Introduction
Low-code development has rapidly become in demand in the last 5 years, with Gartner estimating that 80% of all application development will be done through low-code or no-code by 2026. But two sectors prone to innovate regularly, such as in the realms of healthcare and retail are adopting low-code even quicker than before.
Why? Since the platforms cut the development time by as much as 70%, they cost less and allow quicker response to regulatory or market changes.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 7 industry-specific low-code platforms for healthcare and retail in 2025, their benefits, and how they can transform your business. We’ll also cover key selection criteria, real-world use cases, and tips for successful implementation.
Why Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms Matter
The flexibility of general low-code platforms can be seen as a disadvantage as industry-specific solutions are complete with prebuilt templates, integrations, compliance, etc. This decreases the time to reach the market and limits the exposure of the product to non-compliance in highly regulated industries such as healthcare.
For Healthcare:
- Built-in HIPAA/GDPR compliance
- Secure patient data handling
- Telehealth app templates
- Integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR)
For Retail:
- Omnichannel customer engagement tools
- Inventory and supply chain management templates
- POS integration
- Real-time analytics for personalized marketing
Key Selection Criteria for Healthcare & Retail Low-Code Platforms
In case of assessing low-code platforms in health and retail, it is worth taking care of the following aspects:
- Compliance Support: Make sure it complies with regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS.
- Integration Capabilities: Seek simple integrations with current systems (EHR, POS, CRM).
- Scalability: He or she needs to support an increasing amount of data and users.
- Easy To Use: Drag and drop capabilities with IT professionals and non tech personnel.
- Security: Multi-factor authentication, encryption and audit logs.
7 Game-Changing Low-Code Platforms Powering Healthcare & Retail Industries
1. Mendix – Flexible Enterprise Solutions
Mendix has a very flexible development platform that is highly customizable and has high HIPAA compliance in the healthcare and omnichannel options in retail.
Key Features:
- Ready-made healthcare templates to schedule, view patient portals, and track care
- Order management, promotions and loyalty modules in retailing
- Cloud-native deployment choices.
Best For: Large businesses that require intensive customization.
2. OutSystems – Enterprise-Grade Scalability
OutSystems has enterprise level scalability and security.
Healthcare Benefits:
- Safe-data transfer to EHRs
- Patient risk though AI
Retail Benefits:
- Customer personalization journeys equipped with AI
- Supplied chain integration with systems
Best for: Business looking to obtain speed without having to drop security.
3. Appian – Governance and Compliance Leader
Appian concentrates on the automation process and governance.
Healthcare:
- Auto-fills claims processing and patient intake
- Compliance audit trails
Retail:
- Inventory and returns Workflow automation
- The tracking of supply chains in real time
Best For: Companies that believe in compliance and operational efficiency.
4. Quickbase – Citizen Developer Friendly
Quickbase allows non-technical users to create and control apps.
Healthcare:
- Communication apps inpatient communication apps
- Scheduling systems
Retail:
- Apps on store promotions
- Local stock keeping
Best For: SMEs and dispersed teams.
5. Zoho Creator – Budget-Friendly Flexibility
Zoho Creator is affordable and good with integrations.
Healthcare:
- Appointment tracking
- Automatic form filling in a medical profession
Retail:
- Inventory dashboards
- POS integration
Best For: Reimbursement-wise enterprises.
6. Salesforce Lightning Platform – CRM-Driven Development
The salesforce low-code environment is most suitable to businesses already present on the Salesforce platform.
Healthcare:
- Patient management Salesforce Health Cloud
Retail:
- Omnichannel retailing with Commerce Cloud
Best For: Those companies willing to have a CRM + app constituted.
7. Microsoft Power Apps – Seamless Microsoft Integration
Perfect for organizations relying on Microsoft tools.
Healthcare:
- Telehealth integrations with Teams & Azure
Retail:
- Dynamics 365 for real-time inventory tracking
Best For: Microsoft ecosystem users.
Comparison of Top 7 Low-Code Platforms for Healthcare & Retail
| Platform | Best For | Industry Focus | Key Features | Pricing Model | Scalability |
| OutSystems | Enterprise-grade apps | Healthcare & Retail | HIPAA compliance, omnichannel support, integration with EHR/CRM | Subscription-based | High |
| Mendix | Cross-platform development | Healthcare & Retail | Visual development, AI-assisted app building, IoT integration | Tiered pricing | High |
| Appian | Workflow automation | Healthcare | HIPAA compliance, patient data management, BPM tools | Subscription-based | High |
| Zoho Creator | Affordable & easy deployment | Retail | Inventory tracking, POS integration, order management | Low-cost plans | Medium |
| Quickbase | Operational efficiency | Healthcare & Retail | No-code integrations, data security, team collaboration | Subscription-based | Medium-High |
| Salesforce Lightning | Customer-centric solutions | Retail & Healthcare | CRM integration, AI-driven insights, secure data storage | Per-user pricing | High |
| Kissflow | Workflow automation & approvals | Retail | Process automation, cloud deployment, user-friendly UI | Subscription-based | Medium |
Implementation Tips for Maximum ROI
- Start Small, Scale Fast Staying: Launch a pilot app before full-scale deployment.
- Train Citizen Developers: Empower the business users to come up with their own solutions.
- Get Security on Day 1: Setup encryption, access controls and audit logging.
- Use Industry Templates: Save development time with modules.
Future Trends in Low-Code for Healthcare & Retail
Adoption of low-code is not grinding to a halt, it is transforming rapidly. This is what the next 3 years will look like:
- AI-Amplified Development: Platforms will support AI to auto-create workflows, error predicting system, and potential UI/UX improvements.
- Voice-Enabled Apps: The innovations can especially be used in the medical sphere when hands-free use allows a clinician to interrupt patient data excessively.
- IoT Integration: IoT integration will allow low-code to drive inventory tracking in retail; healthcare operations will include IoT devices collecting patient details and pumping them into applications.
- Blockchain against Compliance: Safer and tamper proof records of health documentation and retail are likely to be more prevalent.
- Cross-Industry Custom Templates: Platforms will have hybrid options to suit organisations in varying businesses (e.g. a medical retailer).
Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them
1. Integration Complexities
Problem: Proprietary legacy systems have low-code apps that are hard to connect.
Solution: Select those platforms that have good API support and connect to a platform development partner, such as CodeReady, to build secure, scalable integrations.
2. Risks in Governance & Compliance
Problem: In regulated industries, poorly managed low-code development can lead to compliance gaps
Solution: Implementing platforms that have compliance tools behind them and establishing governance structures early.
3. Complex Use Cases Skills Gap
Problem: Embedded logic of apps is something that citizen developers might not be able to work on.
Solution: Use the low-code teams within the business and combine them with the professionalized low codes to make the code quality and security guaranteed.
4. Vendor Lock-In
Problem: Too much dependency on a specific platform can make things less versatile.
Solution: Pick platforms which favor open standards and settle up owning your app IP.
Real-World Use Cases
Healthcare Example:
A hospital implemented Mendix to create a patient portal in under 3 months, reducing appointment scheduling calls by 60%.
Retail Example:
A national retail chain used OutSystems to launch a loyalty app, increasing repeat purchases by 25% in 6 months.
Conclusion: Let’s Build Your Next Innovation Together
In 2025, industry-specific low-code platforms are no longer optional—they’re a strategic necessity. Whether it is secure healthcare apps or omnichannel retailing, an adequate platform could assist you in being innovative, compliant, and maximizing the ROI.
At CodeReady Software, we help healthcare and retail organizations select, implement, and customize the perfect low-code platform for their needs. Whether you need a patient engagement tool or a retail loyalty program, our experts can deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready applications.
Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can accelerate your digital transformation.