Bubble is a powerful no-code app builder that enables you to create sophisticated web and mobile applications with little to no code. In this guide, we'll cover how Bubble works, its features, alternative options, scalability, use cases, cost considerations, pros and cons, security measures, integrations, and address common user questions. Let's dive in!
Bubble combines a visual programming language and a web development framework.
The no-code landscape offers an alternative to more standard approaches to developing web applications. Users can use these programming tools to create unique online applications, modify databases and processes, add page components (images, text, input forms, maps), and design their interfaces.
Bubble.io also includes a marketplace where you can discover ideal templates, plugins, and services to help you build strong products.
Bubble.io is a web application development platform that streamlines the process of creating custom web applications. It utilizes drag and drop interface to enable users to visually assemble pre-defined actions, then, it automatically translates these visual sequences into the necessary code. With Bubble.io, users can create complex web applications with ease and precision.
Bubble allows you to fully customize all the features of your application within the tool itself. The platform offers a range of basic functionality and hundreds of free and paid extensions, giving users the flexibility to choose what works best for their specific needs.
Technically speaking, Bubble.io combines modules coded in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML into a functional node.js application. This means that Bubble.io follows trusted and accepted web standards, so, if the standard capabilities of Bubble.io are not sufficient, developers can build custom solutions in JavaScript.
Bubble is a great tool for building custom software quickly and affordably. When you build an app with Bubble, you start with a blank slate or you can select from a variety of templates available on the marketplace. Then, you can design or modify the user interface (the screens/buttons/forms), build workflows (the interactions with your app), and manage data storage.
You can also connect to other web services through APIs, schedule tasks for the future, and run recurring tasks as needed. Bubble can be used on both desktop and mobile web browsers, and there are options available to “wrap” (submit) Bubble apps to the Apple and Google app stores.
Learn more: How to build an app for your business without code
Bubble.io takes the security of your data very seriously. The platform is built on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS), a highly secure hosting platform.
Additionally, dedicated plans come with free SSL certificates that ensure secure communication with your app servers over HTTPS.
Additionally, Bubble.io allows you to recover data from any point in time with point-in-time recovery. You can choose how long Bubble.io retains your data and increase your data storage as needed. In case of a complete loss of a database server, Bubble.io uses Amazon's RDS automatic backups to restore data.
With Bubble, you can build and launch a web application in a shorter time frame compared to traditional code-based development.
Bubble offers a wide range of customization options and integrations and it also has a good free trial option, to test all available services.
The Bubble.io community is very active and many templates, plugins, API integrations, and features are added to the tool's catalog every day. They’re also supportive and helpful towards their members. Users frequently offer free assistance and step-by-step guides to others who need help.
Depending on the complexity of the application, it may not perform as well as a code-based application.
Bubble.io has some limitations in terms of responsiveness. While it is possible to create responsive web apps with Bubble, it does require some practice to master the subject. Having an expert assist you in creating responsive web apps with Bubble.io can be beneficial, as they can help you navigate its limitations and ensure that your app is optimized for all devices.
Using no/low-code tools which are relatively new, carries some level of risk. However, a factor that can give you some reassurance is Bubble's promise to release your data if they ever cease operations. Not all platforms commit to this, so it is a significant advantage of Bubble.
If you're considering using Bubble.io, it's important to note that the platform doesn't support exporting code or transitioning to another no-code platform. If you do decide to switch to a code-based development or another no-code platform, you may need to start from scratch. This is because Bubble.io is a proprietary platform, which makes it difficult to migrate to other platforms.
Although this limitation can be a significant constraint for some users, Bubble.io provides a wide range of features to help you expand your app, such as database scalability, server capacity, and custom code integration. The goal is to build a fully functional and scalable app within the platform, without having to migrate to any other solution.
The Bubble platform offers both scalability and performance optimization, which includes handling an increasing number of Bubble apps and improving the user experience for end-users.
For successful app development using Bubble, it is crucial to establish a solid database structure and design plan from the outset. This ensures that your application remains scalable and maintainable over time.
Overall, Bubble is a fully scalable platform, and it can handle real-time data with minimal delay and accommodate up to a million users on a mobile app.
These are some successful apps built with the help of bubble.io:
Incomee - An app that helps freelancers send invoices, manage finances and track their business progress.
Copious.land - A members-only platform for professional land investors, that brings together information about properties. The app provides a centralized marketplace where members can find, buy, and sell wholesale properties.
Comet.co - A freelance recruitment platform for tech freelancers that raised 11 million euros in 2018, created its application thanks to Bubble. Comet has the functionality to accept applications, and screen and evaluate talents.
Reachr - An app that facilitates communication and collaboration between brands and influencers, allowing them to work together more effectively.
Bubble offers a variety of no-code templates that allow users to quickly build functional web and mobile applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge.
Templates are semi-finished apps that can give you a starting point when you first set your project up. These templates contain both design and workflows and serve a wide range of different industries and use cases, from e-commerce and social networking to project management and healthcare.
By selecting a template that aligns with their specific needs, users can accelerate their app development process and focus on customizing the template to meet their unique requirements. Additionally, users can modify the templates to fit their brand and design preferences, resulting in a fully personalized application.
The free plan allows you to familiarize yourself with the platform and develop your application.
Paid subscriptions include extras like white labeling, custom domain, Bubble API access, and reserved server capacity, which are listed below.
While Bubble.io offers a powerful platform for building web applications without coding knowledge, working with an experienced development agency can provide you with access to a broader range of expertise and ensure that your application is fully customized to meet your specific business needs.
Technical knowledge is essential for developing scalable and reliable applications on Bubble.io. Knowing how to structure data, integrate external APIs, optimize workflows, and troubleshoot issues are all critical skills that can make or break a Bubble.io application.
LowCode agency can help you fully leverage the capabilities of Bubble.io to create scalable, efficient, and robust applications that meet your needs. From ideation to deployment, our team of experts will assist you every step of the way. We'll help you with implementing complex features, optimizing application performance, and troubleshooting any issues that come up during the development of your Bubble.io app.
Do you have an idea for a project and want to bring it to life? Our Bubble.io specialists can get in touch to discuss your ideas. Contact us today!