"Is coding dead?" It's a provocative question that keeps popping up, especially as no-code and low-code platforms explode onto the tech scene. These platforms allow users to build applications through easy-to-use graphical interfaces and pre-built components—often without writing a single line of traditional code. By 2025, experts predict that a whopping 70% of new business applications will be developed using low-code or no-code technologies.
But why the surge in popularity? The simple answer: speed and simplicity. Companies love low-code tools because they can reduce development time by up to 90%. Instead of waiting for overstretched IT departments to deliver essential internal apps, business users can quickly craft solutions themselves.
Low-code and no-code tools are a way to mitigate talent shortages because they allow companies to build software systems without the need for large teams of developers. — Amitha Pulijala, VP of Product at Vonage
In fact, 84% of businesses are already adopting these tools to cope with the ongoing developer shortfall.
No-Code Isn't Replacing Developers—It's Redefining Their Role
So, does the rise of no-code and low-code mean software engineers are becoming obsolete?
Not exactly. Instead, no-code platforms are empowering "citizen developers"—business analysts, marketers, and other domain experts—to build everyday tools and apps that don’t require custom engineering. A simple form to track PTO requests? No need to tap a senior engineer.
That’s not to say engineers are out of the picture. Quite the opposite. These tools free up developers to focus on complex, mission-critical work—like building scalable infrastructures, writing secure integrations, and solving novel product challenges.
The Limits of No-Code
Of course, low-code isn’t a silver bullet. Large-scale platforms, complex systems, and bleeding-edge software still require custom-built solutions and deep technical expertise.
Behind every no-code interface is a well-architected framework designed by developers. Even the best drag-and-drop builders need someone who understands data structures, backend logic, performance optimization, and security.
In practice, low-code and no-code tools handle the "last mile"—the small, frequent internal tools—while engineers build and maintain the systems they run on.
"Good developers are more indispensable than ever—their expertise is still in huge demand, even if low-code handles the simpler tasks." — Kissflow Industry Report
Why This Is Actually Good News
Rather than being replaced, engineers are being repositioned. Low-code removes the boring stuff: form validation, CRUD dashboards, endless internal tools. That means more time for building scalable systems, launching innovative features, and solving real customer problems.
Think of it like this: when calculators became common, mathematicians didn’t disappear. They just stopped doing long division by hand.
This is your cue to lean into the shift:
- Partner with non-technical teams to support their no-code efforts
- Use no-code for rapid prototyping and MVP testing
- Focus on problems no visual builder can solve
The more we offload routine work to automation, the more room we make for meaningful, creative engineering.
Final Thoughts
No-code and low-code are changing how we build software—but they’re not replacing software engineers. They’re extending what’s possible, who gets to build, and how fast teams can move.
Coding isn’t dead. It’s evolving.
Let’s evolve with it.
Sources
- Kissflow. “Low-Code and No-Code: The Future of Application Development”
- Gartner. “Forecasts Worldwide Low-Code Development Technologies Market to Grow 20% in 2023”
- Forrester. “The Forrester Wave™: Low-Code Development Platforms for Professional Developers, Q2 2021”
- Pulijala, A. (VP of Product at Vonage), as quoted in Kissflow’s article on low-code trends