Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#1

Post by ern » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:10 AM UTC

I work in an enterprise environment that has multiple development teams, one of which uses Powerapps and another that uses Outsystems.

My group writes .NET code, but we have an interest in ensuring that whatever low code platforms are in use elsewhere don’t make our lives harder. I know most “normal” developers have a reputation for being hostile to low-code platforms, but I’m quite open-minded, and some members of my team like Powerapps in principle, and based on past experience.

Outsystems seems to be good for rapid development, but (maybe unjustifiably) I get demoware vibes from it, and find my team having to compensate for its shortcomings.

Has anyone got strong opinions on which low-code platforms, in 2023 are capable of getting out production-ready code for non-trivial projects?

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#2

Post by lijok » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:44 AM UTC

> non trivial

> production ready

> low code

Choose one

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#3

Post by iamsanteri » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:49 AM UTC

Yeah. For complex CMS driven websites I’d always choose Webflow. But to have it all nice and combined in one tool handling non-trivial complex software projects I really don’t know of a single platform out there for that…

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#4

Post by HPsquared » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:50 AM UTC

Perhaps at risk of sounding facetious, but Excel.

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#5

Post by SvenAl » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:51 AM UTC

(founder here) Webiny is an option I would recommend checking out. It's open-source, so unlike Webflow, you can actually creation your own low-code components. Webiny has a Page Builder, Form Builder, File Manager and a Headless CMS. All products can be configured and use as a low-code solutions.

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#6

Post by isaacfung » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:53 AM UTC

For prototype/internal use or customer facing products?

Zappier, airtable, retool(or open source alternatives) seem ok if you need something quick.

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#7

Post by voxelperfect » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:54 AM UTC

There is a hybrid alternative that combines no-code with low-code and pro-code. It is a platform that generates code for React, React Native, and Next.js. And it is free to use :-)

https://allcancode.com/platform

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#8

Post by mt_ » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 9:57 AM UTC

With Outsystems, I heard from anecdotal experience that developers end up pushing business logic into SQL queries.

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#9

Post by TruthWillHurt » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 10:02 AM UTC

HPsquared wrote: post #4

Perhaps at risk of sounding facetious, but Excel.

Honestly? you might be right.

Perhaps Airtable for an aaS approach that can be exposed to external visitors as a website, but the concept is sound.

Re: Ask HN: What low code platforms are worth using?

#10

Post by cookie_monsta » Tue, Sep 19, 2023, 10:05 AM UTC

I'm a long way off from being a professional programmer, but part of my current job is to develop and maintain low code solutions. The company I work for is all in on MS (sharepoint, O365, Azure, etc) so powerapps is a no- brainer for us. I've had to make do with a couple of ugly workarounds, but for the most part the whole "power" platform makes things pretty seamless and easy.

I haven't tried any of the others mentioned, though, so I have zero context.