Why No-Code tools are a terrible choice for creating a SaaS?
Alexandre Schouwey
14 replies
1. You're stuck with a single platform
2. Prices can rise unpredictably
3. You can't export your code
What do you think about no-code tools?
Replies
Claudia Nathan@claudianathan
Stackradar
This!!! I think no code app platforms are currently trying to ‘rebuild’ app development from the ground up as opposed to ‘translating’ tried and true (and secure) development stacks. I believe Webflow is a fantastic front end, it doesn’t take the same shortcuts other no code front ends do, but we don’t yet have something like this for app dev. Supabase is a step in that direction but it still feels like Latin to me
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No-code tools are awesome for startups needing to launch quickly. They let you test ideas without heavy investment.
No-Code tools limit customization and scalability in SaaS development.
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I dont think no code is a bad idea as no code helps the businesses to deploy the tools easily without any help from anyone as this is the time of automation and people prefer things to be simple so those businesses which makes it simple for their customers will stay ahead.
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Here's one of the most important problems (I guess):
To make sure that everything works correctly in all situations, you have to understand the code completely, and I suspect it will often take longer to understand AI generated code completely than to write it yourself.
No-code tools are like training wheels for coding - great for learning, but not ideal for the Tour de France of SaaS development. Ready to ditch the kiddie bike and pedal towards a more robust solution?
No-code tools are great for quickly validating a SaaS idea, but they fall short in the long run. They struggle with scalability, lack flexibility, have security limitations, and can’t match the performance of custom-coded solutions.
Custom code provides better scalability, security, performance, and full control over your application, making it the best choice for building a robust and secure SaaS product.
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Absolutely disagree, we have a lot of amazing No-code tools where you can create almost anything. Of course, there are some problems, but still you can create amazing products without spending too much!
By the way, good clickbait)
They are a terrible choice because the whole point of code is to be able to do whatever you want with it. All no-code solutions end up bolting on actual code snippets, requiring you to eventually code to make it easier to use them.
Hi Alexandre,
I disagree. No-code tools are great, especially for validation. They allow rapid prototyping, reduce costs, and empower non-technical founders. They also minimize "waste of code" by enabling quick changes without heavy coding. Modern platforms like Bubble and Webflow offer extensive features and integrations, making them versatile and effective for many startups.
No code is appropriate for the right business and industry. As you see in the responses, if someone is a business owner and they can't hire a full time engineer and they're testing a product, it allows them to quickly do what they need.
What you've listed applies in situations where you've found a successful idea/product, you have customers, but the costs are rising and you want more control.
FlutterFlow is great for launching raw products quickly. However, for post-MVP builds, it falls short in sophistication. You'll find issues with optimization, security, and cluttered code. It's best used for early stages only.
Never a terrible choice, but you should know what you are doing. Those platforms are great for creating MVPs/prototypes, sometimes full fledged projects. You can always convert no-code platform and code it out: take the UI, functionality and execute it yourself (even with ChatGPT help).