Comparing Low-Code Development Platforms Bubble vs. FlutterFlow

The use of software to streamline business operations is becoming increasingly common, especially in cases requiring customized applications, also known as apps for short. Unfortunately, traditional software development is time-consuming and requires programmers to possess specialized skills. Low-code (LCNC) platforms address both of these issues, causing them to revolutionize software development since 2020. The LCNC market has grown at a rapid pace during this period, with continued expansion expected for at least the near future. The following chart from Emergen Research shows the growth projections of the LCNC industry through 2027:

Fig. 1: Growth Projection for the LCNC Market in Billions of USD

The above chart shows the global LCNC market was valued at USD 12.17 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to about USD 65 billion by 2027. However, organizations shouldn’t adopt LCNC platform simply because it’s a rising trend in software. Choosing the right app development platform should be a strategic process that considers many factors to ensure this investment is an investment, rather than an expense. This article compares Bubble and FlutterFlow, two of the most popular LCNC platforms. Common points of comparison for these services include customization, ease-of-use, collaboration, integration of custom code and scalability.

Overview of Bubble

Emmanuel Straschnov and Josh Haas founded Bubble in 2012, but they didn’t start receiving significant investments until 2019, when the company raised $6 million from investors like Eric Ries, Nas, Neo and SignalFire. Bubble raised an additional $100 million in 2021 and was also named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for that year. Ayrshare also reports that Web traffic to Bubble websites increased at a rate of more than 50 percent between 2017 and 2021.

Bubble.io is a no-code (NC) web app builder that allows developers to design apps that go beyond the limitations of templates. It has a significant learning curve, but its customization capability provides a high degree of flexibility. Users can customize apps for their particular needs, execute transactions, display and store data. Bubble can also host and scale apps, maintaining a secure infrastructure as it grows. Furthermore, developers can preview their app's functionality on the website. 

Key Features and Functionalities

Bubble has built-in message boards to facilitate communication and supports collaboration by allowing up to 40 people to use an app at the same time. In addition, the databases can efficiently handle large amounts of data, making them scalable. Bubble also supports dynamic content by updating and personalizing data in real time. Administrators can efficiently manage user accounts and passwords efficiently within Bubble apps.

Pros

Bubble apps are full-stack online apps, facilitating deployment by enabling updates via instant push. This platform also has an active, supportive community with free assistance plugins and templates. In addition, Bubble includes many options for integration and customization. Furthermore, the free trial option allows you to do a lot of testing before committing to a purchase.

Cons

The biggest disadvantage of using Bubble is that it’s a proprietary platform, making users dependent on Bubble's continued operation and support. Bubble also hosts and runs apps on its own servers, giving users limited control over the underlying code. Furthermore, Bubble doesn't support the exportation of code, so migrating to another platform requires a fresh start. Bubble also has an especially deep learning curve, particularly for beginners. As a result, its design may require expert technical knowledge.

Ideal Use Cases

Bubble apps are best-suited for apps that leverage artificial intelligence (AI). The best use cases for this platform therefore include personalized recommendations, chatbots, virtual assistants, image recognition and other apps that perform sentiment analysis. This can include both apps that are entirely built around AI as well as those that merely incorporate AI as a feature.

Overview of FlutterFlow

Two former Google engineers, Abel Mengistu and Alex Greaves, founded FlutterFlow in 2020 to help designers, developers, and entrepreneurs build mobile apps more easily. This tool is best known for its speed, as it’s up to ten times faster than traditional development methods. FlutterFlow has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows users to easily connect to multiple data sources. FlutterFlow is built on top of Flutter, so you can use a Flutter developer to add custom code. This platform also allows developers to easily migrate an entire app to Flutter.

Key Features and Functionalities

The ability to export Flutter code to a native Integrated Desktop Environment (IDE) is one of the most significant features of this platform. It can also integrate with App Programming Interfaces (APIs) like Algolia, Braintree/PayPal and Google AdMob via GET/POST requests. In addition, FlutterFlow apps have a variety of launch options, including the App Store, Play Store and the Web. Users can also add custom functions of FlutterFlow through various means, like community-made projects, pre-made components and Dart code. Furthermore, this platform uses a responsive design that allows developers to easily create apps for different screen sizes.

Pros

The biggest advantage of using FlutterFlow is this ability to create native apps using native functions, which the user can launch on app stores. It also imports and exports clean code, allowing developers to build an app once and deploy it on multiple platforms. In addition, FlutterFlow offers superior transitions between screens, thus improving user experience. This platform also integrates with Firebase, FlutterFlow's default database, which provides faster performance.

Cons

Firebase has some limitations in filtering data, such as difficulty in retrieving data for date ranges. In these cases, the user may need to retrieve all the data for the start date, and then locally filter for the end date within the app. Developers who want to use FlutterFlow apps as a backend will need to choose between Firebase and Supabase. FlutterFlow doesn't support sub-collections when using Cloud Firestore, which can limit options on data structure. In addition, FlutterFlow requires clients to invest in both the app store and platform itself, which can place the cost of the solution out of range for smaller businesses.

Ideal Use Cases

The best uses of FlutterFlow include exploring new markets and experimenting with new communication channels in furtherance of business goals. Additional uses of this platform include the rapid development of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), especially for the purpose of quickly learning about potential markets and users.

Comparison of Bubble and FlutterFlow

Common points of comparison between Bubble and FlutterFlow can be summarized as follows:

‍Fig. 2: Comparison Summary Between Bubbles and FlutterFlow

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

Bubble can have a steep learning curve, especially for creating custom actions and workflow processes. Its active community, documentation and tools are very helpful, but users must still spend time learning about this platform before they can begin building an app. Failure to do so from the beginning of the development process can result in a fundamentally flawed app that must be rewritten from scratch. Bubble specifies best practices and recommended design patterns that will help minimize the number of interdependent data structures and workflows, making it easier to maintain and update an app without breaking its existing features.

FlutterFlow allows users to clone apps and utilize existing components and pages, but customizing them isn't always straightforward. The process of modifying templates to meet specific needs tends to have a steeper learning curve than other LCNC platforms.

Customization and Flexibility

Bubble has a particularly powerful visual editor with advanced features, allowing users to extensively customize it. It uses a drag-and-drop interface and provides responsive design tools that allow users to customize web apps, although it does take time to master. For example, developing the ability to create an app that can handle multiple screen sizes is one of the most demanding aspects of learning to use Bubble.

FlutterFlow also provides responsive layouts that allow users to customize their apps, but it doesn't require as much understanding about the underlying code as Bubble. This advantage allows users to focus on the visual elements in their design by customizing FlutterFlow's extensive set of built-in widgets. These widgets are reusable, allowing developers to create them once and use them throughout the app. This approach to software development avoids the repetitive work of building similar widgets, while maintaining design consistency. Maintenance and updates are also easier with FlutterFlow.

Performance and Scalability

Apps will need to handle more data end-users as they gain popularity, making performance and scalability especially important for successful apps. Bubble provides many features to make its apps scalable for both databases and server capacity. Developers must also be able to add new features and functionality as an app evolves. In addition, Bubble includes tools to make apps scalable without migrating them to other platforms. However, this capability requires the developer to properly structure the app and database architecture to fully leverage its potential for performance and scalability.

FlutterFlow is specifically designed to handle large apps, making this platform inherently scalable. It also supports high user volume without losing performance, due in large part to its integration with Firebase. This feature seamlessly scales an app's backend, including databases and servers. FlutterFlow developers also have the option of exporting code to Flutter, allowing them to use its full range of features. For example, developers can use a no-code approach to initially build an app in FlutterFlow, before transitioning to Flutter as the app's requirements become more complex.

Integration Capabilities

Modern apps rarely exist in isolation, as they typically need to connect to other online services. Assume for this example that an app allows customers to order food from a restaurant. It could simply let the customers type in their orders, but restaurants also need to integrate the ordering process with a payment system.

Integration is the process of using pre-defined connections that allow an app to communicate with these external services. Integrated functions generally send data, receive data and perform actions. While they aren't strictly necessary for an app to achieve its basic functionality, integrations greatly enhance the app's features and user experience.

Bubble integrations include communication and collaboration with Slack and Intercom. They also provide analytics and reporting capability with Google Optimize, Hotjar and Mixpanel. Data management integrations in Bubble include Airtable, Google Sheets and Salesforce, while integrations with Notion, Servicebot and Zendesk provide customer support and documentation features. Payment and billing functionality come from Stripe, PayPal and Twilio, and marketing capabilities are performed by Mailchimp, Segment and Zapier. Csana, Basecamp and Trello provide project management functions in Bubbles.

FlutterFlow integrations include GitHub, Firebase and Supabase for database and backend services. Analytics and tracking features are provided by AdMob, Firebase Analytics, Google Analytics and Google Maps, with livestreaming and notifications coming from Firebase Cloud Messaging, Mux Livestream and One Signal. Billing and payment functions in FlutterFlow are available from services like Braintree, PayPal, Razorpay and Stripe. Marketing and automation capabilities are provided by HubSpot, Klaviyo and Segment, and Gemini AI provides AI functions in FlutterFlow.

Community and Support

Bubble provides tiered support based on the user's skill level. It also has a highly active user community that make significant contributions towards developing new features, plug-ins and templates for the platform. In addition, community members are willing to share knowledge and help other Bubble users. Learning resources are also a high priority for Bubble, including documentation, guides and tutorials for beginning and advanced users. Furthermore, the Bubble Academy is a dedicated resource that provides educational content for Bubble users.

FlutterFlow has a friendly, collaborative community that allows members to share knowledge and ask questions. It also provides resources like guides, tutorials and references for users at all skill levels, although it doesn’t cover some areas like feature design and troubleshooting third-party APIs. In addition, users can get help from community forums and join the Discord group. FlutterFlows also hosts an annual Hackathon, which is a global competition that offers cash prizes for building the best mobile game on the platform.

Pricing

Cost effectiveness is usually the most important consideration when choosing an LCNC platform, even though they’re significantly less expensive than conventional software development platforms.

Bubble

Bubble offers the following pricing plans:

• Free plan
• Starter plan
• Growth plan
• Team plan
• Enterprise plan

Users often start with the Free plan to develop the app, and then move to a paid plan once the app goes live. This approach provides as much time as needed for development without incurring any expenses. The Starter plan costs $29 per month, which is best for launching and testing an app. Simple no-code tools and MVPs with moderate user bases are common use cases for Bubble’s Starter plan.

The Growth plan costs $119 per month and is best for growing an app’s user base, especially for complex consumer projects. The Team plan at $349 per month is typically used when scaling an app’s team and business, typically for those with high usage. The Enterprise plan has custom pricing and is best for apps with maximum security and scaling requirements. This plan is also commonly used for an enterprise’s internal tools and customer-facing apps.

FlutterFlow

FlutterFlow offers the following pricing plans:

• Free plan
• Standard plan
• Pro plan
• Teams

FlutterFlow’s Free plan provides users access to core-platform features like pre-built templates, Firebase integration and two API endpoints. Users can start building mobile, web and desktop apps with FlutterFlow’s visual builder, API and data integration and web-publishing tools. In addition to the Free plan features, the Standard plan at $30 per month allows users to download their source code or Android App Package (APK), and publish it to a custom domain.

The Pro plan costs $70 per month and includes all Standard plan features, in addition to new features like source repository integration, one-click deployment to Apple and Google app stores, and one-click localization for multiple languages. FlutterFlow’s Teams plan costs $70 per month per user and includes all Pro plan features, in addition to centralized billing, one-week audit logs, real-time collaboration tools and project-level access controls.

Case Studies or Examples

Bubble

Real-world examples of apps built with Bubble include TicketRev, TheHair.App and Workello.

TicketRev

Marketplace platforms are typically based on sellers offering goods and services to buyers at a fixed price. However, TicketRev reverses this model for event tickets by allowing fans to bid on tickets, which sellers can accept immediately. This Bubble-based platform also helps fans search for events and recommends a bid range, ensuring they make a fair offer. TicketRev has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding since its launch in 2021, from investors that include Soma Capital, Groove Capital, Techstars and the Minnesota Twins.

TheHair.App

TheHair.App is an AI-based app for managing hair consultations and treatments. It takes photos of clients and assesses their hair types, providing appropriate recommendations for treatments. This Bubble app uses generative AI features that allow hairstylists to move away from their traditional pencil and paper processes, resulting in more personalized consultations. Users who download TheHair.App via Apple and Google app stores and create an account are able to unlock client management features like appointment tracking and treatment records.

Workello

Finding great talent is often a manual process that’s highly chaotic for many content managers. Workello is a skills-testing platform intended to streamline hiring for the top one percent of writers. This automated dashboard helps content managers centralize the process of administering pre-hire tests, interviewing them, evaluating apps and sending offers to accepted candidates.

FlutterFlow

Google Ads

Google Ads is a highly popular FlutterFlow app that allows users to brand advertisements and campaigns based on their interests. This platform makes Google Ads more reliable, largely as a result of its AI capabilities and integrated database. It also provides developers with deeper insights into customer behavior via campaign statistics. In addition, Google Ads generates campaign alerts and allows users to contact Google experts.

Stadia

Developers built the prototype of Stadia, Google's gaming platform, with FlutterFlow. It’s a user-friendly app that lets users play games on screens that they already own.

Google Play

Google Pay is a highly renowned online payment app that’s trusted by over 70 million users throughout the world. Developers selected FlutterFlow as the framework to build this app due to their need for strong functionality and compatibility with many different operating environments. For example, Google Pay is able to efficiently scale across Android and iOS platforms.

Conclusion

Choosing between Bubble and FlutterFlow as your next development platform requires careful consideration of their differences in multiple areas. The chart below shows some of these key points:

Fig. 3: Platform Comparison Between Bubble and FlutterFlow

Deciding between these two LCNC platforms tends to be particularly challenging due to the many possible apps that developers may build with them. One general rule is that you should favor Bubble if you need to make changes quickly, or if your app requires many integrations. On the other hand, FlutterFlow would be preferable for apps that won’t require frequent updates, which typically means the app is already well-defined. An app that prioritizes a fully native mobile experience is also a strong candidate for development with FlutterFlow.

‍Bubble and FlutterFlow use quite different approaches for supporting different devices, which often make this issue a critical consideration when choosing an LCNC platforms. Bubble is best suited for developing Web apps that run in a browser, while FlutterFlow is better for apps that run on mobile devices under operating systems Android and iOS. Bear in mind, however, that Bubble apps can work on mobile devices, just as FlutterFlow apps work on desktops.