Bubble was recently named as one of the fastest-growing no-code platforms on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500™ list. This is a sign of how quickly no-code is changing the way we build software.
No-code tools like Bubble became popular because building apps the old way takes time, money, and technical skills. Bubble removes those roadblocks, and you can build your idea faster and at a lower cost.
Bubble is trusted by well-known companies around the world. Brands like Amazon, Paramount, PwC, Yamaha, L'Oréal, and Unity all use Bubble, one of the most popular no code tools . It’s used by founders, teams, and businesses of all sizes. This growing adoption shows just how far no-code development has come.
In this article, we’ll look at Bubble pros and cons so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your next app.
What Bubble is
Bubble is an AI-powered no-code platform that helps you build full-stack web apps and mobile apps without writing any code. It works with a simple drag and drop editor, allowing you to design the app the way you want, add logic, connect your database, and go live. Bubble takes care of the hard stuff like servers, integrations, and security, so you can focus on building a product your users will love. Because of this, Bubble is often used for web application development and to create marketplaces, CRMs, community platforms, internal tools, mission-critical applications, react native apps, and AI tools in a smoother and faster way.
It’s used by more than 5 million people and powers over 6 million apps worldwide. You can start with pre-built templates to speed up development. You can also connect your app to popular tools like Stripe or Google Maps for payments, maps, and more.
You can start using Bubble completely free. You only pay when you’re ready to go live or need more advanced features. The Starter plan begins at just $29 per month if billed yearly. That’s very affordable, especially for small businesses and early-stage startups.
What you can build and do with Bubble
Bubble also comes with Bubble AI, a suite of AI-powered features including an AI app generator and an AI page designer that help you build faster. The AI app generator creates the basic structure of your app from a simple description. The AI page designer builds layouts automatically based on what you ask for. You can also automate logic with smart AI suggestions that guide you while setting up workflows and functionality.
You can manage users with built-in tools and create workflows to control what your app does. As your app grows, Bubble can scale your app without switching platforms by upgrading your plan and optimizing performance as needed.
There’s a plugin marketplace to add extra features, a built-in database to store your data, and tools to make your app work on any screen size. If you need more control, you can also add custom code using HTML and JavaScript.
You can also build native mobile apps for iOS and Android without writing code. Bubble gives you mobile-friendly elements and gestures right inside the same drag and drop interface, so you don’t need to learn a new platform for mobile app development. You can preview your app in real time with BubbleGo and then launch it directly to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Who is it for?
Bubble is perfect for startups that want to move fast without hiring a full development team to create web apps or internal business tools. It’s also great for agencies that need to deliver apps quickly for clients. And if you’re a solo builder with no coding background, you’ll love how easy it is to get started with app building. It’s really for anyone who wants to build professional apps without the technical headache.
Many enterprises are turning to Bubble too, not just for speed, but for savings. In fact, 85% of enterprise users report saving between $300,000 and $1 million per year by building apps with Bubble, integrating various external services . So whether you’re a solo founder or come from a large company, Bubble is built for you.
Pros of using Bubble
Bubble gives you the tools to build real apps without writing code. It’s fast, flexible, and packed with features that help you move from idea to launch. Let’s look at some of the biggest reasons why people choose Bubble.
a. Fast to build and iterate
With Bubble, there is no need to wait for developer cycles in the development process, such as planning, coding, testing, and deployment, which you need to go through in traditional methods. In those methods, each phase depends on someone else finishing their work before you can move forward. That creates delays and slows things down. With Bubble, you don’t have to rely on others to write or push code. You can build everything yourself using the drag and drop interface of its visual editor. Changes are made in real time. You can test features, update designs, and update your app instantly. This gives you full control and saves time.
Bubble is also great for creating MVPs. An MVP is the first version of your app with just the basic features. It helps you test ideas quickly and get feedback from real users. You can build this kind of MVP app fast using Bubble. After launch, it’s easy to update. You don’t need to restart the whole process. You just log in, make edits, and publish right away.
The platform has many features that make development faster. It uses a drag-and-drop no code app builder, so you don’t have to code anything. You can choose from pre-built templates to get started quickly. It also offers built-in logic tools and smart AI suggestions. These help you set up actions and workflows easily. Bubble even handles backend setup like servers and databases. All of this means you can focus more on building and less on setup, which ultimately makes your app development up to 10 times faster than traditional methods.
b. No code, but full control
Bubble gives you the ability to build apps without writing a single line of code. But even without code, you still get full control over how your app works. You can control the app functionality such as what happens when a user clicks a button, logs in, or updates a field. Bubble uses visual programming to help you set up powerful workflows, logic, and user experiences. All these are facilitated through dragging, dropping, and selecting options.
You can build workflows that respond to different events. For example, when a user submits a form, you can create actions to save data, show a message, or send an email.
You can even connect to external third party services through APIs, trigger server-side events, or update your database instantly. Services like Stripe, Calendly, Google, Twitter, Zapier, Slack, and DocuSign are all supported. Bubble supports both outgoing API calls to get or send data and incoming ones to help other apps trigger workflows in your app.
You can also use webhooks for real-time updates when certain actions happen in other platforms. Bubble handles all the technical setup behind the scenes, so you only need to configure a few fields to make the connection work.
On the UI side, you can design everything visually using visual programming. You can drag and drop elements like buttons, forms, images, maps, and more. Bubble supports pixel-perfect layouts, custom styling, and responsive design for all screen sizes.
Custom UI elements can be created in the visual editor, which helps you to design unique layouts and experiences that match your brand or specific app goals.
You can also import designs directly from tools like Figma. To save time, you can use pre-built templates, UI kits, or components from Bubble’s library. There are also many community resources and third-party tools like FontAwesome, Google Fonts, and Colormind, which are supported by Bubble, that help you build faster with better design.
c. Scalable enough for most SaaS
Bubble can handle high user loads if you build your app the right way. It gives you cloud hosting that can grow with your app. This means your app will not slow down when more people start using it. Many SaaS apps need to handle data for different users or teams. Bubble has a multi-tenant system that helps keep user data separate and safe. You can also use privacy rules and role settings to control who sees what. All this makes Bubble good for SaaS platforms that plan to grow.
If you need more power in the backend, you can connect Bubble with Xano or Supabase. Bubble will handle the user interface. Xano will take care of the backend work, like storing data or running complex logic. This setup helps you keep your app fast even when it grows bigger. It gives you more control and better performance for advanced needs.
d. Cost-effective early on
Bubble is a good choice when you are just starting. You do not need to hire a full development team. One person can build the whole app using Bubble’s visual tools. You can design, add logic, set up workflows, and even connect APIs without writing code. This saves a lot of time and money in the early stages. You can also start for free and only pay when you are ready to go live. For a new startup or solo founder, this makes Bubble a very affordable and practical option.
e. Big community and ecosystem
One of the biggest strengths of Bubble is its large and active ecosystem. You get access to templates, plugins, tutorials, and a helpful community. These resources make it easier and faster to build apps. Over 6 million apps have been created on Bubble, and more than 8,000 plugins are available. That shows how much the platform has grown and how many people contribute to it.
Bubble gives you many ready-made templates. These are full apps you can use to start quickly. Templates include design, workflows, and common features. You can find templates for CRMs, marketplaces, landing pages, and more. You can change anything after using a template, so you still have full control.
Plugins help you add more features to your app. Some connect to services like Stripe, Facebook, or Google. Others add new UI elements or background actions. You can also make your own plugin if needed.
Bubble offers many tutorials and guides. You can watch webinars, follow video lessons, or read help articles. The community forum is also very active. If you get stuck, it’s easy to ask questions and find answers. All of this makes Bubble a strong and friendly place to build your app.
Bubble also offers a rich learning experience through the Bubble Academy. Whether you prefer videos, reading, or hands-on practice, there’s something for every learning style. You can follow crash courses, explore detailed manuals, join bootcamps, get one-on-one coaching, or tap into user-created resources from around the world. It’s a supportive space for both beginners and experienced builders.
f. Easier to learn than coding
With Bubble, you don’t need to learn traditional programming. You don’t have to write code or understand complex syntax. This helps beginners and non-technical people start building apps with confidence.
Bubble uses a visual builder that is simple to understand. You drag and drop elements to design your app. You set up workflows by clicking through options. You can see your changes live while you build. This approach shortens the ramp-up because you learn as you go.
Cons of using Bubble
Bubble is powerful, but like any platform, it has its trade-offs. Some limits show up as your app grows or your needs change. Here are a few things to keep in mind before going all in.
a. Performance needs active optimization
Bubble apps can get slow if they are not built the right way. This is common in apps with large databases, many workflows, or high traffic. But this is not unique to Bubble—apps built with traditional code can also face the same problem. The difference is in how you structure things. An experienced developer will make sure your app and database are set up for performance and scalability from day one. In particular, good database architecture and efficient workflows are critical.
We often see performance issues in apps built by inexperienced developers—slow loading, long workflows, and inefficient database calls are common signs. That’s why we offer app audits and performance optimization to fix these problems. Optimizing workflows, using custom states, and reducing unnecessary calls can drastically improve speed and user experience.
Bubble works best when you plan for speed from the beginning. Poor page structure, too many database calls, and heavy use of conditionals can all slow down your app. Scaling also needs care. You need to follow best practices like reusable elements, custom states, and proper privacy rules. These help reduce stress on the database and improve response time. There are limits to how much Bubble can handle, especially for apps needing very high performance. But when done right, the platform can support growing businesses well—it just needs attention and regular performance checks.
b. Platform lock-in
When you build an app on Bubble, you can’t export the code. The app stays inside the Bubble platform. This is a common limitation with many no-code tools—not just Bubble. But there are ways to reduce this lock-in. You can decouple the frontend and backend by connecting your Bubble app to an external database, like Supabase or Xano. This way, your data and logic can live outside Bubble if needed.
Also, Bubble is the largest no-code platform on the market, with strong funding and a growing user base. The chances of it shutting down are extremely low. But even in that unlikely case, Bubble has stated it would make the code and data exportable if they ever shut down, so users aren’t left stranded.
When Bubble makes sense
Bubble is a strong option for building real, scalable applications without needing a full development team or writing code. It’s especially useful for startups and founders who need to move fast, iterate quickly, and stay lean. It’s also a solid choice for businesses and enterprises building internal tools, dashboards, CRMs, and automation tools—where speed and flexibility matter more than full custom infrastructure.
Bubble works well for B2B SaaS products, internal tools, MVPs, and similar use cases. You can build apps with multi-tenant databases, user roles, recurring billing, and permissions—everything you need for SaaS. For internal tools, you can build CRMs, task managers, and team dashboards using visual workflows and plugins to automate work. For MVPs, you can launch in days, get feedback, and improve fast—without waiting months or hiring a big team.
If your team has limited dev resources, Bubble is a practical way to get started. One person can build the entire app—from design to logic to deployment. You can start small and scale later as needed.
There are a few exceptions. Bubble is not ideal for blockchain-based apps, virtual reality, high-frequency trading platforms, or performance-heavy consumer apps like Twitter—where ultra-low latency and deep system-level control are critical. But for most other use cases—SaaS, marketplaces, mobile apps, internal tools, and MVPs—Bubble is more than capable.
If you stay within its strengths and follow best practices, Bubble gives you everything you need to go from idea to product—fast and without unnecessary complexity.
Final thoughts
Bubble gives you the tools to build apps fast, test early, and improve as you go.
If you're a startup founder, this is exactly what you need. You can design, launch, and update real products without waiting on developers or hiring a full team. You stay in control—from the first version to live updates—and can move fast based on feedback.
For SaaS, MVPs, internal tools, marketplaces, progressive web apps, or native mobile apps, Bubble is a strong choice. You can even build high-performance complex apps, but you do need the right expertise to design & build the app in scalable and maintainable way
If speed, flexibility, and full ownership of the product roadmap matter to you, Bubble is built for that. Work with its strengths, follow best practices, and it will take you from idea to product - fast, without the usual development overhead and without significant coding skills.
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