How Low-Code Can Drive ROI: The Data CTOs Need to See Before Committing
Sep 17, 2025
As the business world increasingly shifts toward digital transformation, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are under constant pressure to find solutions that optimize development processes while minimizing costs. Low-code platforms, which allow for the creation of applications with minimal coding, have emerged as a game-changer. However, for many CTOs, the challenge lies in understanding the return on investment (ROI) that low-code can provide.
CTOs are naturally skeptical about adopting new technologies, especially when it comes to validating the financial and operational benefits. This article explores the data and insights that will help CTOs make an informed decision about adopting low-code platforms, ensuring they can confidently assess the ROI.
Why Low-Code is a Game-Changer for Technology Leadership
Low-code is an innovative technology that enables organizations to build applications faster and at a lower cost. By providing an intuitive visual interface for designing apps, these platforms allow both technical and non-technical teams to participate in development. This dramatically reduces the need for traditional coding and accelerates the development lifecycle.
Speed and Flexibility
One of the most significant advantages of low-code is its speed. By automating repetitive tasks, simplifying the process of connecting to databases and APIs, and providing pre-built templates, low-code platforms can help companies reduce development times by up to 80%. This enables businesses to bring products and features to market faster, ensuring they stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Cost-Effectiveness
For many CTOs, cost savings are a major driving factor in technology adoption. Low-code platforms can significantly reduce the cost of development by reducing the need for highly specialized developers and accelerating the time it takes to build applications. The savings from faster time-to-market and reduced labor costs can translate into a significant ROI.
The Metrics That Matter for CTOs
For a CTO, it’s not enough to simply adopt new technology; the real question is whether it will yield a measurable return. To evaluate the potential ROI of a low-code platform, it’s crucial to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
Time-to-Market Reduction: Speed is one of the primary benefits of low-code. Measuring how much faster new applications are delivered compared to traditional development processes is a key indicator of success. A reduced time-to-market means that businesses can launch products quicker, stay ahead of competitors, and adapt to changing market demands.
Cost Savings: Low-code platforms enable significant cost savings in both development and maintenance. With fewer developers required to build applications and reduced complexity in integration, businesses can expect to save on labor costs and maintenance fees. Tracking these savings provides a clear picture of how low-code impacts the bottom line.
Productivity Improvements: Low-code platforms empower business users to contribute to the development process, freeing up valuable time for IT teams. This not only boosts productivity within the development team but also across the organization, as more resources can focus on high-value tasks.
User Adoption Rates: A key metric to track is the rate of user adoption of applications built with low-code. Since low-code platforms focus on ease of use, apps created are often more intuitive, which can increase user satisfaction and engagement.
Measuring ROI: Data-Backed Approaches
When evaluating low-code adoption, both technical and financial metrics are essential. From a technical perspective, businesses should consider the speed of development, ease of integration with existing systems, and scalability. Financially, businesses should look at cost savings, labor efficiency, and the long-term value of faster deployment.
Real-World Examples of Low-Code ROI
Low-code platforms aren't just theoretical tools; they've driven measurable results for companies across industries. Here are two examples from recent Stackdrop projects that illustrate the impact:
Example 1: Streamlining Global Clinic Operations. A multi-location healthcare provider struggled with fragmented tools and inconsistent client data across regions. Staff spent too much time switching between systems, leading to delays in service and revenue leakage. Stackdrop built a centralized app using Retool that unified client records, standardized workflows, and improved billing accuracy.
Results: The organization reported increased productivity, smoother onboarding across clinics, and significantly reduced time spent on manual admin tasks.
Example 2: Automating Customer Support at Scale. A global logistics and retail client was facing an unmanageable influx of customer support tickets. Agents were juggling six different platforms just to resolve basic inquiries, and resolution times were skyrocketing. Stackdrop implemented a Retool-based support platform that pulled in data from all sources and layered on AI to automate repetitive responses.
Results: Over 20,000 tickets were handled through the new system, AI categorized over 80% of requests accurately, and support teams slashed resolution times without adding headcount.
These cases underscore how low-code platforms, paired with the right expertise, can unlock operational efficiency, cut costs, and prepare businesses to scale fast.
Stackdrop + Retool: Your Partner in Low-Code Success
At Stackdrop, we specialize in creating custom low-code applications using platforms like Retool. Our team works closely with CTOs and their teams to streamline internal workflows and drive impactful results. By leveraging low-code tools like Retool, you can achieve faster development cycles, reduce overhead costs, and scale your operations seamlessly.
If you’re ready to start tracking your ROI and seeing measurable results, let’s talk! Stackdrop can help you leverage the full power of low-code to drive efficiency, cost savings, and innovation in your organization. Contact us today to learn how we can build a custom solution for your needs using Retool.