Bubble.io Review 2024 — Is It Right for Your Startup?

Man at desk on laptop with Bubble.io rating on the left.

There are several platforms on the market that allow users to build apps without code. Bubble.io is a popular choice for no-code app building. The platform is used by teams at HubSpot, Zendesk, and VMware as well as companies that have gone on to participate in Y Combinator and Techstars with products built on Bubble.io. But, is it right for your startup? We’re here to help you find the answer with this Bubble.io review that breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of the service as well as how it stacks up against competitors. 

Recommended: Start building your no-code app today with Bubble.io.

Pros and Cons of Bubble.io

Pros

  • Saves Time & Money: Using Bubble.io’s no-code app builder speeds up the development process and saves money on labor compared to traditional app building. 
  • Building an MVP is Free: Founders can build a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) on Bubble.io for free and upgrade when they are ready to go live. 
  • Usable for Non-Technical Founders: While the platform may come with a slight learning curve, Bubble.io makes it possible for novice developers and non-technical founders to build powerful apps. 
  • Extensive Features Included: When stacked up to competitors, Bubble.io has an unparalleled list of included features. 

Cons

  • There is a Learning Curve: While Bubble.io makes building no-code apps simple, there is still a learning curve associated with the platform. 
  • Moving Your App Can be Challenging: If you choose to move your app from Bubble.io to another platform, it can be a challenge. Therefore, users should be sure about the platform they want to use before getting started. 
  • Web App Development Only: Bubble.io is a web app development platform, therefore users looking to build native apps will not find what they are looking for on the platform. 

Best No-Code App Builder

Bubble makes building apps without code easier than ever. From MVP to live app, designing, developing, and launching no-code apps is doable with Bubble.

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Bubble.io Pricing and Features

One major benefit of the Bubble.io platform is the amount of packages the service offers. Their plans start with a free, one app editor that allows users to develop a prototype or MVP. For live apps, increased functionality, and enhanced security features, customers can choose to upgrade to one of Bubble.io’s paid plans.  

Here are Bubble.io’s core package offerings billed annually:

Core Packages

  • Free — $0 
    • API connector 
    • Component library 
    • One app editor
    • Six hours of server logs 
  • Starter — $29/month 
    • Live app
    • Custom domain
    • Recurring workflows
    • Two days of server logs 
  • Growth — $119/month
    • Two app editors 
    • 10 custom branches 
    • 14 days of server logs 
    • Premium version control 
  • Team — $349/month
    • Five app editors 
    • Sub app features 
    • 25 custom branches
    • 20 days of server logs 
  • Enterprise — Custom Pricing 
    • Choice of hosting location
    • Centralized admin 
    • Dedicated server 
    • Custom workload units 

Bubble.io has several packages to choose from, each includes features for different stages of the app’s lifecycle as well as varying security features as the plans increase in price. For the most robust security features, businesses should consider a custom priced enterprise plan. However, for basic features and a live no-code app, the Starter plan is a strong choice. 

Bubble.io Reviews

Bubble.io has limited customer reviews online, however, a majority of the reviews featured on G2 are extremely positive. Many verified users praise the decreased development time the platform offers as well as the accessibility for non-developers and experienced developers alike. Overall, Bubble.io boasts 4.4 stars out of 5 with many customer’s drawbacks cited as a learning curve when adopting the platform. 

Here are some verified customer reviews from G2 about Bubble.io: 

“I appreciate Bubble.io's intuitive platform that empowers users to create diverse web applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge. Its user-friendly interface significantly reduces the development time, allowing for rapid deployment and iterative improvements. This democratizes web app development, making it accessible even to those who haven't spent years learning programming languages.”

“There are some quirks to it, like any tool. It would be nice if you could return data from custom workflows and build native mobile apps. However, it just so happens the team is working to ship both of those in the near term. They are constantly building on it.”

“Suffice to say, Bubble.io is powerful in all meanings! There's nothing you can't do with it, and I must say it does what it was made for: it makes it easy to develop ideas and deliver them rapidly! I mean it. Some ideas are delivered in weeks of development after planning, and new features can be added without bugs hither and thither, since they are simple to manage and keep track of. From chatbots to large systems, Bubble.io is the platform to go with.”

Bubble.io Alternatives

While Bubble.io is a strong option for no-code app building, there are several competitors to consider when deciding if this is the right platform for your startup. Flutterflow is a no-code app builder that is used for native app building, here’s how the two platforms stack up against each other. 

Bubble.io

Free to $349 per month if billed annually. 

Best For:  Startups looking for web app development capabilities.

Flutterflow

Free to $70 per user, per month if billed annually. 

Best For: Startups looking for native app building capabilities. 

Final Thoughts on Bubble.io

Bubble.io is a powerful no-code tool making it possible for non-technical founders and teams to develop high functioning web apps. The platform is a great tool for building a minimum viable product (MVP) or a final product and may be the perfect platform for a startup looking to join an accelerator program

Plus, the platform protects their users by guaranteeing to release source codes of apps built on the platform under an open-source license in case of emergency. Overall, Bubble.io is a great tool for anyone looking to build a powerful, secure no-code app.

Recommended: Start building your app code-free with Bubble.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bubble.io trustworthy?

Yes, Bubble.io is a widely used no-code app builder trusted by several major brands including HubSpot and Zendesk. Additionally, the platform guarantees access to your app even if the company ceases to exist, providing users with peace of mind. 

Is Bubble.io a good way to build an app?

Bubble.io is a great tool for anyone looking to build an app without code. The platform provides a strong foundation for building both MVPs and live apps. 

What are the downsides of Bubble.io?

For users that are looking to build native iOS or Android apps, Bubble.io will not suffice as it is a web development app builder not a native app builder.