What are the benefits of PaaS for Rapid Application Development With forms2? We compare forms2’s PaaS and rapid application development versus traditional development costs and benefits in 2024, so you don’t have to.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely on the fence about Rapid Application Development and why you should choose building apps for your clients with PaaS or a no-code Platform as a Service option.
I get it. You want the best results! But you’re not sure if you can trust a PaaS?
Well, I’m here to tell you that using PaaS for Rapid Application Development (let’s call it RAD for short) is not only faster than building apps in the “traditional” way, let’s call it, but it’ll save you thousands, absolutely slash your time to market and cost you a fraction of the price so you can make more money by onboarding clients faster, and build data capture apps and no-code apps for your clients that are reliable, that won’t break and that you can scale.
That is if you choose forms2, at least.
So if you’re on the no-code fence, here’s a blog to help you understand the benefits of Paas for Rapid Application Development you should know about.
Building with PaaS is FASTER!
Application development takes time, in fact, we know that traditional application development can take months, or even years, costing upwards of £300,000, but Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions like what we provide here at forms2 help developers and white label app partners build and deploy apps in a couple of weeks, not years.
But how do you you know, as a developer looking to build apps quickly and efficiently, which is the right rapid application development app builder, or white label app builder for you?
Well, we have digital forms and no-code app case studies and the results to prove forms2 is the best option for Rapid Application Development apps and white label apps builder.
Today, we’ll not only show you the benefits of using forms2 as your go-to PaaS platform but show you exactly how our no-code app builder and white label app platform is faster than custom apps and how it gives you that competitive edge over traditional development methods which we know clients don’t have the time or budget for.
How Much is PaaS vs Traditional Custom App Development?
The main difference when building white label apps using forms2 PaaS vs Traditional Custom Development costs in 2024 can be as much as $97,000. A subscription to a low code, no code platform is $300* per year and traditional app development costs $70,000-100,000+ for the final app (excluding maintenance and updates)
- *The forms2 no code/low code platform = $18-23 per month/$216-300 per year
- Traditional coding development = $70,000-100,000+ (explained below)
This is based on the cost of our no-code white label app PaaS solution platform based on comparisons with the highest-ranking mobile no-code app builders Google has to offer as well as our research on traditional coding companies.
Result = a $99,700 saving* when you choose low-code/no-code PaaS vs traditional app development.
*Based on traditional coding app cost of $100,000
Still on the fence? Read on.
In short, with forms2’s PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), you can build a fully functional business app for just $18/month with the Standard package or $25/month with the Premium package, billed annually. Most clients are up and running within 1-2 months, with zero maintenance costs aside from your in-house team.
By contrast, traditional custom app development can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000+, according to Goodfirms. A Clutch survey shows initial costs start at $5,000 to $10,000 for the discovery phase alone, with total development averaging over $170,000, excluding maintenance costs.
Why should I build an app with Paas white label rather than with custom app developers?
With white-label apps from forms2, you can build apps quickly using pre-made templates and rapid application development tools that use a drag-and-drop function – literally building in minutes! By skipping the time-consuming coding process that developers charge you for, you can roll out fully branded apps for your clients in weeks instead of months. We actually break down the difference between no-code and traditional development here, too.
This allows you to scale faster and at a much lower cost than traditional custom app development and pass those cost savings to your clients, which makes you WAY more attractive in terms of IT managers charged with cost-saving budgets.
You’ll maintain a competitive edge by delivering high-quality apps faster and more affordably, letting you expand your offerings and increase revenue with minimal overhead. It’s a win win, the client gets an app faster, you can scale and modify their app whenever they need to and charge them for it at a fraction of the cost that developers will charge.
Understanding PaaS and No-Code Platforms and Their Importance for Citizen Developers
What is PaaS (Platform As a Service)?
PaaS is a cloud-based service that provides a platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage no-code apps without the headache of managing the underlying infrastructure like security, back-end updates and platform management – it makes a citizen developer’s life WAY easier as your app is all drag and drop rather than coding. The benefit here is that it allows developers, citizen developers, IT managers and consultants to focus on building with no-code which is 10x faster than writing code.
While we at forms2, your PaaS provider handle servers, storage, and security updates for you. You build an app within a “sandbox” and then you sell it on. Branded as your own app.
Easy.
Why Rapid Application Development Is Actually Useful
When it comes to selling white-label apps or building white-label apps for your clients, speed is essential, so a client coming to you saying they need a data capture app in weeks means you can roll it out in days and be the hero with Rapid Application Development and white label apps!
You might be an independent developer, consultant or IT manager or part of a larger team, either way the ability to bring an application to market FASTEr than traditional coding can be the MAJOR competitive advantage for your company or consultancy. PaaS solutions and white-label apps builders like ours at forms2 10x rapid application development by providing all the necessary tools and resources in one integrated platform – it’s an off-the-shelf drag and drop no-code software platform that is a fraction of the cost of traditional development – we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you so you can pass those savings on top your clients.
Best of all, you can brand it how you like, with no mention of forms2 anywhere.
Why do developers use PaaS (Platform as a Service) over traditional development
Developers use PaaS (Platform as a Service) over traditional development because it makes making apps 10x faster and 100x simpler. You don’t need to code and it costs up to $97,000 less to build an app using PaaS than it does compared to custom app development.
With PaaS, they don’t have to worry about managing servers, storage, or infrastructure – we handle that when you join our white-label app builder partner program. Instead, they can focus on building and deploying their apps quickly using pre-built tools and services provided by the PaaS. This leads to faster development, easier scalability, lower costs, and less maintenance while staying compliant with GDPR and HIPPA compliant digital forms and no-code data capture apps. PaaS also offers integration with existing systems and tech stacks as well as enhanced security features that can be tied to your mobile phone like facial recognition or e-signatures, making it a safer, and much faster choice overall as we actually have those features ready and waiting for you to add to your app.
Benefits of PaaS for Rapid Application Development vs Traditional App Development
We know we’re one of the best PaaS providers, and you can check out our case studies to prove it, because we’re developers ourselves. So we KNOW what developers need doing, and what citizen developers need when using a PaaS. Most importantly, we’ve taken all the “developing” out of the equation for you making a PaaS app builder that works for you, that can scale and that you can customise to any client, branding it however you like. We also offer a range of features that cater to developers looking to build, deploy, and monetise no-code apps fast, safely and reliably.
Here’s a table showing the benefits of Using forms2 as your PaaS no-code rapid application app builder vs traditional custom app development.
| Category | Rapid Application Development (RAD) | Custom App Development | Why It Matters to IT Managers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development Speed | RAD enables fast development, often delivering apps in weeks due to its iterative, component-based approach. | Custom development takes months or even years, especially for complex, feature-rich applications. | IT managers need quick time-to-market for solutions. RAD supports faster rollouts to meet urgent business needs. |
| Cost Efficiency | Lower cost due to reusability of pre-built components, templates, and no-code drag and drop tools. | High cost, driven by extensive coding, iterations, and bespoke development efforts. | IT managers fear budget overruns. RAD offers a cost-effective alternative by minimising development cycles and expenses. |
| Flexibility & Adaptability | RAD is flexible, allowing iterative changes and rapid prototyping based on user feedback. | Custom development has limited flexibility, requiring extensive rework to modify or add new features mid-development. | IT managers want the ability to adapt to changing requirements without large delays. RAD provides that flexibility. |
| User Involvement | Encourages continuous user feedback and collaboration during development phases. | User feedback is typically incorporated after long development cycles or at the testing stage. | IT managers value real-time user feedback to ensure solutions meet business needs. RAD integrates user feedback throughout. |
| Complexity of Features | RAD is ideal for projects with moderate complexity, offering pre-built modules that can be customised. | Custom development is better suited for highly complex, unique feature requirements that need to be coded from scratch. | IT managers need balance—RAD delivers speed for moderate complexity while custom development is better for niche needs. |
| Time-to-Market | RAD accelerates time-to-market with shorter development cycles and immediate deployments. | Custom development requires lengthy build, testing, and debugging phases, leading to delays. | Speed is essential. IT managers want quicker deployment to stay competitive, and RAD offers that without sacrificing quality. |
| Scalability | RAD supports scalability but may require platform-specific limitations; often designed for rapid, immediate needs. | Custom development can be designed for unlimited scalability, depending on infrastructure choices but costs more time and money. | IT managers need scalable solutions. RAD works well initially but may need future expansion for large-scale operations. |
| Risk & Uncertainty | Low risk as changes can be tested and adjusted in real time. RAD focuses on minimising upfront development risks. | Higher risk due to longer development cycles, potential delays, and budget overruns if the project scope changes. | IT managers fear long-term risk. RAD reduces risk with frequent iterations and faster course corrections. |
| Maintenance & Updates | RAD platforms like forms2 include built-in maintenance, automated updates, and pre-built integrations for easy upgrades. | Custom development requires ongoing developer support for maintenance, updates, and bug fixes, which can be costly. | IT managers desire low-maintenance solutions. RAD typically comes with pre-managed infrastructure and frequent updates. |
| Collaboration with IT Teams | RAD allows for close collaboration between developers, stakeholders, and users throughout the process. | Custom development often separates development from the business until later stages, which may result in disconnects. | IT managers want better alignment between IT and business. RAD fosters collaboration and keeps IT teams engaged throughout. |
| Testing & Quality Assurance | Continuous testing is integrated into the RAD process, ensuring frequent validation and quality control. | Testing is done in large chunks at the end of custom development, leading to delays if bugs are discovered. | Frequent testing is a desire. RAD’s iterative approach means less chance of major issues being discovered late in the process. |
Let’s explain a little more about the benefits of PaaS vs traditional app development
1 – Ease of Use with No-Code App Builder
One of the best advantages of forms2 is our no-code app builder. Developers can create safe, highly useful applications without coding knowledge, speeding up the development process by 10x – where custom apps can take months to build, you can build a Rapid Application App with us in weeks or days (if you’re really working hard!).
This is SUPER beneficial for those who want to deploy applications quickly for new clients or those who are looking to explore new markets without heavy upfront investment in development resources. App creators can leverage these tools to build customisable, scalable, and branded apps without any coding, making it accessible for both non-technical users and professional developers who want to reduce coding time.
2 – Monetisation Opportunities
Using Rapid Application Development with forms2 offers developers multiple ways to monetise their applications. Through the forms2 white label app Partner Program, developers can earn revenue by building and deploying no-code apps and digital forms for various industries like agriculture, healthcare and construction – check out our case studies. The platform’s built-in features and integration capabilities make it easier to create value-added services, which increases your revenue potential – need e-signatures, we have that module. Need toolbox talks? We have that too!
3 – Scalability and Customisation
Your customers will likely want to scale their app and roll it out to franchisees, employees and different departments. Fortunately, with forms2, developers have the flexibility to scale whenever they need to AND customise when they create apps within our sandbox. Our platform supports seamless integration with existing tech stacks, and API’s making it easier to expand functionality and manage user demands as it increases! Additionally, forms2 provides tools for developing custom app solutions tailored to specific business needs, ensuring that your applications can grow alongside your business.
4 – It’s WAY Cheaper to Create Apps with PaaS
Traditional app development or custom app development almost always involves high costs when you want to create apps, from infrastructure management to ongoing maintenance and the actual development costs. When you build a no-code app with forms2 it reduces these costs significantly by providing a managed environment where developers only pay for the resources they use. This cost efficiency is further enhanced by the platform’s ability to eliminate the need for extensive coding, reducing the time and expense associated with hiring additional developers – you can do it on your own, with us as your support network.
5 – Integration with Legacy Systems
forms2 white label app builder offers easy integration with legacy systems like SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft. This feature lets businesses easily upgrade back-office systems with simple point-and-click actions, improving efficiency and making existing technology last longer.
6 – Real-Time Information
forms2 enables the creation of apps that deliver real-time data and updates to employees and managers via our data capture app functionality. This functionality improves decision-making processes by providing up-to-the-minute information that can be critical in fast-paced business environments, especially when you connect apps and digital forms to your tech stack using our API. Additionally, forms2 can help streamline workflows and approval processes, further enhancing operational efficiency through skip logic and automatic notifications.
7 – Easier IT Maintenance
With forms2 as your PaaS, we manage the infrastructure of the no-code app builder, and you manage the apps you’ve built for your business or your client, meaning businesses like yours only need to focus on managing their apps – NOT the boring stuff like security and updates. This reduces the IT overhead, freeing up resources that can be redirected toward core business activities and innovation.
8 – Increased Productivity
By leveraging PaaS, organisations like yours can redirect a significant portion of their budgets from “keeping the lights on” to creating applications that provide real business value. This shift allows businesses to focus on their core competencies, improving productivity and driving growth rather than throwing money at a custom app that might be out of date within a few months!
9 – Enhanced Security and Compliance
forms2 provides enhanced security features, including digital forms with GDPR compliance and HIPAA, CCPA and DPA compliance ensuring that your data is protected and managed according to the latest regulatory standards. This level of security is crucial for businesses operating in environments where data protection and privacy are paramount and we’re ON IT when it comes to security here at forms2 and when you want to make secure no-code data capture apps with international compliance.
No Code App Builder Case Studies and Success Stories
Examples of Rapid Application Development with forms2
Several citizen developers have successfully used forms2 to create and deploy apps quickly, significantly reducing time to market and increasing productivity including an agriculture company rolling out seed trials and an agricultural field trials app for clients. These developers have also leveraged the forms2 white-label app Partner Program to monetise their apps, resulting in increased revenue and business growth thanks to rolling out white-label healthcare apps. One notable success story is how a small team at TD Construction Testing was able to build mobile no-code apps for construction without any coding experience, designing, monetising, and launching their applications across multiple platforms with ease.
Partnering with forms2 for Success When You Create Apps
By partnering with forms2, developers can take advantage of the platform’s powerful features to scale their business. The forms2 white label app Partner Program provides opportunities for revenue sharing, making it a lucrative option for developers looking to expand their services. Additionally, forms2 enables the creation of native apps that can access essential device features like notifications, Bluetooth connectivity, and location services, even in offline situations.
How to Get Started with forms2 No Code App Builder PaaS
Step-by-Step Guide
- Sign Up for a forms2 trial: Visit the forms2 website and create an account to get started.
- Explore No-Code/Low-Code Tools: Familiarise yourself with the platform’s features and tools to start building your application. No code tools empower non-technical users to create software applications without writing any code, simplifying the development process with graphical interfaces and drag-and-drop features. forms2 also enables the creation of web apps easily, allowing complete beginners as well as those with no-code knowledge to build various types of no-code data capture applications for any industry.
- Leverage the Partner Program: Join the forms2 white label app Partner Program to start monetising your apps and start building apps for your clients FAST or use us as your own app-building partner.
Join the forms2 Partner Program
Explore the forms2 white label Partner Program to see how you can maximize your revenue potential by building no-code apps and digital forms with forms2.
forms2 offers a powerful PaaS solution for developers looking to accelerate application development and generate revenue, including the creation of powerful mobile apps. With its no-code/low-code capabilities, cost efficiency, integration features, and enhanced security, forms2 provides a significant advantage over traditional development methods. By partnering with forms2 as your white label app service, developers can not only build and deploy apps quickly but also monetise their efforts through the platform’s extensive tools and resources.
For more information on how to get started, visit the forms2 Partner Program and take the first step towards building and monetizing your no-code apps today.
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This article was written by a human and fact-checked!
