Remember when editing pictures required you to have an extensive knowledge of camera operation and film development process, you’d wait several weeks. And then there’s today, where we can edit our pictures in real-time within our mobiles using photo editing tools without having any knowledge of editing. 

Similarly, once custom app development was seen as the only way to bring your ideas to life but today we have the option to build an app with No-Code/Low-Code tools meaning without using a single line of code.

No-Code and Low-Code platforms have become a boon for non-technical people and founders. Anyone can work on them without possessing any technical knowledge and can build applications faster and better.

In this article, we will discuss why companies are moving towards No-Code and Low-Code app development and we will discuss the top 10 No-Code/ Low-Code back-end tools.

Why choose No-Code/Low-Code tools for back-end development?

To be fair, who wouldn't want to build high-quality applications in a short time using zero to no coding?

This is possible with No-Code and Low-Code tools.‍

No-Code/Low-Code eases the software development process. By 2024, Low-Code tools are expected to account for more than 65% of application development. No-Code and Low-Code tools are incredibly appealing for back-end development. In today's fast-paced business world, being able to quickly prototype, iterate, and deploy applications can make a huge difference. Another study suggests that No-Code and Low-Code development uses 70% less resources and reduces development time by 90%.

What is No-Code/Low-Code back-end development?

No-Code back-end development means building the server-side functionality of an application without writing any code. These tools make the process easy by providing visual interfaces and pre-built components so that you don’t have to start from scratch helping you to create and configure back-end services like databases, APIs, and business logic.

Low-Code back-end development means creating and maintaining the user interface framework with visual tools and minimal coding. Even though you still need some programming knowledge, low-code platforms make the whole process easier by cutting down on the amount of code you have to write. They come with pre-built templates, reusable code snippets, and visual editors that let you build back-end services, connect with third-party APIs, and customise functionality.

Advantages of No-Code Low-Code development

There are several reasons why No-Code/Low-code are being used at giant companies all across the world.

Accelerated development

As there is minimal to no coding involved hence the development time is reduced. Traditional development has complex coding tasks which are cumbersome and time-consuming. No-Code and Low-Code tools use drag-and-drop editors to build and deploy back-end functionality much faster, helping you enjoy the market opportunities. 

No-Coding expertise required

No-Code and Low-Code platforms have democratised back-end development by making it easier for non-technical users or people with limited skills can also build a robust back-end system. This ensures better maintenance of applications over time.

Cost-effective

As there’s no coding involved, you don’t have to spend a dime on hiring specialised developers. You can opt for a No-Code development outsourcing company instead, helping you build quality products in less time without spending a lot. This can help organisations stay competitive and remain agile in the face of changing market trends. For example, the cost of hiring a React developer will cost you $150 per hour in NYC.

Scalability and integration

Many No-Code and Low-Code platforms offer built-in scalability and seamless integration with third-party services and APIs, allowing the creation of robust and interconnected applications.

Rapid prototyping

With visual tools and pre-built components, developers can quickly prototype and iterate on back-end functionality, facilitating faster feedback loops and agile development processes. It is common for companies to build an MVP with No-Code tools and release it to the market in order not to miss market opportunities. With No-Code tools, the development and deployment process is sped up with drag-and-drop editors and third-party integration.

Now, that you know how No-Code/Low-Code tools make the development process process. You can start building applications quickly and without investing in costly infrastructure. Furthermore, these tools are easy to use and require minimal training to get started.

Top 5 No-Code/Low-Code back-end tools in 2024

Let’s discuss popular and widely used No-Code/Low-Code tools for back-end development. 

1. Xano

Xano is a No-Code back-end platform that helps in managing APIs for web and mobile applications. It has a user-friendly interface and interacts well with the databases. It offers features such as automatically creating REST API endpoints for each data table based on your database schema. This means you don't have to waste time writing code to expose data to the front-end. 

Xano also offers a No-Code API builder. This tool allows developers to easily customise and extend the auto-generated endpoints to fit their specific needs, all without having to write a single line of code. It is built on top of PostgreSQL, an open-source database management system. This ensures top-notch performance, data integrity, and reliability.

2. Fastgen

Fastgen is a Low-Code builder that helps to build and deploy APIs, databases, user authentication, and CRON jobs within minutes. One of the key advantages of Fastgen is its integration with popular tools like GPT-4, Slack, Twilio, Customer.io, and Airtable, enabling seamless connectivity and enhancing productivity. Because of its unified interface, everything is managed in a single place which saves time and improves efficiency.

Fastgen helps the developers to identify the bugs early on to resolve issues efficiently and leverages AI features such as GPT-4 integration, to further accelerate development and enhance productivity.

3. Hasura

Hasura is a Low-Code tool that helps you connect your website or app to the database without writing code for hours. This is because it has robust API which helps the app to communicate the needs and receive the exact data that it needs. These two APIs are GraphQL and REST. GraphQL. Besides, in case you update the data, it will automatically pick up and show the fresh data on the app.

Hasura also has built-in features for authentication and permission control. This means you can decide who can access and modify certain parts of the data. 

4. Backendless

Backendless is a No-Code open-source tool that helps you build and manage the back-end of your mobile app. The best part is that Backendless is hosted in the cloud, which means you don't have to set up and maintain servers or databases. It also supports integration with different front-end tools, which means you can use it with whatever tool you prefer to build the user-facing part of your app. 

Overall, Backendless is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to create effective apps without having to use the technical details. 

5. Bubble

Bubble is a complete website builder and a No-Code back-end tool. Bubble allows you to collaborate with your teammates in real time. Bubble makes it simple to connect your website or app to a variety of tools and services. For instance, you can seamlessly integrate your app with APIs, helping different apps to communicate with one another, or plugins, which serve as add-ons providing your app with additional features.   

No-Code and Low-Code tools have changed the app development process, allowing even non-technical people to design high-quality applications without having to write any code. These tools provide visual interfaces and pre-built components that enable users to build and configure back-end services quickly. The advantages of using these tools include faster development, minimal coding expertise required, and the ability to prototype, iterate, and deploy applications quickly. 

Let’s start building together!