Oracle Application Express (APEX) Reviews

Our company uses the solution as a development platform for client projects that include marketplaces.  

We have five developers and 200 other users. 

The autonomous database is valuable and provides the main structure for code development. 

The solution does not include a default or custom template like other products. 

The PL/SQL format is a bit limiting so newer technologies should be added. We currently cannot write anything beyond PL/SQL. 

I have been using the solution for a few months. 

The solution is stable. 

The solution is scalable. 

Customer support is good and gives unconditional assistance. 

I rate support a ten out of ten. 

Positive

One of our customers previously used OutSystems and Mendix. 

The setup is very easy and just takes a few minutes. We can start building applications within five minutes. 

The solution cloud-based so there is no implementation. Everything is almost done already so it takes two clicks to complete setup. 

The pricing is very good and less expensive than Mendix or OutSystems. Pricing is a little bit higher than Microsoft products. 

Extra features can be purchased based on your needs. Identity access management and token authentication are a little bit costly. 

We also use SharePoint for normal application development.

I rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

Our company uses the solution for our internal processes such as project management, customer tracking, and opportunity tracking. We have a dashboard that compiles our days and information coming from different applications. 

We also provide the solution to customers. We have one instance on-premises and two or three instances on the cloud. 

We definitely have benefited from using the solution. Normally, IT solutions come into environments to increase revenue, reduce cost, and streamline operations. 

In our case, we have fully streamlined all operations including the RFP process, taking control of efforts, and following up with teams. We have heterogeneous teams for APM for Oracle and SAP for Microsoft. 

It is nice to have a dashboard that combines all efforts, work progress, and results. We get very good value from the solution. 

The solution can efficiently translate from English to another language including Arabic using the XLIFF format. It only takes five minutes to translate the whole user interface.

The workflow engine should be embedded in the solution. It currently is not included and that creates some problems for us so inclusion would very dramatically reduce our challenges. 

I have been using the solution for six years. 

The solution is stable with no issues in six years. 

Frankly speaking, the solution is not as scalable as Appian. When the number of users or requests increases, we work with the VPS provider to increase resources for the virtual machine or the containers. This affects performance tuning from the VP SSL. 

We have a lab with proof of concept for many products including the solution, Mendix, Appian, Symantec, and more recently Power BI. 

Technology changes so we try to stay up to date. This is unrelated, but the Check Point antivirus solution changed names a couple of days ago and I didn't notice. Even with something minimal, I felt that my knowledge was not up to date. 

The setup takes about one week to fulfill the NTP. 

We implement the solution for customers. 

The solution is free with your Oracle license or database and that is a good value. I am able to learn the database and have the solution on top of it with no extra fees. 

We also use Appian depending on use case. When we get a client, we decide which product is better for them based on their use case. We don't have any use cases where we are using both products at the same time. 

For basic cases, we use the solution because it takes around one week to fulfill the NTP.

For rather complicated cases, we use Appian and it takes one to three weeks to reach the first NTP. 

I recommend the solution and rate it an eight out of ten. 

I use Oracle APEX to build forms and pages for end users to easily manage customer complaints and perform quick fixes. By providing a user-friendly interface with proper validation, we empower end users to address issues themselves, reducing the need for backend database intervention. APEX has been a highly efficient tool for facilitating user transactions and resolving customer complaints swiftly.

One standout feature of Oracle APEX is its seamless integration with backend procedures, allowing for quick updates without changing the front-end interface. Additionally, dynamic actions streamline user interactions, enabling complex behaviors like button interactions and API calls with ease. These features drastically improve development efficiency by simplifying backend-to-frontend changes and providing extensive customization options through dynamic actions.

One area for improvement in Oracle APEX is its workflow orchestration capabilities. While it excels in forms and reports, handling complex workflows with waiting states and asynchronous responses needs enhancement. Simplifying workflow management to align with modern architecture standards, like in Fusion, would make APEX more robust and user-friendly.

I have been using Oracle APEX for two years.

Comparing Oracle Form Builder to Oracle APEX, the major advantage of APEX is its ease of layout customization and built-in features, making it more user-friendly than Form Builder. In APEX, layout adjustments are simple with pre-built options and HTML functions, while Form Builder requires meticulous coding and often relies on custom PLL files for advanced customization. Additionally, APEX allows seamless execution of PLC code from the backend, unlike Form Builder, where syntax differences complicate the process. Overall, APEX offers a more streamlined and efficient development experience compared to Form Builder.

Setting up Oracle APEX is straightforward and usually requires just a one-time installation. It is often included for free with Oracle Database versions starting from 11c. Despite its availability, many users may not be aware of it. APEX serves as both a development and reporting tool, addressing users' dynamic and regular data needs efficiently. With APEX, we can quickly develop custom reports or interactive grids within minutes, automating processes and saving significant time in development cycles, typically taking just two to three months from requirement gathering to deployment.

I use Oracle APEX for rapid prototyping and deployment. It is the most efficient tool I have used, significantly reducing development time compared to older platforms. With its low-code interface and abundance of features like dynamic actions, APEX simplifies development, especially for those familiar with traditional forms. Its web-based nature and minimal need for customization further enhance its usability. Overall, APEX streamlines the development process and enables quick deployment of applications with minimal coding effort.

The integration capabilities of Oracle APEX are impressive. We have leveraged backend database connections via DB links to interact with multiple databases seamlessly. This allows us to consolidate data from different sources and generate comprehensive reports within a single APEX application. While we haven't fully explored all integration possibilities, APEX supports various functions like JSON files, web services, and REST APIs, offering potential for future integrations, such as with customer compliance systems. 

Overall, I would rate Oracle APEX as an eight out of ten.

Our company has a partnership with the solution and we use it as a development platform. We have between 500 to 1,000 users. 

The virtual patching feature is valuable. 

The solution does its job by providing the needed protection. 

The easy-to-use format is flexible and can scale. 

The solution does not support the Linux platform. 

I have been using the solution for two years. 

The solution is pretty stable. 

The solution is scalable with no issues. 

Technical support is good and interactions with them are smooth. 

I rate technical support a nine out of ten. 

Positive

The initial setup is straightforward so I rate it a ten out of ten. 

Our company is meeting goals for ROI. 

The pricing is mid-range so is neither expensive nor cheap. 

I rate pricing a nine out of ten. 

Evaluate your implementation team properly before contracting with them. It is important to receive help from the best team in the market.

I rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

We are using Oracle Application Express for user support. We provide users with data for analytics, ad hoc purposes, and to help build daily analytical reports. Also, we are using workflows in artificial intelligence and data science. Providing our users with this kind of data helps them with their data science workflow.

Oracle Application Express is also used to deploy data monitoring for data concurrency, data completeness, and data quality. 

We used many data types and format types, like Excel files. By using Express, we are able to load the data and integrate it into our data map. This makes formatting much easier.

Building dashboards with the solution is easy and quick.

Oracle Application Express would be improved if you could use it on a mobile platform.

I have been using Oracle for 15 years.

I have no complaints about the performance of this solution.

Oracle Application Express is scalable. The size of the software is tied with the license.

Personally, I have not had to contact technical support. If I have any concerns, I will search the internet or ask one of my colleagues who have experienced the same problem.

The initial setup of Oracle Application Express is easy. Deployment was completed in less than four days.

Oracle Express comes with the Oracle license, it is a bundle. 

Prior to using Oracle Application Express, we evaluated Power BI. Power BI can deploy dashboards, charts and reporting, however, Oracle is faster. 

Oracle is faster than Power BI, however, it does require more skill to use. It is not easy for the common user to produce a chart from the data. 

I would rate Oracle Application Express (APEX) an eight of 10 overall. 

I was tasked with configuring APEX for an internet installation. I'm uncertain about its specific purpose, as my involvement was limited to the tool's configuration, and I do not know the development aspects.

During the upcoming versions, we can modify the current configuration.

I have been using APEX for a few months.

I would rate the stability 9 out of 10. Every software has inherent bugs that can cause temporary unavailability. We work on fixing such issues.

We haven't encountered performance issues with the current workload, and if the workload increases, the scalability of APEX is directly linked to the scalability of the Oracle database. Since APEX functions as one of the components in the Oracle database, it is easily scalable.

We haven't encountered complex issues requiring Oracle support. Most tasks can be completed by referring to documentation or logs. 

It's a great product. Based on the level of easiness of installation, I would rate it three out of five. You need to have an Oracle database as the minimum requirement for APEX. Additionally, an HTTP server is necessary. While I'm not sure if it works with Apache, Oracle has its own HTTP server software, and in the latest version, they use WebLogic. Also, ensure that the Oracle listener is up and running.

It is easy to deploy, and I did it myself by following the documentation. It took about three hours, and we didn't use a consultant or integrator; we handled it in-house. Once the tool is deployed, developers only need to configure it according to their requirements. The development effort is minimal as many components are readily available.

Overall, on a scale of one to ten, I would rate Oracle APEX a nine.

In the public sector, our clients are primarily using Oracle APEX to update their old systems. We have been working on government projects for over a decade, and many of our clients are moving from outdated tools like Oracle Forms and ADA Oracle to Oracle APEX. This shift lets them benefit from APEX's user-friendly, low-code approach, speeding up app development, and keeping them in line with modern web standards, resulting in better efficiency and user experiences.

The most valuable feature of Oracle APEX is its comprehensive set of features for creating user-friendly and visually appealing applications. This includes local development, remote templates, and graphic capabilities. Additionally, the platform offers tools like smart sheets, search wizards, and easy application creation from various file formats, making it highly adaptable. It also excels in configuring workloads and notifications, implementing reports, and allowing seamless attachment handling. The availability of plugins further enhances its value, making it a go-to choice for application development and use.

In terms of improvement, there should be a greater focus on AI and machine learning tools in Oracle APEX. While the platform is evolving, making these tools more accessible and user-friendly is crucial due to the rapid growth of AI and ML. Providing more pre-built packages and simplifying their usage would facilitate the platform's adoption in AI applications and machine learning, ensuring it stays relevant in these rapidly advancing fields.

I have been using Oracle APEX for three years.

I would rate the stability of the solution as a ten out of ten.

It is a very scalable solution. I would rate the scalability as a nine out of ten. Most of my clients are medium-sized businesses.

I would rate the technical support as a ten out of ten.

Positive

Deployment in Oracle APEX is a smooth and straightforward process, and we haven't had any issues with it. Even when creating different environment clones, we can easily migrate applications without complications. Deployment is quite efficient, and it typically takes less than an hour, often around half an hour, thanks to the support of a dedicated DBA and the use of the WebLogic application server. For deployment, after completing application development, we export the application files, including standard features. Then, these files are sent to the Logical Manager, who is the application server administrator. They handle the deployment on the WebLogic server.

I find the pricing of Oracle APEX to be very reasonable because it is free when you already have a license for Oracle database. This cost-effectiveness is a significant advantage.

My advice for those interested in using Oracle APEX is to start promptly, as there is a learning curve, particularly if you are less familiar with CSS and JavaScript. In the initial stages, you may encounter limitations when creating more complex interfaces and feature-rich applications, which may require additional effort in terms of CSS and workload. However, for straightforward applications, Oracle APEX is user-friendly and easy to use. Overall, I would rate it as a ten out of ten.

Oracle APEX provides a fast web page for any application or dashboard, enabling users to create ad hoc reports.

The valuable features are charts, reports, and search engines.

The solution's layout could be improved for report generation to allow more configuration.

I have been using Oracle APEX for 15 years.

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

The solution’s scalability is not high. 50-60 online users are using this solution.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

The technical support is very good.

Positive

The initial setup is neither easy nor hard. I rate it three or four out of ten.

We must set up more than five tools to run the Oracle APEX application, including the database, assets, API publisher, Application Express, web logies, and several tools.

The deployment depends on the project and can be handled by one person. It takes less than one month for a single project or another month for other projects.

The deployment process is the same as for other applications. It typically involves analysis, implementation, coding, database package development, design, and front-end development.

The solution is cheap. It's a free solution.

I rate the solution's pricing a six or seven out of ten.

Oracle APEX is a good solution to create web applications quickly and easily, with many options.

Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.