OutSystems vs Thunkable
OutSystems and Thunkable are both popular platforms in the low-code development space, but they serve different audiences and use cases. OutSystems is designed for enterprise-level application development, offering powerful tools for building complex applications, while Thunkable focuses on enabling individuals and teams to create mobile applications quickly and easily, with a user-friendly interface. This comparison will explore their target audiences, ease of use, design capabilities, backend management, performance, integrations, and pricing.
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1. Target Audience and Use Cases
OutSystems:
- Enterprise Developers: Targeted at organizations needing to develop sophisticated enterprise applications.
- Business Applications: Suitable for creating internal tools, customer-facing applications, and enterprise-grade solutions requiring extensive business logic.
Thunkable:
- Non-Technical Users: Designed for individuals and small teams, including educators, students, and entrepreneurs, looking to create mobile applications without extensive programming knowledge.
- Prototyping and MVPs: Ideal for building prototypes or Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for mobile apps quickly.
Verdict: OutSystems is better for enterprises requiring complex applications, while Thunkable is ideal for users looking to create simple mobile apps quickly.
2. Ease of Use
OutSystems:
- Visual Development Interface: Offers a robust drag-and-drop interface, but it may have a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and capabilities.
- Requires Training: Users may need some training to effectively utilize its advanced functionalities.
Thunkable:
- User-Friendly Interface: Features a highly intuitive, block-based interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible to beginners.
- Quick Learning Curve: Users can quickly learn to create applications without prior technical knowledge.
Verdict: Thunkable is significantly easier to use and learn, making it suitable for those without a technical background.
3. Design and Customization
OutSystems:
- Comprehensive Design Tools: Provides a wide range of UI components, templates, and customization options for building complex applications.
- Responsive Design: Supports responsive design, enabling applications to function well on various devices.
Thunkable:
- Simple Design Options: Allows users to create visually appealing mobile apps with a limited set of design components.
- Customizability: While it offers customization, it is more constrained compared to OutSystems, focusing on simplicity.
Verdict: OutSystems offers more robust design capabilities for complex applications, while Thunkable is more suited for quick mobile app development with basic design needs.
4. Backend and Database Management
OutSystems:
- Powerful Backend Features: Includes built-in support for complex databases, user authentication, and business logic, allowing for sophisticated application development.
- Enterprise-Level Backend: Designed to handle complex backend requirements for enterprise applications.
Thunkable:
- Basic Backend Functionality: Primarily focuses on front-end development with limited backend capabilities, using third-party services for data management.
- Cloud Database Options: Offers integration with cloud databases like Firebase for data storage, but lacks the comprehensive backend management found in OutSystems.
Verdict: OutSystems excels in backend management, making it more suitable for applications requiring significant data handling and complexity.
5. Performance and Scalability
OutSystems:
- High Performance: Built to handle high loads and complex applications, making it suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
- Scalable Architecture: Designed to scale with the growing needs of an organization, capable of supporting large user bases and complex applications.
Thunkable:
- Good for Small to Medium Apps: Performs well for smaller mobile applications but may face challenges with performance and scalability for larger, more complex apps.
- Limited Scalability: Not designed for enterprise-level scalability, focusing instead on individual app projects.
Verdict: OutSystems is more suitable for scalable, enterprise-grade applications, while Thunkable is better for simpler mobile apps.
6. Integrations and Extensibility
OutSystems:
- Extensive Integration Options: Offers a wide range of integrations with third-party services and APIs, crucial for enterprise applications.
- Custom Code Support: Allows developers to add custom code for enhanced functionality and integrations.
Thunkable:
- Basic Integrations: Provides integrations with popular services, but options are more limited compared to OutSystems.
- Third-Party APIs: Users can connect to external APIs but may face limitations in handling complex integrations.
Verdict: OutSystems offers more extensive integration capabilities, while Thunkable has basic integrations suitable for smaller projects.
7. Pricing
OutSystems:
- Higher Pricing Structure: Generally more expensive, with pricing based on the number of applications, users, and cloud resources.
- Enterprise Licensing: Costs can be significant for large teams or enterprise-level deployments.
Thunkable:
- Affordable Plans: Offers a free plan with basic features, with paid plans starting at around $21 per month for individuals.
- Cost-Effective for Small Projects: Easier for individuals and small teams to budget for mobile app development.
Verdict: Thunkable is more accessible and affordable for small projects, while OutSystems requires a larger investment for enterprise capabilities.
Final Verdict
- Choose OutSystems if you are an enterprise or large organization needing to build complex, scalable applications with extensive backend capabilities and integrations.
- Choose Thunkable if you are an individual or small team looking for an easy-to-use tool to create mobile applications quickly without extensive programming knowledge.
In summary, OutSystems is ideal for enterprises focusing on robust, scalable application development, while Thunkable is perfect for users seeking a user-friendly platform for quick mobile app creation. Your choice should depend on your specific needs and the complexity of the applications you wish to build.
Pushing No-Code to Its Limits
Launching an app has never been more cost-effective and time-efficient. Platforms like Bubble.io and Flutter Flow have transformed the development landscape, enabling developers to create sophisticated applications rapidly.
Fast and Cost-Effective Launch
No-code platforms empower startups to launch their apps at lightning speed—often multiple times faster than traditional development—at a fraction of the cost. This agile approach helps startups focus on growth and innovation rather than high upfront development expenses.
Agile Iteration
For early-stage startups, quickly reaching a problem-solution fit is critical. No-code platforms allow rapid adaptation, letting you implement and push new features live in a matter of hours, not weeks. This flexibility means you can stay responsive to market needs and iterate on your product with ease.
Seamless Integration and Plugins
Platforms like Bubble.io and Flutter Flow come with built-in integrations and a wealth of plugins, giving you instant access to essential features and functionalities. Whether you're building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or scaling up, these platforms make it easy to connect with tools you need, from payments to analytics.
Version Control Made Simple
Launching new versions of your app has never been easier. No-code platforms provide flexible version control, enabling you to create save points, roll back to previous versions if needed, and experiment confidently
Geo George: Leading the No-Code Frontier
While no-code development can have limitations in performance and certain functionalities, Mayfly Ventures, led by CTO Geo George, is pushing past these boundaries. We specialise in building high-performance, highly scalable MVPs with advanced features, deep integrations, and native user experiences that feel polished and professional.
Geo has been at the forefront of low-code development, becoming one of the earliest adopters of Bubble.io in Australia. Over the past six years, he’s honed his expertise in low-code and no-code capabilities, training the Mayfly team to push these platforms to their full potential.
Geo
Startup mentor, product strategist, no-code wiz and PMF expert. Eclectic dance style.
MUCUDU: deep integrations and AI wrapped in low code
Mayfly collaborated with the MUCUDU team to build a low-code MVP for their hospitality tech platform, which includes loyalty management, peer-to-peer monetary gifting, and Tab functionality. Beyond the standard integrations with Stripe, Apple, and Google for login and payments, we incorporated advanced integrations with Point of Sale systems like Doshii and AI-driven recommendations that personalize the dining experience.
With Mayfly Ventures, you get the speed and cost benefits of no-code, combined with the performance and functionality typically reserved for full-stack development.
VOLI Case Study: No-Code in Action
Before working with Mayfly, VOLI’s founder Charlie Crozier had approached 12 different development agencies. As a non-technical founder, Charlie struggled to get his app built and ready for users, with quotes ranging from $300,000 to $1 million. These high costs placed immense pressure on early capital raising.
“When we met Mayfly, both our budget and timeline were completely reevaluated. We were able to go to market at a fraction of the cost and time we had expected—without compromising on quality.”
— Charlie Crozier, Founder
The Process:
Mayfly worked closely with VOLI through a series of workshops to deeply understand the product, its vision, and user needs. Leveraging no-code and low-code frameworks, we built an enterprise-grade app at a fraction of the cost quoted by other studios. Now in pilot testing, VOLI is preparing for release to 10 companies already on the waitlist.
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No-Code Tools We Love
We use state of the art low code tools and push them to the limit to create performant, scalable, highly functional mobile web apps.
Bubble.io
A powerful no-code platform that lets you build fully functional web applications with drag-and-drop ease. Its flexibility allows you to design, develop, and launch complex apps quickly, without writing a single line of code.
Flutterflow
A platform designed for building mobile apps using Google’s Flutter framework, Flutterflow simplifies the development process while offering extensive customization, making it a go-to tool for responsive, high-performance mobile applications.
Xano
A no-code backend platform that gives you the tools to manage your database, set up APIs, and create scalable back-end solutions, all without the need for server-side programming knowledge.
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