How Mobile App Development Changing Forever: No-Code Vs. Custom App

05 July 2021

Since mobile app development is rapidly transforming with every passing day with new technologies and approaches, it is essential to compare the new and evolving approaches with traditional methods. For a leading mobile app development company, custom app development skills and expertise happen to be the actual selling point.

But in recent years, no-code development has taken up more considerable momentum thanks to the ease of building apps quickly, low resource requirements, and lower development costs. All these advantages made no-code development platforms hugely popular among small businesses and startups.

On the other hand, custom app development has its unique value propositions that no-code development cannot match. This is why we are here to compare these two development approaches.

Introducing no-code development

No-code development refers to the development and deployment of apps without writing any code. As it doesn’t involve any coding, the learning curve is much lower, and the development pace and cost are much manageable. The best thing about this approach is that it allows even so-called technically less equipped users to develop useful apps without writing any code.

Pros of No-code development:

• Fast-paced app development: Just because of not involving any code efforts, apps are built faster.
• Lower learning curve: Not involving any complicated features involving coding skills, users can quickly learn using no-code platforms.
• Low resource needs: No-code platforms involve very little development overhead and resources.
• High productivity: By allowing developers to build an app quickly, no-code platforms ensure much higher productivity and output.
• Easy bug fixing: Since no-code platforms depend heavily on the visual representation of the underlying app code, getting rid of bugs and incorporating small changes becomes very easy.

Cons of No-code development:

• Less scope of customization: Coming with stringent and limited choices of templates, no-code platforms lack scopes of customization.
• Absence of intellectual copyrights: Since the app relies basically on the code created to accommodate many app projects while using such platforms, you cannot get any proprietary rights.
• Security issues: As no-code platforms do not allow having total control on the tech stack or implementation, security issues are not unlikely.
• Technologically backdated: Since such platforms invoke a “one-size-fits-all” approach, they are more likely to remain technologically outdated.

Introducing Custom app development 

Custom app development builds software applications to address specific needs of target users or to serve precise business objectives through custom-designed user interfaces, features, and user experience attributes. Custom app development is time and resource-consuming but offers an unparalleled scope of customization and creative inputs. This is why large and ambitious app projects invariably choose custom app development.

Pros of Custom App Development:

• The unparalleled scope of customization: Since a mobile app development company builds a custom app with all custom designs and features to suit specific objectives, it doesn’t offer a “one size fits all” kind of user experience.
• Great security: Custom apps are built to keep particular security requirements and concerns in mind and enjoy optimum protection.
• Excellent platform compatibility: Custom apps are planned and built with specific devices and user experience in mind and do not suffer from compatibility issues.
• Higher return on investment: Custom app development may consume bigger resources and attract significant investment, but loads of sophisticated features and custom UX attributes secure higher returns on investment.
• Powerful tools and tech stack: Custom apps, because of their unique attributes, always need the support of powerful tools and technology stacks.

Cons of Custom Application Development:

• Longer development time: Since custom app development involves building everything from scratch, it is time-consuming.
• Lack of support: There are times when the custom app developer cannot provide continuous support to the app.
• Lack of documentation: Many custom app projects fail to document the entire development process along with technical details.
• Expensive: Custom apps, in most cases, consume more resources than apps built with no-code platforms.

Comparing No-Code Development with Custom Development

Now that we know about the pros and cons of both no-code development and custom app development, it is time to make a detailed comparison between the two approaches.

‍Scope of Customization:

No-code development tools offer many pre-built components that can be arranged with a simple drag and drop interface. But this ease of use is compromised with a lack of customization. In comparison, custom apps are built from scratch and hence offer a lot of customization options.

Learning Curve:

Since no-code platforms offer simple and intuitive interfaces allowing you to develop an app with drag and drop action, the learning curve here is pretty low. In contrast, the development of custom apps requires a solid command of programming languages and tech stack.

Development cost:

No-code app development is mainly famous for its easy-to-use and less expensive tools requiring fewer resources and a lower development cost. In contrast, custom apps need expert inputs and a lot of help, resulting in higher development costs.

Ability to build complex features:

No-code app platforms are ideal for developing simple and intuitive apps in a quick time. In contrast, custom development is the way to go when you need complex features for a multilayered app.

‍Time to market:

No-code development ensures faster development since it requires no coding and involves simple component-based building. In contrast, custom apps require rigorous development efforts and many resources, resulting in a slower pace of development.

Ease of integration and migration:

Mostly no-code development platforms are well equipped to allow seamless integration with different software systems. Custom development, in contrast, needs to plan integration and migration needs well in advance based upon the project requirements.

‍Security and stability:

The no-code app platforms coming with pre-built code are more exposed to security flaws and issues. Custom apps are built with security concerns in mind and hence offer better protection. ‍

Maintenance and support:

No-code platforms mostly work as marketable tools and hence lack dedicated maintenance and support from developers. Custom apps, in contrast, enjoy dedicated support and are primarily maintained and updated by the developer team regularly.

Conclusion

Both no-code and custom app development have their strengths and shortcomings. While simple-featured, less complicated app projects with budget constraints better fit this approach, the ambitious and feature-rich app projects with bigger budgets will always find custom development more appropriate.