Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs ServiceNow Now Platform comparison

Oracle and ServiceNow are both solutions in the Rapid Application Development Software category. Oracle is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.4, while ServiceNow is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.1. Oracle holds a 8.0% mindshare in RADS, compared to ServiceNow’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Oracle users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 97% of ServiceNow users who would recommend it.

Oracle Application Express ...

Read 59 Oracle Application Express (APEX) reviews

9,829 Views
3,159 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

ServiceNow Now Platform

Read 47 ServiceNow Now Platform reviews

1,621 Views
493 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

Oracle Application Express ...

ServiceNow Now Platform

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 18, 2024

Oracle Application Express APEX and ServiceNow Now Platform are both robust solutions for different organizational needs. Users express a preference for the features and overall user experience of ServiceNow Now Platform, while Oracle APEX is often praised for its cost-efficiency and support.

Features: Oracle Application Express APEX is noted for its powerful, easy-to-use tools for rapid application development and increased user productivity. ServiceNow Now Platform is praised for its extensive range of features, especially in enterprise service management and workflow automation. Thus, ServiceNow Now Platform holds the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set.

Room For Improvement: Oracle Application Express APEX users suggest enhancing scalability and user-friendly design. Conversely, users of ServiceNow Now Platform call for improvements in custom reporting capabilities and advanced training resources. These areas are critical but highlight Oracle APEX as more robust for rapid application development, while ServiceNow requires incremental feature updates.

Ease Of Deployment and Customer Service: Oracle Application Express APEX is appreciated for its straightforward deployment and reliable customer support. ServiceNow Now Platform, while more complex to deploy, benefits from substantial support resources and detailed training modules. APEX is valued for simplicity and support, while ServiceNow stands out for its comprehensive support structure despite deployment complexity.

Pricing and ROI: Oracle Application Express APEX is lauded for its affordability and impressive ROI, making it accessible for smaller budgets and yielding fast returns. ServiceNow Now Platform entails higher setup costs; however, users report significant ROI aligned with its advanced capabilities. Though more costly, ServiceNow is viewed as providing substantial long-term value justifying its price.

To learn more, read our detailed Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform

June 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 856,873 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Oracle Application Express ...

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

3rd

Ranking in Low-Code Development Platforms

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Development Platforms (2nd)

ServiceNow Now Platform

Ranking in Rapid Application Development Software

12th

Ranking in Low-Code Development Platforms

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No-Code Development Platforms (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Rapid Application Development Software category, the mindshare of Oracle Application Express (APEX) is 8.0%, down from 9.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ServiceNow Now Platform is 1.9%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rapid Application Development Software

Featured Reviews

Rodrigo-Mesquita

Senior Software developer at QV Systems

Rapid application development empowers big projects in months

The ability to quickly develop applications without needing to code a lot is very valuable. It is very quick to create a page, and one can use AI to speed up software development. It is easy to learn. In my company, we could develop a very big application in a couple of months.

Read full review

SiddharthZunjarrao

Associate Director at KPMG India

Enables us to have significant improvements in operational efficiency

ServiceNow is highly scalable from a customization point of view, allowing for the building of portals, adding and configuring widgets, and designing workflows as preferred. The text-to-code feature is particularly useful for turning natural language instructions into recognizable code on the ServiceNow platform, aiding both implementation teams and customers. The case summarization feature is also great, as it summarizes user comments and agent notes into a resolution code without needing to review the entire activity history.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It has many ready modules that can be used and developed."

"The ability to quickly develop applications without needing to code a lot is very valuable."

"The solution can efficiently translate from English to another language including Arabic using the XLIFF format."

"I like the way that it automatically goes into the spreadsheets and the users can deal with it."

"This product will speed up development time with helpful production aids."

"A user interface is relatively simple to create."

"In our experience with Apex, we find that minimizing reliance on HTML and JavaScript is preferable, especially considering our background as seasoned programmers adept in PL/SQL. Incorporating HTML and JavaScript can pose challenges due to potential compatibility issues when updates are made to JavaScript. We also make use of JAPER report integration for generating reports, a practice integral to our reporting procedures."

"I like how we can actively develop and customize APEX because it's on the same database."

More Oracle Application Express (APEX) pros

"The solution has more products than being an ITSM tool. Big customers such as those from Telcom tend to like it. Some of our customers use AI-based chatbots."

"The tool is generally easy to use, making it a very user-friendly product."

"The solution is a seamless tool that can integrate with all applications."

"It is a stable solution...It is a scalable solution."

"It is a very stable solution."

"ServiceNow can document and produce a historical working tool that deals with projects themselves. The user interface is another strong suit."

"ServiceNow offers a lot of features when it comes to IT service management and IT operations management. What interested me in ServiceNow was that a lot of service management."

"The product's most advantageous feature is platform innovation."

More ServiceNow Now Platform pros

Cons

"One area for improvement in Oracle APEX is its workflow orchestration capabilities."

"The user interface needs to be improved."

"The workflow engine should be embedded in the solution."

"Fixing bugs is difficult because of how the HTML code is generated. It is not always broadly compatible with browsers."

"An area for improvement in Oracle Application Express (APEX) is the slow reporting because pulling the report for two months, one year, three years, etc., is very slow. It takes more than thirty minutes to download the report. There's also room for improvement in integrating Oracle Application Express (APEX) with other vendors, such as open-source solutions through API integration. I believe Oracle is working on this feature, or the issue could be because my organization is using an older version of Oracle Application Express (APEX). The Oracle database also has to be improved because it's still lacking in some packages, triggers, and indexes."

"Apex has effectively incorporated new market trends into its features. The platform's user-friendly nature is notable, guiding developers through the development process. While advanced customization of the user interface with HTML and CSS is possible, the out-of-the-box options often suffice, providing 80-90% of the required functionality. The IDE is commendable, yet an enhancement in the Page Designer to allow a real-time preview of layout changes would be beneficial. Currently, running the page is necessary to visualize layout adjustments, but an immediate preview during the design phase would be a valuable improvement."

"The solution has some stability problems that need to be resolved."

"I've experienced some difficulties when using Oracle Application Express (APEX), particularly when I'm designing forms. For example, when I design a form, I add buttons and controls, but I'm unable to visualize how it'll look unless I run it. You want to design and do things your way, but if you don't have much experience, then you'll find that designing in Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a little complicated. This won't be a problem with anyone more experienced, though. If I wanted to create my design, for example, a different table format or some background images, it becomes a problem, and this is an area for improvement in Oracle Application Express (APEX). Designing should be easier, even for less experienced users. An additional feature I'd like to see in Oracle Application Express (APEX) is more plugins, particularly a repository that contains a lot of plugins, so you can go to that repository and download whichever you like and use it or add it to your project. Right now, I create my plugins, so it would be helpful if Oracle Application Express (APEX) has a repository of plugins people can use, download from anywhere in the world, and integrate into projects."

More Oracle Application Express (APEX) cons

"The UI is very bad and needs to be updated."

"If AI were better integrated into ServiceNow, it would lower the RPA costs and make the platform more accessible."

"It is still difficult to build a set of services in ServiceNow. It can be done, but it is one of the more difficult things to do. If we're talking about scalability, we're talking about the ability to actually build that set of services a little easier."

"ServiceNow Now Platform wants AI embedded in the product to make it more powerful. Generative AI that will be a part of ServiceNow Now Platform is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"The product's UI is ugly, making it an area where improvements are required."

"This platform is used more by large companies because it is a little bit expensive."

"The UI is not intuitive."

"The Playbooks feature is useful for visualizing steps in a process, however, it lacks support for rollbacks in case of complex customer processes."

More ServiceNow Now Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"When buying the data license, APEX is included."

"The product is completely free of cost."

"I believe that the solution's pricing is high."

"The solution is free."

"We have a full Oracle E-Business Suite license, and we use that license to develop applications. There's no license required for developing Oracle applications."

"To my understanding, my organization is using the free version of Oracle Application Express (APEX), but I'm unsure because I haven't checked the pricing or licensing cost for it."

"It's a free solution with no additional costs."

"The solution is moderately priced, where it is neither cheap nor expensive."

More Oracle Application Express (APEX) pricing and cost advice

"The price of the product falls on the higher side of the spectrum."

"It is expensive only."

"ServiceNow is not open source, so there is a license you must pay. As for how much it costs, what I have observed is that it often depends on your subscriptions."

"In my opinion, it is expensive. However, they do offer favorable licensing for charities, for example."

"From what I heard, the license for the ServiceNow Now Platform is paid monthly, and on a scale of one to five, I'm rating it a three in terms of pricing, so it's on the cheaper side. I don't know of any additional costs associated with the ServiceNow Now Platform, apart from the standard licensing fees."

"The solution is expensive, and I rate it a ten for pricing."

"It's expensive and if you need some analytical views of your activity, there is an additional cost."

"The product is very expensive."

More ServiceNow Now Platform pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Rapid Application Development Software solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

16%

Government

11%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

16%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Oracle Application Express (APEX)?

The product is fast.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Application Express (APEX)?

Oracle APEX is part of our on-premises solution included in our agreement with Oracle E Business Suite, though I don't know the cost specifics. Power BI is licensed by the user.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Application Express (APEX)?

Using AI to analyze data without needing much code would be better. Also, although the interface is easy to change, it could have more features.

See all answers

What do you like most about ServiceNow Now Platform?

The integration with other tools is pretty good.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ServiceNow Now Platform?

From what I have heard only from our sales team, ServiceNow Now Platform falls within the more expensive tier of a product, but I can't really judge it.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ServiceNow Now Platform?

The user interface could be modernized and made more attractive for users.

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Power Apps vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)

Compared 21% of the time

Salesforce Platform vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)

Compared 18% of the time

OutSystems vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)

Compared 9% of the time

GitHub CoPilot vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)

Compared 9% of the time

Mendix vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)

Compared 7% of the time

More Oracle Application Express (APEX) Competitors

Microsoft Power Apps vs ServiceNow Now Platform

Compared 16% of the time

ServiceNow vs ServiceNow Now Platform

Compared 10% of the time

Appian vs ServiceNow Now Platform

Compared 10% of the time

Unqork vs ServiceNow Now Platform

Compared 8% of the time

Hyland OnBase vs ServiceNow Now Platform

Compared 7% of the time

More ServiceNow Now Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Application Express (APEX)

May 2025

Oracle Application Express (APEX) report

Download Oracle Application Express (APEX) product report

Buyer's Guide

ServiceNow Now Platform

March 2025

Download ServiceNow Now Platform product report

Also Known As

Oracle APEX

No data available

Overview

Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a low-code development platform that enables users to build enterprise apps securely and scalably. APEX, which offers world-class features, can be deployed anywhere. As part of the Oracle Database, developers can develop superior apps 20x more quickly by using all of the tools provided in a single, extensible platform.

Oracle APEX, a cloud platform that has been around for over 20 years, eliminates complexities associated with app building while delivering results faster and at a lower cost. The low-code aspect offers developers a visual approach to app development that accelerates the development process. Oracle APEX also provides a lively, global, and growing community of developers that can connect and share resources with each other.

Features of Oracle Application Express (APEX)

App building requires complexities and expert knowledge in vast web technologies. With Oracle APEX, these complexities involved with multi-faceted applications are reduced, and developers are provided with the rich features they need to fix business problems and create solutions. These features include:

Data: Oracle APEX offers revolutionary functionality to enable developers to turn data into information, no matter where that data is from. Under this functionality, you can display, chart, manipulate, and process data effortlessly and accurately.

Accessibility: Developers can build highly accessible and inclusive web apps for users with various abilities and requirements. Oracle APEX aims to provide a good user experience for everybody, with accessibility bug fixes and continuous improvements of their testing strategies.

Globalization: Oracle APEX provides the ability to create a framework to maintain well-performing applications in multiple languages and environments.

Smart Filters and Search: users can rapidly reduce searched data and remove clutter with search terms and filter suggestions for a more simplified user experience.

Security: Oracle APEX empowers web application builders to develop apps without compromising on security. Despite the constant increase of attacks and modification of web standards, developers can stay focused on their tasks without leaving applications exposed.

Monitoring: Monitoring and logging are built into Oracle APEX, which provides valuable insight into how users interact with your applications, as well as any hacking attempts, application errors, and performance issues.

User Interface: Developers can build modern web applications that are responsive, easily customizable, highly accessible, and simple to maintain with Universal Theme, a user interface for Application Express.

Reviews from Real Users

Oracle Application Express is a favorite among developers looking to create web applications quickly and securely for many reasons, which include its ease of use and the ability to quickly create public applications

A senior database developer at a tech services company notes, "This is a good application for quickly creating public applications."

Alvaro L., an intelligence coordinator at Grupo Orbis, writes, "Oracle Application Express is easy to use, people don't have to be developers to use it."

Oracle

ServiceNow Now Platform is a rapid application development software solution that enables data to flow seamlessly across applications and existing systems. It delivers workflow automation at an enterprise scale, allowing you to optimize business processes for productivity, agility, and resiliency. Now Platform has out-of-the-box digital workflows that automate everyday service requests, enabling delivery teams to increase service delivery speed, and free up time for higher-value work that drives enterprise-wide innovation.

ServiceNow Now Platform Features

ServiceNow Now Platform has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Configuration Management Database (CMDB): The solution’s centralized source provides full visibility into your IT environment.

Common Services Data Model (CSDM): Now Platform includes a CMDB-based framework that enables standard and consistent service modeling.

Conversational interfaces: The conversational interfaces allow users to seamlessly connect to virtual or live agents through any popular messaging app.

Service portal: Using this feature, users can build, customize, and deploy mobile-friendly self-service experiences.

Service level management: With the solution, users can gather service requirements and monitor and manage SLAs.

Reports and dashboards: Now Platform enables users to easily create and configure customized reports and eye-catching dashboards.

Flow designer: This feature helps users build, connect, and automate cross-enterprise workflows in a single, no-code design environment.

Machine learning: Automate routine tasks and resolve issues faster with purpose-built AI capabilities.

Data certification: The solution’s data certification allows users to manage scheduled and on-demand validations of platform data.

ServiceNow Now Platform Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing ServiceNow Now Platform. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Innovation at scale and speed: Empower developers of any skill level to build and automate with low code tools. Users can also unlock ROI quickly with pre-built apps and integrations that extend digital workflows.

Optimize processes: Optimize work across the enterprise through automating tasks. The solution helps you work smarter and faster with native, purpose-built AI and analytics.

Connect siloes to create seamless experiences for employees and customers: Create and maintain a single source of truth for your enterprise and simplify user experiences with cross-enterprise workflows.

Reviews from Real Users

ServiceNow Now Platform is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it has JavaScript flexibility, and is simple, stable, and agile.

YashShah, Sr. Software Developer at a university, writes, "What I like most about the ServiceNow Now Platform is the flexibility of using JavaScript. I also like that the platform allows custom scripting, server-side scripting, and client-side scripting. Another valuable feature in the ServiceNow Now Platform is the Flow Designer which allows dragging and dropping code, and low code activities."

“The simplicity is great. Based on my experience with other solutions in the market, the most important is the simplicity of implementing all the features that we have in ServiceNow and helping customers to simplify the work process in the daily journeys that they have,” says Bruno P., Architect and delivery manager at Axians.

Another PeerSpot reviewer, Romy B., IT BRM - Business Operations and Functions at Pernod Ricard, expresses, “[The solution is] a stable, scalable, and agile solution that provides fast deployment, good workflow automation and integration capability, but is held back by the UI.”

ServiceNow

Sample Customers

Hepart AG, pharmasol, SATLOG, Collège Bois-de-Boulogne

experian, beachbody, health partners

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform

June 2025

Free Report: Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform

Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. ServiceNow Now Platform report.

See our list of best Rapid Application Development Software vendors and best Low-Code Development Platforms vendors.

We monitor all Rapid Application Development Software reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.