Custom mobile app development and low code mobile app development are the two paths you can take to create a mobile app for your startup.
Mobile app development is one of the biggest desires startup owners have in 2022.
From user engagement to revenue generation, the possibilities with mobile apps are endless.
In 2021, people in the USA spent over $7 billion on mobile apps, according to Statista. Even niche apps witness millions of dollars of revenue every quarter.
Talking about time, people spend billions of hours on apps every quarter. Due to the convenience offered, people find it better to use an app rather than visit an offline store.
Plus, the ability to be available to your clients 24/7 is simply unbeatable.
This is why mobile app development has become the dream of every startup.
This also means that there is a ton of competition and saturation in the mobile app industry.
To make your app stand out, it is important to take the right steps and make the right decisions.
Both custom mobile app development and low code mobile app development offer excellent results. However, the one you should select depends on your business objectives and requirements. Making the right choice is crucial for the success of your mobile app.
We at WDI have compiled the differences between the low code mobile app development and custom mobile app development so that you get a crystal clear idea of which one is best for your startup.
Before we compare both of them, let us understand what they are.
What is Low-Code Mobile App Development
Low-code mobile app development platforms allow businesses to create custom mobile apps without needing to invest in costly and time-consuming development resources.
These platforms provide a cost-effective and efficient way to develop and deploy mobile apps and can be used by businesses of all sizes.
Low-code mobile app development platforms typically provide a visual drag-and-drop interface for app development, making it easy for even non-technical users to create sophisticated mobile apps.
In addition, these platforms often include a wide range of built-in features and functionalities, allowing businesses to create apps with minimal coding.
What is Custom Mobile App Development
Custom mobile app development is the process of creating a custom mobile app for a specific client or customer.
This type of app development usually involves working with the client or customer to create an app that meets their specific needs and requirements.
Custom Mobile App Development Vs Low Code Mobile App Development
There are pros and cons to whichever path you choose. The choice depends on what you want to achieve with your app and the kind of experience you want to provide to your users.
Here are the major points that will help you decide which path to take according to your requirements.
1: Mobile App Development Time
Good things take time, but sometimes time is the limiting factor. Due to some reason, you have to launch an app as soon as possible. Which one will serve you better.
Custom mobile app development can take anywhere from a few weeks to months or even years, depending on the complexity of the app. This is quite a long time if you want an app ASAP.
Whereas once you are finished developing, you will have a few days of maintenance, as this is where you fix bugs, eliminate errors, and make sure that everything is working properly.
As you can see, custom mobile app development is quite the process, and for some businesses, this might be too much of a load, or perhaps they need to cut everything due to a lack of money or time.
With low code app development, this is a different story, because the time to develop your app might be only a couple of hours.
Sometimes it might even take less time than that, and even if your code requires some maintenance, once it is done, you will most likely be able to launch it very quickly on app stores and let people download it.
Bigger apps can take a few days, but rarely will it take a month.
This is due to the simplistic nature of low code mobile apps. All it takes are a few drags and drops to create a screen.
2: Skill Required
Mobile app development consists of coding, UI/UX design, testing, and launching. All of these require highly skilled professionals who can get the job done.
You will need a team of mobile app developers, designers, and testers to create a custom app. Or else, you can hire a mobile app development company to make the process simpler.
Custom mobile app development is not possible without skilled professionals.
On the other hand, low code mobile app development is all about drag and drop. It can be done by any person, with or without a technical background.
You do not require any resources for the task, as it can be done by anyone on your team.
3: Features & Functionalities
This is where things change.
As we mentioned earlier, good things take time. Although low code mobile app development is quick and easy, you are limited by the boundaries set by the platform.
You can only implement the features and functionalities that are available on the platform.
These platforms have limited templates that you are stuck with.
If you go with these platforms, your app will miss out on some essential features, and that will be counterproductive in the long run.
With custom mobile app development, you can create anything you want. The sky is the limit.
From the most unique design to the most advanced features, everything can be implemented in a custom mobile app.
If you want AI and ML in your app, consider it done.
Want advanced algorithms? Everything is possible.
Want to provide hyper-personalization? A piece of cake.
A custom app will be a reflection of your brand, following your brand’s theme and design, and carrying over the same essence.
4: Maintenance
When it comes to the maintenance of low code mobile apps vs custom mobile apps, there are a few key differences to consider.
For starters, custom mobile apps tend to be more expensive to maintain due to the need to hire developers to make changes and updates.
Low code mobile apps, on the other hand, can be updated and maintained by anyone with a basic understanding of the platform, which can save on costs.
Additionally, custom mobile apps can be more difficult to keep up to date, as they often require manual updates, whereas low code mobile apps can be updated automatically.
Finally, custom mobile apps can be more complex and time-consuming to troubleshoot, while low code mobile apps tend to be more user-friendly and easier to fix.
5: Personalization
The platforms used to build low code mobile apps come with limited templates and animations.
Although the number will increase, it is nothing compared to what is possible with a custom mobile app.
With custom mobile app development, you can create any design and animations you want, as long as they are technically possible.
3D, glassmorphism, neumorphism, etc. All types of designs and themes are possible with custom mobile app development.
6: Security
First and foremost, it is important to understand the security risks associated with the specific app development platform being used. This will allow mobile app developers to take the necessary steps to mitigate these risks. For example, if the platform uses a database, it is important to ensure that the database is properly configured and secured.
With low code mobile app development, you are relying on a third-party platform.
This means all the data you provide to build the app is with the platform and can be used for sketchy purposes. While reputed platforms will not tamper with your data, hackers will not have the same intention.
As the platform is available for the general public to access, it is also available to hackers. They can figure out ways to crack the code and search for vulnerabilities.
As the app is made by external software, you do not have complete control over it, and that is a big downside.
When you develop a custom app, you have control over every single line of code written. This gives you more control over the app.
You can implement the most advanced security features to leave no stone unturned.
Security patches can be released, bugs can be fixed with a custom app, and a new update can be launched on the app stores.
Pros And Cons of Low Code Mobile App Development
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy drag and drop development | Limited features |
| Quick development | Limited customization |
| Cheaper Maintenance | Vulnerable to cyber attacks |
Pros And Cons of Custom Mobile App Development
| Pros | Cons |
| High-end features and functionalities | Long development period |
| Next level personalization | Higher cost but worth it |
| High-Security | |
| Complete control |
Summary
The debate between custom mobile app development and low code mobile app development is one that is unlikely to be settled anytime soon.
Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for a given organization will depend on a variety of factors.
Custom mobile app development is the traditional approach to creating mobile applications.
In this approach, developers make the entire application from scratch, using a programming language such as Objective-C or Java.
This approach offers the greatest flexibility, as developers can create any kind of application they can imagine.
However, it also requires the most development time and expertise and is thus more expensive than other approaches.
On the other hand, low code mobile app development involves using a pre-built framework to create mobile applications.
This approach is faster and easier than custom mobile app development, as it requires less development time and expertise.
However, it offers less flexibility, and you are limited to the features and functionality offered by the framework.
Custom mobile app development allows for a greater degree of control over the final product. Organizations can specify exactly how they want the app to look and function, and they can be confident that the end result will meet their needs.
The downside of custom mobile app development is that it can be time-consuming and expensive. Organizations will need to invest in a team of experienced developers, and the process can take months or even years to complete.
On the other hand, low code mobile app development is much faster and easier. With low code development tools, organizations can quickly create an app with minimal coding required.
The trade-off is that low code mobile app development can be less flexible than custom mobile app development. Organizations may need to compromise on some features or functionality in order to get their app to market quickly.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to go with custom mobile app development or low code mobile app development will come down to the specific needs of the organization.
Both custom mobile app development and low code mobile app development come with their pros and cons, but if you want the best mobile app for your startup and are willing to spend for the same, go for custom mobile app development.
Why Choose WDI
If you want the best possible app for your startup, look no further than the best mobile app development company, WDI.
With over 21 years of experience in mobile app development, we provide nothing but excellence to our clients.
It is not possible to survive the future without the use of AI and ML in your mobile app.
At WDI, we provide the most advanced AI and ML algorithms to our clients for developing future-ready mobile apps.
From providing hyper-personalization to keeping users engaged with next-level algorithms, we have mobile app developers that work with every modern technology.
If you want to hire WDI as your mobile app development partner, all you have to do is contact us, and we will discuss your mobile app idea.
Allow us to serve you the best.
Let us build something wonderful together.
