Bubble – Build Full Web Apps Without Writing Code
If you’ve ever wanted to launch a web app — something more dynamic than a landing page or a portfolio — you probably realized how complex coding, backends, and APIs can be. That’s where Bubble comes in.
Bubble is a no-code visual web app builder that allows creators, founders, and teams to build fully functional web applications — including database, frontend, workflows, and APIs — without writing a single line of code. It's not just for websites; it’s a platform for building actual software.
What Is Bubble?
Bubble is a drag-and-drop web development platform designed for building full-stack applications. You can create apps with custom databases, dynamic content, user accounts, payments, and even integrate with AI APIs like OpenAI or Stability AI.
It’s ideal for:
- Founders building MVPs
- Creators launching AI tools
- Non-tech teams building internal tools
- Startups validating SaaS ideas quickly
Real Example: Build an AI Copy Generator with Bubble
Let’s say you want to build a simple AI-powered content tool where users enter a product name and get a short product description powered by GPT-4.
Step 1: Create the Interface
- Drag and drop text input, button, and text output boxes onto the canvas
Step 2: Set Up OpenAI API Call
- Use the Bubble plugin for OpenAI (or set up an API connector)
- Configure the prompt to send user input to GPT-4 and return a response
Step 3: Build the Workflow
- On button click → send API request → display result in output box
Step 4: Launch & Monetize
- Add user signup/login
- Set pricing plans using Stripe plugin
- Deploy to your domain with SSL and SEO
You now have a fully functional micro SaaS — in under a day.
What You Can Do with Bubble
- Frontend Design: Build multi-page interfaces using visual elements
- Backend Workflows: Automate logic, API calls, and data processing
- Database: Create and manage your own database types and fields
- User Authentication: Sign up, login, roles, and permissions
- Payments: Use Stripe or PayPal for one-time or recurring payments
- AI Integrations: Connect OpenAI, Stability AI, or Hugging Face APIs
- API Access: Connect to any REST API using built-in tools
- Plugins: Use 1,000+ community and official plugins
Pricing
Bubble’s pricing is based on hosting capacity and app features. As of 2024:
- Free Plan
- Bubble subdomain
- Basic features, ideal for learning
- Starter Plan – $32/month
- Custom domain, API connector, limited workflows
- Growth Plan – $134/month
- Higher capacity, backend workflows, better performance
- Team Plan – $399/month
- Version control, team collaboration, multi-user development
You pay based on your app's resource usage — not per user.
Why It’s Useful
- Build and launch real web apps without a dev team
- Perfect for validating startup or SaaS ideas
- Connects well with no-code tools like Airtable, Zapier, and AI APIs
- Full control over logic, UX, and backend workflows
- Fast to prototype and launch
Limitations
- Steeper learning curve than basic no-code tools (Typedream, Carrd)
- Not optimized for native mobile apps
- Requires structure and planning for complex apps
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been sitting on an idea for a SaaS, marketplace, CRM, or AI-powered tool — Bubble gives you the power to build it, fast. It’s like having your own engineering team in a visual interface.
Whether you’re launching a side project, MVP, or internal dashboard, Bubble is one of the most complete platforms available for no-code builders.
Should You Use Bubble?
Use it if:
- You want to build a real, functioning app or SaaS
- You need workflows, databases, and integrations
- You plan to monetize with payments or memberships
- You want to integrate with AI tools or external APIs
Explore more at bubble.io