Our verdict
Being tested. An editor is using Bubble hands-on; the verdict and score appear here once they sign it off.
What it does
Bubble lets you build web applications, such as marketplaces, booking systems and internal tools, without writing code. You design pages visually, set up a database and decide what happens when people click, and its AI can draft a first version of an app from a description.
It has been around since 2012 and suits founders and small teams who want a working product without hiring developers.
Why use it
- Build real apps, with user accounts and data, without code.
- AI drafts a starting app from a description.
- Hosting is included, so you publish from the same place.
- A large community and plug-ins cover common needs.
How it works
- Sign up on the Bubble website.
- Describe your app to the AI, or start from a template.
- Design the pages and set up the database.
- Add workflows for what happens when people click.
- Test it, then choose a paid plan to launch on your own domain.
How hard is it to use?
Intermediate Some set-up, or a little practice, to get good results.
There is no code, but you must learn how databases and workflows fit together, which is why we rate it Intermediate.
What it costs
Free plan; paid plans. A free plan for building and testing, with no time limit. Paid plans let you launch on your own domain and add capacity, measured in workload units, as your app grows.
Prices change often, so check Bubble’s own site before you pay.
Watch out for
- Your app lives on Bubble, so moving it elsewhere later is hard.
- Have someone check security and privacy before real users sign up.
- Costs can rise with use as your app grows.
Your data
If your app stores customers’ data, you are responsible for protecting it. Check Bubble’s privacy policy and where it hosts app data.
We haven’t confirmed that Bubble can keep your data in the UK, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.