Let’s be real – building a full-stack app the traditional way can be exhausting. You’re dealing with front-end frameworks, backend APIs, databases, hosting, deployment, DevOps, and a million moving parts. Handling all of it can quickly become a hassle. That’s where Bubble.io steps in with a bold claim – ‘You don’t need to code. We’ve got everything you need.’
Sounds almost too good to be true, right?
Well, we dug into the data to see what’s real and what’s fluff. Let’s explore whether Bubble.io can actually replace a full dev stack and what numbers are backing up the hype.
How Fast Can You Launch with Bubble.io?
Bubble.io’s biggest promise is speed. And when you look at what’s happening in the ecosystem, it’s not just talk.
In 2024 alone, Bubble.io users built more than 5.1 million applications, up from 3.6 million in 2023. That’s a 42% increase in app creation in a single year. What’s even more compelling is the number of automated backend workflows those apps ran – 26.5 billion workflows, up from 14.5 billion just a year earlier.
Translation? People aren’t just building things, they’re creating real apps that actually work and can grow. Many apps are being shipped in under four weeks, with fully functioning user portals, authentication flows, and admin dashboards. That kind of speed would be unheard of with traditional development unless you had a full dev team on standby.
Does Bubble.io Cover the Whole Stack?
Let’s talk architecture…
A ‘full dev stack’ means having everything you need to design, build, and scale an app – from the database and backend to the user interface, APIs, and deployment. Bubble.io wraps it all into a single no-code platform. You don’t need React for UI, Firebase for your database, Node.js for logic, or AWS for hosting.
The platform gives you visual design tools, a built-in database, backend workflow logic, user authentication, native API integrations, version control, and hosting, all in one place. As of early 2025, Bubble.io hosts 4.69 million live apps. And the majority of those apps are far beyond MVP.
More advanced users are even layering custom code with Bubble’s plugin builder or using external APIs to create hybrid experiences, bridging no-code simplicity with low-code flexibility. That flexibility makes Bubble.io much more than just a starting point.
Are Bubble.io Apps Making Money?
Short answer? Yes. And there’s a good reason why.
One creator shared that their app, built entirely without code, was handing over a thousand daily users and processing more than a million workload units every month. The kicker? It cost around $300/month to run and brought in roughly $6,000/month in revenue. That’s a 20x return just on operational cost.
Another team used a no-code platform to launch and scale a financial service, eventually processing billions in transactions before raising major funding. There are stories of founders launching full-scale service platforms that now support tens of thousands of users while saving six figures annually on development costs.
And no, these aren’t rare success stories – we’re talking about real, live businesses. There are plenty of similar examples where no-code apps have grown into profitable, long-term ventures.
Is the Backend on Bubble.io Smart Enough?
This is where things get interesting. Bubble.io isn’t just for basic logic like ‘when button is clicked, show alert.’ It’s packed with a full visual workflow engine that supports complex conditions, backend triggers, scheduled tasks, and advanced logic chains.
And when it comes to integrations? Bubble.io has you covered. The plugin marketplace includes over 5,000 tools and APIs, and you can use the built-in API connector to integrate with pretty much any platform, including Stripe, OpenAI, Google Maps, Airtable, Zapier, and Shopify.
In their 2024 State of No-Code report, Bubble.io found that 64% of no-code users believe platforms like Bubble.io will dominate app creation by 2030. Even more impressive, 40% believe no-code plus AI will replace traditional developers in non-engineering teams.
What’s exciting is how founders are combining Bubble workflows with AI services, CRMs, payment providers, and advanced analytics tools. All of this shows that these apps aren’t limited by the builder’s simplicity.
Can Bubble.io Handle Security and Compliance?
Bubble.io is now maturing into an enterprise-ready platform. In October 2024, the company acquired Flusk, a no-code security tool that helps detect vulnerabilities in Bubble.io apps.
They’ve already rolled Flusk’s security audits and monitoring into Bubble.io’s paid plans. You also get built-in SSL, GDPR compliance tools, role-based permissions, and field-level data privacy settings.
For businesses dealing with sensitive customer data or internal apps requiring user access levels, this matters.
More importantly, many Bubble.io apps have passed client security audits, and some have even been reviewed under SOC 2 compliance by external partners. This shows how Bubble is evolving from a solo-founder toolkit into a stack trusted by serious, security-conscious teams.
How Scalable is Bubble.io?
So, can you really scale on Bubble.io?
Yes – but only if you build smart.
Bubble.io apps run on a usage model called ‘workload units’. These are consumed whenever your app performs backend operations.
Some users report that Bubble.io can get pricey if your app isn’t optimized. But others have shared numbers that show it’s still far more cost-effective than hiring a dev team. One startup used 1.5 million WU monthly for $300, generating $6,000/month in revenue. That kind of ratio is hard to beat.
Need more scale? Offloading heavy features like search to services like Algolia or Supabase is common practice and helps reduce WU usage.
Plus, if you’re not sure how to optimize your build, that’s when it helps to bring in a Bubble certified development agency or an experienced no-code developer to clean up your workflows. In many cases, scaling well just requires good architecture, not a rewrite.
Are People Building Money-Making Apps on Bubble.io?
Absolutely. Bubble.io isn’t just powering MVPs and passion projects. It’s running real businesses.
We’re talking about SaaS companies, online marketplaces, booking systems, legal platforms, job boards, CRMs, internal tools, and learning platforms. Most importantly, many of these apps have paying users, investor backing, and long-term growth plans, all built on Bubble.io.
Even startup accelerators are beginning to endorse Bubble-based MVPs, seeing that founders using no-code often validate ideas faster, iterate more quickly, and raise funds sooner. It’s safe to say that if Bubble.io was just a prototyping tool, investors wouldn’t be pouring money into companies built on it.
Where Can You Find Bubble.io Talent?
The great thing about Bubble.io’s popularity is that there’s an entire ecosystem of experts ready to help.
Whether you need to hire Bubble.io freelancers for a quick feature or want a team from a no-code development agency to build your whole platform, you’ve got options. Bubble.io’s own directory also lists hundreds of certified developers and agencies.
So if you’re not technical or just don’t have time to learn all the ins and outs, you’re not out of luck. You can get expert help quickly and build something amazing without writing a single line of code.
What Are the Limitations of Bubble.io?
Let’s not sugarcoat it, Bubble.io does have its quirks.
Performance can suffer if you build inefficient workflows or overload your app with unoptimized searches. Designing for mobile responsiveness requires extra effort. There’s no true offline support. And while migration is possible, you’re not just exporting your app like a zip file.
But the truth is, most of these limitations can be overcome with smart design and a bit of expert help. If you’re working with a no-code development agency or a seasoned Bubble.io freelancer, you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls.
Bubble’s own forums and community guides are also a goldmine for performance tips and tricks. As the ecosystem matures, so does the collective knowledge around avoiding these pain points.
Final Verdict: Is Bubble.io a True Full-Stack Alternative?
All signs point to yes.
Bubble.io is fast, powerful, scalable, and secure. It’s already helped founders launch apps used by millions, generate revenue, raise funding, and cut engineering costs. And it’s growing rapidly, both in features and in community.
For 90% of web app ideas, especially B2B platforms, SaaS tools, marketplaces, or internal dashboards, Bubble.io doesn’t just get the job done. It saves you months of time and tens of thousands of dollars.
As more serious founders, agencies, and developers adopt it, the pace of innovation on the platform is only accelerating.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re ready to explore no-code, now’s the perfect time to dive in. You don’t need to learn React or hire a full-stack team just to validate your idea.
Whether you want to hire Bubble.io freelancers, work with a Bubble certified development agency, or team up with a solo no-code developer, you’ve got a world of support behind you.