Last updated: 2026-08-19
More than 4.7 million apps have been built on Bubble, a no-code development platform for creating full-stack web and mobile applications with a visual editor. Unlike most no-code tools, Bubble bundles its own relational database, user authentication, and API management instead of requiring a separate backend service.
About Bubble
Founded in 2012, Bubble is a no-code development platform that lets non-technical founders and small teams build full-stack web and mobile applications through a visual, drag-and-drop editor instead of writing code. The company has raised $177 million in venture funding to date.
Bubble hosts, deploys, and scales the finished app itself, so there is no separate server or DevOps setup to manage. Its plugin marketplace connects to services like Stripe, Slack, Google, and Zapier, and a public beta native mobile builder lets the same project publish directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play alongside the web app.
Pricing
Free tier ($0/month) for development with 50K workload units. Paid plans start at $29-$32/month (Starter) with 175K-200K WUs. Growth tier at $134/month, Team at $349-$399/month.
Web+Mobile plans range $59-$549/month. Enterprise custom pricing. 30/1K WUs.
Annual billing available at discount.
| Tier | Monthly price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free (Development) | Free | 50,000 workload units/month, no live deployment, Bubble branding required, 1 app editor |
| Enterprise (Custom) | Free | Custom workload allocation, dedicated infrastructure, priority support, advanced security, compliance-ready |
| Starter (Web) | $32/mo | 175,000-200,000 workload units/month, live deployment with custom domain, recurring workflows, 1 app editor, Bubble branding |
| Mobile (Native iOS/Android) | $42/mo | Mobile-only app store publishing, native iOS and Android builds, device feature access |
| Web+Mobile (Unified) | $59/mo | Combined web and native mobile, shared database and backend, unified project structure |
| Growth (Web) | $134/mo | Higher workload units, multiple live versions, 2 app editors, custom domain, branding removal |
| Team (Web) | $349/mo | 500,000+ workload units/month, sub-apps for multi-tenancy, 20 days server logs, team collaboration, advanced security (SOC 2, SSO, HIPAA options) |
Key Features
- Visual Drag-and-Drop Editor: Full-stack visual development environment combining frontend design, backend logic, and database management without code
- Built-in Database: Customizable relational database with data types, relationships, privacy rules, and real-time synchronization
- Advanced Workflows: Visual workflow builder for complex logic, conditionals, user actions, scheduled tasks, and multi-step automation
- Plugin Marketplace: Access to 6000+ plugins and integrations including Stripe, Slack, Google, SendGrid, Zapier, and custom APIs
- Native Mobile Apps: Native iOS and Android app builder (public beta) with App Store/Google Play publishing and device feature access
- AI App Builder: AI-powered scaffolding that generates app foundations from natural language descriptions with Claude Sonnet integration
Pros
- Fastest time-to-market for web applications and MVPs among no-code platforms
- Complete full-stack platform eliminates need for multiple tools or infrastructure management
- Supports complex business logic and workflows visually without coding
- A large plugin ecosystem covers most common integrations without custom code, saving setup time for popular services
- Active, helpful community with detailed documentation and Bubble Academy tutorials for every skill level
- Flexible pricing with free tier; costs scale with actual app usage (workload units)
- Native mobile app builder lets the same team ship iOS and Android apps without a separate codebase
- SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA-compliant infrastructure
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex workflows and app architecture optimization
- Platform lock-in: no code export means costly migration if leaving platform
- Usage-based pricing (workload units) can become expensive as apps scale
- Performance limitations for real-time apps, graphics-intensive apps, or extreme scale
- Not suitable for ultra-low-latency applications or complex mathematical computations
- Native mobile support is still in beta with some features in progress
- Long-term dependence on a single vendor is a real risk for mission-critical apps if Bubble ever changes pricing or shuts down a feature you rely on
Data Handling
- Compliance
- SOC 2 Type II · GDPR · HIPAA-ready · ISO 27001 (AWS) · PCI Compliant
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you pay for Bubble?
Bubble's free plan costs $0 a month for development only, with no live deployment. Paid plans start at $29 to $32 a month (Starter) and rise to $134 a month (Growth) and $349 to $399 a month (Team), while combined Web+Mobile bundles run $59 to $549 a month. Extra usage above your plan's workload unit allowance bills at $0.30 per 1,000 units, and Enterprise pricing is custom.
What do you get on Bubble's free tier?
The free Development plan includes 50,000 workload units a month, one app editor, and Bubble branding. Live deployment is the missing piece: it is a plan for building and testing, not for running an app your users can reach.
What are Bubble's closest competitors?
Popular Bubble alternatives include Adalo for teams that want a simpler, mobile-only app builder, WeWeb for developers who want a no-code frontend they can still export as real code, and OutSystems for large companies that need enterprise-grade governance and support. Each trades away some of Bubble's all-in-one database and workflow depth for a narrower focus.
What separates Bubble from Adalo?
Bubble and Adalo are both AI-assisted no-code app builders, but Bubble adds a full relational database and API connector that Adalo's simpler builder doesn't match, at the cost of a steeper learning curve. Adalo's paid plans top out at $250/month, well under Bubble's Web+Mobile ceiling, so Adalo is the cheaper pick if your app doesn't need Bubble's backend depth.
How do you set up Bubble?
Start on the free Development plan, which asks for no card, and use the visual editor to place elements on a page before wiring workflows for the logic. Bubble Academy's video courses and the community forum both walk beginners through a first working app. Upgrading to a paid plan is what takes it live, and that can happen at any point.
Top Alternatives
- Adalo: A built-in database and workflow automation is why teams take Bubble; Adalo is enough when a simpler mobile builder is all the app needs.
- WeWeb: WeWeb is the cheaper no-code frontend with code export. Bubble is the all-in-one platform with hosting already included.
- OutSystems: Enterprise governance and support point to OutSystems, while a solo founder or small team gets started faster and cheaper on Bubble.
HokAI guides covering Bubble
- Best AI App Builder in 2026: Pick by What You're Building: HokAI tracks 28 AI app builders priced $0 to $36,300 a year under one label. Here is how to pick by native mobile, web, or enterprise output, not by ranking.
- How to Build an AI-Powered App Without Being a Developer: Lovable hit $500M ARR in ten months. Real prices across six no-code and prompt-to-app builders, plus the security check most founders skip before launch.