Is No-Code Right for Your Startup?

Introduction #

In this short blog, we are discussing the merits and drawbacks of no-code systems. For startups, building a minimum-value product is often the only visible goal.

Resources may be scarce, and entrepreneurs may prefer to avoid hiring developers, even if it may require them to rewrite an application once resources are available.

What are no code systems? #

No-code systems are platforms or tools that enable users to create software applications without coding. These systems offer a visual development environment where users can drag and drop components, configure workflows, and set up integrations to build fully functional applications. The main objective of no-code systems is to make software development accessible to individuals who do not possess conventional programming skills.

Common Use Cases #

• Internal Tools: Companies often use no-code platforms to build internal tools, dashboards, and workflow automation to streamline business processes.

• MVP Development: Startups can use no-code tools to build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and quickly validate ideas before committing to full-scale development.

• Automating Business Processes: No-code platforms are commonly used to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, reporting, and communication workflows.

Atypical Use Cases #

• Large-scale applications that serve a large number of users.

• Applications with complex security requirements and advanced data access control.

• Applications with complex integration requirements.

• Enterprise-grade applications.

• SaaS applications supporting multitenancy.

The Benefits of No Codes Systems #

Speed of Development #

• No-code platforms allow you to quickly bring your ideas to life, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration without waiting for a complete development cycle.

• Time to Market: If your startup needs to launch a product or service quickly, using a no-code solution can significantly reduce development time, enabling you to capture opportunities faster.

Cost Reduction #

• Cost-Effective Development: No-code platforms do not require a large development team, lowering the initial costs of custom coding.

Allow more people to participate #

• When your team lacks technical expertise, a no-code platform allows you to create and manage applications without hiring expensive developers.

• No-code systems allow entrepreneurs to focus on their business strategy and operations instead of getting bogged down by technical challenges.

Fits the startup’s early stage #

• No-code platforms are ideal for startups in the early stages, where the focus is on validating the idea rather than scaling rapidly.

The drawbacks #

Most drawbacks are irrelevant if you plan to build a minimum viable product (MVP), knowing that a rewrite from scratch will be required.

In a recent user survey conducted on Reddit, the following drawbacks were specified by readers:

Vendor Lock-In #

More than half of the users consider this the main issue with no-code systems. Vendor lock-in has several implications, some of which are not immediately apparent when implementing a new system.

Intellectual Property lock-in #

Almost all no-code systems are designed to run exclusively within their environment, utilizing libraries and paradigms specific to the platform. As a result, any intellectual property created within the no-code platform has limited usability outside of it.

Deployment Lock-in #

Most no-code vendors only allow deployment on their infrastructure. Some offer an on-premises installation option, which can ease the hosting costs. However, this option is still based on proprietary technology that can cease to be developed and maintained.

Mandatory hosting can lead to uncontrolled and high costs for a startup at the scale-out stage. Some solutions even charge a monthly fee for each end user, who is not a developer but a user of the running system.

Lock in through a technical debt #

For every no-code system, there may be a small number of knowledgeable developers who can further develop anything you build. Expanding such systems using traditional programming languages is sometimes possible but relies on specific non-standard software interfaces. Covering the technical debt may necessitate a full rewrite using conventional development tools.

Lack of some features #

No-code systems have a set of features. When a system in development becomes complex, more features are required, and adding them can be impossible or difficult. In that sense, traditional development is way more flexible and practically limitless.

Unlike the frequent hype, not every missing feature in a no-code system can be implemented via code.

For example, suppose a no-code system does not support multitenancy or fine-granularity data access control. In that case, it will be tough to add such a feature, as it is built into the system at a deep level.

If all you aim for is a prototype, you may forgo some features until you complete a rewrite using a traditional development workflow.

Complexity and Steep Learning Curve #

One of the fallacies associated with no-code development is the belief that ‘anyone can become a no-code developer.’

This is as incorrect as claiming anyone can master Photoshop or Excel.

Powerful no-code platforms are designed to solve complex problems and have many features and workflows that must be mastered.

To successfully use a no-code system, you need to:

• Deeply understand the application domain in which your product operates. This is crucial for designing any system using any development workflows and tools.

• Be willing to invest time in learning, trying, and making mistakes.

• Understand that you may need developers’ help even before a Minimum Viable Product is completed, let alone when you need to scale.

• Understand that a system cannot be viewed through its user interface. Sometimes, entrepreneurs see only the user interface of their product. In most cases, the backend matters more.

• Realize that many workflows are faster to implement in a no-code system while others may be faster to code. Developers tend to prefer doing everything in code.

Low performance of the created App #

A discussion of the two main no-code deployment types is required to understand the reason for this observation.

In general, no-code systems are implemented using two main approaches:

The Immediate Execution System.

• Immediate execution systems offer immediate feedback as you develop without compiling a target code. You can sometimes identify such a system by adding data to your data store immediately after defining an entity. The runtime and design phase are intermixed. However, these systems typically run slower in production and require more resources to prevent slowdowns. It can be confidently stated that these systems do not provide any flexibility in deployment, whether on-premises or elsewhere. Some of the vendors offer a guarantee that in the case of going out of business, they will allow on-premise deployment; no one has ever tried that….

The Immediate Execution System may have an advantage related to debugging an application.

The Code Generators

• Systems that compile a target image include the necessary dependencies and database setup. These systems separate the design phase from the deployment phase. The deployment becomes available after a noticeable amount of time is needed to prepare a deployable image. Such systems may deliver better performance once the runtime is deployed, and their performance is inherently similar to compiled code in other programming workflows and tools. Deploying these solutions on-premises or outside a no-code vendor’s cloud is more practical.

Data lock-in #

This is a frequently overlooked disadvantage. One of the main assets of any organization is the collected data.

Most no-code vendors do not provide an easy way to access the data accumulated in their systems.

Apis for accessing the data can be implemented on some of the systems, but direct access to the database server, if one exists as such, is unavailable.

When you have control over the deployment and can access the database anytime, you can back it up, clone it, or copy data from specific tables/collections.

Data lock-in may be critical when switching from a no-code solution to a traditional development solution, as the accumulated data may be valuable.

Conclusion #

In summary, while no-code systems offer significant benefits in speed, cost, and accessibility, especially for startups and small businesses, they also have inherent limitations that can affect scalability, flexibility, and long-term sustainability. These platforms are great for quickly bringing ideas to life, building MVPs, and streamlining internal processes. However, for more complex, large-scale applications or those with specific security and integration requirements, the disadvantages of no-code systems—such as vendor lock-in, limited features, and potential data lock-in—can present significant challenges.

When evaluating a no-code platform, it’s crucial to determine if it meets your project’s specific requirements and long-term goals. For early-stage startups, the benefit of rapidly prototyping and validating ideas might outweigh any potential drawbacks, making no-code an attractive option. However, as your business grows and your technical needs evolve, transitioning to traditional development may be essential to maintain control, flexibility, and performance.

Fortunately, recent no-code developments address most of these challenges while retaining the benefits. For example, no-lock, no-code platforms like Flutter Flow for the front end and Wizzdi Cloud for the backend offer more flexibility by allowing users to export clean, usable code that isn’t tied to a specific vendor’s ecosystem. This approach mitigates the risk of vendor lock-in and provides greater control over the deployment and future development of the application.

As the demand for no-code solutions continues to grow, more vendors will likely adopt similar approaches, offering tools that combine the speed and accessibility of no-code with the flexibility and control typically associated with traditional development. This evolution could make no-code platforms an even more attractive option for a broader range of projects, allowing businesses to leverage the best of both worlds.

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In my next article, I will share my journey while building a complex parking platform using no-code.