Bubble for Designers: Visual Programming for Web Apps

Bubble is a no-code platform for building web applications with real functionality: databases, user authentication, payment processing, and API integrations. Unlike Webflow (built for marketing sites), Bubble lets you create app-like tools—dashboards, marketplaces, internal tools—without writing code. You design interfaces visually and define logic with workflow blocks. For designers, it’s a way to build MVPs and test ideas without a developer.

Key Specs

How Designers Use Bubble

Bubble adapts to different stages of product development, from early prototypes to customer-facing tools.

For MVPs and Idea Validation

Build a functional version of your product idea in days, not months. Create sign-up flows, dashboards, and core features without backend developers. Use Bubble to test product-market fit before investing in custom code. Many startups use Bubble to validate ideas, then rebuild in code once they have traction.

For Internal Tools and Dashboards

Replace spreadsheets and manual processes with custom tools. Build admin panels, CRMs, inventory systems, or approval workflows. Bubble’s database and permissions system make it easy to create tools for specific teams. Non-technical teams can update content and manage data without developer help.

For Client Projects and Freelance Work

Designers building websites for clients can use Bubble to deliver more than static pages. Create membership sites, booking systems, or directories with user submissions. Clients get a working product, not just mockups. You can charge more for functional tools than static designs.

For Prototyping with Real Data

Move beyond clickable mockups to prototypes that actually work. Test workflows with real user data, not hardcoded examples. Show investors or stakeholders a functioning product, not a simulation. Bubble prototypes feel closer to the final product than Figma prototypes.

Bubble vs. Alternatives

How does Bubble compare to other no-code builders? Here’s where each tool fits.

Choose Bubble if: You’re building a web application with user accounts, databases, or custom workflows (SaaS, marketplaces, dashboards).

Choose Webflow if: You need a beautiful marketing site, portfolio, or blog with CMS content. Webflow is about presentation, not application logic.

Choose Glide if: You want to turn a spreadsheet into a mobile app quickly. Glide is faster for simple apps but less flexible than Bubble.

Choose Softr if: You’re using Airtable as your database and want a quick frontend. Softr is easier but limited to Airtable’s data model.

Getting Started with Bubble

A 30-minute quick start to building your first app:

Step 1: Build your interface

Drag elements (buttons, inputs, text, groups) onto the canvas. Design layouts using containers and responsive settings. Bubble’s design editor feels like a simplified Figma. Set styles for colors, fonts, and spacing. Preview at different screen sizes.

Step 2: Create your database

Define data types (User, Product, Order) and fields (text, number, date, image). Bubble handles the database setup automatically. Think about what information your app needs to store. Create relationships between data types (a User has many Orders).

Step 3: Add workflows for actions

Workflows define what happens when users interact with your app. Example: “When Button ‘Sign Up’ is clicked → Create new User → Navigate to Dashboard.” Chain multiple actions together. Use conditions to control when workflows run.

Bubble in Your Design Workflow

Bubble fits into product development workflows, connecting design exploration to functional prototypes.

• Before Bubble: Whiteboarding in FigJam, user flows in Whimsical, wireframes in Figma
• During Bubble: Build interface and workflows, test with real data, iterate on functionality
• After Bubble: Launch MVP, gather feedback, rebuild in code (if needed), or scale on Bubble

Common tool pairings:

• Bubble + Figma for designing high-fidelity mockups before building in Bubble
• Bubble + Airtable for managing data outside Bubble’s database (via API)
• Bubble + Make (formerly Integromat) for complex automation workflows
• Bubble + BDK Native for wrapping Bubble apps as native iOS/Android apps

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

These issues come up regularly in Bubble communities. Here’s how to solve them.

“My Bubble app is slow”

Bubble apps can feel sluggish if you’re loading too much data at once. Optimize by: using pagination (load 20 items at a time, not 1000), avoiding nested searches (pre-calculate data), creating database indexes on frequently searched fields, and minimizing the number of groups on a page. Check the debugger (Cmd + D) to see slow database queries.

“The design editor feels limiting”

Bubble’s design tools aren’t as powerful as Figma or Webflow. You can’t do complex animations or pixel-perfect layouts. Work around this by: using custom CSS for specific styling needs, designing complex visuals in Figma and importing as images, focusing on functionality over visual polish, and accepting that Bubble apps look utilitarian.

“I don’t understand data structures”

Bubble requires thinking about databases. If you’re confused, start simple: create one data type (like User) with a few fields (name, email). Practice creating, displaying, and deleting records. Use Bubble’s forum or YouTube tutorials to understand concepts like parent-child relationships and option sets.

“Workflows are confusing”

Workflows can get complex fast. Keep them organized by: naming workflows clearly (“Button Sign Up - Create User”), breaking complex actions into multiple workflows, using custom events for reusable logic, and drawing flowcharts on paper before building. Debug by using the step-by-step debugger (Cmd + D).

“Should I build in Bubble or hire a developer?”

Use Bubble if: you’re testing an idea quickly, budget is tight, you want to learn app-building concepts, or you’re building a simple tool. Hire a developer if: you need native mobile apps, your app has complex algorithms, performance is critical, or you want to own the code. Many founders start with Bubble, validate the idea, then rebuild with code.