Mendix empowers teams to build powerful applications quickly. But as those applications grow in complexity and adoption, performance and strong low code governance become critical success factors.
At CLEVR, our support and expert services teams have worked with hundreds of Mendix apps from small pilots to mission-critical platforms. We know that for business-critical applications, performance is only one part of the equation. If you're also looking to maintain stability, security, and governance as your app evolves, this guide on managing Mendix apps throughout the lifecycle is a great place to start.
In this blog, we focus specifically on performance. Below are 20 practical, field-tested tips to help you build faster, more scalable Mendix applications.
Let’s start at the foundation: your domain model and logic.
Modeling & Logic
1. Minimize Round Trips
Use nanoflows instead of microflows for client-side logic. It reduces unnecessary server communication and improves UI responsiveness.
2. Avoid Large Dataset Retrievals
Always apply filters and use pagination, especially in list views and data grids. Fetch only what you need.
3. Use Non-Persistent Entities Smartly
Think of them as lightweight view models. They help reduce memory use and allow more flexibility in shaping UI data.
4. Pre-Calculate Expensive Values
If an attribute is heavy to compute, consider storing the value instead of recalculating it repeatedly.
5. Split Complex Microflows
Break large microflows into manageable subflows. It makes logic easier to understand, debug, and often faster to execute.
6. Avoid Blocking Commits
Structure your logic with smaller transactions and commit data in a consistent order to prevent deadlocks.
7. Simplify Microflow Expressions
Complex nested expressions are hard to read and slow to run. Break them into separate actions or subflows.
8. Leverage Domain-to-View Mapping
Do not drag your full domain model into the UI. Use non-persistent view models tailored for specific screens.
9. Turn Off Unnecessary Event Handlers
Particularly in background processes or imports. Every handler adds overhead.
10. Limit Use of Reference Sets
For large associations, use linking entities or soft references to improve performance.
Advanced Optimization
As your application scales, these techniques can help push performance even further.
11. Use View Entities (NEW)
Virtual entities defined with OQL are perfect for complex visualizations and aggregated reports.
12. Index XPath Query Attributes
Make sure attributes used in XPath constraints are indexed for faster querying.
13. Optimize List Operations
Avoid manipulating lists inside loops. Use in-memory operations provided by Mendix instead.
14. Leverage Java Actions
For computationally heavy logic, Java can outperform microflows. CLEVR can help you build reusable components.
15. Implement Task Queue or Background Module
Offload scheduled or intensive jobs to avoid UI or runtime slowdowns.
Scaling effectively is not just about performance. It also requires the right architectural decisions and team structures. Explore how low code governance helps you balance flexibility and control.
Frontend & UX
A smooth user experience depends on how lean and responsive your frontend is.
16. Limit Visible Widgets
Use conditional visibility and keep widget trees shallow to reduce page load times.
17. Selective Sync for Mobile
From Mendix 10.19 onward, you can control what data is available offline. Sync only what is necessary.
18. Use Nanoflows for UX Logic
They offer instant responsiveness and eliminate server latency.
Monitoring & Scaling
You cannot fix what you cannot see. Monitoring and proactive scaling ensure your app stays fast.
19. Monitor with Runtime & Performance Bots
MxAssist, Mendix Cloud dashboards, and other tools can alert you to performance issues early.
20. Performance Testing with CLEVR
We help you identify bottlenecks and optimize your application and infrastructure before going live.
Robust monitoring and proactive incident management are essential for business-critical Mendix apps. Discover best practices for stability, change management, and security in our detailed guide on maintaining Mendix business-critical applications.
Need help improving your app’s performance?
CLEVR Expert Services offer audits, strategies, and best practices to get the most out of Mendix. You can also book a free 30–45 minute call with a subject matter expert. No strings attached, just insight.
Learn more
Why Partner with CLEVR?
Performance tuning is more than a checklist. It’s a craft. It requires deep platform knowledge, the right tooling, and a lot of experience.
CLEVR Expert Services provide:
- In-depth performance audits
- Customized scaling strategies
- Best practices from years of Mendix and cloud operationsexpe.
Let your team focus on building features. Let CLEVR make it fly.
Find out how CLEVR can drive impact for your business
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