--- 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 --- # Low-code versus pro-code development # Low-code versus pro-code development {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated March 12, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 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 Low-code versus pro-code development This content explains the distinctions between low-code, no-code, mid-code, and pro-code development on the ServiceNow AI Platform, helping customers select the right app-building approach based on their technical skills and business needs. Show full answer Show less ## App Builders and User Roles * **Creator Studio:** A no-code tool for process owners and line-of-business users to build simple request-fulfillment apps via guided steps without coding. * **App Engine Studio:** A low-code tool enabling citizen developers to build a broader range of apps without writing code. * **ServiceNow Studio:** A unified environment combining low-code and development tools for citizen and platform developers to build and ship apps efficiently, including conversational interactions with Build Agent. * **ServiceNow IDE and SDK:** Pro-code tools for source code developers to build complex apps using JavaScript, ServiceNow Fluent language, REST APIs, and third-party libraries, supported by Visual Studio Code environments. ## Low-code Development Low-code development leverages graphical interfaces and configuration to empower users with limited coding skills to rapidly build and deploy apps. Benefits include faster app delivery, reduced reliance on developers, pre-built templates for easier app creation, centralized app management, and streamlined workflows on the ServiceNow AI Platform. ServiceNow's no-code and low-code tools include Creator Studio, App Engine Studio, UI Builder, Guided Application Creator, Table Builder, Workflow Studio, and Workspace Builder. ## Mid-code Development Mid-code development is suited for users familiar with the platform and development tools, using ServiceNow Studio to access various builders and tools in a single place to build apps with a mix of low-code and custom coding. ## Pro-code Development Pro-code development is intended for professional developers creating complex, custom applications that cannot be built with low-code tools. It requires programming knowledge and provides the flexibility to build apps tailored to unique business requirements, including custom branding and advanced functionality. ServiceNow pro-code tools include the ServiceNow IDE, SDK, scripting capabilities, REST APIs, and Visual Studio Code extensions. ## Low-code versus No-code While often used interchangeably, no-code platforms require no development experience and target business users for simple app creation, but may risk unsanctioned app development (shadow IT). Low-code platforms support both business users and developers, allowing visual modeling with the option for hand coding to extend functionality. Learn the difference between low-code and pro-code solutions on the ServiceNow AI Platform. ## Which app builder should I use? {#low-vs-pro-code__id_a13_tf3_s3c} Use the following table to choose the app building experience that matches your role and technical background. {#low-vs-pro-code__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] {#low-vs-pro-code__app-builders-table} ## What is low-code development {#low-vs-pro-code__section_t2m_rnl_nvb} Low-code development is a new approach to app creation that allows users with limited coding experience to create powerful apps. Low-code development platforms rely on graphical interfaces and configuration instead of manual coding. These new low-code development platforms enable more people to create and deploy apps quickly and efficiently. ## Benefits of low-code development {#low-vs-pro-code__section_err_snl_nvb} Low-code app development streamlines the development process to build more apps faster. Low-code solutions require fewer developers, and allow non-developers to build apps. Pre-built templates provide developers a head start building apps. System administrators can manage app development from a single location and collaborate with other developers. Decrease the time that it takes to deploy apps using predefined workflows in the ServiceNow AI Platform. ## ServiceNow no-code and low-code development tools {#low-vs-pro-code__section_gfh_cks_nvb} * [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.") * [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.") * [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.") * [Guided Application Creator](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/N_ECvy9hTPiRTFUkLbMR1g "Guided Application Creator is a legacy development interface for building applications.") * [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.") * [Flows in Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-flows&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) * [Workspace Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/RGJMJ4ok6uXyYsq7SFytmg "Edit a workspace in Workspace Builder to make customizations.") * [Exploring decision tables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=decision-designer-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) {#low-vs-pro-code__ul_pwh_fks_nvb}For more information on low-code development tools, see [Building low-code applications](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oW4qFPZ9OHrB_AqJBvO18A "Create and manage custom applications in a simple, low-code environment."). ## No-code development tool example {#low-vs-pro-code__section_zg1_hcd_rvb} Creator Studio makes creating basic request-fufillment apps easier by dividing their creation into simple steps. You can create forms for users to request catalog items and use form submissions to initiate automated playbooks. Find out more in [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."). Figure 1. Create app an app in Creator Studio ## What is mid-code development {#low-vs-pro-code__section_h4g_zbb_2dc} If you're comfortable with the ServiceNow AI Platform and some development tools, use the new [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.") to access all of the builders and development tools in one place. ## Mid-code development tool example {#low-vs-pro-code__section_lkw_hcb_2dc} Figure 2. Create an app in ServiceNow Studio ## What is pro-code development {#low-vs-pro-code__section_rgt_rgm_nvb} Pro-code development is used by developers to create complex apps that can't be built with a low-code tool. Traditionally, pro-code development is used to create apps from scratch using custom code to solve a business need. Developers need to have knowledge of coding and how to use programming languages to build apps. ## Benefits of pro-code development {#low-vs-pro-code__section_u3n_3rm_nvb} The advantage of pro-code development is being able to create custom apps without the limitation of a tool. You can build custom apps unique to your business needs without limits. Developers can create apps with a custom look and feel to match your company's branding. ## ServiceNow pro-code development tools {#low-vs-pro-code__section_vlf_qks_nvb} * [ServiceNow IDE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/eMYyriIe_g3dvPLBokdLyg "Create and develop applications in source code in an integrated development environment (IDE) on the ServiceNow AI Platform to improve collaboration across development teams and accelerate application development.") * [ServiceNow SDK](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~gZiLOf42HSLacfuqryftg "Create and develop applications in source code locally in Visual Studio Code Desktop and upload changes to an instance using the ServiceNow software development kit (SDK).") * [Scripting](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_Script&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) * [REST APIs](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_RESTAPI&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) * [ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hIZdp86kwIIpUgehUO25cA "Edit your ServiceNow applications in Visual Studio Code with the help of the ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code.") {#low-vs-pro-code__ul_ydl_rks_nvb}For more information on pro-code development tools, see [Building pro-code applications](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Lug9djnrMD8nbCudN9cO2Q "Create and manage custom applications from scratch using classic pro-code tools."). ## Low-code versus no-code {#low-vs-pro-code__section_exn_h4l_nvb} The terms low-code and no-code tend to get used interchangeably, but they aren't exactly the same thing. While both low-code and no-code solutions provide tools for simplified app development, the differences are worth considering. Low-code : Low-code platforms are designed for professional developers and non-technical business users. They require very little training or experience and use visual-based modeling to streamline the development process. They also allow people with coding experience to dive deeper, coding by hand when needed. No-code : No-code platforms require no development experience, and are designed specifically for citizen developers and business users. No-code solutions open app development up to essentially everyone, but can lead to shadow IT---unsanctioned app development within an organization.