PHP Rapid Application Development Tools

Let me start off by saying, “PHP RAD Tools are awesome!” If you are looking for a free rapid application development tool for PHP scripts then you are in the right place.

I have tested dozens of open-source PHP rapid application development tools and created my review to help you find the ideal tool that fits your development needs…What is a rapid application development tool? It’s an easy to use interface that allows you to easily create great looking web applications in minutes. Try out some today and enjoy the time you’re saving.

Laminas

The Laminas Project is an open-source continuation of the Zend framework. It combines PHP components with a model-view-controller framework. With the Mezzio component, you can build PHP middleware application connectors quickly.

Other use cases include the creation of barcodes as images or PDFs and generating RSS feeds. The API component allows you to separate data from its presentation logic, carrying the legacy of Apigility forward.

If you previously used the Zend framework or Apigility, you can migrate your libraries to the new Laminas project.

OroPlatform

Brought to you by the people that created Magento, OroCRM, and OroCommerce, the OroPlatform is an enterprise-grade PHP RAD suite of tools. OroPlatform is the basis of popular open-source products such as Marello ERP and Diamante help desk solutions. That’s because OroPlatform is an open-source solution. OroPlatform can be used by multiple developers in the company.

And you know it’s powerful and flexible because it’s the platform used to create entire web application products.

Because it’s built on Symfony, you get all the tools you need to create web applications and responsive mobile applications. Or create applications for your internal needs such as a PIM or CRM. OroPlatform provides the most robust suite of RAD tools for PHP available today.

Oro’s Rapid Application Development Platform

Get From Idea to App Faster With Oro’s Rapid Application Development Platform for Web Applications

Create Powerful Tools With a RAD Platform Designed Around Your Brand and Audience

Bring your idea from conception to reality with OroPlatform, an open-source RAD or rapid application development platform.

Whether you need a PIM, CRM, ERP, order management software, or a helpdesk system, OroPlatform lets you build powerful, seamless, and secure applications for any business need.

Based on PHP and the popular Symfony framework, OroPlatform gives developers and businesses a solid base for creating responsive web applications that solve specific business problems.

Start building enterprise web applications in no time on top of a robust, open-source RAD platform for cost-effective and timely application development.

Utilize Rich, Pre-built Components

Minimize coding efforts and build your application at a fraction of the cost. Offer developers pre-built components out-of-the-box and help them create apps quickly and easily.

Faster Application Development

Make life truly easy for developers. Leverage full benefits of a low-code development platform, speed-up time-to-market, and get your web applications out in the shortest time possible.

Flexible, Extendable, and Easy-to-use

Built on Symfony, the high-performance and open-source PHP framework, OroPlatform gives developers a full spectrum of tools for building web and responsive mobile applications.

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PHPRad

Like OroPlatform, PHPRad provides PHP tools. And it also gives you access to other RAD tools as well. It provides 60 Bootstrap themes and allows you to build single-page applications with Vuejs.

This menu-driven collection of RAD tools lets you configure page design and set properties with just a few clicks.

There’s quite a bit of power under the hood, but it comes with a pretty hefty price tag as well. It’s available in your choice of a single developer license good for 6 months of updates or a 50 developer license that gives updates for 2 years. Either way, you end up paying for products like Vue.js and PostgreSQL which are free.

ServiceNow

The ServiceNow platform is great if you are looking for a tool to automate workflows. It includes a flow designer and an integration hub to get work processes flowing across systems for an end-to-end solution.

It includes a Virtual Agent component. This is helpful for escalating service or work tickets within the organization, saving 2 employees time on the phone or emailing.

The apps created rival those of common consumer apps in appearance, so you have minimal dip due to the learning curve.

The code is proprietary, but there is a limited, free version. The full version begins at $10,000 per year.

ScriptCase

Just as ServiceNow is dedicated to the single task of automating workflows, ScriptCase focuses on converting databases to apps, web systems, and reports. This RAD tool is a PHP code generator.

Take spreadsheets and turn them into databases. Then convert those databases to web apps. ScriptCase manages the connection to a variety of database management systems such as MySQL, MS Database, Firebird, and SQLite. And a single ScriptCase project can manage multiple connections to different databases.

As with other proprietary tools, pricing depends on several factors. But plan on about $350 to $600 per year.

Claris FileMaker

This RAD tool embodies the essence of low code development. Use it to create apps to solve internal problems at a low cost. The user interface is mainly to drag and drop, making it easy for non-developers to get up and running quickly. It’s great for collaboration tools like calendars or presentation tools like charts. There’s even a signature capture workflow when getting a real sign-off is important.

FileMaker does what it does very well. But, it’s not for every application. However, for an entry-level RAD, you only pay an entry-level price, $20 for 20 users.

Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is one of the most popular rapid development tools on the market, and for good reason. It’s got a solid list of features to create business web tools and customize them any way you like.

One of the biggest features is a drag-and-drop interface, allowing even layman business users to create apps without having to know how to code. Inexperienced users use pre-built modules that have specific functionalities they want.

There are also tools for collecting data, designing personal workflows, and setting up unique rules for each new application.

All of this makes Zoho Creator one of the most popular rapid application development tools for web development on the market.

Kissflow Low-Code

One of the best rapid application development tools on the market, Kissflow is a complete business process management suite designed to let you create your own processes and workflows, or customize pre-built templates according to your needs.

Kissflow believes in keeping everything as simple and easy to use as possible. That’s reflected in the software, which is designed from the ground up to be easy to use for everyone.

It’s got a single sign-on feature, allowing you to work from anywhere and using any device.It even has Android and iOS apps that you can access through your smartphone.

Built-in advanced reporting and analytical tools give you all the information you need. This removes the need for additional reporting tools when you need metrics to calculate and measure performance.

Another great Kissflow feature is the ability to integrate with third-party tools using Zapier. So, if you like using a particular tool, Kissflow will seamlessly integrate with it, without needing any additional coding.

In the ‘workflow management and business process management suite’ space, few alternatives do it as well as Kissflow does.

OutSystems

OutSystems is a platform designed to work with RAD methodology. It gives developers the high-end tools they need to create, deploy, and manage enterprise-grade applications quickly and efficiently.

One thing that makes OutSystems stand out from other rapid application development tools is the fact that it takes full advantage of integrations, and makes it easy to connect with other tools. If you prefer using multiple systems for other parts of your work, OutSystems will easily integrate with those tools to give you an easier development experience.

When it comes to rapid application development tools, OutSystems shines because it encompasses the rapid application development philosophy of quick prototyping with constant feedback and communication to build each function and feature.

OutSystems’ ability to create enterprise applications also means that it provides total end-to-end security for the applications you create and run through the platform. This means no complicated intranet setup or hassling keys. All you need is a single user ID and password to log in, and you’re ready to go.

4. Bizagi

A portmanteau of the words “business” and “agility”, Bizagi certainly lives up to its name. It’s an extremely useful rapid application development tool. Bizagi is a BPM suite used to automate business processes and create customized workflows.

It’s loaded with a plethora of benefits–a process simulator, designer, tools for collaborating with your team, form builder, and more. You can also create your own custom reports and analytics to measure your productivity growth.

If you’re in the market for a business process management suite that covers your rapid application development needs as well, this is worth looking into.

Kissflow Vs OutSystems? The Best Low-Code Platform Pricing Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Appian

Appian gives a lot of importance to quick and easy development. This makes it one of the most well-known rapid application development tools on the market.

As a BPM suite, it offers solutions that are more drag-and-drop than sit-and-code. This makes it incredibly convenient for developers and users who aren’t familiar with coding.

In addition to this, it also allows seamless integration with third-party tools of your choosing. Appian is scalable according to your needs, whether you’re a company with 10 users or 10,000 users.

On the hunt for a Rapid Application Development platform? Here are 5 features you NEED to be looking for before you make a purchase.

Kissflow Vs Appian? The Best Low-Code Platform Pricing Comparison