Business leaders know time is money—and designing automation tools from scratch eats up time, budget, and patience. That’s where low code automation tools come into play, letting teams build robust process solutions with drag-and-drop ease. As digital transformation speeds up across industries, these platforms aren’t just simplifying work—they’re making innovation possible for everyone, from IT pros to “citizen developers.”
Understanding low code automation and its impact
Low code automation tools give organizations the power to automate workflows, manage data, and create apps with minimal hand-written code. Why does this matter? Traditionally, building automation required skilled developers and months of effort. Now, platforms with visual interfaces and prebuilt connectors let anyone design, test, and launch business applications in days.
According to Wikipedia, low code development platforms (LCDPs) are software solutions that support rapid app development by using graphical interfaces instead of traditional hand-coding, often including features like workflow automation, integration with external systems, and prebuilt templates. Forbes even calls these tools “extraordinarily disruptive”—they empower business teams to solve problems on their own without waiting for IT.
The explosive growth of low code automation tools
Market statistics prove that low code automation isn’t a niche—it’s a movement. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 70% of new applications built by enterprises will use low code or no code technologies—up from less than 25% in 2020. Gartner’s research also predicts that 75% of large enterprises will be using at least four different low code platforms for both IT-driven and citizen development initiatives.
Forrester confirms this trend: by 2028, the combined low-code and digital process automation market may reach $50 billion, driven by rapid adoption among business users outside traditional IT groups. In fact, half of all new low code customers now come from business units rather than IT, and nearly 60% of all custom apps are built outside IT—many by employees with limited or no technical development skills.
key features and benefits of low code automation tools
Most low code automation tools offer:
- Visual workflow builders: Drag-and-drop editors replace manual coding for business logic, notifications, and data processing.
- Prebuilt connectors: Ready-made integrations with cloud apps, databases, and legacy systems.
- Scalable deployment: Rapid app launches for web, mobile, and internal tools—sometimes with just a click.
- Governance and security: Enterprise-grade support for compliance and audit needs.
- AI-powered automation: Many platforms now integrate AI and machine learning for smarter decision-making and faster processes. Low code automation tools are especially popular for streamlining approvals, automating form routing, deploying chatbots, managing customer service requests, and tying together multiple systems across an enterprise. Teams benefit from agility, improved productivity, and democratized access to technology.
Leading platforms and new market entrants
Gartner’s Magic Quadrant and Forrester’s Wave consistently list a few names as leaders in low code automation:
- Appian: Known for enterprise-grade automation and workflow management, Appian is popular for process automation in finance, insurance, and other regulated spaces.
- Microsoft Power Apps: Integrates seamlessly across Microsoft 365, offers drag-and-drop workflow design and scalable deployment for both internal and customer-facing apps.
- Mendix: Supports robust cloud deployment, extensive integrations, and powerful workflow automation for global enterprises.
- OutSystems: Renowned for rapid app building, advanced workflow automation, and scalability.
- Salesforce Lightning Platform: Combines CRM-powered workflows with low code development to automate sales, marketing, and support.
- Creatio: Offers business process management and low code automation aimed at data-rich environments and case handling.
TechTarget highlights how these platforms are expanding into robotic process automation (RPA), combining process orchestration and integration services for end-to-end business solutions.
Industry adoption and future trends
Adoption trends show that “citizen developers”—regular business users with little coding experience—are becoming a driving force in automation. Gartner’s forecasts indicate that by 2026, 80% of low code users will operate outside IT departments, fueling both innovation and productivity across the business. Forrester finds that 87% of enterprise developers now use low-code automation tools for at least some of their work.
Forbes highlights automation as one of the top enterprise tech trends this year, with organizations using low code platforms to reduce costs, shrink development time by up to 90%, and adapt fast to ever-changing business environments.
Forrester’s Low Code Market Analysis
choosing the right low code automation tool for your business
Selecting a platform means balancing simplicity, scalability, compliance, and integration needs. IT leaders and business owners look for:
- Ease of use: Can non-technical staff automate their own processes?
- Extensibility: Does the platform connect easily with existing apps, ERPs, and cloud services?
- Support and community: Is documentation strong and is expert help readily available?
- Data security: Will it meet audit and compliance standards?
- Cost: Is pricing transparent and value-driven for enterprise deployment?
Conclusion
Low code automation tools are rewriting the playbook for enterprise workflow and application development. With market leaders like Appian, Mendix, Microsoft Power Apps, and OutSystems backed by Gartner and Forrester, organizations gain speed, control, and innovative capabilities once reserved for expert developers. The future is in the hands of business creators, making digital solutions a team sport.
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