Who are Betty Blocks?

Betty Blocks is a Dutch software-as-a-service company offering a low-code and no-code application development platform. Headquartered in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, the company also has an international presence across Europe, the United States, and Asia.

With one of the more unusual company names in the technology industry, this is a company that is interesting on a few different fronts. Founded in 2016 by Chris and Tim Obdam, Betty Blocks has grown into a recognised player in the enterprise application development space. Its mission is to empower organisations to build bespoke applications faster, with less reliance on specialist coding skills. By enabling both professional developers and business users to collaborate, Betty Blocks positions itself at the heart of the citizen development movement.

What do Betty Blocks do?

Betty Blocks provides a platform for building applications through visual modelling and drag-and-drop design. The platform offers pre-built components (called “blocks”....hence the name), workflow automation tools, and extensive integration options. This enables the delivery of fully functional applications without requiring the need to code everything from scratch.

Key areas of functionality include:

• Custom applications and portals: Internal tools, workflow systems, and external-facing portals for employees, suppliers, or customers.

• Visual development with AI assistance: A page builder for user interfaces, action and workflow builders, and data modelling tools, supported by AI-driven design features to accelerate prototyping.

• Integration and extensibility: Built-in connectors and the ability to integrate with databases, APIs, and external platforms. A block store provides reusable components to speed up development.

• Governance and compliance: Role-based permissions, audit trails, and enterprise-grade security help support use in regulated environments.

Betty Blocks also offers an “Embedded” solution, allowing software vendors to add its low-code capabilities to their own products. This provides flexibility for organisations that want to extend or customise existing platforms with minimal engineering effort.

How can Betty Blocks help your business

Betty Blocks can deliver value across a wide range of scenarios:

1. Reducing IT backlog

   Organisations struggling with requests for new internal applications can use Betty Blocks to empower business teams to build and test solutions themselves, reducing strain on IT departments.

2. Modernising legacy systems

   The platform can be used to create new portals and tools that sit on top of older systems, providing a modern experience while maintaining integration with legacy infrastructure.

3. Accelerating innovation

   Businesses experimenting with new services or products can quickly prototype applications using pre-built templates, shortening time to market.

4. Supporting compliance needs

   With built-in governance and security, Betty Blocks is suitable for sectors like finance, legal, and government where compliance is critical.

5. Extending existing platforms

   Organisations can build applications that integrate with their existing ERP, CRM, or HR systems, filling gaps without requiring costly custom development.

Examples include companies using Betty Blocks to automate back-office processes, create mobile service applications, or deliver self-service portals that improve customer and employee satisfaction.

What are the alternatives to Betty Blocks

If you are considering Betty Blocks, it is worth comparing it with other vendors in the low-code and no-code space:

• Low-code / no-code platforms for internal tools and citizen development: Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix, OutSystems, Appian.

• Rapid prototyping and workflow automation: Bubble, Glide, Airtable, Nintex.

• Portals and external user access: Liferay Digital Experience Platform, ServiceNow, Backstage.

• Embedded low-code capabilities for ISVs: Mendix Marketplace, OutSystems App Store, and other embedded development platforms.

  
  

Each vendor has its own strengths, so comparisons often come down to governance features, integration flexibility, scalability, and cost of ownership.

Summary

Betty Blocks is a low-code and no-code platform designed to help enterprises build applications quickly and flexibly. With strengths in governance, extensibility, and embedded capabilities, it supports both IT departments and business users looking to deliver value faster. Its use cases range from reducing IT backlogs to modernising legacy systems and accelerating innovation. While alternatives exist, Betty Blocks stands out for its balance of speed, compliance, and adaptability.

Looking at Betty Blocks?

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• Technology Matchmaker – a structured process that matches your requirements to the most suitable vendors.

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• 30-Day Technology Selection Process – a full, structured approach to define requirements, shortlist vendors, run demos, and reach a confident decision within one month.