Bubble

Overview

Bubble is a no-code app-building platform operated by Bubble Group, Inc., founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York. It brings web and mobile app development onto one platform: a project can include a web app and native iOS or Android apps, with a shared backend, database, workflows and API connections.

The platform includes a built-in database, user authentication and API integrations. Bubble says builders can create an app for free and upgrade when they are ready to launch. The free tier is therefore useful during development, while its monthly workload allowance, single-editor limit and short server-log history set boundaries for ongoing use.

Bubble reports nearly 6 million builders on the platform and more than $1 billion in transactions processed annually by Bubble apps. Those figures describe the platform’s reported reach and activity; they do not indicate what a particular project will achieve.

Key features

• Web and mobile projects: Build for web, iOS and Android on one platform, with native mobile apps publishable to the iOS and Android app stores.
• Shared project foundation: A web app and mobile apps in the same project can use one backend, database, set of workflows and API connections.
• Core app components: Bubble provides a built-in database, user authentication and API integrations.
• External services: Integrations can connect an app to services such as Stripe and Google Maps.
• Free development tier: The Free plan includes one app editor, 50K workload units per month and six hours of server logs. Bubble says users can build before upgrading to launch.
• Security and scale: Bubble describes its security and performance as enterprise-grade. Production-ready apps include security scanning; Enterprise adds a dedicated support team, custom workload units, a choice of hosting location and a customizable server.
• Team editing: Growth includes two app editors, and Team includes five.

Pricing

Bubble uses a freemium model. Its Web + Mobile plans list Free at no cost, Starter at $59 a month billed annually, Growth at $209 a month billed annually, and Team at $549 a month billed annually. Enterprise pricing is not listed.

Bubble also lists a Free plan at no cost for projects under construction, Starter Web only at $32 a month paid annually, and a Starter plan at $59 a month billed annually for projects ready to launch. Growth at $209 a month billed annually is described as best for team collaboration, while Team at $549 a month billed annually is described as best for scaling a team and business. Enterprise is positioned for maximum security and scale, with price not listed.

A 14-day trial is listed. If it is not canceled, it automatically becomes a paid Starter subscription. Bubble also places a temporary $1 card pre-authorization, which expires within 5–10 business days.

Platforms

Bubble supports web, iOS and Android apps. Native mobile apps can be published to the iOS and Android app stores. Web and mobile apps within one project can share the same backend, database, workflows and API connections.

Who it's for

Bubble may suit people building an app who want database, authentication and API integration capabilities within the same platform, particularly when they want to support web and mobile from one project. Its free plan allows work on an app before launch, while its paid tiers add higher workload allowances, more editors on Growth and Team, and greater build-submission and live-version limits.

Teams should compare the editor limits with their collaboration needs: Free includes one editor, Growth includes two and Team includes five. Organizations looking for a dedicated support team, custom workload units or hosting-location choice will find those options listed under Enterprise, where the price is not listed.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Web, iOS and Android app support with a shared project backend and data foundation.
• Free plan for app development, with a stated monthly workload allowance and server logs.
• Built-in database, user authentication and API integrations.
• Native mobile publishing and connections to services such as Stripe and Google Maps.
• Higher plans list expanded workload, editor, branch, log, submission and live-version allowances.

Cons

• The Free plan is limited to one app editor, 50K workload units per month and six hours of server logs.
• The listed Starter, Growth and Team prices are billed annually.
• The trial converts to a paid Starter subscription unless canceled, and includes a temporary $1 card pre-authorization.
• Enterprise pricing is not listed.

Alternatives

Other options in app-building and no-code categories include FlutterFlow, Zoho Creator, Google AppSheet, Retool, OutSystems, MIT App Inventor, AgilePoint NX and Glide. Browse our guides to No-code app builders, No-Code Development Platforms, No-Code AI App Builders and AI App Builders.

Verdict

Bubble combines web and mobile app development with a shared backend, database, workflows and API connections, alongside authentication and service integrations. Its Free plan gives builders a way to work before launch, but the allowance is modest and team editing begins at higher tiers. The annual billing terms, trial conversion and unlisted Enterprise price are important to weigh when choosing a plan. Bubble is most relevant for app projects that benefit from keeping web and mobile work together; the right fit depends on the project’s workload, publishing needs and number of editors.