Table of Contents
Most Bubble reviews you read are written by marketers or casual tinkerers. This one is not.
After using Bubble to build over 200 production-grade apps, from internal operations tools to SaaS platforms, we know what it does best, where it frustrates, and when it’s the wrong tool entirely.
If you are a founder, operations lead, or product manager evaluating whether Bubble fits your needs, you are in the right place.
We’ll share what we’ve learned the hard way.
TL;DR: Bubble Review Summary
Criteria | Verdict |
Best Use Cases | Internal tools, MVPs, SaaS, complex web apps |
Learning Curve | Steep, especially for logic-heavy builds |
Performance & Scale | Strong up to mid-scale; optimization & planning needed for large apps |
Native Mobile Support | Native mobile app builder (Beta) |
Developer Handoff Ready | Yes, with structured builds |
Fair but spikes with traffic or complexity | |
Overall Recommendation | A powerful platform for the right use cases |
What is Bubble Really?
TL;DR - Is Bubble Worth it?
Bubble is not a toy. It's a serious contender for web app development. It is a full-stack visual development platform. Instead of focusing on one slice of the product stack (like forms, databases, or page design), Bubble tackles it all: front-end, back-end, workflows, database, user management, and integrations, all from a single interface.
Here’s what that really means:
Drag-and-Drop UI Builder: Bubble's visual editor lets you design complex, responsive UIs without writing HTML or CSS.
Workflow Engine: Logic and interactivity are built through Bubble’s workflow editor, allowing conditionals, database operations, and even scheduled backend events.
Integrated Database: Bubble comes with a built-in database that handles everything from dev/live environments to auto backups and role-based privacy rules.
API & Plugin Support: Whether you're connecting Stripe, OpenAI, or your own custom backend, Bubble’s API and plugin system makes integrations manageable, even without code.
Scalability on AWS + Cloudflare: Bubble apps are hosted on enterprise-grade infrastructure with horizontal scaling in mind.
Web and Mobile Capable: While web apps are the core experience, Bubble now supports mobile builds via wrappers or its emerging native tool.
AI App Builder: A newer feature, Bubble’s AI assistant, can scaffold an app for you based on a single prompt. It’s not magic, but a decent head start.
Common Misconceptions
"It’s only for MVPs": Many production SaaS apps run entirely on Bubble.
"No-code = no complexity": Bubble can handle complex logic, but it takes effort.
"You can’t build native apps": That used to be true. But in 2025, Bubble launched its public beta for native mobile apps, which enables builders to design, publish, and scale fully native applications from the same platform.
The Good : Bubble Advantages
Speed to Execution
Bubble’s biggest strength? Speed. You can go from idea to prototype to production-grade app faster than almost any other platform.
“Bubble lets you go from idea to working product ridiculously fast. The visual logic and database structure make it easy to prototype and scale in one place.” – Damian, Bubble Developer
“How fast we can bring ideas to life, that’s what makes me stick with Bubble.” – Ian, Bubble Developer
Smart Logic & Customization
For more advanced builders, Bubble becomes even more satisfying. There's real joy in finding cleaner, more efficient logic.
“I really like to build with good practices. I get that dopamine hit when I figure out a smarter logic that avoids unnecessary steps.” – Ian, Bubble Developer
Extensibility & Power
Bubble's ability to act as a visual full-stack framework stands out. You're not just making prototypes, you’re creating software that can serve customers or teams.
“Bubble gives full control over frontend and backend, and the API connector is gold. You can connect to any third-party data provider you want.” – Joe, Bubble Developer
The Bad : Bubble Limitations
Fragility in Larger Apps
As apps grow in complexity, so do the headaches. Small changes can create unexpected ripple effects across workflows.
“How small changes can unexpectedly break things that have wide, non-obvious consequences. Especially when collaborating. It can really slow you down.” – Damian, Bubble Developer
Scaling Comes at a Price
While early-stage pricing is approachable, successful apps can quickly blow through their workload units (WU) and get nudged toward enterprise plans.
"As your app gains traction, WU usage naturally rises. At very high user counts - like in the millions - you’ll likely need Bubble’s Enterprise plan to maintain strong performance and reliability." – Joe, Bubble Developer
AI Limitations
Bubble’s AI features haven’t caught up with competitors. Copilot is helpful for templated actions but falls short on anything complex.
“Bubble’s AI is so behind. It’s not ready to assist with real dev workflows yet.” – Ian, Bubble Developer
Search, Filtering, and Learning Curves
Filtering and searching are incredibly powerful, but also misunderstood early on.
“Daisy chain filtering to combine multiple filters is a must-know. And URL parameters change the game. Rookie devs lean on custom states too much, which breaks with a simple refresh.” – Ian, Bubble Developer
The Ugly – Mistakes & Lessons Learned
Mistake #1: Weak Data Structure
“Early on, I didn’t plan the database structure carefully and had to rebuild large parts later. Now I treat data architecture like code: Plan first, build second.” – Damian, Bubble Developer
Mistake #2: Going All-In on Custom States
“In the rookie months, I used custom states everywhere. Then I realized a simple page refresh could break the logic. URL parameters changed the game.” – Ian, Bubble Developer
Mistake #3: Ignoring Long-Term Cost
"If you’re planning for significant scale, it’s worth considering an external backend early on. Many teams combine Bubble with tools like Xano to improve performance and keep costs predictable as they grow."– Joe, Bubble Developer
Our takeaway: Building in Bubble is a long game. Learn its quirks early, respect its logic rules, and you’ll save yourself major rebuilds.
Bubble Features Review
Speed & Scalability
2025 Performance: Significantly improved vs. pre-2023. Still, not as fast as native.
Workload Units (WU): Every DB write, logic run, or API call consumes WUs.
Real-world Benchmark: 250K WU/month supports a moderate traffic SaaS.
Security & Compliance
Bubble has powerful privacy rules but relies on devs to configure them properly.
No built-in HIPAA compliance.
Integration & Automation
API Connector: Robust, handles OAuth, GraphQL, REST.
Webhooks: Can listen and trigger workflows.
Workflows: Conditional logic, DB writes, backend triggers.
What Makes a Good Bubble Build?
What Makes a Good Bubble Build
Scoped Workflows: Keep logic modular.
Privacy Rules: Set them before user testing.
Reusable Elements: Build component libraries like any frontend framework.
External Services: Offload compute-heavy or high-volume workflows.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Use Bubble?
Bubble is great for:
Founders validating an idea with a functional MVP
Web apps with complex logic but manageable scale
Bubble is not Ideal For:
Apps requiring high-speed real-time features (e.g., gaming, streaming)
HIPAA/FedRamp-compliant enterprise builds
The Direction of Bubble
Native Mobile Wrapper (2025): In beta, but still not native-native.
AI Copilot: Promising for prototyping, but limited in complex workflows.
Faster Backend Queues: Now rolling out for enterprise plans.
Is Bubble Worth It?
When used right, Bubble is a force multiplier for small teams.
When It Accelerates You
Building a complex MVP without hiring a dev team
You have some technical aptitude and time to learn
When It Slows You Down
Needing high performance at scale
Working in a compliance-heavy industry
Final Verdict
Bubble is not perfect, but when used for the right use case, it’s a superpower. If you’re wondering whether it’s the right fit for your project, let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Bubble.io reliable?
Yes. We’ve shipped 200+ apps and experienced only rare downtime.
What are the disadvantages of Bubble?
Learning curve, pricing spikes, and limited native mobile features.
Is Bubble.io completely free?
You can start for free, but serious apps need at least the $32/month plan.
Is Bubble.io secure?
Yes, if you configure privacy rules correctly.
Can it handle 10k+ users?
Yes, but only with optimization and possibly offloading compute.
How much does it cost monthly to run?
Anywhere from free to $400+/month depending on WUs, features, and traffic.
Can my internal team take over after the build?
Yes, if it’s built with standard practices and includes handoff docs.
Can you migrate Bubble to code later?
Sort of. You can migrate data easily. Rebuilding frontend/backend logic requires effort, but it’s not impossible.
