycle management. If your enterprise revolves around customer data, Salesforce Platform is a close second thanks to its deep CRM alignment and security model.
OutSystems offers mature mobile tooling, offline support, native device access, and CI/CD, so you can ship reliable iOS/Android apps quickly. Its reusable components and visual logic help dev and product teams collaborate without sacrificing quality.
Salesforce Platform is ideal for deeply tailored apps on a secure CRM data layer, with powerful automation and an enormous ecosystem of add-ons. You can model custom objects, enforce workflows, and extend with Apex/Flow when low-code needs a boost.
ServiceNow pairs visual development with reusable UI patterns and strong performance, making it great for enterprise-grade web apps. Built-in testing, monitoring, and governance keep complex projects maintainable as they grow.
Microsoft Power Apps integrates natively with Teams, SharePoint, Dataverse, and the rest of Microsoft 365. That means faster app creation, simpler data connections, and familiar authentication/permissions for your whole organization.
Quickbase shines for lean teams that need to move fast, build, launch, and refine workflows without waiting on engineering backlogs. As your use cases mature, connectors and automations let you scale without a costly rebuild.
ServiceNow App Engine gives IT robust governance, role-based access, and end-to-end workflow orchestration on a single platform. IT can standardize request/catalog flows and deliver apps that align with security and compliance needs.
UiPath Platform for Agentic Automation is purpose-built for automating repetitive, rules-based tasks across systems with RPA, AI document processing, and orchestration. It complements your low-code apps by removing manual steps and reducing errors.
Microsoft Power Apps offers intuitive builders, templates, and hundreds of connectors, so non-developers can create useful apps with minimal ramp-up. Paired with Power Automate, everyday users can also streamline approvals and routine tasks.
Let’s take the complexity out of app development. These low code platforms empower your team to solve problems, test ideas, and scale solutions without getting stuck in technical bottlenecks. Whether you’re aiming to reduce developer dependency, speed up internal tool creation, or empower business users to build with confidence, there’s a platform here that fits the bill.
For me, evaluating these tools was all about finding that balance between usability and power. I wasn’t just looking for builders, I wanted platforms that offered real flexibility, meaningful integrations, and features teams could actually grow with.
Now it’s your turn. Explore the platforms, try a few out, and see which one fits your workflows, your users, and your goals. Because once you’ve built with the right low code tool, going back to traditional dev timelines might feel like writing in the dark.
Still exploring your options? Accelerate your app development process with these no code development platforms to build, scale, and launch applications with greater speed.
