Are you looking for a reliable Appian review to decide if it's the right low-code platform for your needs? Appian is a popular tool for rapidly developing and deploying high-impact applications and workflows. 

However, due to its significant cost and user interface limitations, Appian might not be right for your project. 

This review will explore its features, pricing, pros and cons, and alternative solutions that may work better. 

Appian Review

Appian is a low-code development platform that empowers organizations to create custom business applications quickly and efficiently. Appian breaks down the app creation process into user-friendly components, making it accessible to technical and non-technical users.

The platform is versatile, supporting a wide range of applications such as:

• Process automation
• Customer relationship management
• Supply chain management

With its pre-built development modules and drag-and-drop modeler, Appian allows organizations to create and customize applications that meet their needs rapidly.

This approach to app development can significantly reduce the time and resources required to bring new solutions to market, making it a good option for businesses looking to digitize and optimize their operations.

Features

• Workflow automation: Appian streamlines business processes by automating repetitive tasks, reducing manual intervention, and improving efficiency.
  
  
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): You can connect various systems and applications to automate tasks without requiring APIs or custom integrations.
  
  
• Digital Process Automation (DPA): Appian focuses on automating or partially automating tasks that typically involve human interaction across multiple applications.
  
  
• Business rules engine: Appian enables users to define complex business logic and rules without writing code, ensuring consistency in decision-making processes.
  
  
• Data management: Appian offers comprehensive tools for data modeling, integration, and visualization, allowing organizations to manage and analyze their data effectively.
  
  
• Intelligent Document Processing (IDP): Appian uses AI and machine learning to automate the extraction, processing, and analysis of data from various document types, improving accuracy and efficiency in document handling.
  
  
• Process modeling: Appian allows users to design, simulate, and optimize business processes using intuitive flowchart-like tools.
  
  
• Cloud and on-premises deployment: Appian can deploy applications either in the cloud or on-premises, depending on organizational needs.

Pros

• Optimized workflow separation: Appian enhances overall productivity and specialization by dividing app creation processes between business users and IT.
  
  
• Robust collaboration tools: The platform's built-in team collaboration features create a productive environment, simplifying task management and internal communication.
  
  
• Comprehensive mobile development: Appian's native mobile app capabilities ensure smooth, responsive applications across various devices without specialized mobile expertise.
  
  
• Intuitive process modeling: The drag-and-drop process modeler simplifies the creation of complex workflows, making it accessible to users with varying technical expertise.
  
  
• Advanced decision logic: Appian's decision engine handles intricate business rules, allowing for sophisticated application logic without extensive coding.

Cons

• Significant cost consideration: The high per-user pricing structure may prove challenging for smaller businesses, potentially limiting accessibility for organizations with tighter budgets.
  
  
• User interface limitations: Some aspects of Appian's interface appear outdated, impacting user experience and potentially slowing adoption in design-conscious environments.
  
  
• Developer experience inconsistencies: Appian Designer can present a fragmented experience for developers when customizing various application aspects, potentially slowing down the development process.
  
  
• Excessive required fields: Users may encounter unnecessary required fields, which can complicate the development process and create extra work.
  
  
• Occasional coding necessity: Despite its low-code focus, Appian sometimes requires coding knowledge for error fixes, object edits, and integrations, which may challenge pure citizen developers.
  
  
• Steep learning curve: The platform's extensive feature set, while powerful, can be overwhelming for new users, potentially extending the time needed to become proficient.

Pricing

You’ll need to contact Appian for pricing details. However, the website does provide information on the specific features available in each tier.

• Standard Tier: This tier includes basic support and offers essential features, including their low-code process to build mobile apps, data fabric for a single data source, integrations, and access to a cloud database.
  
  It also includes features like AI Copilot for developers, basic Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with up to 5 bots, and unlimited unauthenticated use for one portal per app.
  
  
• Advanced Tier: The Advanced tier builds on the Standard plan, offering additional features like Process HQ, a Case Management Studio, and offline mobile capabilities. It enhances RPA with up to 25 bots and provides unlimited portals per app.
  
  This tier also supports multiple data sources in the data fabric and includes AI Copilot for business users. It includes advanced AI skills, such as intelligent document extraction for up to 20,000 pages per month.
  
  
• Premium Tier: The Premium tier includes all the features of the Advanced plan with further enhancements. It provides unlimited RPA bots, unlimited portals, and expanded AI capabilities, including AI skills for email and document classification and intelligent document extraction for up to 50,000 pages per month.

What Kinds of Apps Can Appian Build?

Appian's versatility allows for the creation of various applications across various industries. Here are some common types of apps and use cases:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Tailored solutions for managing customer interactions, sales pipelines, and service requests
  
  
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools: Integrated systems for managing core business processes such as finance, HR, and supply chain
  
  
• Workflow automation: Applications can streamline and automate complex business processes, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency
  
  
• Case management solutions: Systems for handling service requests, incident management, and various investigations are particularly useful in the healthcare and government sectors
  
  
• Financial services applications: Tools for loan processing, compliance management, and customer onboarding in the banking and finance industry
  
  
• Customer service portals: Self-service applications that enhance customer engagement and support

Who is Appian Good For?

• Large enterprises: Organizations with complex, cross-departmental processes that need streamlining and automation
  
  
• Financial institutions: Banks and insurance companies looking to automate compliance, risk management, and customer onboarding
  
  
• Government agencies: Public sector organizations seeking to enhance citizen services and improve interdepartmental collaboration
  
  
• Manufacturing companies: Businesses looking to optimize supply chain management, quality control, and production processes
  
  
• Businesses with high-volume tasks: Organizations seeking to reduce human error and free up employee time for higher-value work
  
  
• Companies with complex compliance needs: Enterprises in highly regulated industries requiring consistent adherence to rules and standards
  
  
• IT teams collaborating with business units: Organizations where IT and business teams need to work together on application development

Who Should Avoid Appian?

• Small businesses with limited budgets: Appian's pricing structure may be prohibitive for small companies with tight IT budgets.
  
  
• Organizations that need simple, one-off applications: The platform might be overkill for businesses needing only basic, standalone apps.
  
  
• Companies without dedicated IT resources: Appian's complexity may overwhelm organizations lacking technical staff for implementation and maintenance.
  
  
• Startups needing rapid prototyping: The learning curve and setup time might not suit startups requiring extremely quick app development cycles.
  
  
• Businesses looking for extensive UI customization: Organizations prioritizing highly customized, unique user interfaces may limit Appian's UI options.

Appian Alternatives

• Blaze.tech: Blaze.tech is a powerful no-code platform that prioritizes ease of use without sacrificing functionality. Unlike Appian's low-code approach, Blaze enables even non-technical users to create complex applications.
  
  Blaze.tech also emphasizes scalability and security, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
  
  
• OutSystems: OutSystems is a comprehensive low-code platform that competes directly with Appian in the enterprise space.
  
  It offers a wide range of tools for building web and mobile applications, with a strong focus on scalability and integration capabilities.
  
  
• Mendix: Mendix stands out for its strong collaboration features, enabling business and IT teams to collaborate seamlessly. It provides tools for both web and mobile app development and places a significant emphasis on AI-assisted development.

Is Appian HIPAA-compliant?

Appian offers features to support HIPAA compliance with comprehensive security measures like end-to-end encryption, access controls, and detailed audit trails. However, healthcare organizations must properly configure the platform and ensure correct data handling practices and user access management to meet regulatory requirements fully.

Appian Reviews: The Bottom Line

As Appian reviews point out, it’s a popular low-code platform that empowers enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation journey.

With its intuitive visual interface, powerful workflow automation, and comprehensive data management capabilities, Appian enables organizations to develop and deploy custom applications that streamline business processes rapidly.

However, Blaze emerges as a noteworthy option for organizations seeking alternatives, particularly those with stringent security requirements or budget constraints. Blaze's user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, built-in database, and customizable workflows provide a compelling package for businesses looking to develop applications without extensive technical expertise. 

Blaze's comprehensive support includes an implementation team to assist with initial application development, which can significantly reduce the learning curve and accelerate time-to-market.

Some key advantages of Blaze:

• Ease of use: Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows quick and easy application development, even for non-technical users.
  
  
• Built-in database: It simplifies data management by eliminating the need for external databases and streamlining the development process.
  
  
• Customizable workflows: It automates complex business processes with Blaze's workflow builder, which is tailored to your needs.
  
  
• Comprehensive support: An implementation team helps build the initial version of your application, speeding up your development cycle.

Blaze is ideal for healthcare organizations, large enterprises, and startups looking for a secure, scalable, and easy-to-use platform for developing their applications. No technical background is needed. 

Schedule a Free Demo Today.