The low-code and no-code platform market is growing from $13.2 billion in 2020 to $45.5 billion in 2025- a tremendous growth rate of 28.1% every year. This indicates the dire need of businesses for tools that expedite application development with minimum coding. At the forefront of this drive are Rapid Application Development tools, enabling both developers and business users in crafting applications that enhance operations, productivity, and innovation.
RAD tools use drag-and-drop features, pre-built parts, and templates to simplify the work of app development. Further, they offer a number of features such as data modeling, integration with other systems, and workflow automation. These make them perfect for building all sorts of apps, whether web, mobile, or desktop.
By delving into our comprehensive guide on the top 15 Rapid Application Development tools, you’ll discover solutions tailored to expedite your development process, reduce time-to-market, and effectively address your business challenges.
A Brief History of RAD Tools
The Rapid Application Development concept was first introduced back in the 1980s. This was mainly in the interest of solving or reducing the problems of the waterfall method of software development, which was slow and throughout the steps. Early RAD tools like Visual Basic 6 made the construction of an application much quicker by using drag-and-drop designs and ready-made parts, reducing the need for coding work. Such tools were ideal for small or medium apps with clear, simple requirements.
A very good example is Globe Telecom. They used a RAD tool called AppSheet. That empowered employees to drive app creation themselves. These kinds of approaches, more often than not referred to as “citizen development,” led to over 200 apps being developed, reduced processing times by 79.8%, and resulted in savings of $6.7 million in only one year.
RAD tools come in two main types: the low-code and no-code platform. Low-code tools incorporate drag-and-drop features and a smidgen of coding. They work just great for professional developers or tech-savvy users who need flexibility.
Contrarily, no-code tools involve no coding whatsoever. These are designed for business users who have no idea about coding. Such platforms are ideal to develop light apps with basic needs.
Why use a Rapid Application Development tool?
Rapid application development tools make it quicker, easier, and more effective to build software. It will enable the building of web and mobile apps for enterprise, help save money, and enhance the quality of an app. Plus, they allow teams to adapt quickly to changes. Let’s break down how using these tools in your software development methodology can benefit your projects.
Faster Development
When you use rapid application development tools, your projects move much faster. Studies show companies using these tools see a 30% to 40% improvement in speed compared to older methods. That’s because RAD tools offer pre-built components and simple, visual interfaces. These features make it easier to build web and mobile apps quickly. Developers can create prototypes in just days, gather feedback, and make adjustments on the fly. This way, the final product better meets user needs, and you save a lot of time.
Lower Costs
Another big advantage of rapid application development is cost savings. Businesses that use these tools often reduce expenses by 25% to 35%. Traditional software development requires lots of planning and coding, which can be slow and expensive. But with RAD tools, tasks like scripting and testing are streamlined. This is especially helpful for mobile application development when budgets are tight. By reducing development time and labor costs, RAD tools make your projects more affordable and efficient.
Better Quality
Quality improves when you use rapid application development tools. These tools support ongoing testing and feedback, so developers can fix issues quickly. Surveys show that organizations using RAD achieve up to 92% user satisfaction rates. The iterative process ensures that apps are user-friendly and perform well. Whether you’re creating software for customers or employees, better quality apps lead to stronger business results
Increased Flexibility
In today’s fast-changing business world, flexibility is key. With rapid application development, your team can adapt to new challenges or customer demands with ease. Research shows that businesses using RAD respond to market changes more than twice as fast as those using older approaches. This flexibility is especially valuable for mobile application development, where user needs and technology change rapidly. RAD tools make it easy to adjust your project as you go, keeping your business agile and innovative.
Top 15 Rapid Application Development Tools to Consider
RAD allow developers to design web and mobile applications quickly with minimum coding. So, in this section, we are going to review the best 15 RAD tools which can help make the development processes of your applications simple and fast.
Microsoft Power Apps
Microsoft Power Apps is a simple tool for making web and mobile apps. You don’t need to know much coding to use it. It works well with Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft tools. Its drag-and-drop design and ready-made templates make it user-friendly. It also includes helpful AI features and tools for working with data.
Key Features
- AI-Assisted Design: Describe your app idea, and AI helps you build it.
- Data Modeling: Create or change data models using plain language.
- AI Builder: Easily add AI features to your apps.
- Prebuilt AI Models: Use tools for tasks like reading text, detecting language, or analyzing emotions.
- Custom AI Models: Build your own AI models for jobs like form processing or recognizing objects.
- Workflow Editor: Create workflows using simple drag-and-drop tools.
- Workflow Templates: Use ready-made templates for common tasks.
- Workflow Analytics: See helpful data, like how long workflows take or how complex they are.
Why Use Microsoft Power Apps?
Power Apps works best for businesses already using Microsoft tools. It’s simple, flexible, and fits well with systems you already have.
Pricing
- Per User Plan: $10 per user each month.
- Per App Plan: $5 per user for each app monthly.
- Premium Plan: $20 per user each month.
Who Can Use It?
- Employees working in a company.
- Business professionals.
- IT experts.
With Power Apps, making custom apps is simple and fast. Its easy-to-use tools and smart features make it a great choice for any business, big or small.
OutSystems
OutSystems is a low-code platform that helps build and launch apps quickly. It uses a visual interface with drag-and-drop tools and ready-made components. This means developers can create apps without much coding. It supports both web and mobile apps and offers tools like data modeling, system integration, and workflow automation.
Key Features and Details
- Visual Development: OutSystems has an easy drag-and-drop interface to design user interfaces.
- Pre-built Components: It comes with thousands of ready-made UI templates, connectors, and modules.
- Integrations: You can connect it to many data sources without hassle.
- Full-Stack Control: Developers can manage and control the full app stack with its layered architecture.
- AI-assisted Development: AI helps with suggestions and conversational prompts for faster app creation.
- Security and Compliance: OutSystems includes enterprise-grade security and follows strict compliance standards.
- Team Collaboration: It supports teamwork with version control and other collaboration tools.
Best Use
OutSystems works well for businesses needing a flexible low-code platform. It’s great for building simple apps or even complex, mission-critical ones.
Pricing
- Plans start at $4,000 per year.
- There’s also a free plan available.
Target Audience
OutSystems is ideal for developers who want to build apps efficiently.
AppSheet
AppSheet is the tool that enables you to develop mobile and web applications without metal coding. No need to use programming knowledge! It’s cloud-based, meaning that you can build apps from Google Sheets, Excel, Salesforce, and more. And its features are all so easy: drag-and-drop tools and ready-to-use templates.
Key Features
Here’s what’s so great about AppSheet:
- No-Code Development: One can develop an application with no line of code written.
- Connect Data Sources: Power your apps from spreadsheets, cloud storage, data bases, and more.
- Offline Access: No need for an internet connection; apps work just as well. They will sync automatically when you go online.
- Machine Learning: Impart intelligent features, such as predictions and suggestions, into your apps.
- Brand Customization: This allows you to brand the app with your color, theme, and languages.
- Rich Data Capture: Forms, checklists, signature, and photo capture of data.
Who Is It For?
AppSheet is perfect for:
- Businesses looking for an easy-to-use app-building platform.
- People without coding skills who want to create apps.
Pricing
AppSheet offers plans for different needs:
- Starter Plan: $5 per user per month.
- Core Plan: $10 per user per month.
- Enterprise Plans: Contact the sales team for pricing.
- Free Plan: Available for personal use.
Mendix
Mendix is the best rapid application development toolsto build applications as fast as possible. This would be ideal for creating both web and mobile applications using minimum codes. The visual tools it offers are really easy to work with; drag-and-drop features can be used to design an application in an instant. Besides that, the introduction of already-made templates and components helps developers make the process smooth.
Why Mendix?
Here is why Mendix is different regarding software development methodology:
- Visual Tools: Drag and drop elements to design apps easily, even if you’re not an expert.
- Ready-Made Templates: It also includes templates and components that will help speed up your work.
- Data Integration: Seamless integration with data sources and systems.
- Cloud or On-Premise Options: Deploy your apps with one click to the cloud or your servers.
- AI Support: Mendix uses AI to walk you through the creation process.
- Scalability: Your applications can be scaled up and handled by more users without perishing.
- Collaboration Features: Teams can work on the same project at the same time, increasing productivity.
Mendix has become the go-to platform in this regard for the enterprise through which effective mobile application developments along with presenting chances for rapid application development are being done effectively and with suitable tools. Whether it’s simple application development or complex projects, Mendix has got your back.
Pricing
- Starting at $1,675 per month.
- Free trial and free version available.
Who Should Use Mendix?
Ideal for businesses that need fast and efficient ways to build web and mobile apps using a modern software development methodology.
With Mendix, mobile application development doesn’t have to be hard; building an app shouldn’t either. It’s a smart choice for businesses needing fast, scalable, and reliable solutions.
Appian
Appian is the leading low-code automation platform, uniquely positioned in the market to assist organizations in building and deploying applications at speed. It offers drag-and-drop design, pre-built templates, and out-of-the-box components with low coding skills. You can develop web and mobile apps featuring data handling, system integrations, and workflow automation.
Key Features:
- Visual Development: Easy drag-and-drop tools to create apps.
- Workflow Automation: Streamline and automate business tasks.
- Business Rules Engine: Set rules to control how apps work.
- Data Management: Tools for handling, visualizing, and integrating data.
- Integrations: Connect with systems via APIs and web services.
- AI Features: Includes AI tools for smarter apps.
Why Choose Appian?
Appian is ideal for businesses of all sizes that need a flexible, low-code solution to create apps—even complex, critical ones.
Pricing:
- Starts at $90 per user per month.
- Free trial available.
Who It’s For:
Businesses of all sizes looking for a user-friendly development platform.
WaveMaker
WaveMaker is a low-code platform for building web and mobile apps quickly. It uses drag-and-drop tools and pre-built components, so you don’t have to start from scratch. It also supports advanced features like APIs, mobile app development, and security options.
Key Features:
- Visual Development: Simple drag-and-drop tools.
- Pre-built Components: Widgets, templates, charts, and themes.
- Integrations: Connect with databases, APIs, and cloud services.
- API Gateway: Easily link with external APIs.
- Mobile App Tools: Add features like QR scanners, calendars, and geolocation.
- Security: Strong security features like authentication and authorization.
Why Choose WaveMaker?
It’s perfect for developers or teams looking to build apps fast, including highly complex ones.
Pricing:
- Starts at $500 per month.
- Free plan and trial available.
Who It’s For:
Developers who want a robust and fast app-building tool.
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a low-code, app-building platform that involves minimum coding. It is pretty easy to use, coming with drag-and-drop tools, prebuilt components, and templates that anybody can use. It provides web and mobile applications alongside security features.
Key Features:
- Visual Development: An easy drag-and-drop app builder.
- Prebuilt Components: Coming in ready-to-use templates and features.
- Integrations: It combines databases, APIs, and a cloud service.
- Mobile App Tools: Advanced tools for building mobile applications.
- AI Assistance: AI-powered features for the ease of developing apps.
- Security: with data encryption, GDPR compliance, etc.
- Deployment Options: On-premise, cloud, or hybrid setup.
Why Choose Zoho Creator?
It is a great choice for developing both small and large-scale businesses, and it provides tools for building simple to complex apps quite easily.
Pricing:
- Standard: $8 user/month.
- Business: $20.00 per user/month.
- Enterprise: $25 user/month.
- Free trial available.
Who It’s For:
Companies of any size needing a secure, flexible platform.
Quixy
Quixy is a no-code platform intended for use by those who have no idea about coding. It helps to automate workflows and build apps, both web and mobile. The drag-and-drop tools within the inbuilt templates make app creation really easy and quick.
Key Features:
- No coding required: No-code tools mean creating applications without writing a single line of code.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Have an insight into app development with a drag-and-drop interface.
- Pre-configured Templates: Hit the ground running with ready templates.
- Mobile App Support: Develop iOS and Android applications.
- Workflow Automation: Automate Repetitive Business Tasks.
- Security: Highly featured security includes access controls and audit trails.
- Integrations: Inclusions via APIs from other systems.
Why Quixy?
It is ideal for businesses or companies desiring to build applications sans fuss, by not having hired developers.
Pricing:
- From $20.00 per user/month.
- Free 14-day trial
- Enterprise solutions available
Who It’s For:
Business users in all industries looking for an easy-to-use application-building tool.
Quickbase
Quickbase is the platform that will allow any business to build apps without a great amount of coding. It’s fast, effective, and very easy to use. You will be able to build applications, both for web and mobile, by using the visual tools and already preconstructed components.
Key Features:
- Drag and Drop: You will craft applications by merely drag and drop.
- Pre-designed templates: Ready-made elements not to waste too much time on trifles.
- Data Management: Create and organize databases for your apps.
- AI Tools: Use artificial intelligence to help build apps.
- Integrations: Connect with databases, APIs, and cloud services.
- Workflow Automation: Automate processes for better efficiency.
- Enterprise Security: Includes encryption, access control, and audit logs.
Who is it for?
Quickbase works well for businesses that need to build various apps, including complex ones. It’s great for business users and IT teams who want a low-code platform.
Pricing:
- Team Plan: $35 per user/month.
- Business Plan: $55 per user/month.
- Enterprise Plan: Contact sales for details.
- Free Trial: 30 days.
Salesforce Lightning
Salesforce Lightning is a tool for building apps on the Salesforce platform. It has a modern look, useful tools, and AI features to simplify your work.
Key Features:
- Reusable Components: Build apps using pieces you can reuse.
- Modern Design: Enjoy an updated, user-friendly interface.
- Boost Productivity: Tools to help you work faster.
- AI Features: Use AI to make tasks easier.
- App Marketplace: Connect with external apps through AppExchange.
- Strong Security: Includes Lightning Web Security and Salesforce Shield.
- Integrations: Works with Salesforce Connect, Data Pipelines, and APIs.
Who is it for?
This platform is perfect for businesses already using Salesforce. It helps create custom apps that integrate with Salesforce data and tools.
Pricing:
- Platform Starter: €25 per user/month.
- Platform Plus: €100 per user/month.
- Heroku Enterprise Starter: Contact sales for pricing.
Alpha Anywhere
Alpha Anywhere is another low-code platform. It helps developers create web and mobile apps quickly and easily.
Key Features:
- Visual Tools: Drag and drop to build your apps.
- Ready-to-Use Templates: Save time with pre-made components.
- Offline Support: Build apps that work without the internet.
- Cross-Platform: Create apps for iOS, Android, web, and Windows.
- Data Integration: Connect with APIs, databases, and cloud services.
- Secure Framework: Includes encryption, authentication, and authorization.
- Flexible Deployment: Use Alpha Cloud or host apps yourself.
Who is it for?
Alpha Anywhere suits businesses needing apps for various purposes. It’s ideal for developers across different industries.
Pricing:
- Starting Price: $99 per month.
- Free Version
- Free Trial
Nintex
Nintex is designed to empower an organization in automating its work and accelerating its processes. User-friendly, the interface does not require any coding because it’s drag-and-drop. You’ll be able to create workflows in seconds with its preloaded template and features. It also supports a large number of system integrations, including Microsoft 365 and Salesforce.
Key Features
- Workflow Automation: Automate business tasks to save time.
- Visual Development: Build workflows with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Pre-Built Templates: Make use of ready components to speed up the process.
- Integrations: Works in conjunction with Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and so many other corporate productivity devices.
- Document Generation: This allows the generation of documents to be created automatically through a workflow.
- Security: Includes advanced security features and compliance with standards.
- Flexible Connections: Offers many integration options with Nintex Gateway.
Best For:
Businesses of all sizes needing an easy tool for automating processes.
Pricing:
- Starts at $910 per month.
- Free trial available.
Kissflow
Kissflow: Kissflow is a Low-Code development platform given to businesses for the faster deployment of apps. It easily covers the creation of both Web and Mobile Applications with fast MVPs, without deep, tech-heavy coding. It ensures that building an app remains easy and fast through features like drag-and-drop among an array of other pre-included tools.
Key Features:
- Visual Development: Create apps by dragging and dropping elements.
- Pre-Built Tools: Use templates and components to save time.
- Integrations: Connect to databases, APIs, and cloud services.
- Mobile App Development: Build apps for iOS and Android.
- Workflow Automation: Streamline tasks and business processes.
- Security: Provides strong security with access controls and audit trails.
- Deployment Options: Choose between on-premise, cloud, or hybrid setups.
Best For
Businesses of all sizes looking for an easy-to-use app development platform.
Pricing
Contact Kissflow for pricing details.
UI Bakery
UI Bakery helps both developers and non-technical users create web apps quickly. It combines easy-to-use tools with options for customizing code, making it great for simple or advanced projects.
Key Features:
- Visual Development: Build user interfaces with a drag-and-drop editor.
- Pre-Built Components: Use ready-made templates for faster work.
- Integrations: Connect seamlessly to databases and external services.
- Custom Workflows: Customize workflows with role-based access.
- Deployment: Flexible options for cloud or on-premise setups.
Best For:
Startups, small businesses, and teams creating tools like dashboards or apps for customers.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $10 per user per month.
ToolJet
ToolJet is an open-source platform for creating internal tools. Its drag-and-drop builder and pre-made widgets make it simple to use. ToolJet connects to databases, APIs, and services like Google Sheets and Slack.
Key Features:
- Visual App Builder: Build tools easily with a drag-and-drop editor.
- Pre-Built Widgets: Use widgets like tables, charts, and forms.
- Mobile App Support: Create mobile-friendly tools.
- Integrations: Connect to databases, APIs, and external services.
- Deployment Options: Host on your servers or use ToolJet Cloud.
- Workflow Builder: Build workflows visually without coding.
Best For:
Businesses needing an open-source tool for creating internal apps easily.
Pricing:
- Self-hosted: Free.
- Cloud: Starts at $5 per user per month.
Conclusion
The low-code revolution is reshaping the future of software development, and to stay ahead, your business must adopt rapid application development (RAD) tools. Falling behind means slower development, higher costs, and a lack of agility in responding to market shifts. Don’t let your organization miss out on the immense benefits of RAD solutions. At Linkitsoft, we specialize in helping businesses transition to this powerful software development methodology. Be it expert advice on selecting appropriate rapid application development tools to ground-zero implementation help, we’ve got you covered.
Our team of experts at Linkitsoft can help your enterprise build web and mobile apps faster or empower your team to become citizen developers. Equipped with the right RAD tools, you will be able to streamline the process of developing mobile applications and cut down on time-to-market. Let Linkitsoft help your organization realize the full power of rapid application development. Take the lead with Linkitsoft as we help you stay competitive in this ever-evolving digital world.
