If you're trying to launch a web app quickly, without applying much coding knowledge, no code platforms like Bubble, Xano, and Supabase can save you a lot of time. These tools let you create robust solutions for everything from customer relationship management systems to project management tools. You might already be familiar with some of these platforms, but let’s quickly go over what they do for anyone new to the space.
Introduction to No-Code Development
No code platforms are changing the way people build complex applications. While these tools are best known for making it easy to build frontends, there’s a growing trend of using them to build powerful backends as well.
However, finding the most suitable backend for your project, one that meets your requirements and functionality while integrating smoothly with your frontend, can be a tough decision.
Bubble is one of the most popular platforms for building frontends, and it works well with many no code backend tools. In this article, we’ll give a bit of extra focus on Bubble as well to see how Bubble pairs with Xano or Supabase.
What is Bubble.io?
Bubble is a visual tool for no-code development. You can design your frontend, create workflows, and even manage a database, all from the same place without writing any code. It’s full-stack in that way, using a built-in database based on PostgreSQL.
What is Xano?
Xano is a no-code backend platform. It gives you everything you need to manage your app’s data, build APIs, and create custom logic, all without writing code. Instead of direct database access, Xano provides a visual interface where you can structure your data, define relationships, and control how your backend works.
When you create tables and fields (your database structure) in Xano’s visual editor, Xano automatically sets up corresponding API endpoints. Then you can create, read, update, and delete data in those tables via API calls.
To actually display or interact with your backend, you’d pair Xano with a frontend platform like Bubble.
What is Supabase?
Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase, designed for developers who want to build backends more easily. When you use Supabase, you start with a PostgreSQL relational database, plus built-in authentication for users and storage for files.
You get a visual dashboard to help you manage your tables and data, and Supabase automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs so your frontend can connect to your backend without extra setup.
Supabase gives you more control and flexibility than platforms like Xano for backend development, but it’s mostly aimed at people who are comfortable with writing codes to at least some extent. You’ll often need to use SQL for security rules and sometimes JavaScript for edge functions.
Why use Xano or Supabase with Bubble instead of full-stack Bubble?
Bubble is a full-stack platform, so you might wonder if there’s any advantage to using Xano or Supabase as your backend instead. The answer is yes—there are actually plenty of reasons why you might want to separate your backend from Bubble. Let’s take a look at what those advantages are.
1. Cheaper to host in the EU (vs. Bubble’s Enterprise plan)
Bubble’s default hosting is in the U.S., and if you need EU-based data hosting for GDPR compliance or to reduce latency, you’re pushed toward their expensive Enterprise plan.
With Xano, you can choose your hosting region, including EU, on paid plans without needing to upgrade to enterprise-level pricing.
Supabase also gives you the option to self-host or select a regional server location.
2. Better scalability and performance (when set up correctly)
Bubble’s built-in backend is convenient but not always optimized for high performance under heavy load.
With Xano or Supabase, you get more control over your backend performance and infrastructure. If you structure your database well and use efficient APIs, you can handle large data volumes and bigger user bases more reliably than you might on Bubble alone.
3. More backend flexibility and control
Xano and Supabase give you backend freedom that Bubble doesn’t offer.
Need custom authentication, background tasks, SQL triggers, or external API syncing? Bubble’s built-in backend can be limiting for those use cases, while Xano and Supabase are made for that kind of complexity.
4. Easier migration or reuse across platforms
If you ever decide to rebuild your frontend in React, Flutter, or another of the multiple programming languages or frameworks, using Xano or Supabase means your backend is already API-based and portable.
Bubble’s backend is tightly coupled to its visual builder, so moving off of it can be more challenging. Separating your backend early gives you more long-term flexibility.
Integrating Xano/Supabase with Bubble.io
How well do Xano and Supabase work with Bubble? Who has the upper hand? Let’s compare the integration process to see the trade-offs of using either platform.
Easy API Setup with Xano
If you want the easiest time connecting your backend to Bubble, Xano no code API builder is very straightforward.
You get clear, auto-generated REST endpoints, and all you have to do is plug them into Bubble using the API Connector. From there, you can use those API calls inside your workflows or bind the data directly to elements.
API Integration with Supabase
Supabase provides REST endpoints too, but they’re geared more toward developers. You’ll often need to manually format your URL parameters, set headers correctly, and handle things like authentication tokens. It works well, but it’s not as plug-and-play as Xano if you're coming from a no-code background.
User Authentication and Permissions
Xano also makes handling user authentication from Bubble really simple. It gives you ready-to-use endpoints for sign-up, login, and role-based access control, and you can manage permissions visually.
Supabase offers more advanced options like social logins, passwordless access, and row-level security, but getting these features working with Bubble usually involves working with JWT tokens and writing SQL rules which requires more technical skills.
Data Flow and Business Logic
With Xano, the data flow between Bubble and your backend feels smooth and easy to debug. You can map fields directly, manage relationships, and build your business logic in Xano’s backend without writing code.
Supabase does give you more flexibility with direct SQL access and real-time features, but to use that power inside Bubble, you’ll need to manage things like query formatting, polling, or building extra logic on your own.
Final Thoughts on Integration
So, using Xano with Bubble makes backend integration feel simple and approachable. You get ready-to-use APIs, visual logic, and easy authentication - No code needed. On the other hand, using Supabase with Bubble gives you more advanced tools and flexibility, but it comes with a steeper learning curve.
Security
In this section, let’s compare how Xano and Supabase work in various aspects of security.
Compliance with Xano
If your app deals with highly sensitive data, such as medical or financial information, you need to meet strict compliance standards and data encryption. In these cases, Xano is often the better choice because it offers strong enterprise-level compliance (ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA).
Role-Based Access Control in Xano
Next, Xano also supports RBAC (Role-Based Access Control). This is especially beneficial for startups building an MVP that handles patient records, legal documents, or payroll data, as it allows for easy, visual management of user permissions.
Granular Data Control with Supabase
Supabase is what you need if you want granular control over who can see or modify specific pieces of data, down to the row level. This is because Supabase uses PostgreSQL’s Row Level Security (RLS), which lets you write detailed SQL policies to define exactly which users can access or edit each row in your database.
Flexible Authentication Options in Supabase
Supabase lets you add things like Google or Facebook logins, passwordless sign-in, and CAPTCHAs. If you need flexible ways for people to sign up or log in, Supabase is a great choice.
Overall, Xano offers strong compliance and easy security management out of the box. If you need advanced, fine-grained security policies and flexible authentication, and are ready to handle manual configuration, Supabase will work for you.
Database Management
Xano makes database management feel effortless. Every project comes with a fully managed PostgreSQL database, so there’s no setup needed; you just start building.
If your needs grow or change, Xano can also connect to other major databases like MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server.
The database editor feels like working in a spreadsheet. It's really easy to define and organize your data, even if you're not a database expert.
Supabase also gives you a dedicated PostgreSQL database with each project. It’s flexible and scalable, and the table editor is beginner-friendly, especially if you like a spreadsheet-style layout. You can also drop into SQL mode when you want more control.
That said, Xano gives you more out of the box, especially when it comes to faster database setup, data import flexibility, implement complex business logic, and integrations with external systems. Supabase offers solid tools too, but they tend to lean more toward developers who are comfortable managing SQL and real-time logic themselves.
Scalable Servers
When it comes to scaling, Xano feels built for the long game. It automatically scales as your user base or data grows, without needing you to touch any servers.
Whether you’re running a solo project or something used by millions, Xano handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes. There are no rate limits to worry about, and everything runs on Docker containers managed by Kubernetes on Google Cloud—so it’s not just scalable, it’s reliable.
Supabase also supports scaling, particularly if your app works with vector data or real-time AI features. For small to medium projects, it handles things well. But as your workload increases, you’ll likely need to split your data across separate projects.
Overall, Xano offers a more hands-off, seamless scaling experience. It’s ready for big usage right out of the gate, with simple upgrade paths and no need to re-architect your app later.
Real-Time Updates and Integration
Supabase makes real-time updates easy right out of the box. It uses websockets to push changes instantly to your frontend whenever data in your database changes. This is especially useful for building chat apps, collaborative tools, live dashboards, project management tools, or anything where users need to see updates the moment they happen
Xano, on the other hand, does not offer built-in real-time updates in development process. While you can build powerful apps with Xano, you’ll need to handle real-time features another way.
AI Capabilities: Xano vs Supabase
When it comes to AI features, Xano is the clear winner if you’re looking to bring AI directly into the backend-building process. It has built-in AI assistants that help you generate databases, write complex logic, and create API endpoints, just by describing what you want. Everything it creates is fully visible, so you can tweak and learn from it.
Supabase takes a different angle. Instead of using AI to build your backend, it makes it easy to connect your app to external AI services like OpenAI or Hugging Face. If you want to plug in NLP, recommendation systems, or predictive models into your app, Supabase gives you the tools to do it fast.
Each one brings AI in a different way. Xano wins if you want AI to help you build your backend. It's great for saving time and reducing complexity during development. Supabase wins if you want to connect to AI platforms and build intelligent features into your app.
Pricing and Cost: Xano vs Supabase
Pricing can mainly be compared through the various packages available, from free to higher-tier plans.
Free Plans and Getting Started
If you just want to test things out or build a small site, Supabase’s free plan is more generous. You get unlimited API requests, basic auth, and a good amount of storage and database space to play with.
But Xano’s free plan is honestly underrated: you get a full workspace, full backend building tools, and a truly no-code experience. For anyone new or just wanting to experiment with building APIs visually, Xano makes it really easy to get started.
Scaling Up and Long-Term Costs
As your app grows and you need serious scale, Supabase’s prices rise quickly, especially if you need team features, HIPAA, or SOC2 (the Team plan jumps to $599/month). Xano isn’t exactly cheap at the top either, but their enterprise pricing is more predictable, and you get dedicated resources, compliance, and real support.
In summary, for testing and getting comfortable with backend tools, Xano’s free plan is friendly for no-coders. Supabase is better for developer-heavy teams and offers more bang for your buck at the early paid level. But once you start talking scale and enterprise needs, Xano usually becomes the more stable, compliant, and even more affordable choice.
Choosing the Right Backend Solution
Start by considering what kind of app you’re building. If your app needs to launch quickly, doesn’t have complex requirements, and you want the simplest path, sticking with fullstack Bubble is usually fastest. But if you need more backend power, control, or flexibility, then Xano or Supabase can offer big advantages.
Understanding Project Needs
Technical Expertise - Xano is designed for no-code users. Its user friendly interface, and built-in support make it ideal for people who aren’t developers or just don’t want to mess with code.
Complexity of the Project - For simple projects or MVPs, both Xano and Supabase work well, but Xano stands out for how fast and easy it is to get started. As your app becomes more complex with custom logic, advanced security rules Supabase can scale up to meet those demands.
Integration with Other Tools - If you need to connect your backend to multiple frontends (like React, Flutter, or other platforms), both Xano and Supabase are good picks. However, Supabase might be a better fit if you want tight integration with modern frameworks or need real-time data.
Building Apps for Regulated Industries - For apps where compliance really matters, like healthcare, finance, HR, or legal tools, Xano is usually the safer bet.
Creating Chat Apps, Collaborative Tools, or Live Dashboards - If you’re building anything where users need to see updates the second they happen, think chat apps, collaborative editors, project management boards, or real-time dashboards, Supabase has better options for this.
Growing to Enterprise Scale - If you expect your app to grow quickly and eventually need enterprise support, Xano’s dedicated support, compliance features, and predictable pricing will save you headaches as you scale.
Conclusion
Connecting Bubble with Xano or Supabase is a powerful option, but only makes sense if your project has a real need, otherwise, Bubble’s all-in-one approach is usually simpler.
Go with Supabase if you have a technical team, need real-time updates or advanced authentication, and like the open-source, SQL-driven environment.
Choose Xano if you want to move quickly without coding, need serious compliance, or want help when you get stuck.
The best choice always comes down to your project’s unique needs, so match the tool to your use case and build what matters most.
Ready to build your next app with less code and more impact? Contact Minimum Code today for a free consultation and see how easy your next project can be!
Latest Articles
Ready to build your product?
