Automation is no longer optional – it’s essential. Yet many companies struggle to choose the right tools to streamline operations. Should you focus on Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to tackle repetitive tasks? Or invest in low-code platforms to build scalable applications? Without a clear understanding of these technologies, you risk wasting resources on solutions that fail to deliver results.
This article dives into the key differences between RPA and low-code platforms, backed by real-world data and examples, to help you make informed decisions. You’ll learn:
- What problems RPA and low-code solve – and when to use each.
- How you can use these toolsto the fullest for efficiency and growth.
- Specific services Mitrix offers in RPA and low-code development – and how they can solve your unique challenges
RPA vs. low-code
While both technologies offer similar potential, they have distinct differences in how they work and where they’re used. Simply put, low-code is about building applications, while RPA is about automating tasks within them. Many businesses use both: RPA for automation and low-code for creating user-friendly interfaces and workflows.
RPA uses software robots to mimic human interactions with a computer and handles repetitive, high-volume tasks with speed and accuracy. These bots can navigate user interfaces, browse the web, extract data, and input information. In other words, they take over tedious work so employees can focus on more valuable tasks. Businesses use RPA for tasks like transaction reconciliation, employee and customer onboarding, and billing.
RPA technology comes in different forms, but at its core, it relies on two main types of bots:
- Rule-based bots. These bots follow a fixed set of instructions, executing tasks exactly as programmed.
- AI-powered bots. These bots use artificial intelligence to learn from user actions, adapting over time to perform tasks independently.
These intelligent bots observe clicks, keystrokes, and workflows to gather enough data to automate processes without ongoing human input.
In turn, low-code platforms empower professional developers and non-technical users to create software applications using visual, intuitive tools like drag-and-drop builders and point-and-click interfaces. These platforms streamline development, making it faster to build, deploy, and maintain business applications. With a low-code approach, IT and business teams can collaborate to develop custom applications without deep coding expertise. This speeds up development while simplifying updates and maintenance.
Benefits of RPA
RPA is great at handling repetitive, rule-based tasks with precision. Once set up, bots can be deployed across different departments, scaling automation without added complexity. Many RPA solutions cater to non-developers so that businesses can implement simple automation quickly and efficiently. By offloading tedious processes to bots, employees can focus on higher-value tasks that drive growth, and improve accuracy: a Deloitte study found that RPA increases accuracy in data entry by 90%, reducing costly errors in high-volume processes.
Benefits of low-code
Low-code empowers businesses to build custom applications with minimal coding, making software development faster and more accessible. Research from TechRepublic shows that 60% of businesses using low-code platforms report improved collaboration between IT and business teams, leading to faster project delivery. With intuitive drag-and-drop tools and visual interfaces, even non-developers can contribute to app creation.
By streamlining development, low-code allows companies to adapt quickly to changing business needs. It also promotes collaboration between IT and business teams, which is a valuable benefit on its own. The result? Faster innovation, lower costs, and software that evolves as your business grows.
How to choose between RPA and low-code for process automation
Understanding the differences between RPA and low-code platforms is key to selecting the right automation approach for your business. The decision depends on your specific needs, existing systems, and long-term goals.
RPA is ideal for automating repetitive, rule-based tasks, especially within legacy applications that lack APIs. The technology allows businesses to streamline operations without significant system changes. However, since RPA relies on UI interactions, it can be less reliable when faced with unexpected updates or changes. Additionally, RPA is not designed for building new applications or systems from scratch.
Low-code platforms, on the other hand, go beyond task automation by enabling businesses to develop full applications with minimal coding. They provide a more scalable and flexible solution for creating custom workflows, integrating data sources, and designing user-friendly interfaces. Unlike RPA, low-code platforms allow organizations to build new systems tailored to their needs rather than simply automating existing processes.
Low-code vs. RPA: practical applications
As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to choose just one solution as low-code and RPA work perfectly together. Let’s see what areas of application exist for both technologies.
Low-code applications
- Cost tracking apps. Monitor expenses across teams, ensuring budgets stay on track.
- Scheduling tools. Manage appointments and shift coordination seamlessly.
- Expense reimbursement systems. Automate expense submissions and approvals for faster processing.
- Approval workflows. Streamline financial, HR, or project sign-offs with automated approval chains.
- Inventory management. Track stock, manage reorders, and optimize resource availability.
RPA applications
- Data migration & entry. Move data between systems like CRM and ERP, or extract details from emails and input them into databases.
- Invoice processing. Read, extract, and log invoice data while flagging discrepancies.
- Customer service automation. Handle routine tasks like password resets and order tracking.
- Employee onboarding. Set up new hires with profiles, training modules, and required documents.
- Payroll processing. Automate tax deductions, payment calculations, and compliance checks.
So, what’s the best approach? The best choice depends on your objectives. If you need to automate repetitive tasks quickly, RPA is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a long-term solution that enables process automation and application development, low-code platforms offer greater flexibility and scalability.
Building bots
Many businesses choose RPA to revamp their business processes. But how are you going to build your bots? Both AI and RPA require expertise in data engineering, machine learning, browser automation, and operating system integration. It’s good if you employ experienced specialists, but what if you don’t? This is where low-code platforms come in handy.
The technology strikes a balance between traditional high-code and no-code paradigms: this way, businesses can develop automation without the need for a highly specialized team of developers. They bridge the gap between traditional high-code development and no-code simplicity, enabling businesses to develop bots using drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built components, and intuitive visual workflows.
Plus, low-code gives you the flexibility to incorporate code when necessary, ensuring your automation solutions meet the unique needs of your business. This means businesses can start with simpler automations and later refine them with custom scripts and integrations as requirements evolve.
How Mitrix can help
Our team specializes in integrating RPA and low-code solutions seamlessly into your existing systems. Whether you need custom app development or automation workflows powered by AI-driven bots, we ensure your operations run smoothly while reducing costs.
At Mitrix, we empower businesses to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and reduce manual effort.
Here’re some RPA services we can help you with:
- Data migration & Entry automation. Automate transferring data between systems like CRM and ERP, saving hours of manual effort for finance or operations teams.
- Invoice processing. Use bots to extract invoice details, flag discrepancies, and log data – reducing human error in accounting processes.
- Customer service automation. Deploy bots for routine tasks like password resets or order tracking – enhancing customer satisfaction while freeing up support teams.
As for low-code, here’s what we’re doing:
- Custom app development. Build applications for tasks like cost tracking, scheduling, or inventory management – ideal for businesses needing scalable solutions without deep coding expertise.
- Process digitization. Transform manual workflows into streamlined digital processes for better efficiency. Perfect for HR teams managing approvals or reimbursements.
- Mobile-ready applications. Enable your workforce with apps optimized for both desktop and mobile devices—great for field teams or remote workers.
Whether you need custom software, seamless system integrations, or scalable automation, we ensure your operations run smoothly. Let’s revamp your business with smart automation. Get in touch with us today!
To sum up
The global RPA market was valued at $3.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.9% from 2025 to 2030. Similarly, the low-code platform market is expected to reach $36.43 billion by 2027. This rapid growth highlights a clear trend: businesses are increasingly turning to automation to boost efficiency and adaptability. But with both RPA and low-code on the rise, how do you determine which solution best fits your needs?
Again, choosing between RPA and low-code isn’t about picking one over the other. Rather, it’s about aligning the right tool with your business needs. RPA excels at automating repetitive tasks, while low-code enables scalable, custom applications. The best strategy often combines both, leveraging their strengths to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and stay competitive in an evolving digital landscape.