Top 10 Open Source Low Code Platforms

What are Open Source Low Code Platforms?

 

The world is becoming faster every day and time is becoming invaluable for every human living on this planet. Software development was once confined to professional coders, programmers, and computer science engineers. 

 

However, this has been changing over the last couple of years, especially after the introduction of low code platforms that come free of cost. In other words, these are also known as open-source low code platforms.

 

Website and application development are not restricted to technical specialists anymore. The common man can now log on to low code platforms and create desired applications in a quicker and smoother manner. 

 

Open source low code platforms allow users to develop websites and applications on a graphical user interface and these platforms hardly require any coding. Since many repetitive and manual activities are automated, developers can concentrate more on productive and value-added activities. (Source)

 

History of Open Source Low Code Platforms

 

In the early 1980s, a major disruption happened in the IT (Information Technology) industry. 

 

After three successive generations in computer programming, the fourth generation came into the picture and the idea of 4G was to make application development easy for everyone. That was when the method of low code was built. 

 

The word “low code” was coined by The Forrester Research which does large-scale analyses on the industry.

 

Open Source Low Code Platforms

 

1. Skyve: 

 

There are two types of coding platforms - Low code and No code. Skyve is a platform that combines the concepts of both low code and no code environments. 

 

While the company aims for making the common man’s life easy by providing no-code platforms, it also strategizes to sustain itself in the market by providing low code services to enterprises or companies. 

 

Skyve also provides exhaustive documentation on pre-requisites and basic foundation to set some context to the no or low code environment. Application development and deployment is simpler with Skyve as it has an affluent ecosystem.

 

2. ABP: 

 

ABP follows the method of Rapid Application Development (RAD). It has a powerful network of databases and users through the concept of tenant linking. Multi-tenancy SaaS applications can be developed on this platform quickly. 

 

ABP breakdowns the process into several categories like domain layers, presentation, and application. Unlike Skyve, ABP concentrates on low-code methods to fasten the process of application development.

 

3. Appsemble: 

 

It is a unique platform that is connected to various data sources available in the digital world. Appsemble is a low-code platform that is best suited for laymen or those who do not have any experience in programming.

 

 The company provides a web-based editor and it has different packages. Users can either host the application on their own on open source or let go of the hosting burden free of cost or get upgraded to unlimited usage for 50 Euros per month.

 

4. Elemental:

 

 It is an open-source low-code platform that contains an API builder defined by JSON schema, Identity provider, and manager. One should not expect much learning on this platform as it only provides an easy and no-brainer way to create applications. 

 

Having said that, Elemental is a user-friendly platform that is developed on Node.js. The platform is a perfect integration of internal and external services and is maintained by two developers as of today.

 

5. Node-RED:

 

It has an integrated development environment (IDE) that is best suited for IoT prototyping and production. It provides a simple drag and drops option using which the general public can easily create applications.

 

Node-RED can be employed on a local server on a device like Android, Raspberry Pi etc. The platform can also be run on enterprise clouds. Examples: Microsoft Azure, AWS (Amazon Web Services). The ecosystem of Node-RED offers many advantages to the users.

 

6. Saltcorn: 

 

Complex and complicated applications can be developed on this platform by developers without struggling much on the programming front. Users can install Saltcorn and host the application by themselves on a local server or an enterprise cloud. There are many cool features on this platform. 

 

For instance, users can create tables on databases in no time and build UI (User Interface) views using the drag and drop feature (Just like Node-RED). It has an MIT license and can be used by anyone and everyone in this world.

 

7. Lowdefy: 

 

The biggest advantage of this open-source low-code platform is that it allows users to restrict authentication and authorization if required. Also, Lowdefy helps citizens build BI (Business Intelligence) dashboards that are dynamic and reactive. 

 

In other words, the dashboard changes its views and display based on user inputs. The platform uses YAML files to build applications. To make lives easy, the platform also provides developers with detailed documentation and sample codes stored in a library.

 

8. Steedos: 

 

Users follow a six-step process on this platform. Those steps are given below:

 

• Object and Fields

• ListViews and Page Layouts

• Validation Rules

• Workflow Rules

• Approval Process

• Reports and Dashboards

 

Steedos provides low code platform services exclusively for businesses. It allows end-users to take over the platform completely and visualize their product life cycle that contains four phases namely - Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline. 

 

Steedos helps enterprise developers to equip skill sets on data structures, metadata concepts, and data objects. 

 

9. Open Lowcode: 

 

Like ABP, Open Lowcode also follows the methodology of RAD (Rapid Application Development). Advanced BI development is possible on this platform that provides a variety of information visualization, out of box security options, and database management that is fully automatic.

 

It is leveraged by many multinational firms and conglomerates across the world for their financial applications. Applications are developed by making use of computer languages like Java and SQL (Structured Query Language). Open Lowcode runs on operating systems such as Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.

 

10. Formsflow.ai: 

 

Last but not the least, Formsflow.ai is yet another open-source low code platform that provides a variety of services like quick start packages, training programs, and consulting services. 

 

The platform helps users build interactive analytics dashboards that help organizations make actionable decisions. 

 

Developers can create customized forms and workflows and migrate the deployment from the public to a private cloud-like AWS (Amazon Web Services) in an automated manner. (Source)

 

Why Should Individuals Opt For Open Source Low Code Platforms?

 

1. Going Digital: 

 

Organizations can shift some of their programming activities from traditional coding environments to open source low code platforms. That way, digital transformation is possible and businesses can focus on value-added tasks.

 

2. High Security: 

 

Low code platforms provide individuals and enterprises with uncompromising security by providing authentication and authorization control services, safety systems, etc.

 

3. Customer Experience: 

 

Customer needs are ever-changing in today’s world. Hence, it is important for companies to meet those needs and demands on a frequent basis. Low coding platforms enable enterprises to adopt an agile methodology to embrace and respond to changes.

 

4. Cost Reduction: 

 

Costs that are incurred in bringing new IT employees on board and training them are significantly cut down as open-source low code platforms serve the purpose in an effective manner. 

 

5. Improved Collaboration: 

 

Since the development aspect of a company is made available to every employee and department due to low code platforms, collaboration and teamwork are improved across different departments of the organization. 

 

Interdepartmental communication is improved because of which the company’s productivity is increased and thereby its profitability.

 

(Must read: Agile software development lifecycle)

 

Summary

 

The concept of “low code” is becoming popular day by day. Since organizations do not have much time to learn to code before they develop their products, they leverage low code environments to get things done quickly and easily. 

 

Programming is not everyone’s cup of tea. Hence, a few masterminds came up with the idea of low-code platforms that are adaptable by anyone. Sometimes, even developers get irritated due to lengthy codes that are required to be written. 

 

Open source low code platforms serve their purpose also by providing proper documentation and sample codes for reference to make developers’ lives easy.