Bubble.io has made it incredibly easy for entrepreneurs, startups, and creators to build functional web apps without writing a single line of code. But while the barrier to entry is low, building a high-performing app still requires intentional planning. The platform gives you powerful tools, but it doesn’t prevent you from making mistakes that can lead to sluggish performance or frustrated users.
Some of the most common performance issues in Bubble.io don’t come from complicated features – they come from how easy it is to build fast without thinking long-term. In this post, you’ll learn about the top performance mistakes Bubble developers make and how to avoid them so your app stays fast and responsive.
Loading Too Much Data at Once
A common mistake in Bubble.io is loading entire data sets into a repeating group without any constraints or filters. Since Bubble.io fetches data in real time, loading large lists like thousands of records on page load forces the platform to retrieve and display everything at once. That means longer load times and laggy scrolling, which can make even the most polished apps feel clunky.
Instead of pulling entire tables, it’s more efficient to limit the number of results shown and offer users a way to load more as needed. This approach not only improves performance but also mirrors how high-traffic apps manage large datasets. It creates a smoother experience and gives your app the perception of speed and responsiveness, even when the database grows.
Stacking Workflows Without Planning
Bubble’s visual workflows are a core strength of the platform, but they can become performance bottlenecks if you don’t manage them strategically. Running too many workflows simultaneously, especially on page load, is one of the easiest ways to slow down your app.
When multiple actions like database updates, email triggers, or conditional checks happen at once, they place a heavy burden on the browser and server. To make your workflows more efficient, separate the critical from the non-critical tasks. Actions that users don’t need to see immediately, like logging, syncing, or sending notifications, can be delayed or moved to background workflows. This not only frees up the front-end but also makes your app feel faster.
Using Front-End Workflows for Heavy Logic
Many builders try to keep things on the client side, thinking it will reduce the load on the server. But front-end logic should be used sparingly, especially for complex or resource-intensive tasks. When you handle data calculations or list processing in the browser, your app becomes highly dependent on the user’s device and internet connection. On slower hardware, performance can tank quickly.
By shifting heavy operations to backend workflows, you ensure they run consistently regardless of the user’s environment. Backend workflows are processed on the server, reducing lag and minimizing the risk of user-side failure. When used well, they make the entire experience more reliable and scalable, especially for apps handling large datasets or complex logic.
Overusing and Misplacing Custom States
Custom states are an excellent feature in Bubble, which lets you hold temporary data or control UI behavior without touching the database. But when used excessively or attached to large elements like the entire page, they can quietly harm performance. Too many states on a single element create complex dependencies that slow down rendering and make debugging a nightmare.
Custom states work best when they’re scoped appropriately. They should be placed on small, relevant elements like buttons, groups, or reusable components. This keeps the interface organized and reduces the number of conditional checks that Bubble.io needs to perform during user interactions. Needless to say, cleaner state management leads to faster rendering and fewer unexpected bugs.
Overloading the UI with Groups and Conditions
Designing with Bubble is intuitive, but it can tempt builders into overcomplicating layouts. Some apps end up with pages filled with multiple overlapping groups, each controlled by different sets of conditionals. While only one group might be visible at a time, Bubble still loads and processes all of them when the page renders.
This overload increases initial load times and places unnecessary strain on the browser. A smarter approach is to simplify your layout by using dynamic content within fewer containers. Reusable elements can handle variations without multiplying your group count. Keeping the UI clean and modular helps reduce performance issues and simplifies maintenance over time.
Creating a Database That Doesn’t Scale
A poorly designed database structure might work fine during testing, but it will almost certainly struggle under real-world use. Many new builders treat the database like a spreadsheet, adding long lists of items inside fields or duplicating data across multiple types. This creates inefficiencies that only get worse as your user base grows.
A scalable database is relational and clean. It avoids unnecessary redundancy and organizes information in a way that’s easy to query. Using linked data types, meaningful field names, and logical relationships ensures that your searches remain fast even with thousands of records.
Abusing Repeating Groups
Repeating groups are one of the most powerful and flexible tools in Bubble.io. They’re also one of the easiest to misuse. Many developers unknowingly load complex searches, real-time calculations, and multi-level conditions into each cell of a repeating group. When this happens across many visible items, the performance cost becomes exponential.
Each cell should display data that’s already been processed or fetched. Avoid placing nested searches or math functions inside repeating groups unless absolutely necessary. Pre-calculate values in the database or through scheduled workflows. The cleaner and simpler your repeating group logic, the faster your pages will load and the more scalable your app will become.
Installing Too Many Plugins
Plugins offer an exciting way to extend Bubble’s native functionality. Whether it’s interactive charts, payment integrations, or advanced animations, there’s a plugin for almost everything. But each plugin adds code to your app, sometimes quite a lot of it. And not all plugins are optimized or well-maintained.
Installing plugins without reviewing their impact can lead to slow load times, JavaScript conflicts, and unintended bugs. If your plugin library is full of tools you aren’t using, you’re adding weight to your app for no reason. It’s always better to keep your stack minimal and evaluate each plugin based on actual need and performance impact. Regularly auditing and trimming your plugin list is a healthy habit for long-term app success.
Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness and Real-World Testing
Building a great desktop experience is important, but assuming it will automatically translate to mobile is a critical oversight. Mobile users make up a significant portion of web traffic, and many are using older phones with slower networks. What performs well on your laptop might struggle on a budget smartphone.
Bubble’s responsive editor is helpful, but it doesn’t replace real-world testing. You should test your app on actual devices under different network conditions. Make sure elements resize properly, buttons are tap-friendly, and content doesn’t overflow or lag. Prioritizing mobile responsiveness from the start ensures your app is usable by everyone, everywhere.
Skipping SEO and Clean URL Setup
Performance isn’t just about how fast your app feels – it’s also about how easily users can find it. Bubble apps that rely on organic search traffic need to be SEO-friendly, and that means paying attention to metadata, page titles, and clean URLs. If your URLs look messy or dynamic pages lack proper slugs, search engines will struggle to index them.
Bubble.io allows you to create SEO-optimized structures, but you need to configure them. Setting unique titles and descriptions, using clean slugs, and adding OpenGraph tags for social sharing all help improve visibility. Ignoring these settings won’t break your app, but it will limit how easily people discover it.
Treating Performance as an Afterthought
Perhaps the most important mistake isn’t technical at all; it’s strategic. Many developers treat performance as something to worry about later, after the app is finished. But by the time the app starts lagging or users begin complaining, it’s often much harder to fix. Performance should be part of your build process from the very beginning.
Every element you place, every workflow you create, and every field you define contributes to how your app performs at scale. Building with performance in mind from day one saves hours of debugging and rework later. It also improves your chances of launching an app that users enjoy and want to return to.
Conclusion…
Bubble.io offers an amazing platform to bring your ideas to life without writing code. But building a beautiful, functional app is only half the job. If the experience feels slow, laggy, or clunky, users won’t care how quickly you built it – they’ll just move on.
Avoiding these common mistakes is the first step to building apps that shine. Test often. Stay organized. Keep things lean. And if you’re scaling quickly or dealing with performance issues you can’t untangle, consider getting help from experienced Bubble.io developers or no-code agencies who’ve seen it all before.
Remember, a fast app is a loved app.