Mendix vs OutSystems: Choosing the Right Low-Code Platform

Accessibility

Mendix is browser-based, making it accessible from any computer with a web browser, no special tools required

With OutSystems, you need to install the Studio as a bare minimum

Collaboration

Mendix includes built-in collaboration tools, allowing easy communication and feedback within development tasks

OutSystems lacks these integrated communication tools

User-friendly Interface

Mendix's simplified interface makes it welcoming for beginner developers.

OutSystems doesn't offer this easy start.

Seamless Transition

In Mendix, applications can smoothly shift from a beginner developer to a professional one for polishing and releasing. This encourages seamless transition

OutSystems only allows a one-way transition from the template tool to the Studio

Unified IDE vs Multiple IDEs

Mendix operates with a single Integrated Development Environment (IDE) – Meaning, developers can access all functions and tools within one interface. This results in a consistent user interface and no need to switch between different environments during development

OutSystems has multiple desktop IDEs for different functions (though they're trying to consolidate), which requires developers to navigate different interfaces for different tasks.

Workflows

In Mendix, all workflow development is contained within the primary IDE

OutSystems utilizes a separate application for building workflows. After building the flow in this separate application, you cannot go back and use the original tool for maintenance.

Updates

Updates are centralized since there's only one IDE to maintain

Multiple tools need to be kept up to date separately

The database is created and controlled by the platform.

The data is not accessible by default

Mendix uses PostgreSQL as the underlying database

Reporting on data requires either building it into the platform or requesting database access

Users can download and view data whenever they like

When accessing the underlying data, the table names are changed with each version, given a new namespace prefix

The platform allows for exposing the data via Odata, making it easy to consume in reporting tools or populate a data warehouse

To report on the data, a solution must be created to dynamically pull data from tables with changing names or stage it in another warehouse database using a dynamic routine

Integrated OData publisher in the Studio Pro IDE

Does not have built-in support for publishing OData

Exposes data through OData, allowing for easy access and integration with reporting tools

Allows data publishing through a REST API, but it may be less accessible from a reporting perspective

Provides the ability to specify security credentials and tie them to user roles

Requires manual implementation of data security measures

Offers row-level data security to limit data exposure based on user roles

Often involves having multiple endpoints for different user roles to enforce data access control

Utilizes SASS (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) for underlying styling

Uses traditional CSS for styling

Versatile variables for easier customization and structured syntax for improved readability and maintainability.

While functional, it may not promote clarity and structured styling

Ability to split styles across files to limit complexity and advanced features like mixins for efficient style reuse.

Provides basic styling capabilities

Provides control over access at a data level with row level security.

Relies on a database with a flat level of security

User roles can be limited using conditional logic, ensuring they only see records they are authorized to view

Control over data access is primarily dictated by the pages used to access the data and the permissions granted to those pages

This level of control extends to the user interface, automatically hiding navigational links to pages that users do not have access to

Achieving granular control on a page often involves duplicating pages for different user roles, showing/hiding buttons, or splitting data retrieval actions based on user roles

Offers a more granular and centralized approach to data and access control, simplifying management and reducing the need for duplicate solutions

This approach can result in multiple solutions to the same problem and can be challenging to manage

Studio Pro in Mendix includes the MxAssist Performance bot

Performance analysis tools are separate from the development studio

The bot scans your code for bad patterns and potential performance issues.

Provides robust metrics but lacks detailed suggestions and linking back to the application to locate problems.

It directs you to the specific faults within the application and provides explanations of the problems and guidance on how to fix them and offers a more integrated and informative approach to performance analysis and issue resolution

Highlights complex mapping tools as a feature, but this complexity arises due to the platform's architecture, which can easily lead to messy implementations

Produces true React Native mobile applications that are compiled and run directly on the device, without the need for a wrapper or web view.

Mobile apps are not truly native; they are web apps packaged in a wrapper called Cordova (formerly known as PhoneGap).

There is no reliance on a third-party wrapper being maintained, ensuring efficient interfacing with the device.

Actions performed in the app pass through a web view and an additional layer, which can result in performance issues.

The apps have a more direct and efficient interaction with the device, without the performance drawbacks of passing through a web view

There is a dependency on the Cordova wrapper being maintained to keep up with device features and technology changes

Mendix prioritizes the development of native mobile apps, without the need for Cordova or similar wrappers.

OutSystems emphasizes time-saving by using Cordova for packaging web apps into mobile apps

Mendix applications can be packaged and deployed to work on various industrial edge devices using Siemens Industrial Edge Suite

As per the extensive research conducted, OutSystems might not have specific capabilities or offerings related to industrial edge devices or a dedicated marketplace for edge applications.

Users can explore pre-packaged applications on the Industrial Edge Hub marketplace for deployment on their edge devices

Alternatively, users have the flexibility to independently build and deploy applications using the Industrial Edge Publisher

Collaboration and Communication Tools

Mendix provides built-in collaboration and communication tools to enhance project management. With features like "Project Buzz" and conversations within specific areas of the system, users can have project-centric discussions without the need for external communication tools like email. This streamlines communication and ensures queries and issues are clearly highlighted

OutSystems lacks inbuilt collaboration or communication tools, requiring users to rely on external platforms for project discussions.

Support for Citizen Developers

Mendix's Studio allows Citizen Developers (non-technical users) to participate more effectively in the development process. They can start conversations alongside specific areas of the system, such as pages and microflows, allowing them to raise queries and highlight problems more precisely. This feature empowers Citizen Developers by enabling them to express their concerns in a visual and contextual manner

OutSystems does not offer similar functionality, potentially making it harder for Citizen Developers to communicate their queries effectively