Gartner Low-Code Market: Trends and Forecasts for 2025 and Beyond

Gartner Low-Code Market Growth Projections

It looks like the low-code world is really taking off, and Gartner has some interesting numbers to back that up. We’re seeing a big jump in how much application development is being done with these tools. By 2025, it’s expected that a huge 70% of all new applications will be built using low-code or no-code technologies. That’s a massive increase from just a few years ago, showing how much things have changed.

Accelerated Application Development Activity

This isn’t just about building apps faster, though that’s a big part of it. It’s about changing who builds them and how quickly ideas can turn into working software. Think about it: instead of waiting months for a project to get to the top of the IT department’s list, business teams can now get involved and build solutions themselves. This shift means more projects can get done, and businesses can react to market changes much quicker.

Low-Code Application Platforms Market Expansion

The market for these low-code application platforms (LCAPs) themselves is growing like crazy. We’re talking about a market that’s already quite large and is expected to keep expanding significantly. This growth shows that companies are investing heavily in these platforms because they’re seeing real benefits.

Dominance of Non-IT Professionals in Development

One of the most striking trends is how many people outside of traditional IT roles are now involved in building applications. Gartner predicts that by 2024, a large majority – around 80% – of technology products and services will be created by individuals who aren’t IT professionals. This really highlights the rise of ‘citizen developers’ and how these platforms are opening up app creation to a much wider audience.

Key Drivers of Gartner Low-Code Market Adoption

So, why is everyone suddenly talking about low-code? It’s not just a passing fad, you know. There are some pretty solid reasons why businesses are jumping on this bandwagon, and Gartner has been watching it all unfold.

Addressing Developer Shortages and Skill Gaps

Let’s face it, finding skilled developers is tough. It feels like there aren’t enough people who can code, or at least not enough with the specific skills companies need right now. This shortage means IT departments are often swamped, with long lists of projects waiting to be started. Low-code platforms step in here because they let people build applications without needing to write lines and lines of complex code. This means existing IT staff can get more done, and maybe even tackle some of those projects that have been sitting on the shelf for ages. It’s like giving them a super-powered toolkit.

Empowering Citizen Developers

This is a big one. You know those folks in marketing, sales, or operations who have great ideas for apps that could make their jobs easier, but they can’t code? Low-code is opening the door for them. These are the ‘citizen developers.’ They understand the business problems firsthand and can now use visual tools to build simple applications themselves. This democratization of app creation means businesses can move faster and create solutions that are really tailored to specific needs. It doesn’t mean IT is out of the picture; they still provide oversight and governance, but it really speeds things up.

AI-Assisted Development Features

Artificial intelligence is popping up everywhere, and low-code is no exception. Many platforms are now including AI features that can help with the development process. Think about things like suggesting code snippets, automatically generating parts of an application based on a description, or even helping to test the software. This makes building applications even quicker and can help catch errors early on. It’s like having a smart assistant helping you build.

Here’s a quick look at why these drivers matter:

• Faster Time-to-Market: Applications get built and deployed much quicker than with traditional methods.
• Reduced IT Burden: IT teams can focus on more complex tasks while business users handle simpler app needs.
• Increased Innovation: More people within the company can contribute ideas and build solutions, leading to new ways of working.

Gartner’s Perspective on Low-Code and No-Code

Gartner sees low-code and no-code development as a big deal for businesses today. They’re not just buzzwords; they’re changing how applications get made. It’s pretty interesting how they break it down.

Differentiating Low-Code and No-Code Platforms

So, what’s the difference? Gartner points out that low-code platforms are built for both people who code for a living and those who don’t but have some technical know-how. They offer visual tools but still allow for some custom coding when needed. Think of it as a flexible middle ground. No-code platforms, on the other hand, are strictly for folks with zero coding experience. They rely entirely on drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components. The main goal here is simplicity for business users to build things like simple workflows or basic apps without needing a developer.

• Low-Code: Targets developers and business users with some coding ability. Offers visual development with options for custom code.
• No-Code: Exclusively for non-technical business users. Relies on drag-and-drop and pre-built elements.

Strategic Necessity of Citizen Development

It’s becoming clear that having people outside of the IT department build applications – what Gartner calls ‘citizen developers’ – isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. It’s becoming a necessity. Why? Well, there aren’t enough professional developers to go around, and companies have a ton of applications they need built or updated. Gartner predicts that by 2025, a huge chunk of new apps, around 70%, will be made using these low-code or no-code tools. This shift means businesses need to get comfortable with non-IT staff taking on development tasks.

Gartner’s Evaluation Framework for LCAPs

When organizations look at Low-Code Application Platforms (LCAPs), Gartner has ways of evaluating them. While they don’t always have a specific report just for no-code, their analysis of LCAPs gives a good idea of what makes a platform strong. They look at things like how easy it is to use, how well it scales, its governance features, and how it supports different types of users. The key takeaway is that effective LCAPs help reduce the backlog of IT projects and speed up how quickly businesses can get new applications out the door. Organizations using these platforms often see development times cut by half or even more, which is a pretty big deal for staying competitive.

Enterprise Adoption and Benefits of Low-Code

So, why are so many companies jumping on the low-code bandwagon? It really comes down to getting things done faster and smarter. Businesses are finding that these platforms help them tackle a mountain of IT tasks that used to take ages. The biggest win? It’s about making IT departments more agile and letting innovation happen quicker.

Think about it: traditional software development can be a slow, drawn-out process. Low-code changes that game. It lets teams build and update applications much faster, which is a huge deal when you’re trying to keep up with a fast-moving market or just get internal processes running smoothly.

Reducing IT Backlogs and Accelerating Delivery

IT departments often have a long list of projects waiting to be started. Low-code tools help clear that backlog. By using visual interfaces and pre-built components, developers and even some business folks can create applications without writing tons of code. This means projects that might have taken months can now be finished in weeks, or even days.

• Faster Project Completion: Applications get built and deployed at a pace that was previously hard to imagine.
• Resource Optimization: IT teams can focus on more complex, strategic tasks instead of routine coding.
• Meeting Business Demands: New features or applications can be rolled out to users much sooner, addressing immediate business needs.

Enhancing Agility and Innovation

When you can build and change applications quickly, your whole business becomes more adaptable. Low-code platforms give companies the flexibility to experiment with new ideas and respond to market shifts without getting bogged down in lengthy development cycles. This ability to pivot and try new things is what keeps businesses competitive.

Faster Development Cycles and Cost Reductions

This is where the numbers really start to add up. Building apps with low-code is often significantly cheaper than traditional methods. You need fewer highly specialized developers for many tasks, and the speed itself translates to cost savings. Many companies report seeing development times cut by half or even more, leading to a direct impact on the bottom line.

Here’s a look at what some organizations are seeing:

Basically, low-code helps businesses move faster, spend less, and bring more innovative ideas to life, all while keeping IT teams from getting completely swamped.

The Evolving Low-Code Ecosystem

It’s not just about building apps faster anymore. The low-code world is really changing, becoming more connected and organized. Think of it less like a bunch of separate tools and more like a whole system working together.

Unified Governance and Reusable Templates

One big shift is towards having better control and consistency across all the apps being built. This means platforms are starting to offer ways to manage everything centrally. It’s like having a central library for all your building blocks.

• Standardized components: Pre-built, tested pieces of functionality that anyone can use.
• Policy enforcement: Rules set by IT to make sure apps are secure and compliant.
• Version control: Keeping track of changes so you can go back if needed.

This approach helps avoid building the same thing over and over and makes sure everything fits together nicely.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Low-code is breaking down walls between different teams. Marketing might need a new campaign app, while operations needs a way to track inventory. Instead of waiting for the IT department to get to it, low-code lets these teams work together more directly.

• Shared understanding: Business users can explain what they need visually, and developers can build it faster.
• Faster feedback loops: Teams can see and test apps as they’re being made, leading to better results.
• Reduced miscommunication: When everyone is looking at the same visual model, it’s easier to be on the same page.

Bridging Departmental Needs with Enterprise Scalability

So, how do you let different departments build their own apps without creating a mess that the main IT system can’t handle? That’s where the ecosystem idea really comes in. It’s about giving teams the freedom to create what they need, but within a framework that the whole company can manage and rely on.

The goal is to balance the speed and flexibility needed by individual departments with the stability and security required by the entire organization. This means platforms need to support everything from simple departmental tools to complex, mission-critical applications that can scale up as the business grows.

Future Trends in the Gartner Low-Code Market

Looking ahead, the low-code landscape is set to become even more integrated into how businesses operate. We’re not just talking about individual apps anymore; Gartner sees low-code platforms evolving into comprehensive ecosystems that span entire organizations.

Low-Code Platforms as Enterprise-Wide Ecosystems

Think of it this way: instead of just a tool for one team, low-code is becoming a central hub. These platforms are being designed to support everyone, from your seasoned IT pros to folks in marketing or HR who have great ideas but don’t code. This shift means platforms will offer more than just building blocks; they’ll provide a structured environment for creating, managing, and sharing applications across the company. This includes things like unified governance to keep everything in check, pre-built templates that teams can easily adapt, and better ways for different departments to work together on projects.

Increased Role of Citizen Developers

We’ve already seen citizen developers – those business users building apps – become a big deal, and that’s only going to grow. Gartner predicts that by 2026, a significant majority of new applications will involve these citizen developers. This isn’t just about filling gaps; it’s about tapping into the unique insights and needs that people on the front lines have. They can spot opportunities for new tools or process improvements that IT might miss.

Focus on Flexibility, Speed, and Automation

What are companies really looking for when they adopt low-code? It boils down to a few key things: flexibility to adapt to changing needs, speed to get solutions out the door quickly, and automation to handle repetitive tasks. Organizations that are smart about this are seeing major wins. For instance, many report that low-code helps them cut down development time by as much as 70% and significantly reduces costs compared to traditional coding methods. It’s all about making development more efficient and responsive to business demands.

Wrapping It Up

So, what does all this mean for the low-code world moving forward? It’s pretty clear that these platforms aren’t just a passing trend. Gartner’s numbers show a massive shift happening, with most new apps expected to be built using low-code or no-code by 2025. This isn’t just for the tech wizards anymore, either; business folks are getting in on the action, building their own tools. We’re seeing faster development, less strain on IT departments, and a whole lot more flexibility. It looks like low-code is set to become a standard way of building software, and companies that don’t jump on board might find themselves falling behind. It’s an exciting time for app development, really.