No-code development platform

A no-code development platform (NCDP) supports creating software via a graphical user interface (GUI) and configuration instead of programming – coding.

As with a low-code development platform, it is meant to expedite application development,^[1] but completely eliminates writing code. This is usually accomplished by offering prebuilt templates.^[2] In the 2010s, both of these types of platforms increased in popularity as companies dealt with a limited supply of competent software developers.^[3]

No-code development is closely related to visual programming.^[4]

Use

No-code tools are often designed with line of business users in mind as opposed to traditional IT. These platforms allow users to build tools and applications with little to no programming expertise.^[5]

The potential benefits of using a NCDP include:

Agility – NCDPs typically provide some degree of templated user-interface and user experience functionality for common needs such as forms, workflows, and data display allowing creators to expedite parts of the app creation process.^[6]
Richness – NCDPs which at one point were limited to more basic application functions increasingly provide a level of feature-richness and integrations that allows users to design, develop, and deploy apps that meet specific business needs.^[7]

Future of workflow automation

No-code platforms are reshaping software development by democratizing access to automation and application building. As AI-driven automation advances, no-code solutions are expected to handle more sophisticated workflows, reducing reliance on traditional coding. This shift fosters innovation across industries, making software creation more accessible to businesses and individuals alike.^[8]