You can have 99 problems, but building a web application without coding knowledge shouldn’t be one of them. At least not when there are tons of no-code app builders.
Bubble is one of the most popular no-code development tools. It’s certainly great for building advanced apps, but it can be tricky to use if you don’t have coding experience. Before even using their web apps, some users spend months creating and perfecting them.
If you’re looking for less complex Bubble alternatives that have a more manageable learning curve, check out our comparison of the nine no-code and low-code software development tools.
Challenges with Bubble?
Or, in other words, why look for a Bubble alternative when it seems to cover so many bases?
Bubble is a great no-code app builder that allows you to customize the front- and back-end of your application. It also lets you produce high-quality software that might serve as your MVP or SaaS product.
However, there are aspects where Bubble falls short:
Bubble’s pricing
Bubble’s pricing model is a deal-breaker for many. It follows a pay-per-app model, meaning each app you build requires its own subscription plan. For creators working on multiple projects or MVPs, this can quickly add up and make experimentation extremely pricey.
What’s more, Bubble’s plans are usage-based, so your costs depend on how many workload units (WU) your app consumes. This makes it hard to predict your final bill, especially as your app scales or sees spikes in activity.
“It is super difficult to forecast the WU numbers ahead of time. I'd love to see more transparency from bubble on this — not necessarily how they're doing the accounting and how their algorithm works, but at least some more case studies on some common apps and what the WU's look like,” Source.
A learning curve
Although marketed as a no-code platform, Bubble’s interface can feel overwhelming for beginners. Some users also report the user interface (UI) is hard to navigate.
“Awful UI. I spend a lot of time just trying to find very common things. The worst part is element inspector. There are no hints and icons, you just need to remember what lies where, without visual prompts,”
Source.
Vendor lock-in
When you build an app with Bubble, you’re locked into their platform — you can’t move your app to another hosting provider or platform. That’s pretty common with no-code builders, but if owning your app’s code is a priority, we’ve included a few alternatives on our list that offer this option.
“Vendor lock-in is a serious problem with bubble.io. You have no "generic" export capability that you could readily move into other platforms, meaning you are pretty much stuck once you scale to a certain point, as you will be effectively forced to stick with bubble.io, or rebuild from scratch elsewhere,” Source.
What we looked for in Bubble alternatives
Considering the drawbacks mentioned above, as well as the must-have features for an app builder, we’ve focused on finding the following features in Bubble alternatives:
Ease of use
A good no-code platform should be beginner-friendly with an intuitive interface. If the tool is overly complicated or poorly designed, it defeats the purpose of no-code development.
Predictable pricing
Most no-code builders let you publish multiple apps under a single subscription tier, unlike Bubble, which requires a separate plan for each app. Ideally, you want to go for a tool with a model that lets you build multiple projects under a single plan without unexpected costs.
Mobile app development
The best platforms provide tools for creating mobile-responsive layouts, progressive web apps (PWAs), or even fully native mobile apps.
Customization and scalability
The platform should give you room to scale. This includes advanced customization options, support for dynamic workflows, and the ability to handle larger apps as they grow.
Community and support
A strong user community, comprehensive tutorials, and responsive customer support can make a huge difference when you run into issues or need inspiration.
Performance and reliability
An app builder should handle high traffic without crashing and ensure fast loading speeds to give users a smooth experience.
Optional: code ownership and portability
Platforms that allow you to export your app’s code or host it elsewhere provide more freedom. If this is important to you, you’ll find a few great options on our list.
In the next section, we’ll review the nine Bubble alternatives that check these boxes and make app building easier.
1. Softr — best for developing client portals and internal web apps
Softr is a no-code platform that allows you to create powerful, responsive, and SEO-friendly websites and web apps in under a few hours. Simply sync it with your database — whether it’s hosted on Airtable, Google Sheets, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Supabase, Xano, or another major data source — and use Softr’s drag-and-drop interface to bring your app to life.
You can start with one of Softr’s ready-to-use templates or build from scratch using its extensive library of building blocks. Whether you’re creating an internal tool, client portal, or membership site, Softr offers the flexibility to tailor your app to your needs.
Discover how Baumit launched a custom ordering system for 100+ employees with Softr within a few weeks.
For projects handling sensitive data, Softr offers features like data encryption, SOC2 and GDPR compliance, granular user role management, and multiple sign-in options. The platform also supports collaboration by allowing unlimited team members on all plans.
Features and benefits
- Easy to get started: Softr has a shallow learning curve, so you can build your first app as soon as you sign up.
- Granular access controls: Set up conditional access, gate content for members-only access, and assign user roles to have full control over who can access each page, block, action, and record.
- CRUD: Build CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) apps in hours.
- Database integrations: Softr supports over 12 major databases, including Airtable, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Supabase, and Google Sheets.
- Custom code: Add custom code to extend the functionality of your app when needed.
- Predictable pricing: Softr’s plans are straightforward and transparent, with no hidden fees. Each paid plan includes multiple apps, and higher-tier plans even allow you to build unlimited apps.
- Built-in support: Every plan includes live chat support and access to an active user community — no need to pay extra for help when you need it.
- Dynamic app features: Easily add search boxes, filters, and other interactive elements without needing additional plugins.
- Large template library: Start quickly with templates for common use cases like:
- Building client portals for managing external relationships
- Organizing contacts and orders with a sales CRM
- Creating team wikis to centralize company resources
- PWA builder: Turn your apps into Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) to deliver a seamless and responsive experience across both mobile and desktop devices.
Who is Softr for
Softr.io is best for founders, individuals, tech, and non-tech teams who want to create business apps and internal tools, such as portals, intranets, knowledge bases, inventory management systems, CRMs, and more.
Main drawbacks
- Softr is great for building internal business tools and public-facing web apps and PWAs, but you can’t build a native mobile app with it.
- The free trial only supports 1,000 Airtable records.
- No offline mode.
Pricing
Softr’s free plan allows you to build and publish your first app with unlimited collaborators and 10 app users. Paid plans range between $49 to $269 a month, billed yearly.
The $49/month plan allows you to create up to three apps, invite up to 20 logged-in users, and have unlimited app viewers.
2. Adalo — best for building native no-code mobile apps
Adalo is a no-code app builder designed for creating fully functional native mobile applications and web apps.
The platform stands out for its ability to create apps that work seamlessly across both iOS and Android, with features specifically optimized for native performance.
Adalo is also one of the simplest app builders available — so straightforward that many experienced users primarily recommend it for prototyping and MVP design, as its limited customizability can be a drawback for more complex or highly tailored apps.
Features and benefits
- Adalo allows you to build web, native Android, and iOS apps that end users can access through a browser or download from each operating system marketplace (App Store and Google Play).
- It offers a range of templates that simplify the app creation process.
- The app-building experience with Adalo is very beginner-friendly.
- It lets you set up dynamic actions for your users like push notifications and linking pages together.
Who is Adalo for
Individuals, founders, small businesses, and enterprises looking to build a simple native mobile app or an MVP fast.
Main drawbacks
- Adalo doesn’t let you edit the back end of their pre-built features or write custom code.
- It’s best suited for building simple apps, as it lacks the flexibility and customization needed for more advanced or scalable projects.
- Adalo's pricing model can be somewhat complex, becoming expensive if you plan to publish multiple apps.
Pricing
Adalo has a freemium plan for individual users that doesn’t include a published app. Then, prices go from $36 to $200 with a limit of 10 published apps within the highest tier.
3. QuickBase — best for process and workflow automation
Quickbase is a no-code/low-code platform that allows teams to build custom business applications to fix inefficient workflows and improve collaboration.
The platform offers a range of enterprise-grade features, including advanced security, compliance, and native integrations with major business tools, all designed to prioritize data integrity and safety.
Mind that Quickbase is best suited for building internal tools that automate business processes and connect disparate systems — it’s not suitable for public-facing apps.
Features and benefits
- Users can create and customize apps without coding knowledge.
- QuickBase lets you set granular security access to users to ensure data protection.
- It uses Sandbox to push changes to deployment without having to take the app down for a period of time.
- Saves the log-in information, location, and time for each one of your users to simplify audit processes.
- Enterprise-grade security, including SOC2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance, ensures that your data is protected and adheres to industry regulations.
Who is QuickBase for
QuickBase best fits the needs (and budgets) of mid-sized companies that grew faster than they could handle and now need to reduce the number of manual processes. It’s also great for enterprise-level businesses that need to act faster.
Main drawbacks
- It has a steep learning curve. If you’ve never tried building an automated app, QuickBase might be hard to understand.
- It has much higher prices compared to other no-code builders.
- Many users say QuickBase UI feels outdated and reminds them of the 90s clunky websites.
Pricing
QuickBase offers a 30-day free trial. Then prices go from $700 to $2,200 a month, billed annually.
Honorable mention: DronaHQ
DronaHQ is a low-code app development platform to build comprehensive internal tools, admin panels, dashboards, customer portals, AI-enabled apps, public forms, or any custom business apps. With a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, ready UI controls, and a set of ready connectors, teams can build both web and mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Features and benefits
- Access 150+ pre-built UI controls like tablegrid, buttons, chat, and more.
- Choose between cloud hosting and self-hosting.
- Build unlimited web apps in all plans.
- Integrate to your data sources using 70+ ready databases and API connectors (MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Salesforce, etc.) or anything with REST APIs, GraphQL, and gRPC.
- Extend the apps built. Add dynamic themes, extend app functionality with custom JS code, and build custom UI controls.
- Heavy-lift app development & deployment tasks with built-in features like user management, SSO, security, environments, version history, audit logs, and analytics.
- Build native mobile applications.
- Develop branded apps with white labeling.
- Securely embed apps to your portals or websites.
Who is DronaHQ for
Developers, support teams, operations teams, product managers, and engineering teams who need to build admin panels or enterprise business apps.
Main drawbacks
- Difficult to choose the right pricing model.
- It requires some time to learn how to effectively use its advanced functionality.
- App loading times can be slow.
Pricing
DronaHQ offers multiple pricing plans including user-based, usage-based, and developer-only (unlimited end users) plans, with pricing starting from $10/month/user.
4. Webflow — best for creators that want an eye-catching design
Webflow is a no-code website builder great for building marketing sites and small-to-mid-sized content platforms.
The platform offers a range of high-quality templates, or you can design your site from scratch using its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It also supports advanced design features like animations, interactions, and custom layouts.
Unlike simpler website builders like Wix or Squarespace, Webflow offers greater flexibility and control, thanks to its built-in HTML and CSS editor.
When compared to Bubble, Webflow is a better fit for all things front-end design and content management. It shines in creating visually striking websites and content platforms, while Bubble is better suited for building functional software and MVPs. Webflow’s CMS and frontend workflow are far more intuitive and user-friendly than Bubble’s, making it the go-to choice for marketing needs.
Features and benefits
- Webflow offers a high-quality content management system (CMS).
- It comes with a design tool to create beautiful websites. Their customization options and templates are eye-catching.
- It offers a greater degree of flexibility for more complex use cases than simpler website builders.
- Webflow automatically generates responsive designs that adjust seamlessly across different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- It comes with a suite of built-in SEO tools that help you optimize your website for search engines, improving your site’s visibility and search ranking.
- Webflow includes e-commerce functionality, allowing you to create and manage online stores directly within the platform.
Who is Webflow for
Freelancers and marketing agencies. If you need to create branded landing pages, webinar signup forms, or blogs without changing your branding, Webflow is right for you.
Main drawbacks
- Steep learning curve, some features like predefined headers or footers are harder to edit than others.
- Some users report that their technical SEO control isn’t reliable.
- Site optimization for mobile and other platforms needs some work.
Pricing
They offer a free plan that has space, domain, and CMS item limitations. Then, prices go from $14 to $39 per month. The price is based on their yearly billing method.
5. FluidUI — best for creating prototypes
FluidUI is a specialized tool designed for rapid prototyping and wireframing of desktop and mobile applications. Its primary focus is on helping designers, developers, and product teams quickly visualize and iterate on app ideas without the need for coding.
If you’ve been using Bubble for prototyping, FluidUI offers a more budget-friendly alternative.
Features and benefits
- FluidUI supports prototypes for web, iOS, and Android platforms.
- It allows you to add custom graphics to your prototype by simply uploading them to the app.
- It has a review mode that allows you to gather feedback from users in the same place.
- You can collaborate with others on one project and see changes in real time.
Who is FluidUI for
Creators and founders who want to build, test out ideas, and get feedback from users without hassle.
Main drawbacks
- This app is meant for prototyping, and you can’t build fully functional apps with it.
- It can take some time to adapt to the interface and features.
- FluidUI has been around longer than most modern no-code builders, which partly explains its outdated interface and relatively inactive community.
Pricing
FluidUI offers a forever free option for one project. Then, prices go from $99/year (or $8.25/month) to $499/year (or $41.58/month). All plans support unlimited reviews.
6. Betty Blocks — best for developers that need to build complex enterprise applications
Betty Blocks is a no-code/low-code builder for enterprise applications. It’s a good fit for projects that need to integrate multiple data sources, handle advanced workflows, and meet strict security requirements.
Features and benefits
- Betty Blocks allows visual data modeling to ensure that the information stored in databases is represented properly.
- The platform allows you to integrate custom code to extend app functionality.
- It supports a large number of integrations with renowned apps like Slack, Twitter, Salesforce, Google Maps, Google Sheets, and Calendly.
- It has an ISO 27001 security certification.
- Enterprise teams can collaborate effectively with built-in version control and user roles.
- Designed to handle large-scale applications, Betty Blocks offers top-notch support to growing enterprises.
Who is Betty Blocks for
Citizen developers, startups, and organizations that want to build complex enterprise application software and have little coding experience.
Main drawbacks
- There’s no freemium version, only a time-sensitive free trial with limited functionalities.
- Betty Blocks can be expensive compared to similar solutions.
- Some users complain about their support team not being responsive or helpful.
Pricing
Betty Blocks paid plans start at $1,000 per month for one application for companies with fewer than 50 employees.
7. Retool — best for developers building company apps
Retool is a low-code builder for internal business tools and admin panels. It combines a smooth drag-and-drop interface for layout design with powerful developer-focused features, like support for custom code and version control.
The tool allows teams to quickly prototype and deploy internal tools by connecting to virtually any data source, including REST APIs, GraphQL, SQL databases, and third-party services like Salesforce or Google Sheets.
Key use cases for Retool include building dashboards, CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) interfaces, inventory management systems, and customer support tools.
Features and benefits
- You can use any of over 50 professional React components to create forms, lists, tables, wizards, and maps.
- Retool integrates with many databases and tools, and if they don’t have a native integration, you can use REST, GraphQL, or gRPC API to sync your app with other tools.
- It gives you the power to host apps on-premise.
- Developers can write and embed custom code using SQL, JavaScript, Python, and other languages to extend the platform’s capabilities.
- Built-in debugging tools make it easier to identify and resolve issues during the development process.
- Retool integrates with Git, enabling teams to branch, review, and push changes, which simplifies collaboration and version management.
- Version control features allow you to track app iterations and revert to previous versions when necessary.
Who is Retool for
Developers working in medium to large companies that need to build internal tools fast.
Main drawbacks
- Retool isn’t designed for users without coding experience.
- You can only brand your app if you pay for the enterprise plan.
- Some users complain that Retool takes time to load and save changes.
Pricing
Retool offers a free version with some limitations. Then, prices start at $10 per app editor per month and vary according to your specific requirements.
8. WaveMaker — best for building enterprise software solutions
WaveMaker is an open-source low-code platform for web and mobile development that has a React Native Studio. It’s tailored for enterprises looking to build scalable and secure software solutions with minimal development effort.
Like other enterprise-focused builders, WaveMaker offers integrations with enterprise systems and APIs, collaboration tools for team efficiency, and extensive customization options to handle complex projects.
It might feel a bit outdated compared to newer platforms like Bubble — it lacks polished templates and an active community — but that shouldn’t deter you. If you need an open platform with the flexibility to build complex, functional apps or automate enterprise business processes, WaveMaker is worth your attention.
Features and benefits
- WaveMaker allows you to edit prefabricated blocks and write custom code.
- It offers previewing features like API mock-ups, 1-click preview, and an Intellisense editor.
- It works online and on-premise so you can choose the hosting form that suits you best.
- The tool provides integrated version control, branch support for hotfixes, and a built-in collaborative environment, allowing your team to publish and review artifacts seamlessly.
Who is WaveMaker for
Enterprise-level businesses that want to simplify their developers' work and improve team productivity.
Main drawbacks
- WaveMaker has a steep learning curve for non-developers.
- It’s expensive compared to other similar alternatives.
- It doesn’t come with a free version, only a 30-day free trial.
- It has a relatively smaller community and ecosystem.
- Use ingrained VCS control, branch support for hotfixes, and a built-in collaborative environment to publish and review artifacts with your team.
Pricing
Pricing isn’t disclosed online, but some users report it costs $500 per developer per month.
9. Glide — best for personal use and simple use cases
Glide is an intuitive no-code app builder designed for straightforward projects. Its ease of use is its biggest advantage over Bubble, though it may fall short if your project demands advanced customization or flexibility.
For spreadsheet enthusiasts, Glide offers a seamless way to transform data from Google Sheets, Airtable, or SQL databases into functional apps — all without any coding.
Discover how Glide compares to Softr.
Features and benefits
- It’s very intuitive and easy to use, you can create apps in just a few minutes.
- Every app Glide makes is a progressive web app (PWA) — it can be used on a desktop or on any mobile device.
- Glide’s templates have a beautiful design so your apps always look nice without any additional effort.
- Glide includes AI-powered assistance throughout the app creation process.
Who is Glide for
Personal projects, small businesses, or anyone looking to quickly build simple apps.
Main drawbacks
- Glide lacks customization, you can only use the designs they provide.
- Glide’s pricing plans are more expensive compared to other Bubble alternatives, like Softr.
If any of these drawbacks is a deal-breaker for you, check out some Glide alternatives.
Pricing
Glide has a free version that allows you to create three apps. Then, prices go from $25 to $249 per user per month.
Which Bubble alternative is right for you?
Bubble is an excellent option for when you have to build powerful and highly-specific SaaS products, and can wait at least three to six months to have a final product. But if you’re looking for a truly no-code solution that can help you simplify the way you work on a daily basis, then, you need to find a different solution.
For instance, if you need a low-code tool that can help you streamline and automate the processes in your company, QuickBase and WaveMaker sound like the most suitable solutions for you.
And if you’re looking for a truly no-code platform that’s highly intuitive, easy to use, and helps you come up with client portals, internal web apps, and custom CRMs in just a few hours, then, Softr is your only choice.
Frequently asked questions about Bubble alternatives
Is Bubble the best no-code platform for building a web app?
Bubble is one of the best no-code platforms for users that want to build an app that has enough quality to look for funding. But if you want to build a simple web app, there are other similar platforms that are easier to understand and use. Some of these are:
- Softr
- Adalo
- Glide
Is there a free version of Bubble?
Bubble offers a free version with limited features and functionalities. The free version creates apps with Bubble branding, and only offers community support. Whereas paid plans let you customize your design and domain, and get email support.
What is the best Bubble alternative?
Bubble alternatives vary depending on what you need to build. But if you want to create internal web apps, portals, and any other web app using Airtable data, Softr is the simplest and most powerful alternative to Bubble.
What is Softr
Softr is the easiest way to turn your data into powerful business apps—no code required. Connect to your spreadsheet or database, customize layout and logic, and share with your team or clients.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
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Mariam Ispiryan
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