With low-code platforms, businesses can transform their ideas into applications without the need for coding expertise or entire IT teams. These platforms enable virtually anyone to build and deploy custom applications. For enterprises, this means shorter time-to-market for their software solutions and enhanced operational efficiency.
Zoho Creator is among the most popular low-code platforms today. However, Zoho Creator may be less convenient if your business relies on other non-Zoho tools. While it supports integrations, it has limited integration capabilities with certain third-party apps. Moreover, it faces limitations when handling highly complex applications and high data or user volume. It also has a steep learning curve that may hinder adoption.
Let’s explore the best Zoho Creator alternatives that provide both the speed and agility required for enterprise application development.
Kissflow
Kissflow is a robust platform that makes it easier and faster for organizations to launch their digital transformation journey and remain agile through constant digital shifts. A unified low-code platform, it has a full suite of tools for business process management, workflow automation, and application development.
Aside from its user-friendly low-code environment, Kissflow provides the scalability organizations need to grow and adapt to changes in the business landscape. Its intuitive dashboard with drag-and-drop tools and pre-built templates allows users with no coding experience to design and deploy custom apps and make workflows more efficient. The platform offers strong integration support with third-party apps, robust collaboration features, and scalability.
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Powerful integration capabilities
Seamlessly connect with third-party apps to leverage your existing software stack within the Kissflow environment.
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No-code app development
Create custom apps and workflows without the need for code using a simplified drag-and-drop interface.
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Strong collaboration features
Facilitate communication within the organization and create secure portals for external users to ensure seamless collaboration with all stakeholders.
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Rapid workflow development
Build powerful forms, manage complex rules engine, and achieve complete governance over users for streamlined business processes.
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Easy no-code approach
Easily create and customize applications without writing a single code through a low-code/no-code approach to app development.
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Short learning curve
Its intuitive interface makes implementing the platform’s tools easy and enhances accessibility to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
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Ease of scalability
Designed to scale with growing needs, the platform offers custom scripting and robust integrations that accommodate increasing workflow complexities and user requirements.
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Efficient case management
Powerful data and process analysis capabilities, real-time report generation, and other features provide visibility in complex processes for proactive case management and timely resolution of issues.
"I like that the Kissflow platform is completely versatile since its functionality can be customized and adapted to the requirements of each of our departments separately. It is accompanied by an intuitive interface with a relatively short learning curve, which provides the opportunity to not have extensive prior preparation to be able to implement its tools."
Nikki H.
Account Supervisor, Marketing and Advertising
OutSystems
OutSystems offers a comprehensive platform that combines design, code, and deployment. It provides state-of-the-art visual tools to accelerate app development and AI-based automation. It facilitates the rapid build, deployment, and management of mission-critical applications. The high-performance, low-code platform caters to various application needs, including customer portals, internal apps for modern workforces, and core systems crucial for running businesses.
Check out: Kissflow vs Outsystems: A Detailed Comparison
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Rich component library
Enhance development capabilities with numerous reusable components and inbuilt functions.
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Integration with external databases
Seamless integration with external databases enables efficient data management.
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Debugger feature
Quickly find and troubleshoot semantic errors and other issues in your apps with a powerful debugger feature that improves the development experience.
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BPT capabilities
Ensure robust process management with the OutSystem’s extraordinary capabilities in Business Process Technology (BPT)
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Ease of use
Its intuitive and user-friendly platform makes it easy for developers to navigate the platform, implement features, and deploy apps in multiple environments.
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Quick turnaround time
Get a pre-structured UI in a shorter time with a faster process for creating buttons, forms, and new application screens.
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Great for large teams
Large teams can work simultaneously without overwriting the code written by other collaborators.
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Active support community
Get support and advice from other users in the OutSystems forums to help optimize the platform's benefits.
"Because of OutSystems, you can develop Apps and websites very fast. This is great if you use an Agile Scrum methodology. The business needs change a lot, because of the fast development you can always provide the business needs and update the apps fast."
Michiel M.
Low-Code Architect & Tech Lead
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Steep learning curve
OutSystems has a sharp learning curve that requires some time for users to become proficient with the platform.
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Expensive
Pricing can be steep, particularly for multiple apps and complex business needs.
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Conflict issues and limited customization
Some users have reported conflict issues during development and limitations in certain aspects of application design.
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Base database limitations
OutSystems, with its base database as SQL, has some limitations concerning the use of SQL and its clauses.
"Huge expectations in the beginning. Not met in real life. Important license costs"
Maxence M.
Digital Delivery Manager
Appian
Appian specializes in business process automation but also offers a low-code platform designed for application development. It empowers both professional and citizen developers with app-building capabilities using minimal coding. It claims to aid business innovation by accelerating app development up to ten times faster.
Appian ensures flexibility by enabling the creation of applications and their deployment across any device. With built-in low-code development governance and features like reactive web and native mobile support, Appian delivers powerful solutions for meeting the demands of complex business applications.
Check out: Kissflow vs Appian: A Detailed Comparison
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Streamlined publishing process
Minimize complexities in your development lifecycle with efficient application deployment and lifecycle management.
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Workflow-centric application design
Robust capabilities for designing and implementing applications tailored to your unique business processes ensure seamless workflows that boost productivity.
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Collaboration efficiency
Foster collaboration seamlessly with tailored permissions for sharing, enhanced accessibility, unified data integration, and streamlined process routing.
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Top-notch customization
Advanced low-code app development, document generation, process design, and other tools for customization.
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Time-saving
The low-code approach streamlines custom app building and significantly reduces development time.
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Scalable implementation
Standardized development, easy deployments, and quick environment setup allow easy implementation of large-scale and complex business use cases.
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Continuous advancements
It keeps up with advancements through regular feature updates, enhancing the security and adaptability of applications.
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Community support access
It grants access to an excellent community and comprehensive support documentation.
"Appian allows for consolidation of similar processes into a case management and process flow to save time and provide capacity"
Andrew M.
Sr Manager
Technologies Intelligent Automation
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Integration challenges
Integrating with other automation tools can be very hard, and managing configuration via API may pose challenges.
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Cost concerns
Compared to other low-code platforms, Appian is considered expensive, with pricing standards that might be too high for smaller businesses.
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Limited customization in UI
Limitations in highly customized and intricate UI designs potentially restrict options based on specific design requirements.
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Release impact
New releases and updates may make previous work obsolete, posing challenges for ongoing development efforts.
"The overall look and feel can be improved to be more user friendly, some small wins include mapping the user experience journey to help make button clicks and placement easier"
Shane C.
Management Consultant
Salesforce DX
Salesforce DX offers a software development experience that fosters innovation at a rapid pace. Catering to individual developers and large teams alike, it enables collaborative development and continuous delivery on the lightning platform. The open and highly flexible platform allows for agile development that utilizes the existing tools and practices you use in your current systems.
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Clear-cut interface
Its interface is well-organized, making data easily accessible and requiring minimal training for users to get started.
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Connectivity and integration
Connect to third-party tools used within the organization for issue-free, smooth integrations.
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Efficient data management
Seamlessly manage data for visibility throughout the organization and consolidate information in one easy-to-access place.
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Territory management support
It’s useful for understanding opportunities in territory management and mapping out strategic action plans.
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No-code
Users without traditional development skills can build apps, run updates, and add new features.
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Powerful integrations
REST APIs and prebuilt integrations help users connect apps with existing business systems to accelerate digital transformation.
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Simplified app development
The drag-and-drop development platform makes app development effortless—whether you’re integrating data or automating a complex workflow.
Salesforce platform is easy to use interface for all the users whether they are from a programming background or not. Any person with zero Coding Knowledge can effectively use Salesforce Platform without any help because of it's point and click technique.
Harshit S.
Programmer Analyst
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Inconsistent performance
It occasionally experiences slow and clunky performance, particularly during maintenance periods.
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Complex system
It offers an extensive range of features that can be overwhelming, especially for new users.
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Data storage limitations
It provides restricted or limited data storage.
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Customization challenges
Some standard features are not highly customizable and pose hurdles for certain functionalities.
"Its extremely slow, requires way to much work to just fill out contacts and opportunities."
Bryan S.
Chief Executive Officer
Quickbase App Builder
Quickbase is a dynamic platform that helps simplify business operations and streamline workflows at scale. It allows users to create custom applications without any coding. By removing barriers to app development, the platform allows users to plan, test, and implement the specific solutions they need for their projects.
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Intuitive no-code visual builder
The visual builder and pre-built app templates speed up app development without requiring highly technical skills.
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Intelligent AI capabilities
Use AI capabilities to boost app intelligence and enhance its capabilities.
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Lightning-fast data processing
High-speed relational databases ensure fast data processing and optimal performance.
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Robust data control
Simplify data collection with automatically generated forms and reports that streamline information capture and data management.
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Affordable pricing and scalability
Pricing tiers are based on the number of users, making it accessible for small teams and scalable for growth.
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Flexibility and customizability
Rich feature set heightens adaptability and the ease of development of infinite possibilities for customized solutions.
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Quick turnaround
Its easy-to-use interface and powerful features can get a custom app up and running in a single session.
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Powerful data synchronization
It can consolidate and process huge amounts of data for accurate analytics and reporting.
"The versatility of reporting and functionality is great, and now that they've updated the look and feel to allow for more modern form flows, it's just as good as any other CRM out there. It can integrate with just about any tool out there via Zapier or webhooks so there's no shortage of possibilities."
Daniel O.
Marketing Coordinator
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Outdated help files
Some resources are outdated, making learning about features that have changed over time difficult.
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Inconvenient layout changes
Switching between new and old layouts becomes inconvenient as the new version may lack the tools available in the legacy version.
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Mobile app limitations
The mobile app may not match the robustness of the web version.
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Administrative challenges
Administering roles and user permissions can be cumbersome, with similar settings distributed in various locations.
"The user capacity is limited, especially when there are a lot of users that are using the Quickbase. It takes so much time to load and to navigate from each screens."
Mark C.
Airtable
Airtable is a low-code development platform that enables workplace innovation and collaboration. It allows users to create customized applications and streamline workflows across diverse scenarios. Airtable combines the familiarity of a spreadsheet with collaboration features to allow teams to create next-gen apps for different use cases, even without robust IT resources. It offers scalability, flexibility, and powerful governance for businesses of all sizes.
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Connected data
Create a single source of truth with connected data from different workflows, apps, and tools.
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Intuitive interface design
Intuitive design with user-friendly navigation requires minimal setup and allows users to create custom interfaces tailored to their data.
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Automations
Embedded automation features and AI capabilities accelerate the speed of development.
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Data visualizations
Robust reporting capabilities and tailored data visualizations enable customized views and quicker sharing of insights.
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Excellent application integration
It integrates well with other productivity tools, critical workflows, and applications.
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Quick adoption
Its simple setup process allows enterprise users to start using the platform immediately and explore its vast offerings.
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Comprehensive data management
It consolidates all aspects of data management in one place and facilitates easy sharing and permissions for collaborative projects.
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Real-time reporting
Accessible and trackable data, customizable visualizations, and efficient project management workflows make it easy to view and manage the real-time impact of app solutions.
"Airtable stands out because you can customize everything: fields, views, even templates. This flexibility lets you use it for anything from data visualization to project tracking."
Omkar G.
Business Analyst
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Steep learning curve
Its complex user interface makes it difficult for beginners to maximize the use of features.
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Prohibitive pricing
The pricing structure can become expensive for multiple users and may be prohibitive for small businesses.
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Limited customization options
It provides limited views and customization options at the project level, especially when the number of projects increases.
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Functionality issues
The diversity of functions in cells or fields could be improved, and the experience of loading high volumes of data needs enhancement.
"I think Airtable can be very slow at times and feel like it's crashing often when I am using it. It will lag and take time to update. I think it needs to be easier to submit bundle feedback as well."
Samantha T.
Digital Account Manager
Quixy
Quixy combines enterprise resource planning, business process management, and digital process automation into one platform. It offers no-code development for businesses that need to implement digital solutions quickly. Businesses can create custom enterprise applications and automate workflows with limited IT resources or coding knowledge.
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UI and workflow designer
Design user interfaces and workflows and add functionalities that meet your evolving business requirements.
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Enterprise-grade security
Innovate without worries, knowing your data and processes stay safe, secure, and under your full control.
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Integration capabilities
Choose from multiple integration options to connect with other systems and tools.
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Extensive support system
Get timely support through the self-service online knowledge base, email channels, community forums, and virtual technical support.
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Cost-effective pricing
Its pricing model includes per-user plans and other options suitable for high-volume apps and unlimited workflows.
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Efficient workflow automation
Quixy's workflow automation capabilities and quick app design methods enhance the effectiveness of applications.
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User-friendly time-saving interface
The platform's intuitive nature saves considerable time with quick data upload and processing.
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Extensive capabilities
Its wide range of advanced features can be used to build complex apps.
"The team is ready on the ball on items I want to create on the task. Help is always there for me.Issues are resolved on time.Item needed to be created the team is always ready and willing to help."
Ling W.
IT Manager
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Issues with Excel sheet mapping
Manual mapping of Excel sheets can sometimes be inaccurate, affecting precision.
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Limited pre-built applications
There is room for improvement in selecting pre-built applications available in Quixy's app library.
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Search functionality issues
Locating specific items in Quixy can be time-consuming and make data and document retrieval tedious.
"There are is scope for improvement in the app library especially having ready to use apps for the construction industry will help the users to a great extent and they can avoid developing apps from the scratch."
Murthy
Vice President - Projects
Kissflow: The best alternative to Zoho Creator
All these low-code platforms can be a good alternative to Zoho Creator. The best one for your business depends on your unique requirements. Consider your possible use cases, budget, and other factors when choosing the most appropriate platform.
For those who value collaborative development and decreased time-to-market, Kissflow is a wise option. Offering both low-code and no-code capabilities, it empowers all types of users from any business niche. As a unified digital workplace, it further boosts an organization’s capabilities for holistic digital transformation. Its intuitive low-code environment, scalable solutions, and robust integration support make it an ideal partner for organizations seeking agility and innovation.