When creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), choosing between a low-code platform and a custom solution built on something like Ruby on Rails can be challenging. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages that can significantly impact the project depending on the product’s needs and future potential. Below, we explore the key points of each approach based on a comparative analysis.
Low-code
Advantages:
- Initial speed: enables the rapid creation of a functional prototype, especially for simple CRUD projects.
- Ease of use: ideal for non-technical users, allowing basic customizations through clicks and configurations.
- Low initial cost: eliminates the need for a robust technical team at the beginning.
Disadvantages:
- Limitations for complex customizations: unique or innovative functionalities can be difficult to implement.
- Platform dependency: you are restricted by the tools, documentation, and support offered by the platform, which can be frustrating in specific situations.
- Manual maintenance: the lack of automated testing increases the risk of errors when adding or modifying features.
- Low scalability: transforming the product into something more robust, such as a SaaS solution, often requires rewriting everything from scratch.
Ruby on Rails
Advantages:
- Complete flexibility: allows the development of unique functionality, precisely meeting customized requirements.
- Support for changes and growth: features like version control, automated testing, and gems make code evolution and maintenance easier.
- Scalability and maturity: projects developed with Rails are ready for growth and long-term adaptation.
- Complete control: developers have access to all layers of the stack, enabling specific adjustments and refactoring when necessary.
Disadvantages:
- Longer initial time: it takes more time to create the initial prototype, especially compared to low-code.
- Requires technical expertise: not suitable for those without programming experience.
Embracing Change: A Reality of MVP Development
One of the most common challenges in MVP development is dealing with unexpected changes. It’s not uncommon for users to realize, after trying a quick prototype, that they forgot to request some essential features. As expected, adjustments and iterations become part of the process. Moreover, creative new ideas often emerge as users interact with the product, leading to unique requirements that weren’t initially considered.
Planning a project with certainty about the future is ideal, but for MVPs, such certainty is rare. When requirements evolve, the ability to adapt becomes critical. This is why having a development approach that provides future flexibility is so valuable. While low-code platforms excel at delivering quick results for well-defined scopes, custom frameworks like Ruby on Rails leave more options open for handling the unexpected.
Comparative Study by Project Phases
1. Initial prototype
- Low-code: extremely fast creation, with ready-to-use templates and simple customizations.
- Rails: takes more time due to initial development, but the product is built on a solid, scalable foundation.
2. Adding features
- Low-code: standard features are easy to implement, but customizations outside the scope can be challenging.
- Rails: all features require coding, but they offer total control and precise adjustments.
3. Unique or innovative functionality
- Low-code: creative solutions often require “workarounds” or hacks that compromise project maintainability.
- Rails: offers flexibility to build any functionality while keeping the code organized and well-tested.
4. Scalability
- Low-code: rarely supports increased complexity without a complete rewrite.
- Rails: the existing code is already production-ready and can be adapted to support multi-tenancy and other scalability needs.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose low-code if:
- The project is simple and unlikely to evolve or change in the future.
- You are not a programmer and need a quick, cost-effective solution.
- You are just looking to quickly test the viability of your idea.
Choose Ruby on Rails if:
- The project has potential for growth and requires continuous innovation.
- You or your team has programming experience and seeks total control over the product.