Table of Contents
I started Goodspeed because I know firsthand how hard it is to find a great Bubble developer.
When I left Google to launch my own business, I had no technical skills, no technical cofounder, and no budget. No-code changed everything, I built a home cook marketplace and a SaaS tool on my own. But as we grew, I needed help to speed things up, and hiring the right Bubble developer turned out to be a lot harder than I expected. Too many lacked good communication, didn’t understand our users, or weren’t ready for production-level work.
And that’s the trap a lot of founders and ops leads fall into. Bubble is marketed as “no-code,” which makes hiring seem easy. But while it’s simple to get started with Bubble, it’s hard to master and the wrong hire can cost you time and money in endless rework.
At Goodspeed, we’ve now interviewed over 200 Bubble developers. Many were good. Some were outstanding. Too many weren’t prepared to build reliable, scalable products. That experience led me to launch a founder-first no-code agency where every developer is personally vetted for quality.
This guide is here to help you avoid the mistakes I made. Whether you’re building your first Bubble app or extending internal tools to mobile, I’ll walk you through how to hire the right developer with confidence.
TL ; DR
After interviewing 200+ devs, here’s our internal playbook:
Ask for certification (Bubble and/or Airdev)
Require a video walkthrough of 2-3 recent apps
Run a technical chat, assess how they handle feedback
Discuss product process, not just how they build, but how they plan
Paid trial, always
Why Hiring the Right Bubble Developer Matters
Hiring the wrong developer costs more than just money:
Time lost rebuilding or debugging poorly structured apps
Frustration over communication breakdowns
Security risks from sloppy database setups (we’ve seen apps with no privacy rules)
Burned trust in no-code development as a whole
A great Bubble developer doesn’t just build your app; they make it grow with your business.
What Can A No-code Bubble Developer Do?
A Bubble expert refers to an individual who possesses extensive knowledge in Bubble.io They have completed all the relevant Bubble training and can proudly show off apps they have built, API integrations they've worked on, and reviews from customers. They possess a sound grasp of web app development principles like data security, user experience, and responsive design. In summary, a Bubble developer is a vital component for any company seeking a robust and adaptable web and mobile application.
The style of Bubble developers vary depending on their background, some have technical experience, others don't but that isn't an issue. Some Bubble founders used to be product managers, some have studied computer science, and others are keen and dedicated entrepreneurs. Their past tends not to matter, though the most experienced Bubble developers will have a decent understanding of code, specifically HTML, CSS, and Javascript. However, what really sets a great Bubble developer apart is their ability to understand customers think creatively and problem-solve efficiently. A strong understanding of user experience and design principles can also be a valuable asset in developing successful Bubble applications.
What Makes a Good Bubble Developer?
You’re not just looking for someone who knows how to drag and drop. You’re looking for someone who can:
Architect scalable data structures
Communicate clearly with stakeholders
Prioritize features and think in terms of user experience
Deliver code (and no-code) with discipline
Let’s break that down.
Technical Depth
What it is:
Deep knowledge of how Bubble works under the hood: data types, performance trade-offs, workflows, backend triggers, WU (Workload Unit) optimization.
How to assess it:
Ask about performance trade-offs (e.g., when to use merged searches vs. advanced filters)
Run a short technical interview (sample prompt below)
Ask for a Bubble certification (a helpful filter, not a guarantee)
Product Thinking
What it is:
Understanding users, prioritizing features, and thinking beyond the spec. Great Bubble devs aren’t just builders, they’re lightweight product managers.
How to assess it:
Ask how they plan feature releases and incorporate user feedback
Review how they structure MVPs vs. future builds
Prompt: “Tell me how you’d handle versioning and feature flags in Bubble for early adopters.”
Communication
What it is:
Being proactive, clear, and realistic in how they explain trade-offs and update stakeholders.
How to assess it:
Ask for a video walkthrough of their past work
Listen to how they explain why they built something a certain way
Give real-time feedback in the interview and see how they respond
What Proof to Ask For (Not Just Portfolios)
A polished landing page or slick UI is not enough.
Ask for:
Bubble certification
Video walkthroughs of real projects
Past clients who can vouch for long-term results, not just initial delivery
Audit access if possible: review how data and workflows are set up under the hood
How to Assess Soft Skills (Without the Fluff)
Clarity Test
“Explain your most complex app like you’re speaking to a non-technical founder.”
Good devs simplify without dumbing down. If they can’t explain their own project clearly, they won’t help you make informed decisions.
Feedback Test
“What’s a time you built something wrong? How did you fix it?”
Watch how they handle feedback. In technical interviews, we share a correction and see how they respond. Good developers learn out loud.
Culture Fit
Use prompts like:
“How do you prefer to give and receive feedback?”
“What’s your ideal update cadence during a project?”
Interview Questions & Task Ideas
For Technical Skill
Prompt:
“You have a marketplace app. Users search for products by title or description. How would you implement that in Bubble?”
You're looking for:
Awareness of Bubble’s search limitations
Multiple possible solutions
Trade-off reasoning
For Product Sense
“How do you prioritize features when scope or budget is limited?”
“What’s the most user-driven change you’ve made in a project?”
For Communication
“How would you explain WU (workload usage) to a non-technical stakeholder?”
“How do you balance speed vs. quality in MVPs?”
Why We Recommend a Paid Trial
A 10–20-hour paid project is the single best filter: it's low-risk and high-signal.
What to look for during the trial:
How they break down the scope
How they communicate updates
Whether the app works, but also how it’s structured under the hood
Trial ideas:
Build a simple internal tool
Recreate a key feature from your main app
Integrate Bubble with a third-party API
In-House vs. Freelance vs. Agency
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hiring. Whether you choose a freelancer, agency, or bring someone in-house depends on your budget, how fast you need to move, and how much support you have internally. Each option has pros and cons. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide what makes sense for your team.
Type | Cost | Speed | Best For |
Agency | $$$ | Medium | Large projects, need for PM/QA/design |
Freelancer | $$ | Fast | Startups, lean MVP builds |
In-House | $$$$ | Slow to start | Long-term ownership and iteration |
Hybrid | $$$ | Variable | Quick MVP via freelancer + later agency support |
Where to Find Good Bubble Developers
Tip:
Always post with clear requirements, deadline range, budget range, and target user descriptions. Experienced developers won’t respond to vague briefs.
Conclusion
Slow down to speed up.
The best Bubble developers aren’t just fast, they’re also thoughtful. They build systems that grow with your business, communicate clearly, and make smart trade-offs.
Take your time. Set up the right filters. Run small trials. You'll avoid the costly rebuilds and delays we see way too often.
Frequenlty Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes a great Bubble developer?
Strong technical understanding, product sense, communication, and structured delivery process.
Where do I find good Bubble developers?
Start with the Bubble forum, Codemap, or agency directories. Be specific in your job post.
What should I ask for to verify experience?
Ask for video walkthroughs, certifications, past client references, and optionally grant audit access.
What interview questions should I ask?
Test for technical problem-solving, ability to communicate trade-offs, and product reasoning (see section 5).
What is the hourly rate for Bubble developers in 2025?
Rates vary. Expect:
Top-tier devs: $80–$150/hr
Mid-tier: $50–$80/hr
Entry-level: <$50/hr (often needing heavy oversight)
