Low-Code No-Code Platforms in 2035: My Predictions as a Technology Futurist
Opening Summary
According to Gartner, by 2026, developers outside formal IT departments will account for at least 80% of the user base for low-code development tools, up from 60% in 2021. This statistic alone tells a powerful story about the democratization of technology creation that’s unfolding before our eyes. In my work with Fortune 500 companies and government organizations, I’ve witnessed firsthand how low-code no-code platforms are transforming from niche tools into enterprise-wide strategic assets. We’re moving beyond simple app development into a new era where business users can create sophisticated solutions that previously required specialized technical expertise. The current landscape is already impressive, with platforms enabling everything from workflow automation to complex business process management, but what I see coming in the next decade will fundamentally reshape how organizations approach digital transformation. The revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here, and the organizations that understand where this technology is headed will gain significant competitive advantages.
Main Content: Top Three Business Challenges
Challenge 1: The Governance and Security Dilemma
As low-code no-code platforms proliferate across organizations, one of the most significant challenges I’m observing is the governance and security gap. When business users across departments start creating applications without centralized oversight, organizations face unprecedented security risks and compliance challenges. As noted by Deloitte in their 2023 technology outlook, “The rapid adoption of citizen development creates new attack surfaces that many organizations are unprepared to manage.” In my consulting work, I’ve seen companies struggle with shadow IT created by well-intentioned employees building solutions that handle sensitive data without proper security protocols. The Harvard Business Review recently highlighted how one financial services company discovered over 200 unauthorized applications handling customer data, creating massive compliance issues. This challenge isn’t just about preventing security breaches—it’s about maintaining data integrity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing the lifecycle of applications created outside traditional IT governance structures.
Challenge 2: Integration Complexity and Technical Debt
The second major challenge organizations face is the integration nightmare that emerges when dozens or hundreds of low-code no-code applications need to work together with existing enterprise systems. According to McKinsey & Company, organizations using multiple low-code platforms report spending up to 40% of their IT budget on integration and maintenance of these solutions. In my experience working with manufacturing and healthcare organizations, I’ve seen how quickly technical debt accumulates when business units create point solutions that don’t communicate effectively with core systems. The World Economic Forum’s recent report on digital transformation notes that “the proliferation of disconnected digital solutions creates operational silos that can undermine digital transformation efforts.” This isn’t just a technical problem—it’s a strategic one that impacts operational efficiency, data consistency, and long-term digital strategy.
Challenge 3: Skills Gap and Change Management
Perhaps the most underestimated challenge is the human element—the skills gap and change management required to successfully implement low-code no-code strategies at scale. PwC’s 2024 Digital IQ survey reveals that 63% of CEOs cite skills gaps as their biggest barrier to adopting new technologies like low-code platforms. In my keynote presentations and workshops, I consistently hear from leaders who struggle with both the technical upskilling required and the cultural transformation needed to embrace citizen development. Employees who are accustomed to requesting IT solutions now need to become creators, while IT professionals must transition from builders to enablers and coaches. This shift requires significant investment in training, new organizational structures, and fundamentally different ways of working. The challenge extends beyond technical skills to include design thinking, process optimization, and digital literacy at all organizational levels.
Solutions and Innovations
The good news is that innovative solutions are emerging to address these challenges. Leading organizations are implementing what I call “governed democratization” frameworks that balance innovation with control. Companies like Unilever and Siemens have established center-of-excellence models where citizen developers receive training, access to approved platforms, and guidance from IT experts while maintaining governance standards. These programs include automated security scanning, compliance checks, and centralized monitoring of all low-code no-code applications.
AI-Powered Integration Platforms
We’re also seeing the emergence of AI-powered integration platforms that can automatically connect low-code applications with enterprise systems. Tools like MuleSoft Composer and Microsoft Power Platform’s enhanced data integration capabilities are reducing the technical burden of connecting citizen-developed applications with core business systems. In my work with retail organizations, I’ve seen how these integration platforms can cut development time by up to 70% while ensuring data consistency across the organization.
Collaborative Development Environments
Another exciting innovation is the rise of collaborative development environments that bring business users and IT professionals together. Platforms are incorporating features like co-development workspaces, version control for non-technical users, and visual testing tools that make collaboration seamless. Accenture’s research shows that organizations using these collaborative approaches see 45% higher adoption rates and significantly better outcomes from their low-code no-code initiatives.
The Future: Projections and Forecasts
Looking ahead to 2035, the low-code no-code landscape will look fundamentally different. According to IDC forecasts, the worldwide low-code no-code platform market will grow from $13.2 billion in 2021 to $65 billion by 2027, with accelerated growth continuing through 2035. But the real transformation will be in how these platforms evolve beyond their current capabilities.
Natural Language Programming
In my foresight work with organizations, I project that by 2030, natural language programming will become the primary interface for low-code no-code platforms. Instead of dragging and dropping components, users will describe what they want to build in plain language, and AI will generate the application. We’re already seeing early versions of this with platforms like OpenAI’s GPT-based tools, but within five years, this will become mainstream.
Self-Optimizing Applications
What if by 2035, low-code no-code platforms could automatically optimize business processes based on real-time performance data? I believe we’ll see the emergence of self-optimizing applications that continuously improve their own functionality using machine learning. Gartner predicts that by 2028, AI-augmented development will be embedded in 80% of low-code no-code platforms, fundamentally changing how applications are created and maintained.
Market Size Projections
The market size projections are staggering. According to Forrester Research, the total addressable market for low-code no-code platforms could exceed $187 billion by 2030 as these tools expand beyond application development into process automation, data analysis, and even strategic planning. The timeline for this transformation is compressed—what used to take decades in technology adoption will now happen within years due to accelerated digital transformation post-pandemic.
Final Take: 10-Year Outlook
Over the next decade, low-code no-code platforms will evolve from tools to ecosystems, becoming the foundation for organizational digital capability. We’ll see the emergence of industry-specific platforms tailored to healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and other sectors with pre-built components and compliance frameworks. The distinction between professional developers and citizen developers will blur as platforms become more powerful and accessible simultaneously. Organizations that fail to develop comprehensive low-code no-code strategies risk being outpaced by more agile competitors. The opportunity lies in creating cultures of innovation where technology creation is democratized but governed, enabling rapid response to market changes and customer needs while maintaining security and integration standards.
Ian Khan’s Closing
The future belongs to those who can harness the power of technology creation, not just consumption. Low-code no-code platforms represent one of the most significant shifts in how humans interact with technology since the personal computer revolution. We’re moving toward a world where every professional can become a creator, every idea can be rapidly prototyped, and innovation is limited only by imagination, not technical skill.
To dive deeper into the future of Low-Code No-Code Platforms and gain actionable insights for your organization, I invite you to:
- Read my bestselling books on digital transformation and future readiness
- Watch my Amazon Prime series ‘The Futurist’ for cutting-edge insights
- Book me for a keynote presentation, workshop, or strategic leadership intervention to prepare your team for what’s ahead
About Ian Khan
Ian Khan is a globally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and prolific thinker and thought leader on emerging technologies and future readiness. Shortlisted for the prestigious Thinkers50 Future Readiness Award, Ian has advised Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and global leaders on navigating digital transformation and building future-ready organizations. Through his keynote presentations, bestselling books, and Amazon Prime series “The Futurist,” Ian helps organizations worldwide understand and prepare for the technologies shaping our tomorrow.
