#Citizen Developer

[fabbuilder]

What Is a Citizen Developer? A Beginner’s Guide for 2025

What if you could solve your department’s tech challenges without relying solely on IT? What if building custom apps didn’t require you to write thousands of lines of code? That’s exactly where the role of a citizen developer comes in — and it’s transforming the way businesses innovate.

So, who are these citizen developers, and why is citizen development gaining so much momentum? Can non-technical professionals really build powerful digital tools? The answer is yes — and it’s simpler than you might think.

This comprehensive beginner’s guide breaks down everything you need to know: What is a citizen developer? What do they actually do day-to-day? How can you become one in 2025? And what tools and skills are essential to thrive in this fast-growing space?

Whether you’re a business user curious about expanding your tech skillset or an organization exploring the potential of citizen developers to drive digital agility, this guide is your starting point for understanding and embracing the future of work.

What Exactly Is a Citizen Developer?

A citizen developer is a non-technical employee who creates business applications using low-code or no-code platforms. Unlike traditional software developers, citizen developers don’t necessarily come from an IT or programming background. Instead, they are professionals — like HR managers, marketers, or analysts — who use app builders or web builders to solve real problems without writing full-scale code.

Thanks to the rise of low-code platforms, it’s now possible for virtually anyone with a good understanding of business needs and some tech curiosity to build apps that automate workflows, collect data, or enhance operations — without waiting months for IT teams.

What Does a Citizen Developer Actually Do?

If you’re wondering what a typical day in the life of a citizen developer looks like, the answer may surprise you.

A citizen developer might:

Automate manual tasks using a drag-and-drop app builder

Design internal tools for their department using a low-code platform

Build dashboards for real-time data analysis

Modify and improve existing apps using code generation tools

Collaborate with IT teams to ensure security and compliance

They bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions — turning ideas into digital tools without writing thousands of lines of code.

Why Is Citizen Development Becoming So Popular in 2025?

The rise of remote work, digital transformation, and the demand for faster innovation have pushed companies to think outside the box. Waiting weeks or months for IT to deliver internal solutions is no longer sustainable.

Here’s why citizen developers are trending:

Faster time-to-market for apps

Cost-effective development

Empowered employees who solve their own problems

Reduced burden on IT teams

And with tools like AI code generators and visual page builders, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

How Can You Become a Citizen Developer in 2025?

Becoming a citizen developer in 2025 doesn’t require a background in software engineering. It requires curiosity, a problem-solving mindset, and a willingness to experiment with technology. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Understand the Problem You Want to Solve

Before diving into any tools, clearly define a real business problem — like manual approvals or data entry — and how an app could simplify or automate that process efficiently.

2. Explore Low-Code and No-Code Platforms

Start experimenting with platforms like:

FAB Builder

Fliplet

Airtable

PowerApps

OutSystems

These platforms are designed with non-developers in mind, offering drag-and-drop UI, data connectors, and workflow automation.

3. Learn the Basics of App Logic and Workflow Design

Even without coding, grasping core concepts like conditional logic, workflows, and basic data structure will empower you to create smarter, more functional applications with ease.

4. Start Small and Scale Gradually

Begin with manageable projects like digital forms, checklists, or internal tools to build your confidence and gradually take on more complex apps as your skills grow.

5. Work Collaboratively With IT Teams

Treat IT as a collaborative partner. Work with them to ensure your apps are secure, follow company policies, and can scale properly as your business needs evolve.

6. Join the Citizen Development Community

Tap into the global citizen developer network. Join LinkedIn groups, Reddit forums, or low-code communities to get feedback, stay inspired, and continuously improve your skills.

What Skills Does a Citizen Developer Need in 2025?

Being a successful citizen developer requires more than just using a drag-and-drop interface. Here are some of the most important skills you’ll need to cultivate:

Business Analysis

Understanding how business processes work — and identifying opportunities for improvement — is critical. You need to be able to analyze workflows and recognize where automation or digital tools can add value.

Problem-Solving

Citizen developers are natural problem-solvers. You should be able to approach challenges creatively, identify root causes, and design user-friendly solutions that deliver results.

Digital Tool Proficiency

While you may not need to code, you should be comfortable using digital platforms such as app builders, workflow managers, and data visualization tools. Familiarity with tools like FAB Builder, PowerApps, and Airtable can significantly enhance your efficiency.

UX and Interface Design

Creating an app is not just about functionality — it’s also about usability. A good citizen developer considers the user experience, ensuring that the interface is intuitive and accessible to everyone who will use it.

Communication and Collaboration

Citizen developers often act as liaisons between business units and IT teams. You must be able to clearly explain your ideas, gather feedback, and communicate effectively with stakeholders across departments.

What Tools Do Citizen Developers Use?

There is a wide range of tools available to support citizen developers. Each tool offers different capabilities depending on the complexity of the application and the level of customization needed.

Low-Code Platforms

These platforms strike a balance between simplicity and flexibility. They offer visual interfaces while allowing limited custom code input for more advanced customization.

OutSystems

Mendix

FAB Builder

Microsoft Power Apps

No-Code Platforms

Best for quick, lightweight apps, these tools are completely code-free and ideal for automating everyday tasks.

Airtable

Zapier

Bubble

FAB Studio

AI Code Generators

AI-driven platforms assist in creating code or logic structures automatically, making it easier for users to build apps without understanding syntax.

FAB Builder

GitHub Copilot

Replit AI

Prototyping and Design Tools

These tools are useful for visualizing your app before building it.

Figma

Adobe XD

Miro

What Is FAB Builder and Why Should Citizen Developers Know About It?

If you’re serious about entering the world of citizen development, you should definitely get to know FAB Builder — a next-gen low-code platform designed to simplify application development through its powerful yet intuitive interface.

FAB Builder enables non-developers to build powerful applications with ease by offering:

Ai assisted app development

Visual workflows that are easy to manage

An integrated code generator for developers who want more customization

Support for One-Click Deployment, which means you can deploy apps without any complex setup

Scalability for both small internal tools and larger enterprise apps

What makes FAB Builder particularly unique is how it blends the power of traditional code with the accessibility of no-code platforms, giving users flexibility as they grow in skill.

Whether you’re building a form-based tool or a fully functional dashboard, FAB Builder is designed to support both beginner and advanced users — making it a great choice for aspiring citizen developers.

Can Citizen Developers Replace Traditional Developers?

Not exactly. Citizen developers are not here to replace IT or software engineers — they’re here to complement them.

In fact, many organizations now operate with fusion teams where IT experts and business users collaborate to build powerful solutions faster.

Think of citizen developers as the first responders to business needs — solving problems quickly and efficiently, while more complex systems remain in the hands of professional developers.

What Challenges Do Citizen Developers Face?

Becoming a citizen developer isn’t without hurdles. Here are a few challenges to be aware of:

Security risks can arise when applications are created without proper oversight and validation from the IT department.

Some no-code tools offer limited scalability, making it hard to support complex or enterprise-level applications.

Integration with existing legacy systems can be difficult without proper APIs or technical knowledge.

Without governance, app sprawl can occur, leading to duplicated efforts, inconsistent data, and lack of oversight.

The key is to establish a governance framework, educate users, and maintain a strong partnership with the IT team.

What Does the Future Hold for Citizen Developers?

As technology continues to evolve, citizen development is expected to become even more prevalent. AI-powered platforms will continue to improve, reducing the learning curve and enabling even more sophisticated app creation. Organizations that embrace citizen development will gain a competitive advantage by responding faster to market demands, reducing operational costs, and fostering a culture of innovation.

With platforms like FAB Builder leading the charge, the future of app development is no longer confined to the IT department. It’s in the hands of employees who understand the business, are eager to solve problems, and are empowered with the right tools.

Final Thoughts: Is Citizen Development Right for You?

If you enjoy solving problems, have a solid understanding of your business environment, and want to build impactful solutions without learning to code, then becoming a citizen developer might be your next career move. The tools are accessible, the learning curve is manageable, and the opportunities for growth are immense.

As we move into 2025, citizen developers will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping how businesses operate and innovate. Now is the perfect time to explore platforms like FAB Builder, start experimenting, and contribute to a smarter, faster, and more agile digital future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do citizen developers need to know how to code? No, citizen developers typically use low-code or no-code platforms, which allow them to build apps without writing complex code. However, understanding basic logic and workflows is helpful.

2. What is the difference between a developer and a citizen developer? Traditional developers write code from scratch and often work in IT departments, while citizen developers are business users who create applications using visual tools with little to no coding required.

3. Can citizen development be used in large organizations? Yes, many large organizations encourage citizen development to speed up internal innovation and reduce pressure on IT teams. It’s often paired with governance models for security and oversight.

4. What types of apps can citizen developers build? Citizen developers can build internal tools such as approval workflows, data entry forms, dashboards, task trackers, and more using app builders and low-code platforms.

5. Is FAB Builder suitable for beginners? Yes, FAB Builder is designed with both beginners and advanced users in mind. Its drag-and-drop page builder, code generator, and one-click deployment make it ideal for new citizen developers.

[home-of-renn]

Surprisingly enough, I think Sam and the Addams family would be at odds quite a bit. But Sam wants them to like her, and to some extent, she wants to be like them and fit in with them - which is a very weird first for her. So, she does her best to hold it all in - which is another very weird first. It ends up with her feeling somewhat self-conscious around them. They're more macabre than she is and a hell of a lot more extreme. Sam finds herself not wanting to argue - both for her own sake and Danny's - and for the first time ever, she hesitates over how she expresses her views.

Sam ends up having to reassess how she goes about conveying her beliefs to other people and is forced to take a different approach with the Addamses - one that's less pushy and condescending and actually broaches the topic in a somewhat open-minded manner.

Just imagine the trio getting back from a particularly long stay with the Addams family and the entirety of Amity Park is convinced they've been overshadowed.

Danny's chilled out and still running on the good vibes he picked up from the Addamses and now that inexplicable, foreboding sense of dread that seeps into the room whenever he's present has noticeably reduced.

Tucker, who'd been taken under the gracious wing of Mr Gomez Addams - who just so happened to be the smoothest man Tucker had ever met - had sworn off his creepy attempts at picking up every girl in Casper High. Suddenly he's opening doors in a completely polite and friendly manner, without a single uncalled-for pickup line. He's finally keeping a respectful distance from the girl's changing rooms, and worst of all he managed to make a tasteful joke that actually got a genuine round of laughter from the unsuspecting cheer squad.

Sam had had four separate opportunities to rise up and berate her classmates on various "controversial" topics but chose to remain quiet. And when Paulina had decided to poke the bear and jokingly asked if she was sick, she had replied with a polite, non-sarcastic, measured response that had asserted that she was in perfect health and had gone on to outline her stance in a logical, but firm and almost open-minded series of dot points that she delivered without a single scathing remark about Paulina's recently whitened teeth or 'superficial' personality.

It's safe to say that the entire student body of Casper High had been too afraid to comment on the situation and the Fenton's had been alerted to a code red situation.

[lord-prey]

Forgot to share but woag! Revamp Valdis!

Changed him so he can actually be more normal?? So he’s not tied down to the infection zone n I can play around with him more :)

He is still a child murderer btw. His line of drones are known to be unstable, however they were still used for security purposes.

In this case, a group of young teens egged one another on and trespassed where they shouldn’t and Valdis found them first. You can surmise what happened next :)

[shouldprobablybereading]

Me when reading wat: what Taravangian did to Gavinor is so cruel that it’s disturbing how dare someone cause that much harm to a defenseless child

Me now: Dalinar should have yeeted that “kid” from the top of urithiuru and saved everyone so much trouble

[spotaus]

Hey i am back with a thought.

I know we already mentioned like. The future future plans concerning kids in the New Age storyline.

I was thinking. Who would carry/get the kid in the couples? (Yes this implies mpreg. If this aint your thing no worries you can just ignore everything else :3 )

As you mentioned before. Nightmare and error would most likely adopt.

Between dream and blue i think blue would end up carrying the kid. Dream would feel too locked up and locked down if he had to take it easy. Also. Let this man pamper Blue. He deserves that.

Ccino and Killer. Ccino wouldnt want kids for a LONG time and even just the idea would be slow going. But killer has his soul situation (is that also a situation in this story?) And he is a knight being out and about. Ccino is safely at home and would be the safer option. But they would need a long time before ccino would feel comfortable with the idea.

Horror and Crop. Crop. Hands down. Horror with his work and Crop has help on the farm. But i doubt thwy would get a kid because they have along distance relationship.

Cross and Lust it depends on who wants it more. I can see both being the one who does it mostly because i can see pros and cons for both sides.

Reaper, Geno and Dust. Only one option. Reaper. Dust doesnt have a healthy enough soul and that with his spell around it? No way he can carry a kid. Geno meanwhile only has a soulshard so he isnt healthy enough to carry a kid either. Leaving only Reaper as an option.

Okay that was it. :D

Haha! Omg I keep forgetting this is smth I can think about! Usually it's not my scene so it might not cone up much in-stiry but it IS how I picture the cast having kids in this one, so!!! We're diving in!!

Like u said, those boys are adopting hehe-

With Dream and Blue it's a bit hard, because I think that Dream would be really really worried about Blue the entire time. Like, terrified his magic would accidentally trigger the whole Twin thing. But, ultimately, yeah, probably Blue! Dream *would* get too restless, and Blue rlly does deserve to be pampered hehe- (I just think Blue would have to really really talk Dream into it. Dream does NOT want to be like his mother anymore.)

Killer and Ccino... let's go with a yes on Killer's soul situation, so Ccino would be their only option. But, like you said, it would be ages before they even thought about discussing the idea, let alone actually having a kid.

Ohhh yeah. I see Horror and Crop as the ones least likely to have kids (as u said, long Distance relationship, but also they just have to much on their plates? They're practical guys and focus on their work and existing families first. Plus, someone has to be the cool uncles to their nieces and nephews!) But definitely Crop. Especially because Horror is pretty low on natural magic as-is and even though his soul is healthy, his body might not even be able to form a firm ecto, let alone anything safe to harbor a forming soul. (Unlike Ccino, Horror was born that way, and the injury didn't help lmao-)

Cross and Lust? I think they'd both regularly get baby fever, but neither of then would be ready to settle down for a *while* in that way, so I think they'd push off the question until years later. Then when it comes up, they 'fight' over it. Insisting that they should carry- I think they'd end up choosing Cross though! As much as Lust seems like the more convenient option, as he's not a knight, Cross is just built different and insists that if anything goes wrong he wants to be the one it happens to. Which, ofc, leads to him doing training whilst in the early stages until someone (probably Killer or Dust) notices he's a little off and then Cross admits he's got a soulling. He did not expect to immediately get horrified looks (because they were fighting someone with a lil guy inside them, not because he has a lil guy) or to immediately get ushered out of training and to his room because??? Idiot??? What were you thinking??? Cross is the worst at staying off his duties, but his brother's have him covered, thank god-

And yep, put perfectly! Reaper is so genuinely the only option! It leads to some odd interactions, since Reaper can't exactly stop being King, but he manages shockingly well and has Geno there to help him (and probably later on Dust, since Night isn't about to leave Dust out of that due to work-) And. I like to think these three in particular have multiple kids perhaps, Kane and then another, and it's kinda a running joke that Reaper's the one hauling them around lmao- (Also very convenient! Because Reaper is the one with death magic in his soul, the kids are effectively immune to it! They were made from that stuff basically, so ofc they're fine!)

[mars-ipan]

some small setting things about priest au:

hajime is from a small, unnamed village. while unnamed, most locals referred to the area as “The Reservoir” in reference to the aquifer nearby. his family owned a farm, and he grew up regularly going to the only church in the village— a small catholic church that did not preach acceptance. he always felt alienated from the church for reasons he didn’t understand, which only got worse once he got old enough to start having fantasies. i’ll get more into what made hajime leave his church and his village in a different post some other time

the small town (still not urban by any means, but larger than his village) he lives in now is called Jabberwock. once he settled in, hajime began to attend the Hope’s Peak Catholic Church, where Father Komaeda preaches. similar to his village, this is the only church in town, although it is a bit larger, with a sunday school (the woh attend here ^-^) and regular volunteers/staff that help keep the church running. (i’ve yet to decide on who else works/volunteers at the church but i’ll figure it out eventually.) that said, Father Komaeda is the only priest, and is considered to be “in charge” of the church.

i’ve said it before but this au takes place in the american midwest. why? because churches love to get oppressive in rural america and if i made them southern it would have felt Too Real for me as a southerner myself. also southern christianity and midwestern christianity have a Different Vibe and i’d rather hajime’s dingy little town smell like cigarettes and corn than gasoline and rain. also also the Hell Is Real billboard which is in ohio.

this is the vibe yeah. THAT SAID if i were to place this au in any particular state i think i would go for illinois. just bc My Mommy’s From Illinois :) so it’s The Midwestern State to me. yippee :D

i haven’t decided on exactly When this au takes place but in my mind it’s sometime between the late 90s and early 2010s— perfect timing for a very specific brand of homophobia to be culturally popular, and definitely before gay marriage was legalized federally. also i like where technology is in this era— when i envision this hajime on the phone he is using a blackberry. he gets very little service and almost never actually uses his phone but he keeps it on him for phone calls/in case of emergencies. most of his technology-based entertainment comes from his shitty cable box TV

i need to give hajime a job that will pay him money so he can. Live An Adult Life. but i’ve yet to decide on what he does. whatever it is it keeps him afloat but he’s not exactly rich— the whole town is on the poorer side actually, though the Reservoir was even less wealthy. maybe his experience with farm equipment lands him a job at the local auto shop, where he meets the son of the owner, an excitable mechanic? maybe he works at Jabberwock’s only shitty little gas station for minimum wage. i dunno. we’ll figure it out

[hippo-pot]

"ACC Board Chair Sean Hassan said the community college has a vested interest in the issue because it is tasked with training students to meet the needs of Central Texas employers and to fulfill its mission to the taxpayers who help fund it.

“If legislation or court decisions will impact our ability to meet these expectations, we should have a seat at the table to help shape responsible solutions," he said. "The action by our Board asks the court to ensure our voice is heard."

In a statement, the board said it is consulting with legal counsel pro bono and that joining the lawsuit would not cost the college or local taxpayers. It said a motion could be filed Monday or early Tuesday.

Separately, a group of undocumented students represented by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund have asked a court to allow them to join the case the DOJ filed against Texas and argue for the law to remain in effect."

[doomdoomofdoom]

I'm legally not allowed to interact much with the Hunger Games fandom because I'm an american studies major in my 20s and would disrupt the fragile ecosystem of teenagers engaging with fictional depictions of fascist structures and just war theory.

The other reason is that I would have to immediately combust from Hypocrite Disease because I had self-insert Hunger Games OCs and engaged in shipping discourse, too. That's part of how we engage with depictions of fascist structures and just war theory as teenagers, and enabling that is part of what makes the franchise so special.

This reduces my natural habitat to 2-hour video essays about the cultural geography of Panem (x) and a few select posts, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for conservation.

[37q]

did yall hear the surgeon general wants social media to have a mental health warnings on them like cigarettes for addiction

[bloodtwin]

𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐠  。 。 。

             latest grave robbed: unprompted interactions 。 

@silvertiefling ⸻ ❝ You said you got a new dress - holy shit, Mommy.... I mean, wait- ❞

             PROBABLY   SHOULD   HAVE   WARNED   her beforehand. The dress is . . .   Well, it isn't an everyday wear kind of attire. Not Puck's usual style when she decides to indulge in her more feminine side. 

The dress is black, skin-tight & doesn't even make it past her mid-thighs. Just something a little more slutty fun that she wanted to try, though she hadn't expected Katya to walk in on her wearing it yet.

The slip of the werewolf's tongue has both of Puck's eyebrows lifting, & cheeks flushing. ❝ So, it's, uh- safe to presume you like it, then ？❞ 

She does her best to ignore what Katya called her by accident, for fear of any new, potential developments in her own psyche. That one piques her interest far more than their little joke does, and she'd rather not prod at it any more because of that. 

[superiorsuicide]

really lost the plot here but How is he going to ‘disprove’ Camus when he firmly believes that the ten commandments are universally applicable + should be law + provide an objective moral code and meaning for everyone. hello??

[wolfgirltummy]

Oooh what about mismatched pregnancy? [Ie: a shark or some other creature floating around in there]

i do enjoy the thought of being pregnant with a different species. imagine like the shark for example (i know fish lay eggs BUT) what if your body redirected a lot of its water into your womb so it would have room to swim around and grow. youd probably get really thirsty having to upkeep the giant water balloon youre now lugging around lol but think of how fun thatd be!!! itd be sloshin around how cute!!

[asexual-levia-tan]

thinks about toonka. thinks about the bandit leader, who was said to resemble toonka. thinks about how he was forced to fight in an arena, and ended up killing someone he thought of as his brother. and enjoyed it.

thinks about how toonka had to kill someone he thought of as a close friend. thinks about how that impacted him emotionally. thinks about how easy it really was to get him to think about the well-being of those weaker than him. thinks about how he's one of the whipper kingdom citizens who manifested magic resistance as a defense against the human experimentation the magic tower was doing. thinks about how toonka has no family thats been mentioned as of yet..............................

[afterlife-2004]

THE 🔥FLAMES🔥OF DISASTER⁉️⁉️‼️

Here’s a link to the original tweet by @//FurabioOtoMAD on Twitter :D!

They also uploaded the video onto YouTube! XDDDDDDD

Go check it out!

[kalethion]

watching a bfa playthrough & i kinda rly loved katherine & jaina's reconciliation & jaina's plotline overall idk

[sniperct]

Ah, because I'm a nerd and I find this stuff fascinating, my favorite time of year, when star citizen releases their financials for the previous year (in this case, for 2022)

Some numbers of interest by the end of 2022

headcount: 860 worldwide

Salaries and related costs excluding the publishing/marketing teams: 56M

Other Game Dev (overheads,studio rentals, travel, etc): 18.4M

Contracted Game Dev ( external services and dev teams): 9.5M

Publishing/community/marketing: 29.9m

Accounting/Admin and legal fees: 1.4 Million

Capital expenditures (hardware/software, fixtures, offices, server upgrades etc): 12.9 million USD

All told they took in 130.7 million and spent 129.5 million or thereabouts.

In other words, they're spending almost as much as they bring in.