Top 12 OutSystems Competitors in 2025 

OutSystems is a popular low-code development platform that helps developers build web and mobile apps quickly. 

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However, for many teams, the steep learning curve and higher costs make OutSystems less ideal especially when more flexible, modern alternatives exist.

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In this article, we will: 

• Compare OutSystems with its competitors in detail.
• Explore which types of users might find each alternative a better fit.
• Give you a clear breakdown of the costs for each alternative, so you can make an informed decision.

Let’s jump right in.

The best OutSystems competitors: At a glance

Before diving into the specifics of each OutSystems alternative, let's take a quick overview: 

1. Superblocks: An open enterprise app platform designed for building internal tools with AI-assisted development, real code extensibility, deep backend integrations, and zero vendor lock-in.
2. Mendix: A low-code and no-code platform that provides an IDE for building responsive web apps and native mobile apps using React Native.
3. Microsoft Power Apps: A low-code platform tightly integrated with Microsoft’s ecosystem. Commonly used to build business apps that connect with Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365.
4. Appian: A low-code automation platform focused on business process management (BPM) and workflow orchestration, commonly used in the public sector.
5. UiPath: A leading low-code RPA platform that automates repetitive tasks and workflows. It supports AI-powered automation.
6. Zoho Creator: A business-focused low-code platform that enables users to build custom applications with built-in automation, pre-configured templates, and deep integration with the Zoho ecosystem.
7. Kissflow: A workflow automation and process management platform designed for non-technical business users. It offers a drag-and-drop workflow creator, approval flows, and collaboration tools.
8. Creatio: A low-code CRM and process automation platform, that combines customer relationship management with workflow automation for sales, marketing, and service teams.
9. Appsmith: An open-source, self-hostable internal tool builder. It gives teams full control over the security and infrastructure of their apps.
10. Salesforce Lightning: A low-code development platform within Salesforce, designed for customizing and extending Salesforce applications.
11. Bubble: A no-code platform for building full-fledged web applications, featuring a drag-and-drop UI builder and a built-in database.
12. Ninox: A low-code relational database platform that allows users to create structured business applications. It supports formula-driven logic, for data manipulation workflow automation and multi-device support.

How we chose the best OutSystems competitors

Choosing the right low-code platform depends on your business needs, scalability, and budget. 

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Key features we looked for:

• Ease of use: We prioritized platforms with intuitive, drag-and-drop interfaces and visual process design. This empowers business users and less-experienced developers to contribute effectively.
• Integration capabilities: We chose platforms that simplify integration through pre-built connectors, REST/API support, or direct database connections.
• Flexibility and customization: Recognizing that every business has unique requirements, we looked for platforms offering extensive customization. This includes the ability to extend functionality with custom code, adapt data models, and personalize the UI beyond standard presets.
• Scalability: We ensured the alternatives support building applications that scale to a large user base, with robust reliability, security, and governance features. Strong version control, CI/CD support, and governance tools were key.

Other important factors:

• Security & compliance: We evaluated each platform's security measures and compliance certifications.
• Community & support: A strong community and reliable support resources were considered essential.
• AI & automation features: We assessed the integration of AI-assisted development, including AI-driven coding and process optimization.
• Deployment options: Platforms supporting multiple deployment options (cloud, on-premises) to meet diverse regulatory and infrastructure needs were favored.
• Performance & speed: We evaluated the performance and speed of applications built on each platform.
• Pricing and transparency: We favored alternatives with flexible pricing models, including free tiers, open-source options, or straightforward per-user pricing. 

The 12 best OutSystems alternatives for 2025

Now, let’s dive into the standout alternatives and see how they compare. For each alternative, we’ll cover its key features, ideal users, pricing, and why it’s a strong OutSystems pick.

1. Superblocks 

Superblocks is an AI-powered platform designed for rapidly building internal business applications. 

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It is fully code-enabled on both the frontend and the backend but also has low-code elements like UI builders, workflow editors, and built-in connectors. This hybrid approach (visual assembly plus code) means you get the speed of low code without hitting a wall if custom code is required. 

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What sets Superblocks apart is how much control you retain. Your apps belong to you, which means you can run them inside or outside of Superblocks. There’s no lock-in. If you decide to move, you can export it and host it wherever you want.

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Many teams use Superblocks to quickly create internal tools like admin dashboards, support consoles, visualizations, and operational apps.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop UI builder: Create interfaces using over 100 pre-built components or use UI templates for fast consistent designs.
• AI-assisted development: Use AI prompts to generate code, API calls, and mock data for faster development.
• Fully code extensible: Write server-side functions in Python or JavaScript for deeper control over your app’s behavior or React for highly custom UIs.
• Powerful integrations: Connect to any database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, etc.), REST APIs, GraphQL, or third-party services like Stripe and Slack.
• Real-time capabilities: Build live dashboards with auto-updating data streams.
• AI-powered automation: Superblocks has built-in AI components, including GPT-4 integration, to enhance workflows with AI-generated insights.
• On-prem and cloud deployment: Use the on-prem agent to run Superblocks within your own VPC for security or use its fully managed cloud service.
• Enterprise features: Supports Git-based versioning, CI/CD integration, access controls, audit logs, and monitoring capabilities that make it easier to deploy, manage, and govern apps.

Ideal users

✅ Ideal for development teams at startups and enterprises that want the speed of low code and the control of custom development with minimal risk or friction if they choose to move off the platform.

✅ Organizations that have lots of existing systems including databases, third-party APIs, and internal microservices, and want to create custom UIs or workflows on top of them.

Pricing

Superblocks pricing is user-based. It offers a free tier for small teams, which includes up to 5 users and unlimited apps/workflows. As your usage grows, there are paid plans: a Startup plan (roughly $49/month per creator) and custom Enterprise plans for larger organizations​

Verdict

In a nutshell, Superblocks is a solid OutSystems alternative for internal and operational applications, especially if you care about developer flexibility, modern integrations including AI, and enterprise readiness. It combines the speed of low-code and AI-assisted development with the flexibility of real-code and flexible deployment options. 

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With built-in observability, role-based access control, and native support for GitOps and CI/CD, Superblocks is built for teams that want to scale internal tools without giving up visibility or control.

2. Mendix

Mendix is often mentioned in the same breath as OutSystems. Both are leaders in the enterprise low-code platform space designed for large-scale app development. But if you’re choosing between the two, Mendix stands out for its more approachable UI, native mobile capabilities via React Native, and clearer pricing structure.

Key features

• Dual IDEs: Offers Mendix Studio, a no-code web-based environment ideal for business users, and Mendix Studio Pro, a desktop app designed for professional developers.
• AI-assisted development: Mendix Assist uses AI to provide development guidance and code suggestions.
• Extensive Integration: Connect to a wide range of enterprise systems and data sources, including SAP, Salesforce, and databases.
• Offline mobile capability: You can build mobile apps that work even without network connectivity

Ideal users

✅ Enterprises and large teams that want a broad low-code platform to standardize app development.

✅ Organizations that have a mix of professional developers and business analysts who need to collaborate

Pricing

Mendix’s pricing is enterprise-oriented but more transparent than OutSystems. It offers a free tier (community edition) which is great for trying out the platform or developing small non-critical applications. 

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Beyond that, their pricing tiers include a Basic app plan ($75/month range for one app) and go up to standard and premium packages which are quote-based, depending on app complexity and user counts. 

Verdict

Mendix is a strong alternative if you want a more user-friendly interface for building web apps and near-native mobile experiences. The downside of Mendix is while friendlier than OutSystems it is still complex compared to other alternatives. It’s also expensive at scale. 

3. Microsoft Power Apps

Microsoft Power Apps is essentially Microsoft’s answer to the low-code wave, focusing on productivity apps and simple workflows within the Microsoft ecosystem. 

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Its low-code interface allows even non-developers to build custom apps through a familiar Excel-like expression language (Power Fx) and a drag-and-drop canvas.

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If your organization is already heavily invested in Office 365, Dynamics 365, or Azure services, Power Apps offers a compelling alternative to platforms like OutSystems.

Key features

• Canvas apps: Design app interfaces with pixel-perfect control, using formulas to bind data and actions, ideal for mobile and web experiences.
• Model-driven apps: Build data-centric enterprise apps quickly, leveraging components tied to the Dataverse (Microsoft’s cloud data store).
• Extensive connectors: Integrate with hundreds of pre-built connectors, not just for Microsoft products like SharePoint, Teams, and Excel, but also for third-party services.
• Power Automate integration: Build automated workflows triggered directly from your apps.

Ideal users

✅ Microsoft-centric organizations looking to empower business analysts and power users to create custom solutions without IT bottlenecks.

✅ Enterprises that have already invested in Dynamics 365 (CRM/ERP) and want to extend those systems with custom interfaces or build lightweight companion apps.

Pricing

Microsoft Power Apps is licensed on a per-user plan that starts at $20 per user per month. There is also a free Developer Plan that lets you build and test Power Apps on your own (with the Dataverse) but not deploy them to production.

Verdict

Power Apps is a fantastic OutSystems alternative for those in the Microsoft universe. Its strengths lie in ease of use and a relatively gentle learning curve for building basic apps.

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If you need sophisticated apps with complex UI or heavy custom code, Superblocks is a more flexible option. Also, the performance can suffer if not designed carefully (e.g., pulling large data sets to the client side in a Canvas app can be slow). 

4. Appian

Appian is a well-established player in the low-code arena, known especially for its business process management (BPM) and workflow automation strengths. It is designed to handle complex processes like approvals, case management, and incident management systems, all through a low code interface.

Key features

• Visual process modeler: Design process flows, decision rules, and integrations with a drag-and-drop interface.
• Case management: Dynamically handle unstructured processes beyond fixed workflows.
• RPA integration: Automate tasks in legacy systems without APIs.
• Native mobile app: Render any Appian application on iOS/Android without extra effort.
• Appian records: Unify data from multiple sources into a single view.

Ideal users

✅ Large enterprises and government agencies needing to streamline complex business processes.

✅ Organizations requiring onboarding processes, loan processing workflows, and compliance case management.

Pricing

Appian’s pricing is firmly in the enterprise software category. In other words, it is expensive and is usually tailored per customer. There isn’t public pricing information but Appian does offer a free community edition for learning and trying things out

Verdict

In areas like dynamic case management and end-to-end process visibility, Appian is a strong alternative to OutSystems​. The downsides include the cost and steep learning curve. While faster than coding from scratch, you typically need Appian developers or have to train people in Appian to build Appian apps.

5. UiPath

UiPath is slightly different from the others on this list. It started primarily as an RPA (Robotic Process Automation) platform but now offers a broader end-to-end automation platform that includes a low-code app builder (called UiPath Apps) and workflow orchestrator. It is ideal if your use case leans heavily towards automating processes and integrating old systems.

Key features

• UiPath Studio: Visually design robotic workflows to automate tasks across applications.
• UiPath Apps: Create UI dashboards and forms to trigger robots or display data.
• UiPath Orchestrator: Schedule, deploy, and manage automations and robots.
• Process Mining: Discover and analyze existing processes.

Ideal users

✅ Companies pursuing a hyper-automation strategy and want to automate as many manual processes as possible.

✅ IT automation centers of excellence, business analysts, and operations staff that need to automate back-office processes and provide simple interfaces for interaction.

Pricing

UiPath offers a Community Edition which is free for non-commercial. The pro plan starts at $420/month for 1 automation developer and the enterprise pricing is custom. 

Verdict

Choose UiPath if your app needs are tightly coupled with the automation of other software. If you need to develop a large application with lots of screens and complex business logic, UiPath Apps is not there yet compared to OutSystems or other platforms in this list.

6. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is part of the broader Zoho ecosystem. It is designed to let you build business applications with minimal coding, often using drag-and-drop interfaces and a user-friendly scripting language called Deluge. 

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Unlike OutSystems, which caters to high-end enterprise needs, Zoho Creator is perfect for smaller teams or departments needing to quickly spin up custom solutions that integrate with Zoho services.

Key features

• Visual builder for forms and reports: Design forms by dragging fields and let Zoho handle the database structure.
• Built-in workflow engine: Specify actions on form submissions or schedule routines. For custom logic and calculations, use its proprietary scripting language.
• Payment gateway support: Useful for building order management apps.
• Multi-platform support: Design your app once and deploy it as a web app or native mobile app for iOS/Android with one click.

Ideal users

✅ Business users and developers in small/medium businesses or teams that already use Zoho products (CRM, etc.) and want to extend them.

✅ Individuals needing to solve problems like tracking orders or building inventory apps.

Pricing

Zoho Creator is relatively affordable. It operates on a per-user per-month model, with pricing starting at $12 per user per month. 

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It has three pricing tiers — a Standard, a Professional, and an enterprise tier. Each tier has different levels of records and feature access. Importantly, Zoho offers a free trial for very basic use (1 app, a single user, and a small number of records).

Verdict

Zoho Creator’s features cover most needs for basic CRUD apps, reports, and simple automations. It may not have advanced process modeling like Appian or the deep customization of Superblocks, but it has just enough for a wide range of internal applications.

7. Kissflow

Originally a workflow tool on Google Apps, Kissflow has expanded into a platform that offers application development, case management, project boards, and more. It empowers business users to build workflows and basic applications without coding. It's ideal for automating forms, approvals, and even certain project management tasks.

Key features

• Visual form and workflow designer: Create forms through drag-and-drop, and design workflows that route these form submissions through various steps (approvals, tasks, notifications) using a flowchart-style interface
• AI-driven features: Incorporates AI-driven features and an engine for decision rules (if-this-then-that style conditions).
• Boards and case management: Offers Boards (similar to a Kanban board for tracking tasks or cases), and case management features for handling unstructured processes.
• 400+ Integrations: Has built-in integrations and APIs to popular apps.

Ideal users

✅ Business managers, operations teams, and IT leads in companies that want to enable citizen development for workflow-centric applications

✅ Organizations transitioning from paper/email-based processes to digital forms.

Pricing

Kissflow’s pricing has a basic plan of $1,500 per month (which includes up to 50 users, as an entry point)​. The Enterprise plan is custom-priced (depending on a number of users and any add-on needs).

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There is usually a free trial available but only after Kissflow verifies they’re a good fit for your business.

Verdict

If you found OutSystems too complex or overkill for a simple approval workflow, Kissflow is a good alternative. It’s a more guided environment: you pick a template (they have lots of templates for things like purchase requests, employee onboarding, etc.), you customize the fields and approvers, and off you go.

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However, if you require full custom applications beyond forms and simple data tracking, it might be limiting. 

8. Creatio

Creatio positions itself as ideal for businesses seeking a 360° view of customers plus the ability to automate workflows around that. It comes with ready-made CRM modules (for sales, marketing, and service) that you can use or customize, as well as a powerful process automation engine.

Key features

• Studio no-code designer: Create data models, design UI pages, and define business processes with BPMN diagrams.
• Freedom UI: Flexible UI designer for page and dashboard layouts.
• Pre-built applications: Provides pre-built sales, marketing, and service apps which are full-fledged CRM and service desk modules. You can use them as-is or tweak them heavily to fit your needs
• Integration support: Has an integrated API and data integration layer for connecting to third-party systems. It also has a marketplace of connectors and templates

Ideal users

✅ Mid to large enterprises that want to automate their customer-facing processes.

✅ Companies needing CRM capabilities and case management in one platform

Pricing

Creatio uses a composable pricing approach. You have to select a platform plan (which ranges between $25 and $85 per user per month) then add the product you want (e.g. sales, marketing, service), the user types, and the support plan you need to get the total cost of your plan. 

Verdict

If your vision is a unified platform where you can manage customer data, automate processes, and build custom apps all in one, Creatio should be on your shortlist. If you already have a CRM you love, or you just want a pure app dev environment with no predefined schema, then it might not be right for you.

9. Appsmith

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tooling quickly. Unlike OutSystems which is proprietary and costs a lot, Appsmith can be downloaded and run for free (or you can use their cloud service)​.

Key features

• Drag and drop UI builder: Assemble widgets like tables, forms, charts, text inputs, etc., on a canvas to create your UIs.
• Pre-built integrations: Connects to various data sources including databases (PostgreSQL, Mongo, etc.), REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, and even SaaS services.
• JavaScript support: Write JavaScript code within Appsmith to transform data, handle user actions, or chain requests basically, any custom logic.
• Multiple deployment options: They have both a cloud-hosted version (with a free tier and paid plans) and the ability to self-host.

Ideal users

✅ Developers or technical teams who need to build internal applications quickly

✅ Companies with strict security requirements that want to audit the code, run it in-house, and not worry about vendor lock-in or data leaving their environment.

Pricing

The Community Edition is free and you can use it indefinitely with unlimited users and apps​. The hosted version has a free tier as well for up to 5 users. Their business plan costs $15/user/month​ but doesn’t support cloud hosting. The enterprise costs $2500/month for 100 users with an optional add-on for managed hosting. 

Verdict

Appsmith is a top OutSystems alternative for organizations that prioritize open-source software. However, you will be responsible for managing your tooling infrastructure and covering the costs to scale it (unlike Superblocks’ hybrid model). 

10. Salesforce Lightning Platform 

The Salesforce Lightning Platform is Salesforce’s low-code offering. If your organization uses Salesforce for CRM, Service Cloud, etc., Lightning allows you to build custom apps and extensions on the same platform where your data already lives. 

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Even if you're not a Salesforce CRM customer, Lightning can be used as a general app platform, but it truly shines when used in tandem with Salesforce’s products. 

Key features

• App builder: Point-and-click app builder for creating data models and designing user interfaces.
• Lightning components: Drag-and-drop pre-built components for page layouts.
• Salesforce flow: Automate workflows, approvals, and screen flows with no code.
• Apex programming language: Create custom logic and UI components for developers with code.
• API Connectivity: Every custom object you create automatically gets a REST and SOAP API

Ideal users

✅ Enterprises already invested in the Salesforce ecosystem.

✅ Orgs that want to quickly deliver internal apps by leveraging the skills of Salesforce admins.

Pricing

Salesforce Lightning is typically licensed on a per-user basis. The starter price is $25 per user per month (billed annually) for the platform starter plan. There are higher tiers if you need more storage or more advanced features. 

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There is no free tier for production, but Salesforce does offer free developer orgs (with limited data and users) so you can develop and test without cost.

Verdict

Salesforce Lightning Platform is a good OutSystems alternative for those in the Salesforce ecosystem. It has a massive community and support network. Salesforce skills are common in the market, so hiring help is easier.

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The downside is potential lock-in and cost. Once you build on Salesforce, moving off isn’t trivial. Though you can integrate anywhere, the app itself lives in Salesforce. 

11. Bubble

Bubble is a leading no-code platform for building web applications without programming. It is an all-in-one application builder that covers the frontend, backend, and database, with a focus on web apps. It has been used to build everything from prototypes to SaaS products and marketplaces. 

Key features

• Visual Editor: Design web pages and UI with pixel-precise control. It handles responsive design, so your app works on different screen sizes. 
• Workflow Editor: Configure logic with dropdowns and forms, no code required.
• Built-in Database: Define data types (like User, Task, Project, etc.) and fields within the UI.
• User management: Out-of-the-box login/signup functionality.
• Plugin System: Add features or integrate with external APIs using official or community plugins.

Ideal users

✅ Startups, small businesses, and individual makers building web apps.

✅ Hackathons and innovation teams within larger companies that want to prototype solutions quickly

Pricing

Bubble offers a free tier for learning how to use it. The app is in Bubble’s domain and has some limitations in functionality and performance.

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Paid plans start at $29/month (Starter plan) which is best for launching your app and testing then a Growth plan for more functionality, and a Team plan for scaling your business.

Verdict

Bubble is a fantastic alternative to OutSystems for quickly building web apps without a development team. Its strong community and rich plugin ecosystem mean you can achieve a lot purely via configuration. For developers who prefer a more code-based approach, it can feel limiting 

12. Ninox

Ninox is a low-code database application builder, akin to a modern Microsoft Access or FileMaker in the cloud. Essentially, it combines a user-friendly database with a form builder and basic automation, which covers a lot of typical business app needs​.

Features

• Visual table and field definition: Create database structures visually then create forms and views to interact with that data, all through a drag-and-drop editor
• Formula and scripting language: Create computed fields, validation rules, and automation.
• Templates: Pre-built templates for common use cases (CRM, project management, etc.), so you’re not starting from a blank slate unless you want to.
• Collaboration tools: multiple team members can use the app simultaneously, and you can set access permissions per user or role.

Ideal users

✅ Small-to-medium businesses, or individual departments in larger companies, that need custom data tracking solutions.

✅ Consultants and freelancers building custom solutions for clients.

Pricing

Ninox users a per-user pricing starting at $12 per user per month for the basic cloud plan​. They also have an on-premises version (with a one-time license fee) for those who want to self-host. There’s a free trial for 30 days but no permanent free tier for cloud beyond that trial.

Verdict

Ninox is a great OutSystems alternative for straightforward database-driven applications. However, while the Ninox scripting language is simpler than, say, Java or C#, it is still a scripting language. Some non-technical users might find it challenging.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to OutSystems?

If you’re looking for a free option, Appsmith is one of the best choices. It’s open-source and free to self-host, making it a cost-effective alternative for teams on a budget.

Which OutSystems competitor is best for enterprises?

For enterprises, Superblocks, Appian, and Mendix are among the strongest OutSystems alternatives.

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But out of these three options, Superblocks is the easiest to use and customize. It doesn’t require learning proprietary languages or hiring specialized developers. With enterprise-grade features like RBAC, audit logs, SSO, monitoring, and observability, it’s a great fit for large-scale, secure applications.

Can I migrate applications from OutSystems to another platform?

OutSystems uses its own modeling and proprietary code under the hood. There isn’t an automatic one-click migration tool to, say, export an OutSystems app and import it into another platform. In most cases, you will need to rebuild the application in the new platform

Are OutSystems alternatives good for mobile app development?

Many OutSystems alternatives support mobile app development though capabilities vary. Mendix and Salesforce Lightning both have strong mobile support (offline capabilities, native packaging, etc.)​. Zoho Creator allows building native mobile apps for iOS and Android automatically from your design. 

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Even Bubble, while primarily web-focused, can produce responsive web apps that you can wrap into mobile apps or use as Progressive Web Apps.

What’s the best OutSystems alternative for workflow automation?

If your workflows involve strict BPMN-style processes, Appian is a strong choice, but it's very expensive and usually needs specialized developers. If you want a simple, easy-to-use approval or task automation system, Kissflow is best. Or if your team is developer-heavy and wants coding flexibility alongside drag and drop automation, Superblocks is the best alternative.

Choose a flexible and secure low-code platform with zero lock-in

Each alternative we’ve discussed brings something unique to the table. But these solutions can often feel like they push you into one of two extremes — either rigid platforms that limit developer flexibility or heavyweight enterprise solutions that come with high costs, complexity, and long-term lock-in.

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Superblocks provide a more balanced approach by:

• Providing full-code extensibility: Superblocks supports both frontend and backend development with JavaScript, React, Node.js, and Python. You’re never locked into a rigid low-code framework. 
• Providing AI-assisted and visual development: Drag and drop UI components from a selection of 100 pre-built components, use our ready-to-use UI templates, or import custom React components to match your exact design needs. 
• Giving you long-term ownership of your apps: Each Superblocks app you create is essentially a React app. You can export it and host it outside the platform.
• Leveraging AI to accelerate development: Use Clark AI to generate full applications, refine them visually, and extend with code.
• Simplifying integrations with 50+ native integrations: Instead of writing extensive API wrappers, use the pre-built connectors for databases, cloud storage, and SaaS tools.
• Fitting into your existing dev workflows: Integrates with Git and CI/CD pipelines and supports automated testing. You can deploy and iterate just like you would in your dev environment.
• Centralizing governance and access control: Easily define who can create, edit, and execute workflows with role-based access control (RBAC) without having to build it out yourself.

If you’re looking for a scalable, secure, and customizable low-code platform that doesn’t box you in, Superblocks is the best choice. Take a look at our Quickstart guide, or better yet try Superblocks for free to see it in practice.