What Is Low-Code Automation? How It Works in 2026

Low-Code Automation is reshaping how businesses build software and automate workflows in 2025. 

In an era of hyperautomation and digital transformation, organizations face a shortage of skilled developers, resulting in traditional coding projects being slow and backlogged. 

Low-code automation solutions address this challenge by allowing teams to create applications and automate processes with minimal hand-coding, using visual drag-and-drop tools and pre-built components. 

This guide explores what low-code automation is, how it works, its key benefits, top use cases, and comparisons, such as low-code vs. no-code automation. 

It also covers leading low-code automation tools, challenges, and tips for choosing the right development partner. 

What is Low-Code Automation?

Low-code automation refers to the use of low-code development platforms to build automated workflows and applications with minimal coding. It enables both developers and tech-savvy business users to design processes using visual interfaces, configurable logic, and pre-built integrations, rather than writing lengthy code from scratch. 

In essence, low-code automation tools provide a framework to “draw” out business logic (such as form submissions, approvals, and data updates) and let the platform generate the underlying code. 

For example, a user can drag and drop workflow steps to automate an employee onboarding process or connect apps via an iPaaS connector without deep programming knowledge.

What are the Benefits of Low-Code Automation?

Low-code automation offers transformative benefits that solve both technical and business challenges, accelerating development, reducing costs, improving agility, and empowering teams to automate workflows more efficiently with intuitive, low-code automation tools.

• Faster Development and Time-to-Market: Low-code platforms can accelerate development by up to 90% by leveraging pre-built components and visual design tools. Projects that once took months can often be completed in days or weeks.
   
• Reduced Costs and Higher ROI: By minimizing hand-coding, organizations can deliver more with smaller teams, resulting in significantly lower development costs and a higher return on investment (ROI). Adopting low-code can save up to 70% in development costs versus traditional methods.
   
• Empowers Citizen Developers & Collaboration: Low-code automation breaks down the wall between business and IT. In fact, nearly 60% of custom apps are now built outside of IT, and by 2025, half of all new low-code customers are expected to be business users.
   
• Increased Productivity and Efficiency: Automating processes with low-code frees employees from tedious manual tasks. Teams can handle larger workloads with the same resources, a 12% increase in workforce capacity after scaling automation efforts.
   
• Flexibility and Easy Maintenance: Low-code platforms handle many technical complexities (such as cross-platform support, security, and integrations), resulting in solutions that are easier to update and maintain.
   
• Integration and Scalability: Modern low-code automation solutions come with rich integration capabilities (often called iPaaS features). This makes it easier to build end-to-end processes that span multiple systems. 
   
• Better Compliance and Lower Risk: Low-code automation can improve compliance by standardizing processes and providing audit trails. Platforms often include role-based access controls, data validation rules, and monitoring dashboards out of the box. 

By delivering speed, cost savings, empowerment, and agility, low-code automation is helping companies both large and small accelerate their digital transformation in 2025. 

As one example of its impact, Relinns notes that projects can launch 60% faster using low-code compared to traditional methods, illustrating the dramatic efficiency gains possible with this approach.

What are the top Use Cases of Low-code Automation?

Low-code automation can be applied to any repetitive process, data flow, or multi-step workflow. In 2025, organizations are discovering numerous low-code examples across various departments. 

Here, we highlight some of the top use cases, demonstrating how low-code automation streamlines work in key areas.

A. Compliance & Risk Management Use Case (Relinns): Insurer accelerates claims with the Joget policy platform

Problem: Fragmented policy lifecycle; manual claims and renewals caused costly delays. Documentation inaccuracies and audit readiness issues increased regulatory risk exposure. Disparate teams and systems duplicated data, resulting in missed SLA commitments. Customer trust eroded when decisions lagged and records weren’t consistently reliable.

Solution: Relinns built a Joget Low-Code Automation policy-management platform with SLA routing. Automated document generation, validation, and role-based dashboards improved oversight. APIs integrated CRMs and payment gateways for true end-to-end workflows. Audit trails, encryption, and high-availability design strengthened the compliance posture.

Results

• Claims processing time was reduced by 90%, resulting in accelerated approvals and settlements.
• Managed 75,000 policies centrally, improving lifecycle visibility and control.
• Processed 28,000 claims with automated routing and validation checks
• Achieved 92% document accuracy through standardized templates and validation.
• Maintained 99.5% uptime, supporting audit-ready compliance reporting.

See more here: Relinns—Joget Policy Management case study.

B. Supply Chain Management Use Case (Relinns): Logistics provider boosts throughput with Joget SCM

Problem: Carrier tools were fragmented; teams lacked a unified tracking dashboard. Manual scheduling and dispatching slowed routes, increasing late deliveries and costs. Weak third-party integrations limited real-time visibility and KPI accountability. Scaling volumes degraded performance; agents lacked exception alerts and alignment.

Solution: Relinns delivered a Joget Low-Code Automation SCM platform for live coordination. GPS feeds and AI route optimization ran on top of auto-scaling infrastructure. Role-based dashboards unified dispatch, tracking, analytics, and SLA monitoring. Proactive exception alerts enabled rapid reassignment before deliveries slipped.

Results

• Shipment processing became 54% faster with the use of automated route intelligence.
• On-time delivery accuracy reached 95% across international logistics operations.
• SLA breaches were reduced by 20% through the use of proactive exception alerts and reassignment.
• Dispatcher dashboard usage increased 3 times, driving faster decisions and improved coordination.
• Agent downtime dropped 28% with unified, role-based operational dashboards.

See more here: Relinns—Joget SCM case study. 

C. Customer Onboarding Use Case: Leading Middle Eastern Bank modernizes KYC with Appian

Problem: Manual, branch-centric onboarding created fragmented journeys, slow turnarounds, and errors. AML/KYC checks were inconsistent, exposing compliance gaps and avoidable rework cycles. Customers lacked access to digital self-service, leading to drop-offs and poor customer satisfaction. High operational overhead strained staff, who had to juggle paper files and emails.

Solution: Appian-based Low-Code Automation delivered rule-orchestrated onboarding and straight-through KYC. Digital forms enabled real-time uploads, verification, and automated risk classification steps. MuleSoft integrations synced external data sources; audit trails improved visibility. Modular low-code automation tools supported fast iterations and enterprise scaling.

Results

• KYC efficiency improved by fifty percent, reducing errors and manual rework.
• More onboarding is completed within one day, accelerating customer account activation.
• Branch workload decreased through digitized processing and centralized management.
• Rules ensured compliance while improving onboarding transparency globally.
• Low-code automation supports scalable rollouts and enables faster, iterative enhancements.

See more here: WNS × Appian customer onboarding case study.

D. HR Processes Use Case: Santander cuts employee onboarding time with Blue Prism

Problem: Large monthly hiring volumes; onboarding after hiring took six weeks per employee: multi-department, sequential tasks produced bottlenecks across HR, IT, and compliance. Manual account setups and checks slowed productivity for every new starter. The employee experience suffered as delays stalled access to tools and momentum in the first week.

Solution: Blue Prism’s low-code RPA orchestrated onboarding tasks with Low-Code Automation. Digital workers created accounts, triggered notifications, and executed regulatory checks on reusable components, standardized processes across sites, business units, and geographies. Low-code automation tools enabled governance, monitoring, reuse, and safe enterprise scaling.

Results

• Onboarding time dropped 85%, from six weeks.
• Employee NPS improved with faster onboarding experiences.
• Built 500 reusable objects, enabled 350 automations.
• Scaled automation beyond Argentina, activating 1,000 processes.
• Low-code automation tools standardized onboarding, improving governance.

See more here: Santander onboarding case study — SS&C Blue Prism.

These use cases barely scratch the surface of what is possible. Low-code examples span marketing campaign automation, finance and accounting (AP/AR processing), IT support workflows, and more.

Virtually any process that involves a defined series of steps or data flow can be a candidate for low-code automation. The beauty of low-code is that multiple use cases can be addressed on one platform, creating a unified automation strategy across the organization.

What is the difference between low-code vs. no-code automation?

“Low-code” and “no-code” are closely related approaches often mentioned together (as low-code/no-code automation), but there are essential differences between them.

Which to choose? 

It depends on the project’s requirements and the users involved. If business users need to be self-sufficient and the solution is relatively simple, a pure no-code tool might suffice. 

If the project is complex or likely to scale, a low-code platform (or a combination of low-code with some no-code components) is the safer bet to avoid hitting a wall when custom needs arise. 

Many organizations use a combination: no-code for quick wins and prototypes, low-code for mission-critical automations that require more robustness. 

Either way, both low-code and no-code are key enablers of automation solutions today, and together they form the Low Code/No Code Automation trend that’s transforming software development.

What are the key features of low-code automation platforms?

When evaluating low-code automation platforms, it’s essential to know the key features that enable their speed and power. Here are some of the most critical features to look for (and that virtually all leading platforms provide).

Drag-and-Drop Process Designer

• Low-code automation utilizes visual workflow builders extensively.
• Drag-and-drop elements connect tasks, decisions, and integrations seamlessly.
• Flowchart-style design clarifies complex process logic visually.

Visual Form and UI Builder

• The WYSIWYG App Builder enables the creation of forms and dashboards quickly.
• Drag-and-drop UI builds responsive web or mobile.
• Low-code automation platforms auto-generate markup and code.

Pre-built Integrations and Connectors

• Low-code automation tools provide extensive prebuilt connectors.
• Integrate CRM, ERP, databases, and email without coding.
• iPaaS capabilities seamlessly link APIs and legacy systems.

Business Rules Engine

• Declarative rules enable easy dynamic workflow decision-making.
• Spreadsheet-like editors let non-programmers manage policies directly.
• Update thresholds without recoding using Low-Code Automation.

User Management and Permissions

• Low-Code Automation includes built-in RBAC controls natively.
• Single sign-on integrates Azure AD and LDAP directories.
• Low-code automation tools enforce least-privilege compliance policies.

Collaboration and Version Control

• Low-Code Automation supports collaborative, parallel module development.
• Low-code automation tools provide Git-based collaborative versioning.
• History and rollback protect workflows from breakage.

Real-time Monitoring and Analytics

• Monitoring dashboards track workflow performance and health.
• Alerts and logs notify admins of failures.
• Low-code automation analytics highlight bottlenecks and areas for improvement.

Scalability and Reliability Features

• Low-Code Automation scales automatically with demand spikes.
• Load balancing and failover ensure high availability.
• Horizontal scaling supports mission-critical enterprise workflows reliably.

These key features (and more) make low-code platforms a game-changer. 

They significantly lower the skill required to build robust automations while also speeding up work for skilled developers. 

When evaluating low-code automation tools, businesses should compare these features and also consider factors like ease of use, vendor support, community, and pricing. 

The correct feature set ensures the platform can meet both current needs and future growth.

What are the challenges in low-code automation?

Despite its many benefits, low-code automation is not without challenges. As organizations adopt low-code and no-code tools, they often encounter the following issues.

Limited Customization & Technical Ceilings

• Low-Code Automation abstracts code, limiting deep customization.
• Specialized algorithms may exceed the capabilities of platform components.
• 39% report customization limits with low-code tools.
• 39% find it unsuitable for very advanced problems.
• Evaluate extensibility, plugins, or risk project roadblocks to ensure optimal project outcomes.

Integration with Legacy Systems

• Legacy systems often lack APIs, which complicates Low-Code Automation.
• Integrating proprietary platforms often requires the development of custom connectors.
• 42% cite legacy tech as an innovation barrier.
• 55% find low-code helpful for modernizing legacy systems.
• RPA bridges gaps, but also increases complexity and maintenance.

Governance and “App Sprawl”

• Low-Code Automation requires governance to avoid chaos.
• Citizen development can cause app sprawl risks.
• Without governance, low-code applications can create inconsistent and duplicated data.
• Shadow IT increases security vulnerabilities and exposes organizations to compliance risks.
• Establish policies, training, and center-of-excellence governance controls to ensure effective management and oversight.

Platform Complexity and Learning Curve

• Low-Code Automation can be complex at scale.
• 41% found implementation and maintenance more complicated.
• Business users struggle with abstract workflow logic.
• Untrained citizen developers create fragile, underperforming apps.
• Training, architecture, and phased pilots reduce the learning curve.

Performance and Scalability Limits

• Low-Code Automation may encounter performance bottlenecks.
• Generated apps may be less optimized overall.
• Licensing limits: workflow runs, API calls, and users.
• Sudden scaling increases costs and rate limits.
• Offload critical workloads to traditional code modules.

Vendor Lock-In and Continuity

• Low-code automation can create vendor lock-in risks.
• Migration between platforms is difficult and costly.
• Pricing hikes or stagnation increase strategic risk.
• Prefer open-source n8n; requires in-house expertise.
• Ensure data portability and support for standard-language extensions early.

Security and Compliance Concerns

• Low-code automation necessitates adherence to strict security best practices.
• Require reviews, encryption, and audit logs for compliance.
• Low-code automation tools must meet certification standards.
• Shadow IT escapes monitoring without governance controls.
• Train citizen developers; enforce role-based access policies.

Despite these challenges, companies are finding ways to succeed with low-code by establishing proper frameworks. 

For example, creating a “citizen development” policy and providing support to citizen developers can prevent many issues. 

Many low-code platforms now come with governance and monitoring tools to help IT keep an eye on things. 

What are the top low-code automation software?

With the surging popularity of low-code, numerous low-code automation tools are available on the market. Each has its strengths, and choosing one depends on your specific needs (enterprise complexity, budget, use cases).

Below is a comparison of some top low-code platforms and tools in 2025, including Relinns, a rising name in low-code solutions, alongside other established players.

As shown above, low-code automation software solutions range from enterprise platforms (such as Appian, Mendix, and OutSystems) to more specialized workflow tools (including Power Automate and Nintex), as well as open-source options (like N8N). 

Relinns stands out as a service-focused provider that can implement low-code solutions (particularly on Joget) for clients, effectively functioning as an expert partner rather than a software product by itself. This can be an excellent option for companies that prefer to outsource the development or need guidance in navigating low-code projects.

Suggested Reading: Joget DX vs N8N Automation Platform Key Differences

Choosing the right low-code development service partner for your automation project

Implementing low-code automation effectively often requires not just a platform, but also the right expertise. 

Many organizations choose to engage a low-code development service partner to ensure their automation projects are successful, especially if they lack in-house experience with these new tools. 

1. Look for Low-Code Expertise and Certifications

The ideal service partner should have proven experience with the specific low-code platforms relevant to your needs. 

Check if they are certified or recognized by the platform vendor (e.g., “Certified Mendix and Joget Partner” or “Microsoft Power Platform Partner”). 

For instance, Relinns is a certified expert in Joget and other low-code technologies, indicating they have deep know-how in implementing solutions on that platform. 

A partner who has completed many projects or has case studies in low-code automation will likely navigate challenges more efficiently.

2. Domain Knowledge and Use Case Alignment

Beyond technical skill, a good partner should understand your industry and the specific processes you want to automate. 

Low-code automation in healthcare may involve compliance with HIPAA and patient workflows, whereas in finance, it may focus on loan processing or fraud detection. 

A partner who has done similar projects in your domain can bring valuable insights and pre-built solution accelerators. They will be aware of common pitfalls and regulatory considerations. 

Evaluate whether the partner has experience in use cases similar to yours, such as automating HR processes, supply chain workflows, and customer onboarding. This alignment will expedite the project and result in a solution that truly aligns with your business context.

3. End-to-End Services

Automation projects often entail more than just building a workflow; they involve process analysis, solution design, development, integration, testing, deployment, and user training. A capable service partner should offer end-to-end support across this lifecycle. 

Relinns, for instance, advertises comprehensive services from low-code app design and development to integration and support. 

This means they can help analyze your current process, design an optimized automated workflow, implement it on the low-code platform, integrate with your existing systems, handle data migration if needed, and even maintain the solution post-launch. 

Choosing a partner that can handle all these phases ensures continuity (you’re not left in the lurch at any stage) and accountability for the overall success.

4. Focus on Collaboration and Training

The right partner will not just deliver an automation solution and disappear; they will work closely with your team and empower them. Look for a partner that emphasizes knowledge transfer, so your staff learn to use and even develop on the low-code platform. 

During the project, they should be collaborative, gathering feedback from your business users and adjusting the solution accordingly. After go-live, they might conduct training sessions for your employees or co-developers. 

This collaborative approach is essential because it leaves you more self-sufficient. You don’t want to be utterly dependent on an external party for every minor change. 

Partners who involve your team (perhaps following agile methodologies with joint squads) are preferable to those that work in synergy.

5. Check References and Results

As with any vendor selection, do due diligence. Request client references or look up reviews on platforms like Clutch or G2. Did the partner deliver on time and within budget? 

How was their communication? For example, a company might share that “using XYZ partner, we launched our app 50% faster than planned and saw immediate efficiency gains.” 

Relinns, in place of a product like Joget, might be mentioned in reviews for enabling rapid development of custom workflows. A strong track record, especially in delivering ROI through low-code automation, is a positive signal. You can also start with a small pilot project with the partner to gauge their performance before committing to a large project.

6. Evaluate Cultural Fit and Flexibility

Finally, consider how well the partner’s working style matches your culture. Automation projects involve changing how people work, so a partner with a consultative and patient approach can help with change management. 

If you prefer a fast-paced, lean approach, the partner should be able to adapt (e.g., doing quick sprints and iterations). 

Flexibility is key; sometimes requirements evolve once you see an automation in action. A good partner remains flexible to tweak the solution or scope as needed to meet your goals, rather than rigidly sticking to a contract. 

Essentially, you want a partner in the true sense, someone invested in your success with low-code automation, not just a vendor completing tasks.

By carefully selecting a service partner with the right expertise, experience, and approach, you set your low-code automation project up for success. 

Relinns is an example of a partner that embodies these qualities: with a strong low-code focus, a portfolio of successful projects, and a full-service offering, they can guide companies from concept to reality in their automation journey. 

Engaging such a partner provides not only a high-quality implementation but also mentorship in adopting the low-code mindset for future projects.

Low-Code Automation in 2025: From Pilot to Platform

Low-Code Automation is no longer a novelty; it is a dependable path to faster delivery, lower costs, and measurable business impact. Teams ship workflows and apps in weeks, not months, using visual builders and low-code automation tools. 

The winners treat it as a platform, not a one-off governing citizen development, securing data, and scaling integrations across the stack. Mature Low-code automation solutions blend APIs, RPA, and analytics, turning fragmented tasks into end-to-end outcomes. 

The smart move now is to formalize your low-code/no-code automation roadmap: pick priority use cases, define KPIs, and enforce guardrails for security and quality.

Suppose you want expert guidance from day one, partner with Relinns. Our low-code specialists help you identify quick wins, architect for scale, and implement governed workflows that pass audits and wow users.

Why Choose Relinns?

• 90% of workflows need no coding, boosting development speed.
• 40% faster app deployment compared with top competitors.
• Workflow errors reduced by up to an impressive 75%.
• Compatible with 95% of enterprise collaboration and productivity tools.
• Workflow updates are deployed 60% faster using visual, no-code tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What are low-code application platforms used for?

Low-code application platforms are used to build apps, orchestrate workflows, integrate systems, and accelerate delivery. Low-Code Automation empowers teams with drag-and-drop designers, low-code automation tools, components, governance, and scalable deployments.

How can low-code automation save money and time?

Low-code automation saves money and time by shortening development, reducing maintenance, and reusing components. Low-code automation solutions streamline integrations, minimize errors, and enable rapid iterations within a low-code automation framework.

Is RPA low-code or no-code?

RPA can be low-code or no-code. Platforms offer recorders with scripting, aligning with Low-Code Automation. In low-code and no-code automation strategies, RPA complements APIs by automating tasks that are legacy and UI-driven.

Is Python a low-code?

No. Python is a general-purpose language, not a low-code language. It complements Low-Code Automation by powering microservices, scripts, connectors, and data pipelines, classic low-code examples where platforms often utilize Python for specialized logic.

Is Appium low-code?

Appium is code-first; tests are written in languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript. However, low-code automation BrowserStack layers provide recorders and generators, bringing Low-Code Automation convenience to Appium-style testing.