Why is the Integration Capability of Low Code Platforms So Important?
As more businesses adopt low code (or no code) platforms to accelerate application development, the integration capabilities of these platforms have become a crucial metric.
A robust low code integration platform enables businesses to connect various data sources, enterprise applications, and cloud services without altering existing systems, ensuring smooth business processes.
Conversely, platforms with weak integration capabilities may hinder efficiency and even increase workload.
In this analysis, we’ll explore the integration capabilities of several mainstream low code platforms, focusing on their performance in API interfaces, third-party service integration, and compatibility with enterprise-level systems.
Whether you are looking to integrate CRM systems, automate business processes, or unify multiple data sources, understanding the strengths of each platform will help you choose the best solution for your business needs.
Key Dimensions of Integration Capability Analysis
We will evaluate each platform based on five key aspects that ensure low code/no code platforms can:
- Efficiently interact with existing systems for data and functionality exchange
- Meet enterprise-level security and permission management requirements
- Support complex business processes and real-time data handling
- Offer flexible scalability to adapt to future business changes
We’ve selected five popular low code/no code development platforms for this analysis:
NocoBase: A highly flexible and scalable open-source low code platform, ideal for users requiring extensive customization with complex data modeling and custom plugin development.
Mendix: An enterprise-level low code platform offering robust security and visual development tools, supporting rapid application development and integration.
OutSystems: Specializes in quickly developing and delivering complex applications, with strong automation and visual tools, making it suitable for large-scale enterprise digital transformation.
Appian: Centers around business process management (BPM) combined with low code development, helping businesses automate processes and achieve seamless integration.
Zoho Creator: A user-friendly and widely integrated no code platform, well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses looking to quickly build and deploy business applications, particularly for existing Zoho product users.
1.API Integration Capabilities
| Feature/Product | NocoBase | Mendix | OutSystems | Appian | Zoho Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REST API Support | Auto-generates and calls RESTful APIs | Supports calling and publishing REST APIs | Supports calling and publishing REST APIs | Supports calling and publishing REST APIs | Supports REST API calls |
| SOAP API Support | Supports custom extensions | Supports calling and publishing SOAP services | Supports calling and publishing SOAP services | Supports calling and publishing SOAP services | Not directly supported, can use custom scripts |
| Custom Connectors | Supported via plugins | Supports creation of custom connectors | Supports custom integrations with Java/JavaScript | Supports with Java/JavaScript extensions | Supports custom functions with Deluge scripts |
| Visual Integration Tools | Partial support via Webhooks configuration | Offers a visual integration framework | Provides integration wizard and visual tools | Offers Integration Designer for visual configuration | Provides visual script and workflow designer |
Summary of Key Highlights:
- If you prioritize highly customizable API integration, NocoBase offers a flexible solution, especially for businesses with technical teams.
- OutSystems is an excellent choice for enterprises needing rapid development of complex integration systems, leveraging automation and visual tools.
2.Data Source Connectivity
| Feature/Product | NocoBase | Mendix | OutSystems | Appian | Zoho Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Database | Supports SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc. | Built-in object storage, default PostgreSQL | Built-in entity model, configurable external databases | Built-in relational data storage | Built-in cloud database |
| External Database Connections | Supports MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MSSQL | Supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, etc. | Supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, etc. | Supports external databases via Data Stores and SQL queries | Not directly supported, accessed via APIs |
| NoSQL Database Support | Customizable via plugins | Limited support via extension modules | Supports MongoDB with custom components | Limited to relational databases | Not supported |
| REST/SOAP Data Sources | Supported via API and plugins | Supports REST/SOAP services | Supports REST/SOAP services | Supports REST/SOAP services | Supports REST API via Deluge scripts |
Summary of Key Highlights:
- Mendix excels in connecting to various enterprise-level data sources, particularly for businesses with complex synchronization needs.
- NocoBase is highly customizable through plugins and flexible data models, making it a great low code integration platform for businesses relying on open-source or relational databases.
3.Authentication and Authorization Integration
| Feature/Product | NocoBase | Mendix | OutSystems | Appian | Zoho Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Management | Comprehensive user and role management | Comprehensive security management | Built-in user, role, and permission management | Comprehensive user, group, and permission management | Basic user and permission management |
| Role-Based Access Control | Granular permission settings | Granular permission settings | Granular permission settings | Granular permission settings | Granular permission settings |
| LDAP/Active Directory | LDAP authentication, available plugins | Integrated with LDAP/AD | Integrated with LDAP/AD | Integrated with LDAP/AD | Not supported |
| SAML, OAuth2, OpenID Connect | Supports with plugins | Supports SAML, OAuth2, OpenID Connect | Supports OAuth2, OpenID Connect, SAML | Supports SAML, OAuth2, OpenID Connect | Limited OAuth2 support, mainly within Zoho |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Custom implementation required | Supports SSO | Supports SSO | Supports SSO | Limited SSO support, mainly within Zoho |
Summary of Key Highlights:
- Appian offers strong security integration, making it ideal for enterprises focused on security, particularly in identity verification and permission management.
- Zoho Creator is a good fit for businesses already within the Zoho ecosystem, offering ease of use for authentication needs.
4.Middleware and ESB Integration
| Feature/Product | NocoBase | Mendix | OutSystems | Appian | Zoho Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleware Integration | Customizable via plugins, requires technical development | Connectors for Kafka, RabbitMQ, IBM MQ | Connectors for Kafka, RabbitMQ, IBM MQ | Built-in JMS support for middleware integration | Limited, mainly via API calls |
| ESB System Integration | Custom implementation required | Integrates with MuleSoft, TIBCO ESB | Integrates with MuleSoft, Dell Boomi ESB | Connectors and integration options for major ESBs | Not directly supported |
Summary of Key Highlights:
- Mendix provides rich pre-built connectors, enabling fast integration with multiple middleware and ESB systems.
- For complex, customized integration scenarios, Appian offers strong middleware support, making it ideal for enterprise-level users.
5.Custom Extension Capabilities
| Feature/Product | NocoBase | Mendix | OutSystems | Appian | Zoho Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-End Customization | Fully customizable UI, themes, and components | Supports custom widgets with React | Integrates with React, Angular frameworks | Supports custom UI components | Customizable pages with HTML, CSS, Deluge |
| Back-End Customization | Backend logic customizable, custom APIs | Supports Java actions for backend logic | Uses Integration Studio for backend customization | Java-based custom intelligent services | Backend logic mainly via Deluge scripts |
| Plugin/Module System | Powerful plugin mechanism for custom functions | Modular development with component sharing | Custom component and extension creation | Custom plugin and intelligent service development | Limited plugin and extension capabilities |
Summary of Key Highlights:
- NocoBase offers powerful customization options via its plugin system, making it an excellent low code integration platform for users requiring full control.
- OutSystems and Appian provide customization tools for developers, but their flexibility is more limited compared to NocoBase, especially in deep customization and backend control.
Conclusion on Integration Capabilities
- NocoBase: As a fully open-source platform, NocoBase excels in customization and expandability, making it ideal for users requiring full control and high flexibility. With a plugin-based architecture, development teams can quickly implement complex data models and API integrations. For businesses with strong technical teams looking to deeply customize existing systems, NocoBase is an excellent choice.
- Mendix and OutSystems: These enterprise-grade low code platforms shine in rapid development and integration, particularly suited for businesses looking to expand within a predefined framework. Mendix emphasizes deep integration with complex enterprise systems, such as ERP and CRM, with strong support for data sources and security. OutSystems excels in automation and visual tools, making it ideal for businesses needing to quickly deliver complex applications. Both are powerful tools for digital transformation, helping businesses accelerate application development.
- Appian: For process-driven businesses, Appian is a robust choice. Its business process management (BPM) features combined with low code development help businesses quickly automate processes and meet complex integration needs. Appian is especially suited for companies with extensive data flow and system interaction within their business processes.
- Zoho Creator: Zoho Creator is a user-friendly platform, particularly suited for small and medium-sized businesses and non-technical teams. For businesses already utilizing the Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Creator provides sufficient integration capabilities to help quickly build and deploy business applications. However, for enterprises requiring more customization and expansion, it may be somewhat limited.
✅ If you require high customization and self-management, with technical team support, NocoBase is the ideal choice.
✅ For complex integration scenarios and a need for rapid deployment, Mendix and OutSystems are suitable platforms.
✅ If your business has strong process automation needs, Appian is the best option.
✅ For businesses with limited resources already using other Zoho products, Zoho Creator provides sufficient integration capabilities.
Related reading:
- NocoBase vs NocoDB: An In-Depth Comparison of Open Source No-Code Tools
- 5 Best Open-Source No-Code Tools for Project Management
- Top 8 Open-Source CRUD Projects with the Most GitHub Stars
- Top 11 Open Source Internal Tools with the Most GitHub Stars
- Build CRM in Hours: Top No-Code/Low-Code Tools You Need to Know
- Discover Top Tools: Accelerate Web Application Development