Bubble is viewed as one of the top no-code tools on the market today, mainly because of its functionality and huge ecosystem full of third-party plugins. It has also been in the no-code app-building game for over 10 years.
For some, using Bubble is challenging. Bubble is also limited to creating web apps - it just can’t make high-quality native mobile apps.
If you’re looking for a Bubble alternative, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll review our top 5 Bubble alternatives.
Why Search For a Bubble Alternative?
Bubble is a capable app builder, but beginners will find that it takes time to learn. Plus, it’s priced on the high side and can’t make native mobile apps.
High Learning Curve
Bubble is a powerful app builder, but that great power comes with a tradeoff: Bubble’s interface has a learning curve, making it a tough tool to use right out of the box.
While Bubble offers free videos and guides on the Bubble Academy, you’ll really have to hit the books to get comfortable with Bubble’s complex interface.
Solution: Pick an app builder that comes with:
- Premade templates you can customize that will be your app’s canvas,
- An intuitive drag-and-drop or point-and-click interface for adding your own features,
- Simple-to-understand design tools and functions.
Painful Pricing
On the surface, Bubble’s basic version is super cheap, coming in at $32/month when billed monthly. However, this version only allows enough power to build a small startup app - those wanting to build a more complex app will have to fork out $119/month.
Bubble’s Workload Unit (WU) pricing system can drain your bank account. WUs are a measure of the work that Bubble needs to do to power your app - they include database operations, workflows, and web interactions. Bubble assigns heavier (more costly) weights to WUs that execute more complex tasks. Each month, you’ll get a predetermined amount of WUs that come with the version of Bubble you pick.
For instance, the Starter Version allows 125,000 WUs/month, and the Growth Version gives 250,000 WUs/month. If you exceed the number of WUs, Bubble charges you for it - $0.30 for every 1,000 WUs over your limit.
While this amount seems trivial, it can add up quickly if you’re building a complex or popular app. And tracking your app’s monthly WU can be time-consuming and difficult.
When you’re building an app with Bubble, you’ll always need to keep track of how many WUs your app will consume. If you’re on a budget, you might even have to sacrifice some of your app’s functionality by leaving out key features to save on your WUs.
Solution: Select an app builder that offers a reasonable mid-level pricing plan, like Adalo’s Professional Version at $52/month (billed annually) or Glide’s Team Version at $99/month (billed annually).
Find an app builder that doesn’t have a complicated measurement of execution or performance. Instead, look for an app builder that records how much data your app stores or how many tasks it can execute, which are easier to understand and track.
Can’t Build Mobile Apps
Bubble builds web apps, which are apps you can access through a web browser. You can’t download them from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
If you want to transform your Bubble-made web app into a mobile app to get on these app stores, you’ll have to use a 3rd party converter, which makes a lower-quality mobile app than those created by app builders that specialize in making native mobile apps.
Solution: Choose an app builder, like Adalo or Betty Blocks, that you can use to make both web apps and mobile apps. You can publish the mobile apps you make with these platforms on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The Top 5 Bubble Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall Bubble alternative
- Softr, the best Bubble alternative that’s easier to use for building web apps
- Glide, the Bubble alternative that builds the best-looking apps
- Webflow, the Bubble alternative that’s the cheapest and is also a website builder
- Betty Blocks, the Bubble alternative for big companies
#1 The Best Overall Bubble Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a powerful yet easy-to-use no-code app builder that can build web apps and mobile apps with enough design freedom to craft them exactly to your taste.
What does it do better than Bubble?
Adalo’s drag-and-drop interface is much more intuitive and easier to use than Bubble’s app-building interface. This means you can start building your app straight away. Luckily, Adalo doesn’t sacrifice power or functionality for ease of use.
You can also transform your app from a web app into a mobile app with the press of a button. Your mobile app will appear exactly like your web app, and you’ll get all the benefits that a mobile app brings: A faster load time, access to GPS, and more.
You’ll also be able to publish your app to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Who is it best for?
Adalo is a robust platform that can bring anyone’s app idea to life. Whether you are an experienced no-code app builder or have never made an app in your life, you’ll be able to harness the power of Adalo's core functionality and features.
Pricing
While Adalo’s free version comes with generous features like the ability to publish to the web and integrate with Stripe for accepting payments, its Starter Version, at $36/month, is priced nearly the same as Bubble’s.
Final Verdict
Because of Adalo’s power and functionality, it’s the best overall Bubble alternative. Adalo is also much easier to learn than Bubble, letting you build your app more quickly and with fewer frustrations.
#2 The Best Bubble Alternative That’s Easier To Use For Building Web Apps
Softr
What is it?
Softr is an easy-to-use no-code app builder that lets you connect your database and then cobble together your web app by adding premade functions called “blocks.”
What does it do better than Bubble?
Once you get your database connected to Softr, it’s plug-and-play, and building your app is much easier than building with Bubble. Softr also comes with a unique AI feature that creates your app’s template when you just enter a simple 200-word prompt.
Softr measures app execution and performance by using a straightforward method: The amount of data you bring from your database to your app. When you make your app with Softr, you won’t be confused about how many WUs are deducted from your allocation when you add a new function.
Who is it best for?
Softr is a great app builder for businesses of all sizes that need to build out internal tools like CRM systems and project management boards. It’s also a powerful choice for anyone who wants to bring their database to life in the form of an app.
Pricing
While Softr’s starter version at $49/month (billed annually) is about $20/month more expensive than Bubble’s, you’ll get more features like 5 collaborators (Bubble only allows one), which allows for optimal teamwork to build your business’s apps quickly.
Final Verdict
Softr is the Bubble alternative that will give you more power, functionality, and ease of use when transforming your database into an internal business app.
#3 The Bubble Alternative That Builds The Best Looking Apps
Glide
What is it?
Glide is a web app builder that makes sleek and stunning apps using a drag-and-drop interface.
What does it do better than Bubble?
While Glide’s app-building interface may look intimidating, it’s actually easier to learn than Bubble’s, and it provides more design freedom. This means Glide can give you more control over how you want your app to appear than Bubble will.
You won’t have to stress over polishing your app to make it look visually appealing. Glide is an app builder that weaves aesthetics into every feature and function, ensuring that your finished app snatches attention.
Who is it best for?
Glide serves businesses of all sizes, from scrappy 2-person team startups to Fortune 500s that need to build out and scale internal business tools like sales funnels and Kanban boards.
It’s also an excellent choice for individuals who want to step up their app’s visual appearance.
Pricing
Glide has a free version that gets you familiar with its system. While its cheapest version at $49/month (billed annually) is more expensive than Bubble’s, use Glide’s Team Version at $99/month (billed annually) for unlimited app building. It’s cheaper than Bubble’s Growth Version by $20 per month.
Final Verdict
Glide is the Bubble alternative that lets you build eye-grabbing apps with a more intuitive app builder.
#4 The Bubble Alternative That’s The Cheapest And A Website Builder
Webflow
What is it?
Webflow is a powerful website builder that prioritizes design over functionality - you can also use Webflow to create beautiful apps.
What does it do better than Bubble?
Using Webflow is much like using Softr, and its learning curve is much easier than Bubble’s. Once you get the hang of Webflow’s interface, you’ll have the power to create a stunning website or app that will outclass Bubble in terms of visual appeal.
In terms of aesthetics, a Webflow-made website or app is second only to Glide.
Webflow calculates your app’s or website’s actions in a straightforward way that’s easier to understand than Bubble’s WUs. It bases its calculations on how many items are in your database or content management system (CMS). For instance, a blog post, restaurant menu, or contact form each counts as one action.
Who is it best for?
If you wish to build a website rather than a web app, look no further than Webflow. It’s also suitable for designers or those who’ve used web development tools in the past, like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress.
Pricing
While it has a free version, Webflow is the cheapest Bubble alternative, coming in at $14/month when billed annually. This is nearly $15/month cheaper than Bubble.
If you want to leverage Webflow's powerful content management system (CMS) as your database, you still pay less than Bubble at $23/month (annual billing).
Final Verdict
Webflow is mainly designed for building websites, so when building an app, you might find it challenging to match Bubble’s functionality with Webflow’s limited 3rd-party integrations and older tools (Webflow currently doesn’t build its own tools).
However, Webflow’s competitive price and capacity to make jaw-dropping apps and websites make it a worthy Bubble alternative.
#5 The Bubble Alternative For Big Companies
Betty Blocks
What is it?
Betty Blocks is a no-code web and mobile app builder that large enterprises can use to build public-facing and internal apps.
What does it do better than Bubble?
Betty Blocks is the Bubble alternative that lets you build your app to the exact specifications of your large organization. Betty Blocks allows you to build and host your app on-prem (on your own servers), giving you complete control over your data, infrastructure, and your IT Team’s satisfaction level.
You’ll also find that Betty Blocks comes with all the security features that big enterprises need. For instance, Betty Blocks is ISO 27001:2017 certified, meaning it can competently ensure your data’s confidentiality.
Betty Blocks also allows you to publish your app as a native mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Who is it best for?
Betty Blocks is geared toward the needs of big businesses, organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. If you’re a procurement manager of an enterprise with thousands of employees, you should seriously consider Betty Blocks.
Pricing
While you need to contact Betty Blocks directly for pricing, it will most likely cost in the $1,000s/per month, whether billed annually or monthly. Keep in mind that costs like these usually account for a small percentage of an enterprise’s overall expenses.
Final Verdict
For big enterprises, Betty Blocks provides better performance and greater security than Bubble can. So, if you’re a big organization and want to build your own secure app on your own server, Betty Blocks is the Bubble Alternative for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Overall Bubble Alternative?
Because of its powerful functionality and ease of use, Adalo is the best choice for most people. While it’s not the cheapest Bubble alternative, you’ll be able to build a more flexible native mobile app that you can publish in app stores for only $7 more per month when you use Adalo’s Starter Plan at $36/month, billed annually.
What is the Cheapest Bubble Alternative?
Webflow is by far the cheapest platform on our list, at $14/month for the annual subscription. While you’ll need to purchase Webflow's $23/month (annual subscription) version to harness the power you need to build an app, it’s still cheaper than Bubble by $6/month.
What is the Easiest-To-Use Bubble Alternative?
In terms of design freedom and learning curve, Adalo is the easiest platform on our list. Its drag-and-drop interface is the most intuitive, meaning you should be able to start building immediately after you sign up, and without spending too much time on tutorials.
