Low-code development platforms are transforming the application development landscape. It enables organizations to innovate rapidly while addressing the growing demand for digital solutions. 

As Forrester Wave report insights highlighted, these platforms reshape how applications are built and influence organizational strategies and technological advancements. 

In this blog, we highlight the key findings from the Forrester low-code development report, the evolving market landscape, and the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing low-code development.

According to the Forrester low code platforms report, the low-code market is expected to experience significant growth in the next five years, driven by several key factors. Forrester predicts a sustained growth rate of 21% annually, with the market reaching approximately $50 billion by 2028.

Reasons for growth:

• Institutionalization in IT 

According to the Forrester low code platforms report, the widespread adoption of low-code platforms within IT departments is a major driver. 87% of enterprise developers use low-code platforms for some of their development work, indicating a strong foundation for future growth.

• Citizen development 

Another crucial factor mentioned in the Forrester low code development platform report is the democratization of development, which helps non-IT workers build applications. As citizen developer strategies mature, this trend is expected to continue, fueling the growth of the low-code market.

• Economic pressures 

The Forrester low-code development report also mentioned that in a slowing economy, low-code platforms offer cost-effective solutions for businesses. They allow them to develop and deploy applications quickly without extensive developer involvement, making them attractive for companies looking to streamline processes and reduce costs.

• Technological advancements 

Forrester’s low code reports also mention that integrating AI and other technologies into low-code platforms further enhances their appeal by enabling more sophisticated application development and automation. 

Here are some other insights apart from the Forrester low code platforms development report, from recent industry events related to the growing demand for low-code platforms:

• No-Code Week 2025: 

It highlighted the rapid adoption of no-code and low-code technologies. Moreover, emphasized their role in accelerating digital transformation and empowering citizen developers to build applications.

• PegaWorld 2025: 

Focused on digital transformation, PegaWorld showcased AI-powered software solutions that integrate with low-code platforms. This event underscored the importance of automation and AI in enhancing business processes and customer engagement.

• Gartner Application Innovation & Business Solutions Summit 2025: 

This summit explored strategies for optimizing business outcomes through application innovation and cloud solutions. It emphasized the role of low-code platforms in streamlining development processes and improving IT efficiency.

Also, read our blog on “Top no-code builders of 2025, and Top low-code internal builders of 2025”. 

Key players in this space are continuously innovating to meet diverse enterprise needs. 

For example, platforms like OutSystems and Mendix have been recognized for their rapid application development tools. 

OutSystems leads the market with its extensive community marketplace and AI integrations, while Mendix was identified as Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ Leader for 2024.

AI is having a radical effect on the low-code landscape. 

• The U.S. low-code development platform market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.20% from 2025 to 2033, reaching $5.16 billion by 2033. The integration of AI and machine learning drives this growth. 
• In the U.S., 41% of businesses have active citizen development initiatives, and 20% of those without such initiatives plan to start them. AI-assisted low-code platforms are crucial in empowering non-technical users to build applications. 

Also, read our blog on “Building generative AI-powered apps: a hands-on guide for developers.” 

According to Forrester,  87% of enterprise developers use low-code development platforms to develop applications. 

Three key factors drive the strategy:

• This reduces the strain on IT resources.
• Improving speed to market. 
• Promoting better business involvement in digital development.

100% of enterprises say they’re getting ROI from their low-code adoption, which means that a well-thought-out low-code strategy can help power enterprise digital transformation with the minimum required security, scalability, and reliability.

Curious which low-code platforms are leading the pack in 2025? Discover our latest blog’s top 10 low-code internal tool buildersreshaping how teams build software.

OutSystems continues to lead the low-code development landscape and is recognized for its robust capabilities in rapid enterprise app development.  

As the only leader in the Forrester Wave focused solely on low-code and rapid development, OutSystems emphasizes innovation with early investments in AI assistance and a comprehensive roadmap. 

Its extensive community marketplace, featuring over 5,000 add-ons, enhances its offering, although its users have noted a bias towards mobile development. Despite its strengths, the platform’s focus on professional developers may limit its appeal to a broader audience.

Mendix has established itself as a front-runner in the low-code industry, particularly after being selected as Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader. 

The platform boasts numerous best-in-class features and significant partnerships with AWS and SAP. While Mendix’s history of innovation is commendable, there are concerns regarding its vague roadmap and the retirement of its integrated Studio citizen developer IDE, which may hinder its competitiveness in citizen development. 

Nevertheless, Mendix excels in data modeling and management tools, agile management features, and version control capabilities. Its runtime certification on various Kubernetes distributions positions it uniquely among Forrester Wave Leaders, making it an excellent choice for professional development teams, especially within industrial sectors.

Appian stands out as a well-rounded low-code platform with no significant functional weaknesses. Renowned for its superior automation capabilities, Appian has evolved into a practical toolset for enterprise application development. 

The platform’s strategic vision focuses on delivering faster time to value and includes a sensible roadmap backed by timely releases. Although finding Appian developers can be challenging due to market demand, the platform remains a strong option for organizations seeking a balanced enterprise app development solution.

Oracle APEX caters specifically to SQL enthusiasts. It evolved from a free tool tied to the Oracle database to a standalone, low-code product with an attractive pricing model. 

Despite its strong security certifications and practical app management tools, APEX faces criticism for its limited innovation and reliance on SQL for development tasks. Users have reported challenges with UI development complexity and the absence of version control features. 

Due to these limitations, APEX does not meet the broader needs of low-code users. However, it remains suitable for organizations with existing SQL expertise looking for a straightforward and scalable solution.

With digital transformation becoming increasingly the norm for organizations, many look for flexible and customizable solutions that meet their needs. 

G2 recognized ToolJet as a “High Performer” with a rating of 4.8/5 in low-code development platforms and rapid application development categories. It is an enterprise grade low code platform that helps organizations build custom internal tools quickly.

ToolJet is an enterprise grade low code platform low-code framework designed to build and deploy custom internal tools with minimal engineering effort. It allows users to connect to various data sources such as databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.), API endpoints, SaaS tools (Airtable, Google Sheets, etc.), and cloud storage services (AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, etc.). 

ToolJet’s drag-and-drop frontend builder enables the creation of complex, responsive frontends within minutes. It supports features like multiplayer editing, custom JavaScript and Python code execution, and granular access control.

ToolJet is particularly beneficial for companies in niche industries or those with unique business models, as it provides the flexibility to design applications exactly as needed. It also integrates AI capabilities to enhance application development, allowing users to build more intelligent and custom applications. 

Check out ToolJet 3.0, our latest release, which brings several new features to ToolJet.

Important links

• Community: https://www.tooljet.com/slack
• GitHub: https://github.com/ToolJet/ToolJet
• Docs: https://docs.tooljet.com/docs/