25 best low-code platforms to speed up development

Quick summary

This article walks you through the 15 best low code platforms in detail, plus 10 additional notable platforms. You'll get a brief overview of each platform, learn their key features, pros and cons, and pricing details. Read and make an informed choice that delivers better value compared to building from scratch or using AI app builders that cut corners.

 

Here’s our shortlist:

Tool	Best For
Launchpad	Building B2B workflow-centric applications with enterprise features built in
OutSystems	Building mission-critical apps or modernizing legacy systems on Windows Server
Salesforce Platform	Organizations deeply invested in the Salesforce ecosystem

 

Looking for the best low-code platforms?

91% of CTOs cite technical debt as their biggest challenge, according to a STX Next annual report.

Engineering teams are spending too much time maintaining legacy systems to build features customers will pay for. Meanwhile, AI-native startups are launching new features within weeks.

Software companies are being squeezed from two sides—tech giants on one end and AI-native startups on the other.

Low code platforms offer a solution. These platforms can build ready-to-use apps within hours while requiring fewer specialized developers. Some platforms are user-friendly enough for citizen developers to build with them.

This article explores the 15 best low code platforms for 2026, along with 10 additional tools worth considering. You'll learn about each platform's unique capabilities, where it excels, and where it falls short.

 

15 best low code platforms

Platform	Best For	Starting Price / Free Plan Option	Deployment Options	AI Features
Launchpad	B2B SaaS products	$900/mo, free plan available	Cloud (AWS)	Blueprint AI, agent integration
OutSystems	Mission-critical apps	$36,300/year, 10-day trial available	Cloud, Windows Server	Gen AI throughout lifecycle
Salesforce Platform	Salesforce ecosystem	$25/user/mo	Cloud	Autonomous agents, Flow Builder
Softr	Frontend on Airtable	$59/mo, free plan available	Cloud	Limited
Zoho Creator	Zoho ecosystem	$12/user/mo	Cloud	Limited
Backendless	Separated frontend/backend	$15/mo, free plan available	Cloud, self-hosted	Limited
Microsoft Power Apps	Microsoft ecosystem	$20/user/mo, Developer plan available	Cloud	AI model integration, PowerFx
Quick Base	Form-based apps	$35/user/mo	Cloud	Limited
Mendix	Enterprise apps	€900/mo, free plan available	Multi-cloud, on-premise	Maia AI assistance
Bubble	Web applications	$59/mo, free plan available	Cloud (AWS)	Limited
FlutterFlow	Native mobile apps	$15.60/mo, free plan available	Cloud	Page/component generation
Retool	Internal tools	$10/user/mo,free plan available	Cloud, self-hosted	Limited
Appian	Workflow automation	Contact sales, Community edition available	Cloud, hybrid, on-premise	AI Copilot, RPA bots
Google AppSheet	Apps from spreadsheets	$5/user/mo	Cloud	Duet AI prototyping
UiPath	Agentic automation	$25/mo	Cloud, on-premise	Agent Builder, Maestro orchestration

 

1. Launchpad

 

Launchpad is an AI-powered low-code platform built by Pegasystems, backed by Pega's 40-year reputation in enterprise software.

The platform handles everything you'd normally hire a dedicated DevOps team for.

You can build B2B workflow-centric applications with enterprise features built in. Auto-scaling cloud operations on AWS, MongoDB management, security certifications, and subscriber administration all come pre-configured.

This is why companies like Fielo (which serves Google and Audi) are Launchpad customers. They can focus time and resources on competitive differentiators instead of SOC 2 compliance for their application layer.

Launchpad also has a unique approach to customization in multi-tenant environments. It doesn't force you to choose between rigid standardization or maintenance-heavy custom code.

Instead, subscribers can upload their own Lambda functions that run in isolated AWS accounts separate from your core platform.

Launchpad's AI integration is also more comprehensive than most platforms. The AI Blueprint feature generates your initial app structure. Then an in-platform AI assistant walks you through development decisions as you build. These gen AI capabilities are also a product of Pega's experience with predictive AI.

 

Key features

• Launchpad's GenAI Blueprint generates initial application structure and provides contextual development guidance for workflow automation, UX design, integrations, reporting, and insights
• Connects to any REST API or existing integration without vendor lock-in
• AWS-style usage-based pricing
• Built-in subscriber management portal for administration, configuration, identity management, and usage reporting
• Strict cross-tenant separation via isolated Firecracker environments within dedicated AWS accounts
• Built-in enterprise-grade features like cloud, database, multitenancy, security, and scalability
• Pega Process Fabric integration for orchestrating complex B2B processes across your platform and subscribers' existing software

Pricing

Launchpad uses a usage-based model similar to AWS. Average contract value starts at $900/month currently. There's a free tier (Explore) for exploration and prototyping.

Pros

• Eliminates 6-12 months of infrastructure buildout that every B2B SaaS company normally duplicates
• Usage-based pricing avoids gambling on expensive enterprise licenses
• Pegasystems backing means platform architecture doesn't buckle under enterprise workloads

Cons

• Experienced engineers who prefer full control and direct access to all code layers may find the abstraction constraining

 

2. OutSystems

 

OutSystems is used to build mission-critical apps or modernize legacy systems. Recent versions include gen AI throughout the development lifecycle.

You use the OutSystems Modeling Language (OML) to create a blueprint of your applications. Then AI reads this blueprint and generates code for each stack layer—.NET on the backend (C#), JavaScript for client-side logic, and SQL for database operations.

If you deploy your application privately, your private cloud environment must run Windows servers. Otherwise, you can deploy on OutSystems Cloud or other major cloud providers.

 

Key features

• Build full-stack scaffolding by giving instructions in natural language
• Drag and drop visual components to assemble interfaces for web and mobile
• Automate testing, quality assurance, code reviews, and deployment processes
• Hundreds of pre-built integrations and community-contributed elements on OutSystems Forge marketplace
• Built-in analytics

Pricing

There's a free personal edition that provides 10-day platform access without requiring a credit card.

OutSystems has high-end pricing measured in Application Objects (AOs)—the sum of screens, database tables, and API methods across your apps. A typical medium-sized app is about 150 AOs.

The per-year price of OutSystems Developer Cloud (ODC) starts at $36,300.

Pros

• Makes migration easy by generating open standard code (C#, JavaScript, SQL)
• AI integration throughout the development lifecycle

Cons

• Dependency on Windows Server excludes Linux users
• Complex pricing model

 

 

3. Salesforce Platform

Most people know Salesforce as a CRM, but it also enables application development without extensive coding.

Salesforce calls its low-code tool the Platform (formerly Lightning Platform), now promoted as "Agentforce 360 Platform." This differs from typical drag-and-drop builders.

The platform provides reusable building blocks including maps, calendars, buttons, and number-entry forms that automatically inherit security models and permission structures that would take months to build from scratch.

Salesforce Platform also lets you build autonomous agents and give them access to your CRM data. These agents handle tasks like customer inquiries and routine automations without separate data pipelines.

 

Key features

• Flow Builder lets you build chains of actions using visual flowcharts
• AppExchange marketplace with 7,000+ pre-built solutions
• Sandboxes to test changes before deployment
• Separate instances for development, QA, and staging without paying for additional production licenses

Pricing

Salesforce Platform Starter plan costs $25 per user per month on annual billing. This includes 10 custom objects, Lightning Flow automation, Lightning App Builder, AppExchange, and API access. The Platform Plus plan costs $100 and includes 110 custom objects.

Pros

• Professional support beyond just documentation and forums
• No integration middleware required

Cons

• Expensive, hard to use, overkill for non-enterprise use cases
• Multiple ways to accomplish the same thing due to 25-year history of features added without streamlining legacy approaches

 

 

4. Softr

 

Softr is a frontend builder that connects to your databases from Airtable, Google Sheets, or another external source. The platform only handles the presentation layer.

The platform lets you drag and drop customizable building blocks, each of which connects to your data source with search and user authentication.

The platform is built for CRUD operations with conditional rules. Complex business logic or real-time collaboration features will exceed platform capabilities quickly.

 

Key features

• Connect your Airtable base and define granular permissions
• Pre-built building block library contains list views, Kanban boards, calendars, forms, and charts
• Users can install your Softr app on mobile devices like a native app
• Forms that branch based on user inputs
• Native Stripe integration for payments

Pricing

Softr has a free plan allowing one published app with up to 10 users. Paid plans start with the Basic plan at $59, allowing 3 published apps and 20 total users across all apps.

Pros

• Fast deployment for standard applications
• Integrates with tools like Airtable and Make

Cons

• Reliance on Airtable as primary database limits backend logic
• Airtable limitations or pricing changes directly impact your app's scalability and cost

 

5. Zoho Creator

 

Zoho Creator is for organizations already invested in Zoho services or those looking for a cheaper alternative to enterprise low code platforms.

When you build anything on the web in Zoho Creator, it automatically becomes available as native iOS and Android apps.

The platform handles this conversion itself without separate mobile development workflows.

The platform uses a proprietary scripting language called Deluge to implement custom logic. JavaScript or Python skills won't transfer—you'll need to learn Deluge if your app needs custom features Zoho Creator doesn't provide.

Zoho customers get native integration with Zoho products (CRM, Books, Desk, etc.) through the same data layer.

 

Key features

• Zoho Creator automatically generates web, iOS, and Android versions from a single build
• 32 specialized form field types
• Native integration with 800+ business applications
• Allows complete rebranding of applications so you can sell to clients as your own product

Pricing

Zoho Creator's pricing starts at $12/user/month for 1 app. The other two plans, costing $30 and $37, allow unlimited apps. For custom requirements, there's the Flex plan with custom pricing.

Pros

• Affordable per-user pricing
• Native integration with Zoho products
• Automatic multi-platform deployment

Cons

• Deluge scripting language skills don't transfer to other development environments
• User interface design lags behind modern standards

 

 

6. Backendless

 

Backendless lets developers work separately in frontend and backend layers. You create your database structure, API logic, and business rules in one environment, then build the user interface separately.

For the UI, you have two options, use Backendless' UI builder or connect any client-side framework.

Backendless has its own visual programming language called Codeless. Instead of typing syntax, you arrange functions, variables, conditional logic, and data structures with blocks.

Backendless can also connect with external databases and manage them through its interface if you can't easily migrate your existing data infrastructure.

 

Key features

• Codeless visual programming language lets you build by arranging logic blocks in flowcharts (you still need to understand programming concepts)
• Backendless can connect with MySQL, PostgreSQL, or other SQL databases and manage them from within the platform
• Multi-environment deployment options including serverless cloud hosting, self-hosted, and managed deployment
• 18+ solutions to implement user authentication (Google, Facebook, Twitter, Active Directory, LDAP, etc.)
• Automatic REST API creation for every table you define

Pricing

Backendless has a free cloud plan including 50 API requests/minute, 20 data tables, 15,000 database objects, 1GB file storage, and web app publishing. The Scale plan costs $15/month. Backendless Pro for on-premise deployment starts at $7,200/year (single server).

Pros

• On-premise deployment option
• Separates frontend and backend development

Cons

• Learning how frontend/backend layers communicate takes time

 

 

7. Microsoft Power Apps

Power Apps is part of Microsoft's Power Platform, which also includes Power Automate and Power BI. This low code option is for organizations already running on Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Dynamics 365. Outside this ecosystem, much of Power Apps' value proposition disappears.

Power Apps has two different development environments—Canvas apps or Model-driven apps.

In Canvas apps, you place controls on a blank screen and define their behavior. In Model-driven apps, you define your data model in Dataverse (Microsoft's database layer), and Power Apps generates the interface from that structure.

Power Apps uses PowerFx as its expression language. Teams familiar with complex Excel formulas will find PowerFx easier to learn.

 

Key features

• Integrates natively with Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft services
• Pre-built connections to hundreds of third-party platforms
• Incorporate pre-trained AI models or train custom models on your own data
• PowerFx expression language uses formulas similar to Excel syntax for app logic

Pricing

There's a free Developer Plan for individual learning and testing. Paid plans start at $20/user/month when paid yearly.

Pros

• Native integration with Microsoft ecosystem
• PowerFx expression language is easy to learn
• Built-in enterprise-grade governance and security controls

Cons

• Performance issues when building on SharePoint lists
• Requires consistent IT support

 

8. Quickbase

 

Quickbase is a low code builder for form-based apps.

Though the apps you build with Quickbase might not have the best looking UI design, the platform emphasizes data relationships and workflow automation over aesthetics.

Quickbase uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language for scripting, making it easier for developers to get started.

Quickbase uses triggers for automation. You define actions that should automatically execute when data changes.

 

Key features

• Automation tool to connect Quick Base to third-party apps
• Role hierarchies to automate data access
• Supports 32 customizable input field types
• Real-time dashboards with custom views for different user groups
• Platform analytics to monitor app usage and help manage per-user licensing costs

Pricing

Quick Base offers a Team plan for $35/user/month (billed annually). The Business plan costs $55/user/month. Enterprise plan pricing is available by contacting sales.

Pros

• JavaScript as the scripting language
• Suitable for complex data models

Cons

• Per-user pricing is expensive
• Outdated workflow automation

 

9. Mendix

 

The Mendix platform offers a unique development model where technical and non-technical users work separately toward the same goal.

Non-technical users (business teams) use visual elements to define requirements and processes. When visual development reaches its limits, developers can access the full IDE to code custom functions.

Users can deploy applications to any infrastructure. Mendix supports deployment to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, private clouds, or on-premise infrastructure through the same deployment process.

 

Key features

• Define data structures first and let Mendix generate UI and logic automatically, or design workflows using flowcharts
• Manage versions of your application using Git
• Build native iOS and Android apps with the same web builds without requiring mobile development cycles
• Explain your requirements in natural language and AI will generate microflows or suggest structure

Pricing

Mendix offers a free plan including a deployment environment to build prototypes and small applications. Pricing starts from €900/month.

Pros

• Deploys across any cloud provider or on-premise infrastructure
• 25-year track record from Siemens
• Unlimited applications across all tiers

Cons

• Expensive starting price for smaller teams
• Potential performance issues

 

10. Bubble

 

Bubble lets you build production-ready web applications without writing code. The platform automates multi-step processes like order fulfillment sequences or conditional user role assignments.

Bubble's infrastructure runs on AWS with no hard limits on traffic volumes or data storage. You control data relationships and query optimization.

If the visual editor's capabilities are insufficient, you can write custom JavaScript to extend functionality.

Bubble uses its own proprietary language and logic system, which requires time to master if you're coming from simpler no-code platforms or traditional development setups.

 

Key features

• Every action your app performs consumes workload units
• Multi-tenant database lets you build complex data structures and define custom logic for access control
• Visual workflow builder for creating multi-step automation sequences
• Design custom UI elements once and deploy them across pages to avoid duplicate work
• Option to build custom plugins if the plugin library lacks what you need

Pricing

Bubble offers a free plan. Paid plans start from $59/month when billed annually. The free plan requires paid plans to deploy live applications.

Pros

• Scales without platform migration
• No hard limits on users, traffic volume, or data storage
• Extensive tutorials and pre-built templates for common use cases

Cons

• Data-intensive applications and high traffic can create processing bottlenecks
• If you eventually need features outside Bubble's capabilities or want to move to custom code, you'll have to migrate elsewhere—Bubble apps remain tied to its ecosystem

 

11. FlutterFlow

 

FlutterFlow is an extension of Google's Flutter framework .It helps developers build native mobile applications without writing Flutter code manually.

Similar to Backendless, FlutterFlow's visual logic builder lets you arrange function blocks instead of typing code.

The platform automatically generates responsive layouts for different mobile screen sizes.

For the backend, FlutterFlow offers Firebase and Supabase as primary options. You don't need to build backend logic inside FlutterFlow when you connect to these.

You can also use custom REST API configurations to connect to other backend services.

 

Key features

• Generate code with FlutterFlow and continue development in any standard Flutter IDE
• Inject Dart code into widgets to create complex features
• Design responsive layouts that automatically adapt to screen size
• Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously

Pricing

FlutterFlow offers a free plan with visual builder access, Supabase integration, and 2 API endpoints, but no code export or app publishing. The Basic plan costs $15.60 per month. Growth and Business plans use seat-based pricing.

Pros

• Native Flutter code offers performance similar to hand-coded Flutter apps
• Full code export option
• Single visual design automatically deploys across platforms

Cons

• Backend functionality depends on external services

 

 

12. Retool

 

Retool is a low code platform for developing internal tools, not consumer-facing apps.

You drag and drop components on a canvas and write JavaScript or SQL to define their behavior and data sources.

The platform offers over 100 UI internal components. It supports 50+ native integrations including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Salesforce, and Stripe.

You can query all these sources directly using SQL or API calls. If there's no connector for a data source, you can integrate it using the REST API. Retool also integrates with Git for version control.

 

Key features

• Retool's IDE lets you write and debug code and queries instantly
• Create reusable queries that automatically connect to your databases or APIs
• Global variables make it easy to share data between components and manage app state without extra libraries
• Plug in your own React components for custom UI elements

Pricing

Retool offers a free plan supporting 5 users and unlimited web and mobile apps. The Team plan allows more than 5 users and costs $10/user/month (per standard users) and $5/user/month (per end users).

Pros

• 50+ native integrations for databases
• Git integration for version control

Cons

• Not HIPAA-compliant
• Internal tools with hundreds of end users incur huge costs

 

13. Appian

Appian has a 25-year legacy of building workflow automation tools. During development, you define workflows first, and Appian generates the interface from your definitions. AI Copilot guides users throughout the app-building process.

The platform offers different numbers of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bots based on subscription level.

These bots interact with legacy systems that lack APIs and automate tasks that would otherwise require human intervention.

Appian offers multiple deployment options (cloud, hybrid, on-premise).

 

Key features

• Built-in RPA lets you create bots to automate actions inside older apps
• Process mining spots bottlenecks before you automate anything
• Dynamic case management helps teams handle exceptions by routing work based on context
• Automatically generate mobile apps for iOS, Android, and web with a single interface

Pricing

Contact sales for pricing.

Pros

• Long-standing platform
• Full range of deployment options
• Built-in RPA support
• Decision engine for modeling complex logic

Cons

• Some interface aspects are dated
• Complex use cases may still require coding

 

14. Google AppSheet

Google's AppSheet is a no-code platform that generates apps from your existing data sources, mainly spreadsheet platforms like Google Sheets.

The platform is integrated into many Google Workspace tiers at no additional cost.

AppSheet uses spreadsheet-like expressions, making it accessible to teams accustomed to writing complex formulas in Excel.

AppSheet apps can work offline by storing data locally on devices. Changes made offline sync to cloud databases when the app reconnects.

AppSheet counts users differently depending on authentication status. Signed-in users count as individuals, but guest users count by device. A guest user opening an app on two phones counts as two users, which can increase costs.

 

Key features

• Expression language works like Excel formulas
• Apps can work offline and sync data back to the cloud when connection returns
• Native integration with the entire Google Workspace platform
• Duet AI lets you generate app prototypes by describing requirements in plain language

Pricing

Pricing starts at $5/user/month. This plan provides basic application and automation features, connections to spreadsheets, and cloud storage. Two more plans are priced at $10 and $20/user/month.

Pros

• Included with many Google Workspace plans
• Very fast app generation from spreadsheets
• Offline access

Cons

• Multi-device use can increase user counts
• Advanced features still have a noticeable learning curve

 

15. UiPath

 

UiPath is a platform for agentic automation and orchestration.

The UiPath Platform combines AI agents, automation robots, and human workflows to autonomously execute and optimize complex business processes. UiPath Maestro serves as the orchestration layer that coordinates AI agents, robots, and people in dynamic workflows.

The platform includes Studio for building automations (both low-code visual workflows and coded automation), Agent Builder for creating custom AI agents, and integration with third-party agent frameworks including LangChain, Anthropic, and Microsoft.

 

Key features

• UiPath Maestro for orchestrating AI agents, robots, and people across workflows
• Agent Builder for creating customizable AI agents
• Integration with LangChain, Anthropic, and Microsoft agent frameworks
• Studio for both low-code visual workflows and coded automation
• Intelligent document processing (IXP) with AI-based extraction
• Process mining to analyze and optimize workflows

Pricing

Basic plan costs $25/month for personal automations. Advanced features require custom pricing. Pricing uses a unified Platform Unit model covering AI Units, Robot Units, and other consumption.

Pros

• Automates legacy systems
• Scales easily
• Strong training ecosystem and community support

Cons

• Pricing is complex
• Unattended robots can be expensive to license

 

Honorable mentions

Here are 10 more low-code platforms worth considering:

 

#	Tool	Description
1	Betty Blocks	Enterprise no-code platform
2	Firebase	Google's backend-as-a-service
3	ServiceNow App Engine	Builds workflow apps on the ServiceNow Platform
4	Airtable	Combines relational database and spreadsheet style for building lightweight apps
5	Caspio	Builds online database-driven applications
6	Kissflow	AI-powered low-code platform known for user friendliness
7	Adalo	Mobile-first low code builder
8	Oracle APEX	Builds data-heavy apps on Oracle DB
9	Superblocks	For internal apps and automations
10	Nintex	Automates complex business processes

 

Why build with Launchpad?

Most low code platforms help you build apps faster. Launchpad helps you ship commercial B2B SaaS products faster.

The difference matters when you need multitenancy, usage-based billing, environment isolation, audit logging, and compliance scope management—requirements that lightweight tools force you to build from scratch.

Launchpad eliminates 6-12 months of infrastructure work that every B2B SaaS company typically duplicates. While competitors configure AWS accounts and build billing systems, you're shipping features customers pay for.

Start with Launchpad and ship production-ready B2B SaaS without rebuilding the foundation.