The best app builder: how to use Bubble to build serious apps without coding

7 min read

If you are serious about building a real product — not just a quick prototype — but you do not want to hire a full development team yet, bubble's no code platform might be a good option. Among the no-code tools, Bubble is one of the few that can actually handle real-world applications at scale. It lets you build fully functional web apps without writing code. In this article, we will explain what Bubble can do, who it is right for, and how the Bubble's visual editor lets you build app ideas without requiring software development knowledge.

What is Bubble

Bubble is a leading no-code platform that allows users to design, build, and launch powerful web applications without writing code, but instead using a visual editor and AI.

With its intuitive visual editor, users can seamlessly create responsive applications, manage databases, and configure workflows.

Bubble supports a wide range of functionality, including user authentication, data operations, and third-party integrations with services like Stripe, Google Maps, and more. This makes it the ideal solution for startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses aiming to innovate quickly without spending six figures on development.

How to get started with Bubble

Starting with Bubble is straightforward:

Sign Up: Create a free account on the Bubble platform.
Create a Project: Use the visual editor to design your application’s interface and define workflows.
Leverage Resources: Access tutorials, templates, and community advice to streamline development.

The bubble website builder’s pre-built templates, plugins and real-world examples help users start quickly and generate professional intuitive designs with confidence.

Benefits of using Bubble

There are some strong reasons why founders and teams pick Bubble:

Speed: You can go from idea to a working MVP much faster than with traditional development.
Cost: You do not need to hire full development teams, which can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Power: Bubble is not just for simple apps — you can build full SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and internal tools.
Flexibility: You can update, extend, and maintain your app yourself without waiting for developers.

Bubble is particularly well-suited for businesses seeking agility, scalability, and cost-effective digital solutions. But it is also important to be realistic: you still need to invest time into learning the platform if you want to build something complex on your own.

Key features of Bubble

Bubble offers features that you would normally expect from custom-coded apps:

Visual editor: Drag-and-drop interface for building pages.
Database and workflows: Manage your data and define how your app works without writing code.
Integrations: Connect easily to services like Stripe, Google Maps, and any API.
Scalability: Build MVPs and grow into production apps.
Templates and plugins: Speed up development by using existing solutions.

Bubble offers the flexibility needed to create applications ranging from simple landing pages to complex SaaS platforms.

App development with Bubble

Bubble is a no-code platform that empowers users to build custom web applications without writing code. Its intuitive visual editor allows users to design and develop their apps using a straightforward drag-and-drop interface, making Bubble’s no-code app builder an ideal solution for those looking to create complex web applications without requiring extensive technical expertise.

With Bubble, users can bring a wide range of app ideas to life, including complex projects such as marketplaces and social networks, to productivity tools and more. The platform supports integration with various services like Stripe and Google Maps, enabling the addition of advanced features to your app with ease. This flexibility ensures that your app can grow and adapt to meet your specific needs.

The Bubble community is active and supportive, providing a wealth of resources and guidance to help users build and launch their apps successfully. Whether you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or small business owner, Bubble’s AI-powered tools and features make it easy to build and optimize your app, even if you have no prior coding experience. This no-code platform is perfect for creating web applications without breaking the bank, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Building a custom app with Bubble

Building a custom app with Bubble is a straightforward process that requires no coding knowledge. The platform offers a variety of templates and design tools that make it easy to create a unique and professional-looking app tailored to your specific needs and requirements. Whether you’re developing a simple prototype or a complex web application, Bubble’s visual editor allows you to design and develop your app using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

Bubble’s AI-powered tools and features help you optimize your app for performance and user experience, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. The platform’s integration with services like Stripe and Google Maps makes it easy to add advanced features to your app, enhancing its functionality and appeal.

The Bubble community is always available to provide guidance and support, helping you overcome any challenges or obstacles you may encounter during the development process. With Bubble, you can build a custom app that reflects your brand and meets your business needs, all without requiring extensive coding knowledge or technical expertise. This makes Bubble an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a powerful and personalized web application.

Working with a Bubble Developer

If you are building something simple, you might be able to do it yourself. But for more serious apps — especially those handling payments, multiple user types, or integrations, working with an experienced Bubble developer makes sense:

Good developers can:

Build cleaner workflows
Make your app faster and more reliable
Set up databases the right way from the beginning
Help you avoid mistakes that slow you down later
Setup complex workflows and advanced features

At a certain project size, working alone in Bubble will slow you down. A good Bubble partner can save you time, money, and stress. The Bubble community offers directories to help users connect with certified developers, ensuring high-quality outcomes for projects of any size.

Bubble offers an AI-powered No Code platform

Bubble has integrated AI features to assist users in building applications more efficiently. These tools are designed to streamline the development process and enhance user experience.

AI powered app generation

Bubble offers an AI app generator that can create a foundational app structure based on user input. This includes generating pages, setting up workflows, and defining data structures, providing a starting point for further customization.

Smart suggestions

The platform provides intelligent recommendations for design elements, workflows, and app functionalities. These suggestions aim to optimize the app-building process by guiding users through best practices and efficient configurations.

Integration with external AI services

While Bubble doesn't natively offer advanced AI functionalities like predictive analytics or personalization, it allows seamless integration with external AI services. Users can connect to APIs from providers like OpenAI to incorporate features such as chatbots, natural language processing, and more into their applications.

Future of AI-enabled development with Bubble

Bubble is making a serious move by combining two things:

AI-powered app generation and a full visual editor.

This matters because most new AI coding tools — like Lovable, Windsurfer, or Replit — focus mainly on generating code from prompts. They help you write faster, but you still need coding skills to clean it up, organize it, and maintain it. You are stuck in the code. If you do not know how to code well, you hit a wall quickly.

Bubble does it differently:

AI can set up your database, workflows, and page structure from a simple text description.
But instead of handing you messy code, it gives you a visual app you can edit directly — no coding needed.

You are not editing JSON files, backend scripts, or React components. You are moving things on a canvas, editing workflows visually, and adjusting databases through a simple UI. The AI helps you get started faster, and the visual editor keeps you in control as your app grows.

Why this is better than Lovable, Windsurfer, or Replit:

You don’t need a technical background to finish what AI started.
You can fully customize everything without rewriting code.
You can fix mistakes, add features, and improve design yourself — directly in the visual editor.
You can scale up (or bring in developers later) without throwing the whole thing away.

Other AI coding tools are fast at the beginning, but they often leave you stuck because they still assume you can code. Bubble’s combination of AI + no-code visual editing solves this. You can move faster without needing to become a developer.

Customization options

Bubble apps can look and behave however you want. You are not stuck with pre-built layouts.

You can:

Fully design your UI
Add custom plugins
Integrate external services
Create backend workflows
Control user permissions and logic

If you want your app to grow with your business, flexibility matters — and Bubble gives you that.

Bubble community

Bubble has an active community where you can find answers fast. Whether it’s plugins, tips, or troubleshooting, you are rarely stuck alone. The forum, tutorials, and user groups make it easier to build serious apps without waiting for support.

Bubble pricing and plans

Bubble offers flexible pricing plans to accommodate different stages of growth:

Free Plan: Ideal for learning, experimenting, and prototyping.
Personal and Professional Plans: Unlock custom domains, higher capacity, and API access.
Production Plan: Designed for scaling live applications with enterprise-grade reliability.

Bubble’s transparent and competitive pricing model enables businesses to scale their applications without unexpected costs.

Advanced topics

For bigger projects, Bubble supports:

API connections: Pull in or send data to other apps.
Server-side workflows: Handle more secure, complex operations.
Version control: Safely roll out changes.
Performance tuning: Make apps faster and more scalable.

Bubble can handle real-world apps if you build them right — but larger apps do require experienced setup and good optimization practices.

Conclusion: is Bubble right for you?

Bubble is a strong choice if you want to build a real application without spending $100,000+ on a dev team. It offers power, flexibility, and control at a much lower cost.

But it is not magic. Complex apps still require real work, smart planning, and often expert help to get right. If you are serious about building your app properly, working with experienced Bubble developers will save you a lot of time and mistakes.

Ready to get started?

At Minimum Code, we help founders and startups build serious Bubble apps — from MVPs to full-scale SaaS products. We know how to design, structure, and launch real applications that are ready to grow with your business.