Building apps fast is what companies are looking for. According to Gartner, by 2025, 70% of new business applications will be built using low code or no code technologies. However, when speed meets real-world complexity, data security, scale, integration, and compliance, then most low code platforms start to wobble.
Oracle APEX doesn’t. It helps you build apps faster. The kind of apps your business needs, secure, scalable, and ready to run at enterprise speed.
In this blog, we’re not just exploring low code platform features, but also what makes Oracle APEX stand out in a sea of low-code platforms. And more importantly, why are more serious businesses betting on it as their go-to platform.
What are Low Code Platforms?
Low code platforms help you build apps with minimal hand-coding. You use visual tools, drag-and-drop components, ready templates, and simple logic flows. As a result, development becomes faster and less reliant on large dev teams.
IDC predicts that by 2026, 750 million cloud-native applications will be created globally. Most of them will be powered by low code or no code platforms. That’s massive! But not every platform is made for scale, security, or complex business needs. Normal low code platforms promise speed and simplicity. However, if your business needs speed, security, scale, and control, all without paying a premium, Oracle APEX is the clear winner.
What makes Oracle APEX different?
If your business needs fast, secure, cost-effective application development with real flexibility, Oracle APEX wins across the board. What truly sets Oracle APEX apart is that it’s built directly into the Oracle Database, eliminating the need for external connectors and reducing data latency. This tight integration means your apps and your data live in the same environment, ensuring faster performance and higher reliability.
Moreover, Oracle APEX is also a PWA-enabled low-code platform, allowing businesses to build web apps that behave like native mobile apps, complete with offline access, push notifications, and installable app icons, all without writing complex code. This gives businesses the flexibility to deliver modern, mobile-friendly user experiences, without the cost or hassle of building separate Android or iOS applications.
Built Inside the Oracle Database
Vendors build most low code platforms outside the database. You install them, connect them to your data, and hope everything plays well together. Unfortunately, that introduces layers, with more complexity, and more moving parts.
Oracle APEX is different. It’s built directly into the Oracle Database. This implies that you do not require a separate license to use it. Your app and your data exist in the same space, speak the same language, and move faster together. There’s no need for sync tools or third-party connectors, because everything’s already where it should be.
For industries where milliseconds matter, like banking, logistics, or healthcare, Oracle APEX is the most reliable. In fact, 86% of IT leaders report database latency as a major challenge when using external low-code tools. In fact, 86% of IT leaders have reported database latency as a major bottleneck when using external low-code platforms. With Oracle APEX, that problem just doesn’t exist.
The Cost Difference is Huge
Low-code platforms are famous for making development easier, but they’re not always easy on the budget. Enterprise-grade platforms can run you upwards in significant amount of money, every month, especially if you want access to advanced features or multiple apps.
Oracle includes Oracle APEX, as a bundle with every Oracle Database license. Additionally, customers who’ve made the switch to Oracle APEX have reported significant cost savings on application development. And for growing businesses, that is helpful, and strategic.
Flexibility in Deployments
Another issue that catches teams off guard is deployment lock-in. Most commercial low-code tools are cloud-only. That sounds fine, until you need to move, scale, or run on-prem for compliance reasons.
Oracle APEX gives you full control. You can deploy in the Oracle Cloud, multi-cloud, or On-Prem, or mix them up for a hybrid setup. On top of that, Oracle APEX makes it easy to connect with other systems. You can use REST APIs to pull data or share data with cloud services, third-party apps, or legacy systems. This means your apps can talk to other tools your business already uses. Because of this, Oracle APEX isn’t just fast and secure. It’s also flexible and ready to fit into your IT ecosystem. That’s why it’s a smart choice for industries that deal with data privacy, compliance, or strict security rules.
According to IDC, 63% of large enterprises now prefer hybrid app deployments. Oracle APEX is built for that world.
Security That’s Built In, Not Bolted On
Security is one of those things you hope you’ve got covered, until something goes wrong. The truth is, most low-code platforms leave security to you. Most platforms expect you to add encryption, configure access controls, or purchase additional auditing modules.
With Oracle APEX, you don’t need extra tools to secure your app. It inherits Oracle Database’s built-in features:
- Data encryption
- Role-based access
- Audit logs
- SQL injection protection
You don’t need to build it, or buy it. It’s already there.
Real Speed, For Faster Development
Everyone says they help you build faster. But what does that actually mean? With Oracle APEX, teams routinely launch functional apps in a matter of days. Prebuilt templates, and automation tools mean less coding, less testing, and fewer delays. During the COVID-19 crisis, a European government agency built and deployed a fully functioning contact tracing system using Oracle APEX, with a faster turnaround. That’s not a proof of concept. That’s real production at full speed.
Oracle says some customers are seeing development cycles reduced by up to 75%. That’s the kind of agility companies dream about.
Performance You Can Feel
Apps built on Oracle APEX don’t just run. They run fast. And it’s not magic. Because Oracle APEX apps work directly with Oracle data, dealing with slow middleware. It’s all streamlined. This means faster response times, even as your data grows. Oracle’s internal benchmarks show up to 30% better performance compared to low-code apps relying on external connectors. If your users hate loading screens or spinning wheels, Oracle APEX is the fix.
Built for Developers, Too
A lot of low-code platforms are great for non-developers, but frustrating for actual developers. They limit control, hide logic, and use proprietary scripting that doesn’t scale. Oracle APEX is different. It lets developers get under the hood whenever they want. You can use SQL, PL/SQL, JavaScript, and even HTML or CSS. You’re not boxed in. This means your technical team can build fast but still customize when it counts. And because Oracle APEX uses open standards, you’re not locked into a tool or vendor forever.
Interestingly, a 2024 Stack Overflow survey found that 70% of developers prefer platforms that allow both low-code and full-code access. That’s exactly what Oracle APEX delivers.
Data-Heavy? No Problem
Not every low-code platform can handle large volumes of data well. Some slow down. Others need expensive upgrades. Oracle APEX was made for data-heavy applications, reporting dashboards, approvals, workflows, and form-based apps that need to process thousands (or millions) of records daily. Government agencies, banks, and logistics companies already use over 500,000 Oracle APEX-powered apps globally. If your app depends on reliable, large-scale data performance, Oracle APEX won’t let you down.
Scalability Without the Surprise
Can your platform grow with you? For many low-code tools, scaling up means scaling your subscription fees too. More users? More apps? More cost. Oracle APEX doesn’t charge extra as you scale. If your Oracle Database handles it, Oracle APEX handles it. In fact, companies have built Oracle APEX apps that handle over 2 million records per day with ease. It’s proven. It’s reliable. And you don’t need to ask permission to grow.
Which Low Code Platform Wins?
There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to low-code platforms. Low code is not just a shortcut, but a smarter way to build. And there are dozens of platforms out there, but only a few combine speed, security, flexibility, and affordability the way Oracle APEX does. Therefore, if your business needs speed, security, scale, and control, all without paying a premium, Oracle APEX is the clear winner.
It’s trusted. It’s proven. And it’s ready for anything from HR Solutions to a full-fledged enterprise portal. So, whether you’re replacing spreadsheets, modernizing legacy apps, or building new tools from scratch, Oracle APEX is the preferred choice.
HIPL Helps Businesses Succeed with Oracle APEX
And, if you’re looking to get started with Oracle APEX or scale up your low-code development, you don’t have to go it alone. Heuristics Informatics Pvt. Ltd. (HIPL) is a trusted Oracle solutions partner that’s helping organizations across industries build secure, scalable, and high-performance applications using Oracle APEX.
One of HIPL’s enterprise clients reduced their application rollout time significantly, after migrating to Oracle APEX under HIPL’s guidance. Another improved operational efficiency by consolidating several siloed apps into one secure, centralized Oracle APEX platform, drastically improving data visibility and control.
With over two decades of expertise in Oracle technologies, HIPL is helping businesses transform the way they build, run, and manage applications.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner to unlock the full potential of Oracle APEX, HIPL is a name you can trust. Connect with the team now!
