FlutterFlow vs Bubble: which one should you choose?

In the digital era, creating web and mobile apps has never been easier. The community can be hugely thankful for the invention of no-code and low-code platforms like FlutterFlow and Bubble. These platforms are helping small teams, enterprises, designers, and developers accelerate the app development process without needing extensive coding knowledge.

But which platform should you choose? We created this article to help you get a detailed comparison, highlighting strengths, limitations, best use cases for both tools and a strong alternative for Bubble and FlutterFlow.

FlutterFlow overview

‍FlutterFlow is a low-code platform built on top of Google's Flutter framework, enabling users to design, build, and deploy cross-platform mobile applications. It allows users to build native iOS and Android apps using a single database.

Pros of FlutterFlow:

1. Native-like performance: since FlutterFlow uses the power of Flutter, it offers near-native performance for iOS and Android platforms, making it an excellent choice for mobile-first apps.
2. Visual drag-and-drop interface: the tool features an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows users to build visually appealing UIs.
3. Code generation: users can export clean and reusable Flutter code, so it suits both non-developers and developers who may want to extend or customize their apps later.
4. Integrations: FlutterFlow supports Firebase integrations, so developers can easily implement features like authentication, databases, and cloud storage.
5. Custom code options: For more advanced use cases, this tool allows you to add custom Flutter code, making it more flexible than purely no-code tools.

Limitations of FlutterFlow:

1. Mobile-centric: the tool is great for mobile apps, but its web development capabilities still need time for improvement. So, it's better to choose other tools, like UI bakery, for web-based solutions.
2. Learning curve: Although low-code, FlutterFlow needs some familiarity with application design concepts and Flutter if you want to go beyond the basic features.
3. Pricing: advanced features such as exporting code and accessing premium templates come with higher pricing tiers, which may be limiting for small teams or solo developers.

Bubble overview

‍Bubble is also a popular choice among individuals and teams looking for quick and easy development of web apps with no code. Unlike FlutterFlow, Bubble primarily focuses on web apps but can also be adapted for mobile-friendly development.

Pros of Bubble:

1. Completely no-code: Bubble is the best choice for those with zero coding experience, as it works with visual workflows, data management, and real-time updates without writing a single line of code.
2. Powerful backend: this platform helps build dynamic data-driven applications, complete with user authentication, database management, and API integrations.
3. Web focus: if your main goal is web-based apps, Bubble offers an expansive toolset, so users can develop complex, data-heavy web apps. These can be marketplaces, social platforms, and SaaS products.
4. Third-party integrations: Bubble can be quickly integrated with external APIs and services, allowing teams to expand functionalities like payment processing, user management, and more.
5. Responsive design: Bubble's responsive engine helps developers create web applications that look good on both desktop and mobile devices.

Limitations of Bubble:

1. Limited mobile capabilities: while Bubble suits mobile-friendly web apps, building truly native solutions requires workarounds, such as wrapping the app in a WebView.
2. Performance: sometimes Bubble experiences performance lag, especially when working with large-scale apps with heavy data usage.
3. Learning curve: Bubble is no code and is suitable for non tech users. However, its advanced features come with complexity that requires a learning curve for beginners.
4. No native code export: in contrast to FlutterFlow, Bubble doesn't have an option to export code so it is less suitable for developers requiring custom logic.

UI Bakery: a worthy alternative to consider

While FlutterFlow and Bubble are strong solutions for no-code app development, UI Bakery is another player worth considering, particularly for building front-end applications with minimal coding.

What sets UI Bakery apart:

1. Web application focus: like Bubble, UI Bakery is great for web apps, offering a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop interface for creating visually appealing UIs.
2. Data connections: this tool seamlessly integrates with databases and APIs, allowing teams to build dynamic, data-driven applications.
3. Custom code support: UI Bakery makes it easier for developers to inject custom code for advanced features, offering higher flexibility compared to purely no-code tools.
4. Rapid prototyping: the platform is an ideal choice for those who need to quickly build  prototypes or internal tools, thanks to its user-friendly interface and speed of development.

Let's wrap it up

Let's wrap the comparison up and explore the best use cases for each tool:

• Choose FlutterFlow when you focus on developing native mobile apps or cross-platform applications and require performance close to native apps. FlutterFlow will be best for mobile-first startups and projects where user experience is crucial.
• Choose Bubble when you want to build a web application or a complex, data-driven platform like a marketplace or SaaS app. With its robust backend management and API integrations, Bubble becomes an excellent choice for projects requiring real-time data handling and dynamic functionality.
• Choose UI Bakery when you need to quickly prototype front-end web applications or build internal tools, but you're also comfortable with adding some custom code when needed. It offers a great middle ground for front-end web app development.