"Would it be cheaper to develop something using no-code?" "Is full-scratch development too expensive?"
I'm sure many of you have questions like this.
In this article,A professional explanation of the cost differences between no-code and full-scratch developmentI will.
Sorting out the advantages and disadvantages,Which one is suitable for your purpose?You will be able to judge.
We will provide a comprehensive explanation of not only cost, but also development speed, maintainability, and scalability.
Cost comparison of no-code vs. full-scratch
Conclusion: No-code is cheaper up front, but the difference becomes clear in the long term
No-code is available for as little as a few thousand yen per month, but there are limitations to its scalability and uniqueness.
On the other hand, full scratch may have high initial costs,It offers excellent future flexibility and maintainability.
Comparison table (Japanese Yen)
| item | No Code | Full Scratch |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 0 - 50,000 yen | 300,000 yen to 3 million yen or more |
| Monthly cost | 1,000 yen to 10,000 yen | Almost none (server fees, etc.) |
| Development Speed | 1 day to 1 week | 1 to 6 months |
| Customizability | limited | High degree of freedom |
| Safety features | Platform Dependencies | Custom design possible |
Public data reference
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Information and Communications White Paper" states that by building a cloud-based system,Small and medium-sized enterprises reduce implementation costs by an average of 60%There have been reported cases where this has been done.
Source: https://www.soumu.go.jp/johotsusintokei/whitepaper/
The benefits and limitations of no-code
Conclusion: Ideal for getting started quickly and cheaply, but not suitable for long-term operation
Key benefits
- Reduced initial costs
- No programming required
- Easy to fix
- Good for MVPs
Main disadvantages
- Low customizability
- Limited expansion and integration
- Difficult to implement unique logic
- Monthly fees can become expensive
The pros and cons of full scratch
Conclusion: It's costly, but it's highly scalable and unique.
merit
- You can freely create complex logic
- Flexible integration with other systems
- Easily meet security requirements
- Strong in service expansion
Disadvantages
- High initial development costs
- Technical knowledge required
- Development time tends to be long
Cost optimization guide for each development purpose
Conclusion: It is best to use them according to your purpose.
Recommendations by purpose
- Prototypes and in-house tools: No-code
- Customer service: Full scratch
- Business with a promising future: Full scratch recommended
- Short-term projects and events: No-code is advantageous
Common misconceptions and points to note
- No-code does not mean "free" (monthly fee required)
- Full scratch = not "all-purpose" (operational costs are high)
- Using both together is also an option (no code → full scratch when scaling)
Summary: Make your choice based on cost and future prospects
- No-code is for people who just want to try things out
- Full scratch is ideal for "services that you are serious about expanding"
Choosing the best method based on your purpose and budget is the first step to successful app development.
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