Citizen developers are changing how businesses build software. The global citizen development market was worth $12.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $45.7 billion by 2033. AI-powered no-code tools like Hercules help employees build business applications without writing code or relying on developers for every project.
Citizen developers are employees who build software using low-code or no-code platforms. They often work in operations, marketing, finance, or other non-IT roles. Low-code tools reduce the amount of programming needed, while AI-powered no-code tools like Hercules let people create apps by describing what they need. This helps employees build software around workflows they already know.
Key takeaways
- The market is growing: The citizen development platforms market is projected to grow 14.2% a year from 2025 to 2033, reaching $45.7 billion.
- More businesses plan to involve employees: 52% of surveyed executives said their companies planned to use citizen developers for most low-code applications.
- Low-code can shorten development timelines: Forrester found that low-code development could be up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, depending on the project.
- Businesses report efficiency gains: KPMG found that 52% reported better process efficiency, while 46% reported higher employee productivity.
- Hercules customers report measurable results: MMA Plumbing built a 46-module system, Petony Transportes launched its ERP in two months instead of eight, and Helixon Law reported a 30% increase in client close rates.
- Security and connections matter: KPMG found that 85% of executives prioritized security and 84% prioritized integration. Hercules supports 250+ external services, with App Integrations introduced in early access in October 2026.
1. The citizen development platforms market could reach $45.7 billion by 2033
The global citizen development platforms market was worth $12.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $45.7 billion by 2033. These platforms help employees build applications without traditional programming skills. The estimate covers citizen development platforms, not the wider low-code market.
2. The citizen development platforms market is projected to grow 14.2% annually
The citizen development platforms market is projected to grow 14.2% a year from 2025 to 2033. The forecast reflects growing demand for tools that reduce the need for traditional coding. Businesses can use these platforms to build suitable applications without the time and cost of a traditional development project.
3. North America holds roughly 38% of the citizen development platforms market
North America accounts for roughly 38% of the citizen development platforms market, making it the largest region. Technology spending and efforts to update business software help drive demand. Hercules customers in Brazil, the Philippines, and Côte d'Ivoire have also built applications for logistics, accounting, and internal operations.
4. 37% of surveyed organizations have made low-code central to software development
In KPMG's 2025 report, 37% of surveyed executives said low-code was central to their companies' software development strategies. KPMG surveyed 2,170 IT and business executives across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the United States, and Asia-Pacific. This shows that many surveyed businesses already treat low-code as part of their development work.
5. 52% plan to use citizen developers for most low-code applications
KPMG found that 52% of surveyed executives said their companies planned to use citizen developers for most low-code applications. This measures future plans, not the number of apps employees have already built. It points to a larger role for business teams in creating their own software.
6. 42% plan to use citizen developers mainly for simpler applications
KPMG's 2025 research found that 42% of surveyed organizations planned to use citizen developers mainly for less complex applications. These include forms, dashboards, team workflows, and internal tools. Employees can build software for everyday tasks while more complex projects receive technical oversight.
7. 28% of surveyed low-code users reported very strong use for complex enterprise applications
Among 1,193 low-code users surveyed by KPMG, 28% rated their current or planned use of low-code for complex enterprise applications as very strong. This suggests interest in using low-code for larger business systems. Such applications still need testing, maintenance, and oversight.
8. 25% of surveyed low-code users reported very strong use for mobile applications
KPMG found that 25% of users rated their current or planned use of low-code for mobile applications as very strong. This finding covers 1,193 surveyed low-code users. It shows that businesses are considering low-code for mobile apps as well as internal dashboards and web applications.
9. Low-code development could be up to 10 times faster
Low-code development has the potential to be 10 times faster than traditional development, according to Forrester's August 2018 analysis. These tools reduce the coding needed to build and update applications. The figure is a possible speed improvement, not a guaranteed result. Actual timelines depend on complexity, integrations, and testing.
10. 52% reported better process efficiency from low-code
KPMG found that 52% of surveyed executives reported better process efficiency from low-code adoption. Businesses can build applications that reduce manual data entry, automate repeated tasks, and bring related workflows into one system. The benefit depends on how teams design and use those applications.
11. 48% reported better service or product quality from low-code
KPMG's 2025 research found that 48% of surveyed executives reported better service or product quality as a benefit of low-code. Custom applications can help teams keep accurate records and respond to customers more consistently. These are benefits reported by survey participants, not results guaranteed for every business.
12. 46% reported higher employee productivity from low-code
KPMG found that 46% of surveyed executives reported higher employee productivity from low-code adoption. Applications can reduce the time spent moving information between systems or repeating manual tasks. Bringing workflows together also gives employees more time for work that needs their attention.
13. 39% reported cost savings from low-code
KPMG reported that 39% of surveyed executives saw cost reduction as a benefit of low-code adoption. Businesses may spend less on development, manual work, or separate software subscriptions. Total costs still include platform fees, hosting, integrations, security, and maintenance.
14. 85% consider security important when choosing a low-code platform
KPMG's 2025 research found that 85% of surveyed executives rated security important or very important when choosing a low-code platform. Citizen developers may handle customer, financial, or internal business data, so companies need access controls, testing, and security reviews.
15. 84% prioritize integration when choosing a low-code platform
KPMG found that 84% of surveyed executives rated ease of integration as important or very important. Businesses need new applications to work with their accounting, sales, communication, and other tools. Connecting these systems can reduce the need to copy information between them.
16. 39% have introduced or are planning low-code governance rules
KPMG found that 39% of surveyed organizations had introduced low-code governance rules or were in the final stages of planning them. These rules cover permissions, data access, security reviews, and maintenance. They help companies manage apps built outside IT, especially when other teams depend on them.
17. 47% use or plan to use user satisfaction to measure low-code success
KPMG found that 47% of surveyed executives used or planned to use user satisfaction to measure low-code success. Feedback shows whether an app helps employees do their jobs. Businesses can also track costs, delivery times, and app quality to judge the results.
18. 56% of enterprise decision-makers prefer building most applications in-house
Futurum Group's June 2026 research found that 56% preferred building most business applications in-house, buying outside software when needed. The study surveyed 830 global IT decision-makers. The finding shows continued demand for software built around business needs, but does not mean these organizations use citizen developers for every project.
19. 87% of enterprise developers use low-code for some development work
Forrester reported in January 2024 that 87% of enterprise developers used low-code platforms for at least some development work. This shows that professional developers use low-code too. It does not tell us how much software is built without traditional coding or without developer involvement.
20. 78% are developing or planning AI-powered low-code applications
KPMG's 2025 research found that 78% of surveyed organizations were developing AI-powered low-code applications or planned to do so within the next 12 months. The survey covered 2,170 IT and business executives across several regions and industries. The result combines active projects with future plans, not completed deployments alone.
21. 44% of companies see low-code as strategically important
KPMG's 2025 research found that 44% of companies considered low-code development strategically important, up from 31% in 2022. The study surveyed 2,170 IT and business executives across multiple regions. This increase shows that more companies view low-code as a strategic part of software development rather than only a tool for smaller applications.
22. 53.3% say 20–40% of non-IT staff use app-building tools
Futurum Group's June 2026 research found that 53.3% of surveyed organizations said 20–40% of their non-IT staff used no-code, low-code, or natural-language tools to create or change applications. The study surveyed 830 global IT decision-makers. This measures employee participation, not the share of applications built by citizen developers.
How Hercules helps citizen developers build business software
Hercules is an AI-powered no-code app builder that lets employees create applications by describing what they need. Teams can build customer relationship management (CRM) systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer portals, and internal tools around their existing workflows.
- Build and publish apps: Describe the screens, functions, databases, and login controls you need. Hercules Cloud provides hosting, so teams can publish apps on custom domains without managing servers.
- Create business systems: MMA Plumbing built a 46-module operating system. ATOM Technology says it launched its first online casino in weeks and had six brands running about five months later. Its previous platform took 18 months and 14 developers to build.
- Connect existing tools: Hercules supports 250+ service integrations, including Notion, Linear, and Slack. App Integrations entered early access on October 1, 2026. Hercules also offers email, file storage, commerce tools, and built-in AI features for functions such as text generation and chatbots.
- Adapt to business needs: Global Connectors, an accounting firm in Côte d'Ivoire serving more than 100 clients, built its Compta 360 ERP in one month after receiving developer quotes of about $100,000. Kingdom Construction replaced four software vendors with one app, while Imjomat built a system for projects and team coordination.
- Manage teams and access: The Hercules Business Plan supports team collaboration, role-based access, and scheduled database backups. Under commercial-use requirements effective October 11, 2026, businesses need a Business or Enterprise plan for commercial use, including internal operations. AI Credits and Cloud Credits are separate, and extra usage charges may apply.
These customer examples show how teams use Hercules to manage data, reduce manual work, and build software without a traditional development team for every project. Results vary by business and application.
You should still test your apps, manage access, and plan for maintenance. When comparing options, include subscription fees, cloud usage, integrations, security, and ongoing support.
Frequently asked questions
What is a citizen developer?
A citizen developer is an employee who builds software using low-code or no-code tools without traditional programming skills. Citizen developers often work in operations, marketing, finance, or other non-IT roles. They create applications to solve problems in their daily work.
How fast can citizen developers build applications compared to traditional development?
Forrester's 2018 analysis found that low-code development could be up to 10 times faster than traditional methods. MMA Plumbing also reports building a 4,000-page website with Hercules in two days instead of the six months previously estimated. Actual timelines depend on complexity, requirements, integrations, and testing.
Can citizen developers build complex business applications?
Yes. Hercules customers have built large business systems without traditional programming. Helixon Law created more than 40 applications and reported a 30% increase in client close rates. MMA Plumbing built a 46-module operating system, while Petony Transportes built a logistics ERP. More complex apps still need testing and technical oversight.
Which industries use citizen development?
Citizen development is used in logistics, construction, accounting, legal services, professional services, food and beverage, and technology. Hercules customers in Brazil, the Philippines, and Côte d'Ivoire have built applications for internal operations and customer-facing work. The right tools depend on each business's workflows, security needs, and technical requirements.
How does Hercules differ from other no-code platforms for citizen developers?
Hercules lets users build complete business apps, including CRMs, ERPs, and internal operating systems, as well as websites, prototypes, and smaller tools. Its built-in application services include databases, backend functions that run behind the scenes, login controls, and hosting. The Business Plan supports team collaboration, role-based access, and scheduled database backups. Businesses should test their apps and compare the full cost of building and running them before choosing a platform.