With their extensive features and integration capabilities, Mendix and Appian stand at the forefront of low-code application development. The scalability and open standard approach of Mendix enable application development in complex enterprise environments. On the other hand, the strong AI capabilities of Appian along with its process-centric approach make it a better fit for rapid process automation and orchestration.
Choosing between Appian and Mendix depends on the project needs, integration requirements, and application complexity.
Mendix vs Appian: Overview
Mendix and Appian are two of the most popular choices for low-code application development, both with distinct features and capabilities.
Mendix was developed in 2005 with a core focus on developing complex web and mobile applications using a single low-code approach. The Low-Code Application Platform (LCAP) enables the development of highly customizable UI and UX using a visual modeling approach and full-stack capabilities.
Founded in 1999, Appian is known for its simple and user-friendly approach to low-code application development. The platform is equipped with business process automation (BPA) and case management capabilities, enabling the orchestration of complex activities and processes.
While both Appian and Mendix are feature packed low code no code software, their distinctive capabilities, process flow, and deployment make them suitable for different use cases. To help you choose between Appian or Mendix, we have compared the two in terms of key features, pros, cons, and pricing.
Mendix vs Appian: Pros and Cons
- In comparison to Appian, Mendix is more user-friendly with an intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
- While both platforms support third-party integrations, Appian supports a wider range of pre-built plugins.
- Although Appian supports mobile application development, Mendix surpasses Appian with native and cross-platform mobile application development support.
- Appian is a better choice for complex application development needs in comparison to Mendix due to its scalability support and high-performance execution.
Mendix vs Appian: In Terms of Features
To help you choose between Mendix and Appian low-code app development platforms, we have compared these tools based on native mobile app development functionality, application development approach, scalability, customizations, deployment, and integrations:
- Mobile App Development: Mendix is equipped with strong mobile application development features with cross-platform development support, offline capabilities, and a wide range of mobile UI templates. While both Appian and Mendix support mobile application development, Appian lacks some of the advanced application development features that are native to Mendix.
- Development Approach: Although both Appian and Mendix are application development platforms with similar functionalities, they vary widely in their approach to low-code app development. Mendix and its substitutes are a better fit for rapid application development, enabling speedy deployment of apps. Appian, however, is focused on business process management and workflow automation for building complex applications with ease.
- Scalability: Both Appian and Mendix offer a scalable architecture with on-premise, hybrid, and cloud deployment support. However, the scope of scalability and high-performance execution is greater in Appian, as compared to Mendix.
- Customization: In terms of customization, Mendix offers greater flexibility to customize the application development environment, giving users complete control over UI/UX and business logic. Although Appian also supports customization, Appian and its alternatives offer basic customization controls and limited flexibility.
- Deployment: Mendix offers on-premise, hybrid, as well as cloud deployment with complete flexibility to choose the terms of deployment. In contrast, Appian only supports partial on-premise deployment. This means that users run task execution on-premise, but the core components of orchestration can only run in a cloud environment.
- Integrations: Both Appian and Mendix offer extensive integrations with third-party applications. However, Appian and its alternatives win this round of comparison with pre-built connectors and easy API configurations.
Mendix vs Appian: Ease-of-Use
Comparing Mendix vs Appian in terms of user-friendliness gives us Mendix as the clear winner. The platform offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, prebuilt applications, and detailed tutorials for building applications with minimum coding knowledge required.
Although Appian encompasses comprehensive features for application development, it can be difficult to navigate the platform for new users.
Mendix vs Appian: Interface and Set-Up
The user interface and initial configuration of Mendix are also easier in comparison to Appian. With Mendix, users can develop an application easily through a built-in social intranet, collaboration features, and a simple dashboard. The platform allows users to automatically set up the application development environment for seamless app configuration.
Appian, on the other side, provides extensive features that can be difficult to navigate.
Mendix vs Appian: Process Flow
Mendix simplifies application development with the help of pre-built templates, detailed tutorials, and an intuitive interface. Users can design application wireframes and UI designs easily without the need to set up a database, making the overall application development process hassle-free.
Appian, on the other hand, offers a modeling flow chart, eliminating the need for manual coding. Users can easily create a diagrammatical process flow chart to build any application, including internal applications for different departments.
Mendix vs Appian: Pricing
Both Appian and Mendix offer free trial options and flexible pricing plans. However, the free version of Mendix offers more functionalities in comparison to Appian. While Mendix follows a subscription-based pricing model, Appian charges based on the number of users and complexity of use cases.
Which is better, Mendix or Appian?
Between Mendix and Appian, the choice of the better low-code application development platform relies on the needs and priorities of the organization. For users seeking a solution with quick application deployment, Mendix is the right choice, including features like extensive customizations, offline capabilities, and native mobile application development.
Appian, on the other hand, excels in workflow automation, scalability, integration capabilities, and flexible pricing. Ultimately, the choice between Mendix and Appian relies on factors like integration requirements, deployment, process flow preferences, and the level of customization required by the user.