Mendix and OutSystems were recognized as leaders in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms in 2022. So, we can’t just try to establish that one is better than the other.
But that creates confusion, which leads to the question: “Which low-code development platform should I choose for my business?” We’re here to settle the debate with a detailed answer.
Today, we’ll compare Mendix vs. OutSystems so you can choose based on your preferences and requirements for creating powerful applications. But first, let’s take a quick look at what they have to offer right out of the box.
Overview of Both Systems
Mendix
Mendix low-code platform is a cloud-based low-code platform that can create enterprise-level applications for any industry.
The platform can create mobile and web applications without writing a single line of code.
With Mendix, even non-technical people and citizen developers can create a functional application in a few hours.
OutSystems
OutSystems is a platform that can easily deliver enterprise-grade applications by covering all aspects of development in a single platform.
OutSystems is great for building responsive applications and scaling them while adapting to frequent changes.
OutSystems allows developers to create both frontend and backend codes for their applications.
Mendix Vs. OutSystems: The Ultimate Comparison
For the ultimate comparison, we will differentiate these two low-code monoliths on different parameters to make it as fair as possible.
1. Architecture, Set Up & Interface
Mendix focuses on enterprise-level settings with tight collaboration through various low-code tools and provides a complete cloud-based experience.
The platform has a straightforward dashboard and is divided into three modules:
- Cloud
- Developer Portal
- Development
Each module contains key components to help developers create, release, and maintain enterprise-grade applications and services.
On the other hand, OutSystems comes with a layered ecosystem. The top layer contains
- Necessary tools
- Pre-built components
- Builders
- Repositories for SDLC management
The bottom layer is an AI-powered services layer that has tools for
- Eliminating repetitive tasks
- Automated complex change management
- Code generation
- Third-party integration
A setback in the case of OutSystems is that a user has to manually download the OutSystems desktop integrated development environment (IDE) to use the features.
2. Speed
Regarding speed, both platforms are nearly identical as they have multiple stages that allow faster application development for professional developers and non-technical people alike.
Regarding Mendix, users can start with predefined page templates for event management, UI design, wire-framing, etc. The database setup comes in later.
For OutSystems, the developer must choose whether to build a mobile or web app first. Then the user can proceed to the next stages with the help of OutSystems at every stage.
3. Community Support
Mendix and OutSystems can go toe to toe when it comes to community support, so it’s less of a difference and more of a similarity.
These low-code platforms have thousands of devoted community members frequently offering solutions to different problems.
The communities of both these platforms also create different building elements for the platforms that can help the developers in different development scenarios.
To top it all off, both platforms offer a wide variety of tutorials and guides for their users to get started with the basics or even learn advanced development tactics.
4. Marketplace
Mendix has a large community-driven marketplace where different users can find different types of
- Reusable components
- UI components
- Open code modules
- Connectors
- Frameworks
- Other secondary assets
Currently, Mendix has 5330 assets in its repository.
On the other hand, OutSystems offers easy integrations with many other different applications, such as
- Salesforce
- Zendesk
- Twilio
- QuickBooks
- UPS
- PayPal
- Okta
5. Ease of Use
Both Mendix and OutSystems offer drag-and-drop interfaces that streamline the development process. Even then, the user interface of Mendix is more user-friendly than OutSystems.
Mendix is a great choice for those entirely new to low-code software development.
6. Integration
Though both Mendix and OutSystems offer a great range of third-party integration, OutSystems takes the cake for this.
OutSystem offers integration with more than 200 systems as an Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) feature.
Here are some platforms that Mendix allows continuous integration with
- GitHub
- Google Drive
- Dropbox business
- Asana
- Jira
Here are the platforms that OutSystems offers application integration with
- Zendesk
- Twilio
- PayPal
- Salesforce
7. Pricing Plans
Both Mendix and OutSystems offer a free tier to get started with the platform. While Mendix’s free version allows ten users, OutSystems allows 100 users in the free tier.
Mendix has a few limitations in place for the free tier
- Slightly challenging to manage one-click deployment once the application development lifecycle is complete
- Mapping application objects to related databases gets more tricky compared to OutSystems
- The limited number of users makes it tough for small businesses to make the most of the platform.
OutSystems have a few limitations of their own as well
- The app creation process is more rigid since developers must make specific choices at the start rather than later.
- OutSystems doesn’t have a cloud architecture-based option, which makes both native collaboration and remote user collaboration much more difficult.
8. Feature Set
Key Features: Mendix
- Advanced security features
- Agile development methodology
- Drag-and-drop design interface
- Easy to use
- Seamless integration with third-party applications and systems
- Pre-built templates and widgets
- Robust reporting and analytics capabilities
Key Features: OutSystems
- Batch processing and scheduling support
- Debugging engine integrated with low code platform
- DevOps automation
- Faster deployment of mobile applications on different mobile devices and platforms
- High scalability
- Multilingual user support
- Real-time app usage and performance monitoring
- Support throughout the application development life cycle
- Visual development environment
9. Developer Productivity
While both Mendix and OutSystems are low-code platforms, they approach the problem with their unique solutions. While Mendix focuses on creating fusion teams, OutSystems emphasizes developer productivity.
While Mendix is trying the creative approach of bridging the business-IT gap, OutSystems focuses more on creating an environment that incentivizes the developers to offer better results with higher productivity by giving them complete control.
In this case, OutSystems wins.
10. Bridgning The Business-IT Gap
Reflecting on the previous point, its goal has always been Mendix’s to bridge the gap between business and enterprise IT teams so their skills can come together to create business-centric applications.
These applications fill their requirements better since the apps include market expertise from non-technical business professionals through the power of visual modeling.
OutSystems focuses more on improving developer productivity by installing complete governance of the entire development life cycle in the developer’s hands. And so, Mendix takes the point.
So, Who Wins?
As the comparison shows, making a definite choice is tough even for us since both OutSystems & Mendix offer feature-rich platforms for their respective pricing models.
It all comes down to familiarity and personal comfort. Which platform are you or your team members more familiar with? Where do you and your team feel more comfortable creating your application?
Answering these questions should help you choose the right platform for your business venture.
Work With Impala Intech And Win The Low Code Game, Every Time
Planning to create business applications with Mendix and need some help? Impala Intech has got your back! Our experienced low-code developers can help you build an application or guide you correctly.
We provide many low-code solutions for businesses of different scales to help you grow. If that’s right up your alley, we’re just an email away!
FAQs
Mendix is often considered more user-friendly for non-developers due to its intuitive interface and ease of use.
Mendix uses its visual modeling language, while OutSystems supports languages like Java and .NET for custom code.
OutSystems allows developers to customize applications using traditional coding languages when needed.
While technically possible, integrating Mendix and OutSystems may not be a straightforward process and require careful planning.
Both platforms are well-suited for rapid prototyping and building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to validate ideas quickly.
