--- sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/application-development Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Build or modify applications ft:clusterId : - cadev bundleId : - cadev workflow : - Development, Data, and Analytics --- # Building low-code applications # Building low-code applications {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated March 12, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Building low-code applications ServiceNow provides multiple tools to create and manage custom applications in a low-code environment, catering to different user roles and technical expertise. These tools streamline app development, from simple request-fulfillment apps to complex applications with integrated workflows, metadata management, and deployment capabilities. Show full answer Show less ## App Building Tools and Their Use Cases * **Creator Studio:** Designed for process and line of business owners to build request-fulfillment apps without writing code, ideal for straightforward scenarios like office supply requests. * **App Engine Studio:** Suitable for citizen developers to build a broader range of apps using guided, low-code tools, either from scratch or templates. * **ServiceNow Studio:** A unified development environment for citizen and platform developers offering integrated low-code tools, streamlined navigation, metadata editing, and app packaging for faster development and deployment. It also supports conversational interaction via Build Agent. * **ServiceNow IDE and SDK:** Targeted at source code developers for building applications in source code using ServiceNow Fluent, JavaScript modules, and third-party libraries. These tools support Visual Studio Code environments and conversational app updates with Build Agent. ## Additional Features Supporting Low-Code Development * **ERP Semantic Mining:** Connects to ERP systems to extract data that can be used within low-code apps on the ServiceNow AI Platform. * **ServiceNow CLI:** Enables command-line management of applications locally, enhancing development workflows. * **Decision Builder:** Allows embedding business logic through decision tables with if-then rules. * **Workflow Studio:** Automates processes and repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and user experience. * **Table Builder:** Provides a visual interface for designing tables, forms, and flows. * **UI Builder:** Facilitates building web user interfaces for customer service management, App Engine Studio workspaces, portals, and custom web experiences. * **Workspace Builder:** Enables rapid creation of custom workspaces directly from App Engine Studio. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers By selecting the appropriate app builder based on your role and technical skills, you can rapidly develop, customize, and deploy applications tailored to your organizational needs. The integrated tools and features support efficient app creation, process automation, user interface design, and data integration, allowing for scalable and maintainable low-code applications within the ServiceNow platform. Create and manage custom applications in a simple, low-code environment. [ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6vj3PRLgkGcvK8LaWdEsoQ "Use ServiceNow Studio to build, configure, and deploy custom ServiceNow apps from a single development environment. ServiceNow Studio gives admins and developers integrated tools to create app files, edit scoped and global app metadata, and package changes for deployment.") : Use ServiceNow Studio to build apps and app files with integrated tools, access and edit metadata in scoped and global apps, and package app changes for deployment, all in one powerful development tool. [App Engine Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/h8XxHHlHZ_33IOtVA6Hf2w "ServiceNow App Engine Studio (AES) is a guided, low-code tool for developing rich web applications to store information, automate business processes, and solve business problems. Work that was once assigned to administrators can now be delegated to employees with little to no training using AES.") : Use App Engine Studio for guided, low-code development to build a custom app from scratch or with a template. [Creator Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/HKgYJ231ppNzAj~FZbiadg "Creator Studio is a no-code application builder on the ServiceNow AI Platform that lets non-developers create request-fulfillment apps without writing code. Use Creator Studio to build apps that manage employee requests, approvals, and fulfillments, such as equipment requests or travel approvals, directly on the ServiceNow AI Platform.") : Use Creator Studio to quickly create a request/fulfill app based on Service Catalog using helpful templates. [ERP Semantic Mining](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=erp-customization-mining-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-integrate-applications&ft:locale=en-US) : Use Zero Copy Connector for ERP to connect to an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, create an ERP model, and extract data from the ERP system, such as sales orders, data records, and purchase documents. You can then use the ERP data when building low-code apps on the ServiceNow AI Platform. [ServiceNow CLI](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/wK7rN4Vh1XlwV5uvZaO5DQ "The ServiceNow CLI is a command-line interface that lets you perform instance operations from your local system. You can extend the CLI to include new commands that meet your application's needs.") : ServiceNow CLI enables you to create custom commands to manage applications from your local system's command line. ## Which app builder should I use? {#building-low-code-applications-with-app-engine__id_jrp_lf3_s3c} Use the following table to choose the app building experience that matches your role and technical background. {#building-low-code-applications-with-app-engine__app-builders-table__entry__3} | Tool | Users | Features | |-|-|-| | Creator Studio: Build an app without code. | Process owners, line of business owners | Build request-fulfillment apps without writing code. For example, create an application to request office supplies: a user fills out a form, and an approver accepts or denies the request. For more information, see [Exploring Creator Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9ZdqTn_eJz8jrTrlJb5Z0w "Creator Studio makes creating apps easier by dividing their creation into simple steps. In this section, we'll explain each one."). | | App Engine Studio: Build a range of apps using low-code tools. | Citizen developers | Build a broader range of apps than Creator Studio without writing code. For more information, see [Exploring App Engine Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/F7_q8_62smdT3_7KYX_YfA "Learn how you can use the low-code app development tool, App Engine Studio (AES), to build powerful applications using guided setup, predefined templates, and workflows."). | | ServiceNow Studio: Build and deliver apps in a unified environment. | Citizen developers, Platform developers | Build apps in a unified development environment. ServiceNow Studio provides streamlined navigation, integrated low-code tools, and built-in tracking and packaging so you can develop and ship apps faster. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio to create and update apps with a conversational interaction. For more information, see [Exploring ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/5vacmk3x3_kqCU_WE7R3gw "ServiceNow Studio is a unified development environment where platform developers create, modify, and deploy apps. Use ServiceNow Studio to manage app files, edit metadata, and package changes for deployment without switching between tools.") and [Build Agent in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/A6Pjtl7DojwPwbxEzjKM7A "Use Build Agent, an autonomous AI agent, to create and update applications in ServiceNow Studio through conversational interaction."). | | ServiceNow IDE and ServiceNow SDK: Build apps in source code. | Source code developers | Develop applications in source code with ServiceNow Fluent, create JavaScript modules, and use third-party libraries. ServiceNow Fluent is a domain-specific programming language for creating application metadata in code. Use Build Agent in ServiceNow IDE to create and update apps in source code with a conversational interaction. The ServiceNow IDE runs Visual Studio Code for the Web on the ServiceNow AI Platform. The ServiceNow SDK runs Visual Studio Code Desktop locally. For more information, see [Building applications in source code](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ctrNTXJvQ5Ygxu7d2YraWA "Create and develop custom applications in source code using familiar development tools and processes."). | [Table 1. App builders] {#building-low-code-applications-with-app-engine__app-builders-table} ## Related applications and features {#building-low-code-applications-with-app-engine__section_x2x_jjq_rvb} [Exploring decision tables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=decision-designer-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) : Use Decision Builder to create and manage decision tables. Embed business logic into a series of if-then decision rules. [ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6vj3PRLgkGcvK8LaWdEsoQ "Use ServiceNow Studio to build, configure, and deploy custom ServiceNow apps from a single development environment. ServiceNow Studio gives admins and developers integrated tools to create app files, edit scoped and global app metadata, and package changes for deployment.") : ServiceNow Studio gives developers access to app development builders and tools, all in one place. [Flows in Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-flows&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) : Workflow Studio automates processes and repetitive work to improve efficiency and experience. [Table Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/v4uNU4QY5xwLMvluQYYNaw "Table Builder enables you to create, design, and administer tables and forms visually from a single user interface.") : Use Table Builder to design tables, forms, and flows visually using a single user interface. [UI Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/eEkHP5JM3Z7MG7voCBC~XA "UI Builder is a web user interface builder. Use UI Builder to build pages for App Engine Studio generated workspaces or custom web experiences using Next Experience Components and custom web components.") : Use UI Builder to build web user interfaces for CSM Configurable Workspace, App Engine Studio generated workspaces and portals, or custom web experiences using Next Experience Components and custom web components. [Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=workflow-studio&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) : Integrate workflow authoring, configuring, and monitoring into a single page experience. [Workspace Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8_AXbnamKlE9zrb6ZblWTA "Create a workspace in Workspace Builder before customizing its settings, home page, record pages, lists, and analytics.") : Workspace Builder for App Engine enables you to create a custom workspace from App Engine Studio (AES) quickly and efficiently.