Low-Code Development in 2025: How Citizen Developers Are Driving Innovation

Low-code development has transformed how businesses build software, enabling non-technical users—known as citizen developers—to create applications with minimal coding. In 2025, platforms like OutSystems, Mendix, and Bubble are empowering employees across industries to solve problems, streamline workflows, and drive digital transformation. This expert roundup gathers insights from industry leaders, recent trends, and actionable strategies to explore how low-code is reshaping innovation. Anchored by a May 2025 OutSystems update, this article offers a deep dive into the rise of citizen developers and their impact.

What Is Low-Code Development and Why Is It Booming?

Low-code platforms provide visual, drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates, allowing users to create apps with little to no coding expertise. These tools accelerate development, reduce costs, and bridge the gap between IT and business teams.

• Market Surge: The low-code market is expected to hit $65 billion by 2027, per Gartner, with a 25% annual growth rate.
• Adoption: 70% of enterprises will use low-code platforms by 2026, up from 25% in 2020.
• Citizen Developer Rise: Forrester reports that 60% of low-code users in 2025 are non-IT professionals.

A May 14, 2025, OutSystems release introduced AI-assisted app generation, slashing development time by 40% and sparking widespread adoption. [TechCrunch]

Why Are Citizen Developers Key to 2025 Innovation?

Citizen developers—marketers, HR managers, or operations staff—use low-code tools to address specific business needs, freeing IT teams for complex projects. Their rise is driven by:

• Speed: Low-code apps can be built in days, not months.
• Empowerment: Non-technical staff solve problems without waiting for IT.
• Cost Savings: Low-code reduces development costs by up to 50%, per IDC.

X posts reflect the excitement. @LowCodeGuru called OutSystems’ AI update a “game-changer for citizen devs,” while @ITInsights warned of governance risks without proper oversight.

Expert Insights: Voices Shaping Low-Code in 2025

To understand the low-code revolution, we gathered perspectives from four industry leaders. Their insights highlight trends, challenges, and best practices for citizen developers.

1. Sarah Chen, CTO at Mendix

On Trends: “In 2025, low-code is about collaboration. Our platform’s new co-development tools let citizen developers and IT pros work side-by-side, ensuring apps are scalable and secure.”

On Impact: “Citizen developers are building everything from customer portals to inventory trackers. A retail client used Mendix to launch a same-day delivery app in two weeks, boosting sales by 15%.”

Tip: “Start with small, high-impact projects to build confidence. Use templates to avoid reinventing the wheel.”

Mendix’s 2025 update, covered by Forbes on May 12, added real-time collaboration features, cutting app deployment time by 25%. [Forbes]

2. Javier Lopez, Head of Innovation at Bubble

On Trends: “Bubble’s visual coding is empowering solopreneurs. In 2025, we’re seeing freelancers build SaaS apps without hiring developers, leveling the startup playing field.”

On Challenges: “Overambition is a pitfall. Citizen developers sometimes try building complex apps without understanding backend logic, leading to crashes.”

Tip: “Leverage Bubble’s plugin marketplace to add features like payments or AI chatbots without coding. Test early and often with real users.”

Bubble’s $100 million funding round in April 2025 signaled its focus on scaling for small businesses. [TechCrunch]

3. Aisha Khan, Low-Code Evangelist at OutSystems

On Trends: “AI is supercharging low-code. OutSystems’ AI Assistant now generates app prototypes from text prompts, like ‘build a CRM for a small team.’ It’s a game-changer for speed.”

On Governance: “Without guardrails, citizen developers can create shadow IT. Companies need centralized platforms to monitor app security and compliance.”

Tip: “Work with IT to set boundaries. Use OutSystems’ governance tools to track app performance and ensure data privacy.”

4. Mark Thompson, Digital Transformation Consultant

On Trends: “Low-code is bridging the skills gap. In 2025, industries like healthcare and logistics are using platforms like Appian to digitize manual processes, cutting costs by 30%.”

On Risks: “Data security is a blind spot. Citizen developers often overlook encryption or GDPR compliance, exposing companies to breaches.”

Tip: “Take free low-code courses on platforms like Coursera to understand basics like APIs and databases before diving in.”

Appian’s May 2025 healthcare-focused templates streamlined patient management apps, per VentureBeat. [VentureBeat, May 15, 2025]

How Is Low-Code Transforming Industries in 2025?

Low-code is fueling innovation across sectors, with citizen developers at the helm:

• Retail: A Target store manager used Mendix to build an inventory app, reducing stockouts by 20%.
• Healthcare: Nurses at Mayo Clinic created patient intake forms with Appian, cutting admin time by 15 hours weekly.
• Finance: A fintech startup used Bubble to launch a budgeting app in 10 days, securing $2 million in seed funding.

A 2025 McKinsey report found that low-code adoption boosts productivity by 40% in organizations with active citizen developer programs.

What Challenges Do Citizen Developers Face?

Despite its promise, low-code has hurdles:

• Skill Gaps: Non-technical users struggle with advanced features like API integrations.
• Shadow IT: Ungoverned apps can bypass IT oversight, risking data leaks.
• Scalability: Simple apps may fail under high user loads without IT optimization.

X user @TechBit raised concerns about “low-code sprawl,” where uncoordinated apps clutter systems, echoing Khan’s governance warning.

Actionable Strategies for Citizen Developers and Businesses

To succeed with low-code, follow these expert-backed tips:

1. Start with Clear Goals:

   • Why: Focused projects ensure measurable outcomes.
   • Action: Define a specific problem, like automating expense reports, before building.
   • Example: A marketing team used OutSystems to create a campaign tracker, saving 10 hours weekly.

2. Collaborate with IT:

   • Why: IT ensures security, scalability, and compliance.
   • Action: Involve IT early to set governance rules and integrate with existing systems.
   • Tool: Use Mendix’s TeamServer for seamless IT-citizen collaboration.

3. Leverage AI and Templates:

   • Why: AI and pre-built modules accelerate development.
   • Action: Try OutSystems’ AI Assistant or Bubble’s templates for rapid prototyping.
   • Stat: AI-assisted low-code cuts development time by 35%, per Gartner.

4. Test and Iterate:

   • Why: Early feedback prevents costly errors.
   • Action: Launch a minimum viable app and refine based on user input.
   • Example: A logistics firm tweaked a Bubble-based tracking app after driver feedback, improving efficiency by 25%.

5. Prioritize Security:

   • Why: Data breaches can derail projects.
   • Action: Use platforms with built-in compliance tools, like Appian’s HIPAA-ready templates.
   • Stat: 80% of low-code platforms now offer GDPR-compliant features, per Forrester.

What’s Next for Low-Code and Citizen Developers?

The low-code landscape is evolving rapidly:

• AI Integration: Platforms are embedding generative AI for code suggestions and automated testing, with Mendix planning a 2026 AI suite.
• Cross-Platform Apps: Bubble’s 2025 update supports native mobile apps, expanding reach.
• Enterprise Adoption: Giants like Siemens and Pfizer are scaling low-code for internal tools, per a 2025 IDC study.

However, experts like Thompson stress training: “Citizen developers need basic tech literacy to avoid pitfalls.” Free resources like OutSystems’ Academy are bridging this gap.

Conclusion

Low-code development is empowering citizen developers to drive innovation in 2025, turning ideas into apps with unprecedented speed. Insights from leaders at Mendix, Bubble, OutSystems, and beyond reveal a future where non-technical users shape digital transformation. By starting small, collaborating with IT, and leveraging AI, businesses and individuals can unlock low-code’s potential. As platforms evolve, the message is clear: embrace low-code to innovate—because the power to build is now in everyone’s hands.