OutSystems and the Microsoft Power Platform are both major players in the low-code development space, each with unique strengths and target audiences. While both platforms accelerate application development, understanding their key differences is crucial for choosing the right one for your business.
At Bridgeall we are a Microsoft Power Platform partner and were an OutSystems partner, so we wanted to share our experience of the two solutions in this article.
6 key differences between OutSystems and Power Platform
- Integration & Ecosystem
The most significant difference lies in their native integration capabilities. Microsoft Power Platform is a core component of the broader Microsoft ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and hundreds of other connectors.
This deep integration means you can build apps and automations that leverage your existing data and business processes without complex custom work. For a company already using Microsoft tools, this creates a unified, low-friction environment.
OutSystems, while a versatile platform with many integrations, requires more effort to achieve the same level of seamless connectivity, especially with Microsoft-specific products.
- Target User & Accessibility
Power Platform is designed for a wider range of users, from professional developers to “citizen developers”(business users with no coding experience). Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI all feature intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces that make it easy for non-technical employees to create apps and workflows to solve their own business problems. Power Platform can be used extensively by professional developers to improve application development time.
OutSystems, while low-code, is more geared toward professional developers and IT teams, offering a more robust and complex development environment for building highly customised enterprise-grade applications.
- Pricing Model & Cost of Ownership
The pricing models of the two platforms reflect their target users. OutSystems typically requires a larger license than Power Platform requiring organisations to commit to the platform and build multiple solutions to see a return. Whereas with Power Platform you have more flexibility and can license up a single solution or user and develop from there.
- Governance & Scalability
OutSystems has a long-standing reputation for its enterprise-grade governance and scalability features, including robust DevOps and application lifecycle management (ALM) tools. It’s built for building mission-critical, high-performance applications that require fine-grained control and large-scale deployment.
While Microsoft Power Platform is a powerful enterprise tool, it’s also designed to empower distributed teams. Microsoft has invested heavily in its CoE (Center of Excellence) toolkit, which provides a framework for IT to maintain governance and security while empowering a broad base of citizen developers across the organisation. This allows for controlled, widespread adoption.
- AI Integration & Innovation
Both platforms leverage artificial intelligence, but Microsoft Power Platform’s integration with AI is a distinct advantage. With Copilot at the heart of the platform, users can leverage natural language to create apps, automate workflows, and analyse data. AI Builder provides pre-built models for tasks like form processing and sentiment analysis.
OutSystems also offers AI-assisted development (AI-powered assistance and Code Mentor), but Power Platform’s direct integration with Copilot and other Azure AI services gives it a forward-looking edge in the AI-driven development landscape. This makes it a more modern and innovative choice.
- Skillsets and Partner Ecosystem
One of the key differences between OutSystems and Power Platform is the people to implement it. Microsoft Power Platform partners, consultants and skills are much more commonly available in the UK especially, compared to OutSystems being a more niche skillset. This does provide you with more flexibility for delivering projects and solutions for Power Platform.
Low-code development is a key way for businesses to build digital solutions cheaper and quicker than ever before. Both Power Platform and OutSystems are class leading solutions with Power Platform offering a more accessible and flexible approach with stronger integration whereas for more enterprise focused teams looking for a digital transformation platform OutSystems offers a compelling offering.
At Bridgeall we are a Microsoft Power Platform Partner helping organisations build digital solutions, discover our range of services and our Power Platform case studies today.
