Low code vs customized software: Which one is better?

Cyber security

The battle between customised application software and low code platforms may not be the greatest, but it is worth consideration.

Businesses usually have a very hard time determining which one is best suited for them, low code or customized software.

Customized software was the most popular until recently when low-code finally got the attention of businesses. It had not been recognized by businesses because it was not available in the past. Low code is a new invention that came to be as an alternative to the difficult and time-consuming old fashioned programming. More information on low-code can be found on Creatio.

It still comes to the choice, which one is better, low code or customized software? To find out, we need to go through them first and make some comparisons in terms of the following.

1. Cost

To find the better option, we need to find out the most cost-effective one depending on your business or company. In average, the cost of customized software ranges between 40,000 dollars and 250, 000 dollars form the initial design to the development of the application. There are bound to be changes in the cost if the scope of the project also changes, the company’s needs. However, if company needs very complex software that cannot be easily be made by low-code, then low code platform will not be the best option. The company with low code, the business pays for using the service. It does not have to pay for its development.

2. Maintenance

As much as the software has been completed, it can never be concluded that it is completely completed. The software will always need revisions or updates incase the business goals change. Using customized software will require these updates and revisions to be done by a third party team of developers.

For businesses with a dedicated team of IT members, the necessary revisions can be done under the management of the business. The business will be in the know of what the changes are and when they are to be effected. The process may be delayed only if the IT team is busy with other tasks for the business, which makes it unsuitable for businesses with few IT members.

Low-code platform is an application platform as a service which means that they are maintained and run by its owner, which is the company. All the necessary improvements and updates are taken care of by the company that hosts the service. All the business has to do is subscribe and leave the rest to the host. The business will enjoy having software that is well maintained without needing IT teams or third-party vendors.

3. Time

This is the most critical factor, in the business world, things need to be done fast. Any delay may mean a lot of money wasted. Customized software may take between four and nine months to be completed. The time may be subject to change if the scope of the project happens to change during the development. Starting from scratch takes a long time.

Low code enables the business to keep on building the software as it continues with its operations. IT is like a house that keeps on building itself as you keep on walking to other rooms. This makes low code a better choice. The time taken to kick things off is not long. All that has to be built is a small part of the software, implement it and then continue building it as time goes on. Custom platforms require the software to be completely developed before they can be out to use. Low code takes only a few weeks or even days if third party vendors are used.

4. Software development

Coming up with customized software for a business requires a lot of activities. It is more like building a house. Many decisions have to be made before, during and after the house is finished. The business has to make recommendations to its IT team. It has to be tested afterwards and then it is determined if it can perform its functions properly. The end-user of the software does not take part in the development process effectively and has to go through it like a new house to understand it better.

Contrary to that, low-code allows the end-user to be the developer. Low code simplifies the whole development process for companies with little knowledge of how it is done. They just log in and begin making their own software using a graphical programming interface, features like drag and drop makes it even better. The end result is that the company knows exactly how the software works and is well accustomed to it. This is what makes low code yet again more effective than customized software.

The Conclusion

Both software have their own advantages with different benefits that depend on the company’s requirements and its infrastructure. The modern business world requires modern software development tools.