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What is better than OutSystems?
Is OutSystems truly low-code?
Can I use a free OutSystems alternative?
Is DhiWise a competitor to OutSystems?
OutSystems has made a name for itself as one of the leading platforms in low code application development, empowering organizations to build enterprise-grade applications with speed and scale. Its enterprise-grade features offer robust functionality and scalability, making it ideal for large organizations and mission-critical systems. But as low-code and no-code platforms evolve, many businesses are exploring alternatives to OutSystems that offer better flexibility, developer control, pricing, and usability.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top OutSystems alternatives available in 2025, why teams consider switching, and how to choose the right platform for your development needs.
While OutSystems is powerful and enterprise-ready, it may not be the ideal choice for every organization. Common reasons why teams seek alternatives include:
OutSystems is geared toward enterprise clients, and its pricing reflects that. Small businesses or startups often find it difficult to afford the platform’s advanced features. Some alternatives offer 'unlimited users' in their pricing plans, making them more affordable for larger teams.
Apps built on OutSystems are tightly integrated with its infrastructure. This makes migration difficult, creating a dependency that some developers try to avoid.
The free version of OutSystems is quite restricted. For custom backend logic, APIs, and scalability, you’ll need to pay a premium.
While advertised as a “low-code tool,” building complex apps often requires developers to learn the OutSystems model, which may not always be intuitive or aligned with standard coding practices. Some alternatives offer 'no code development' options, making them more accessible for non-technical users.
Design flexibility is somewhat limited, particularly for teams that want pixel-perfect UI experiences.
Low-code platforms are designed to streamline the development process by enabling users to build custom apps quickly and efficiently. They offer a range of features that cater to both non-technical users and professional developers.
The combination of ease-of-use and powerful features makes low-code platforms suitable for both simple and complex app development projects. Whether you're building internal apps, mobile apps, or web applications, low-code platforms provide the tools and capabilities needed to accelerate development and enhance business processes.
Before jumping to another platform, make sure your choice meets these core requirements:
Let’s dive into the top platforms that developers and businesses are choosing over OutSystems.
DhiWise is rapidly becoming the go-to alternative to OutSystems, especially for developers who want code-level control with low-code speed.
Developers, startups, teams, and tech-savvy businesses building modern web/mobile apps.
Mendix offers robust capabilities similar to OutSystems but stands out due to its open, collaborative environment.
Large enterprises and regulated industries needing advanced compliance and scalability.
Appgyver is a no-code builder designed for professionals and hobbyists alike, making it a compelling free alternative.
Solo developers, educators, small businesses, and prototypers.
Retool is a fast and flexible low-code platform ideal for building internal business applications, such as internal dashboards and admin panels.
DevOps, internal business teams, admin dashboards.
FlutterFlow focuses on high-performance, native-looking mobile apps using Google’s Flutter framework.
Mobile app developers, freelancers, agencies.
Zoho Creator is part of the Zoho ecosystem, offering low-code tools that help build custom business applications.
Small to mid-sized businesses using Zoho products.
Power Apps is Microsoft’s answer to OutSystems, tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 and Azure.
Corporations using Microsoft stack and needing internal apps.
App development with low-code platforms has revolutionized the way businesses create custom apps, mobile apps, and web applications. Low-code platforms, such as Microsoft Power Apps, provide a drag-and-drop interface that enables users to build custom apps without extensive coding knowledge. This approach has democratized app development, allowing non-technical users to participate in the development process.
Low-code platforms offer a range of benefits, including rapid development, reduced costs, and increased productivity. They provide pre-built templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and visual interfaces that make it easy to build custom apps. Additionally, low-code platforms often include features such as business process management, robotic process automation, and AI-assisted development, which can help automate workflows and improve business processes.
One of the key advantages of low-code platforms is their ability to extend functionality and integrate with existing systems. They often provide API integration, pre-built components, and customizable components that can be used to build custom applications. This makes it easy to create internal business applications, mobile apps, and web applications that meet specific business needs.
Low-code platforms are also ideal for large enterprises, as they provide a unified platform for app development, deployment, and management. They offer features such as role-based access control, user management, and comprehensive support, which can help ensure the security and integrity of business applications.
In addition to their technical benefits, low-code platforms can also help empower business analysts and citizen developers to take an active role in app development. They provide a range of tools and features that make it easy to build custom apps, including pre-built templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and visual interfaces.
Some of the top 10 OutSystems alternatives, such as Appian, Mendix, and Zoho Creator, offer advanced features such as business process automation, workflow automation, and case management. These features can help businesses automate complex business processes, improve productivity, and reduce costs.
When choosing a low-code platform, it’s essential to consider factors such as ease of use, flexibility, and scalability. The platform should provide a range of features and tools that make it easy to build custom apps, including drag-and-drop functionality, pre-built templates, and visual interfaces. It should also offer seamless integration with existing systems, comprehensive support, and flexible deployment options.
Workflow automation and business process management (BPM) are critical components of low-code platforms. These features enable users to automate workflows, streamline business processes, and improve overall productivity. With pre-built components and drag-and-drop interfaces, creating custom workflows and automating complex business processes becomes a straightforward task.
Business process management is a key feature of low-code platforms, allowing users to model, execute, and continuously improve their business processes. By automating workflows, organizations can reduce manual intervention, minimize errors, and accelerate task completion. This not only reduces operational costs but also enhances efficiency and customer satisfaction. Low-code platforms empower users to automate workflows and manage business processes effectively, making them indispensable tools for modern enterprises.
Rapid development and deployment are hallmarks of low-code platforms. These platforms enable users to build custom apps quickly using pre-built templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and visual interfaces. The drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the app-building process, allowing users to assemble application components with ease. Pre-built templates provide a foundation for common app designs, further accelerating development.
Low-code platforms also offer automated testing and debugging, which significantly reduces the time and effort required to deploy apps. Additionally, they provide flexible deployment options, enabling users to deploy apps on-premises, in the cloud, or via mobile devices. This flexibility ensures that apps can be deployed rapidly to meet evolving business needs.
By accelerating development and deployment, low-code platforms help organizations respond quickly to change market conditions, improve time-to-market, and enhance competitiveness. With the right low-code platform, users can build custom apps in a matter of weeks or months rather than years and deploy them rapidly to meet their business objectives.
| Platform | Visual Builder | Mobile Output | Code Export | API Support | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OutSystems | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Enterprises |
| DhiWise | Yes | Yes (Flutter, iOS, React Native) | Yes | Yes | Developers and Startups |
| Mendix | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Enterprises |
| Appgyver | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Indie Devs and Freelancers |
| Retool | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Internal Tools |
| FlutterFlow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile-first Teams |
| Zoho Creator | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Business Teams |
| Power Apps | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Microsoft Environments |
When comparing OutSystems and its alternatives, it is essential to consider how each platform supports the software development process. The low-code industry focuses on platforms that enable users to develop applications with minimal coding, such as OutSystems. Low-code platforms like OutSystems facilitate and accelerate software development by streamlining complex tasks and enhancing the efficiency of building, deploying, and managing enterprise applications. This comparison will help you understand which platform best suits your needs regarding visual building, mobile output, code export, and API support.
Here’s how to decide which platform is right for you:
When choosing an alternative, consider a low-code platform designed to facilitate the rapid development of custom business applications and automate workflows. These platforms offer flexibility, ease of use, and robust security and compliance, making them ideal for industries with regulatory needs.
OutSystems is a powerful tool, but it doesn’t fit all budgets or technical needs. Whether you’re a developer, a startup founder, or a business analyst, there are robust alternatives available in 2025 that provide faster delivery, better control, and a better ROI.
Platforms like DhiWise, Mendix, and FlutterFlow are redefining what’s possible in low-code app development without the trade-offs of vendor lock-in or high enterprise costs. These alternatives to OutSystems offer comprehensive low-code development platform solutions that enable rapid app development with visual development tools, deployment capabilities, and cross-platform functionality.
Choose your tool based on your project’s scale, technical capability, and long-term flexibility—and you’ll build better apps faster.
