Bubble.io vs Wix: full comparison guide

Both Bubble.io and Wix are among the best no-code platforms that allow businesses to create their own apps. They both have drag-and-drop functionality and offer a wide range of features.

However, that’s where the similarities end. Each platform caters to an entirely different group of users, and choosing between them depends on what you need from your business.

The main differences between the 2 is that Bubble.io is designed for building web applications with advanced customisation options and comes with a steep learning curve. On the other hand, Wix is best suited for creating websites and simple native apps, and is more user-friendly.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through both the platforms, their pros and cons and who should choose which one based on different use cases. By the end, we’ll recommend the best option for building a new app, no matter your business needs.

Bubble.io overview

Bubble.io is a flexible no-code app builder that allows you to make responsive, functional apps. The platform uses its own visual programming language that can be used for creating fully-fledged multi-user apps.

As a result, you can drag and drop templates, place elements according to your preferences and quickly create working prototypes.

One area in which Bubble.io excels is in the availability of an extensive range of plugins and integrations, enabling you to create business apps with complex functionality.

That said, the platform only allows the creation of create web apps. It doesn’t support development of native apps – a feature that is highly anticipated by the community. You’ll have to use third-party tools to wrap your web app and create a native app, which can be highly technical and time-consuming.

Also, the platform has a steep learning curve, especially if you want to add advanced features. You might find the platform overwhelming, which could leave you scrambling for training material and tutorials.

Now let’s look at the pros and cons of Bubble.

Pros and cons of Bubble.io

Pros of Bubble.io

Here’s a detailed look at its advantages:

Build complex web apps

Unlike traditional no-code app builders that focus on static pages, Bubble enables users to create fully functional and dynamic web apps. You can create an online store, SaaS platform, marketplace or internal business tool, to name but a few use cases.

It allows users to define complex logic and set up conditional actions based on user inputs, and can integrate with third-party services via APIs.

Drag-and-drop interface

Bubble’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes the platform accessible to many. You need to pick elements and drop them onto the canvas to start building.

This allows you to design your app the way you want and also speeds up the entire development process.

Wide range of plugins

Another major advantage of Bubble is its extensive plugin ecosystem. There are more than 5,000 plugins to choose from. If there’s a feature you need, chances are there’s a plugin for it.

You can integrate your app with plugins for payments, social login, automation tools, push notifications, in-app purchases, maps‌, chat, checkout and more.

Rapid prototyping

Bubble.io is a great tool for rapid prototyping. You don’t have to spend months building a product just to see if your idea works and can get to market fast. With Bubble.io, you can create a functional MVP in weeks, launch it to users, gather feedback‌ and iterate.

Cons of Bubble.io

Here’s a detailed look at its disadvantages:

Can’t build native apps

One of the biggest limitations of Bubble.io is that it doesn’t support true native app development. While it excels at creating web applications, if your goal is to be a mobile-first business and require an app that runs natively on iOS or Android, you’re out of luck.

Longer learning curve

Although Bubble offers 1,000+ templates, it's not easy to customise them unless you have technical knowledge. You might find using the platform a bit challenging, as you will have to learn the intricacies of the platform.

High long term costs

With Bubble, you have to stick with a particular price plan and the features available in that plan. This means you might have to jump to a higher plan, even if you want only one or two extra features.

In other words, you can’t customise your app to meet your business’s unique requirements unless you pay extra for a range of features you don’t want.

Vendor lock-in

Though Bubble.io offers a free starter package for curious app builders, this isn’t robust enough to perform key business functions. On paid plans, the platform also uses vendor lock-in, meaning you rent rather than own your app’s code.

This makes it difficult for you to migrate to another platform or build features you might need independently.

Now, let’s move on to Wix.

Wix overview

Though Wix started as a website builder, it now allows you to make native applications. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to move elements wherever you want and create apps without technical knowledge. Wix focuses on keeping your design neat and helps you align elements as you drag them.

One place where Wix excels is the sheer number of templates to choose from, both for personal and commercial use. Entrepreneurs and SMBs without prior experience can simply choose a template, create screens and go online in minutes

That said, Wix is a great platform if you’re looking to create a basic app, but if you want to create a fully functional enterprise app or ecommerce app, you’ll have to look elsewhere. This is because the platform offers limited advanced functionality and integrating the app with legacy systems can be a challenge.

Pros and cons of Wix

Pros of Wix

Here’s a detailed look at its advantages:

Build native apps

With Wix app builder, you can create native apps that can be launched on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store. This helps businesses to extend their reach beyond websites and into mobile applications.

Easy-to-use interface

One of the biggest advantages of Wix is how easy it is to use. The drag-and-drop interface is very intuitive, letting you place elements exactly where you want them without worrying about complicated settings or technical details. You don’t need to have coding knowledge – just choose what you want, customise it and your app starts coming together instantly.

Wide range of templates

With over 500 to choose from, Wix offers one of the widest range of templates. No matter your industry, be it ecommerce, real estate or news, you can easily find a template that will fit your needs.

The templates are well-thought out professionally designed templates that allow for customisation of color, font, images and layout to match your brand.

Multiple monetisation options

Wix offers multiple ways to monetise your mobile app, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for your audience and business model. You can integrate in-app purchases, set up subscription services or display ads to generate revenue.

Cons of Wix

Here’s a detailed look at its disadvantages:

Only for basic apps

Wix is best suited for basic and small-scale applications rather than fully functional, complex apps. While it offers a range of features and customisation options, it lacks the advanced development capabilities needed for large-scale applications with complex workflows, deep integrations or heavy backend processing.

High long-term cost

To access complex functionality like shipping options, shopping cart and tax calculations, you need to purchase their business plan, which can cost $159 per month. Plus, Wix operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) payment model, making the lifetime costs of your app more difficult to estimate.

And although it’s possible to migrate your Wix domain to another provider, it’s likely to be challenging, given you don’t get the code.

Limited scalability

Wix is perfect for casual sellers with small inventories. But if you’re looking to scale your business through apps, you will find it challenging. For instance, absence of bulk uploading, limited payment gateways and storage limits on all plans can hinder your growth.

Lacking customer support

Wix provides email and phone support exclusively for users on paid plans, meaning free plan users do not have access to direct customer support. Additionally, support is only available on weekdays from 5am to 5pm PT, with no assistance offered on weekends or outside of these hours.

This limited availability can be a drawback, as any technical issues that arise over the weekend may go unresolved until the next working day, potentially leaving your website or app inactive during that time.

Bubble vs Wix: Which is the right choice for your business?

Now that you know pros and cons for both platforms, let’s discuss which one is better for your business. Before signing the dotted line, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

• What type of app do you need?
• How important is customisation for you?
• What type of integrations should your app have?
• Do you value scalability or is design more important?
• Do you have technical knowledge or a team to build for you?

Bubble.io is a better choice if you’re looking to make a feature-rich web app. It makes a great option for SaaS platforms, marketplaces, internal business tools and other complex applications that require advanced workflows. For instance, if you’re a startup launching CRM or a project management tool, you would benefit from Bubble’s ability to define logic and automate tasks.

On the other hand, Wix is ideal for businesses that want simple applications that can be published on app stores. It makes a great option for ecommerce and small online stores. For instance, a boutique selling handmade jewellery or a local store launching an online presence would benefit from Wix’s easy-to-use ecommerce features.

Better alternative to Wix and Bubble.io

You wouldn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to see the obvious gaps in both Wix and Bubble.io – especially if you need an app that is fully scalable, natively built and tailored to your business needs.

Both platforms are great for quick prototypes and basic apps, but when it comes to enterprise-grade applications, deep integrations and long-term scalability, they fall short.

This is where Builder.ai steps in as a better alternative.

Why Builder.ai is a better choice

• Native apps for both web and mobile - with us you can develop high-performance native apps for iOS, Android and web — all without writing a single line of code.

• Scalability without restrictions - we offer fully customisable and scalable applications that can evolve as your business grows. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, you get the freedom to expand without worrying about technical limitations.

• No vendor lock-in - with us, you get to keep your code. If you ever want to move your app elsewhere, you can — without restrictions.

• AI-powered development for faster delivery - our AI-powered platform reduces development time significantly. We automate large parts of the process, ensuring your app is built quickly and efficiently.

• Seamless integrations and custom features - Unlike Wix and Bubble.io, we give you full control over integrations and features. Whether you need custom AI functionalities, complex payment processing or industry-specific tools, everything can be tailored to your needs.

• Expert support - with Builder.ai, you get expert support from real people, 24/7, ensuring your app never gets stuck due to technical issues.

Conclusion: why settle for less?

If you need a simple website or a small-scale app, Wix and Bubble.io might be good enough. But if you’re looking for a future-proof, scalable and custom-built app, Builder.ai is the better alternative.

With AI-powered development, full ownership of your code and limitless scalability, we make sure your business isn’t just building an app – it’s building a product that grows with you.

Find out more about Builder.ai by hitting the banner below 👇