Bubble.io vs Mendix
Bubble.io and Thunkable are both popular no-code platforms, but they serve different types of users and use cases. While Bubble.io focuses on creating web applications, Thunkable is aimed at building mobile apps for iOS and Android. This comparison will explore their key differences in features, usability, and the types of applications they are best suited for.
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1. Target Audience and Use Cases
- Full-Stack Web Application Builders: Bubble is best for building complex web applications like SaaS platforms, marketplaces, or data-driven apps.
- Entrepreneurs and Startups: Bubble is ideal for startups and businesses looking to build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) or full-scale web apps without needing to code.
- Web-Only: Bubble focuses on web development, offering limited direct support for building native mobile applications.
Thunkable:
- Mobile App Builders: Thunkable is specifically designed for users who want to create mobile apps for both iOS and Android without coding.
- Citizen Developers: Thunkable targets users who may not have technical backgrounds but want to create functional mobile apps.
- Educational Use: It’s popular among educators and hobbyists for building simple apps quickly, as well as for prototyping mobile-first ideas.
Verdict: Bubble.io is better suited for building web applications, while Thunkable is the go-to platform for mobile-first projects and cross-platform mobile app development.
2. Ease of Use
- Moderate Learning Curve: While powerful, Bubble's platform can take some time to master, especially for users unfamiliar with building complex workflows or managing databases.
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Bubble provides a visual editor, but its full potential is unlocked when users understand how to create data structures, workflows, and responsive web design.
Thunkable:
- Beginner-Friendly: Thunkable is designed with simplicity in mind, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It's very approachable for non-developers.
- Quick App Building: Users can quickly build mobile apps using pre-made components, making it faster to learn and use than Bubble for mobile app development.
Verdict: Thunkable is easier to use, especially for beginners, while Bubble.io has a steeper learning curve due to its more advanced capabilities in web development.
3. Design and Customization
- Highly Customizable UI: Bubble provides a lot of flexibility for designing custom UIs with its drag-and-drop editor. However, the complexity of creating responsive designs can be challenging.
- Responsive Web Design: Bubble is built for creating responsive web apps, but ensuring perfect responsiveness across devices can require effort.
Thunkable:
- Mobile-First Design: Thunkable is optimized for building mobile apps, with components and templates designed for mobile interfaces. It's excellent for quickly designing mobile UIs.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Thunkable automatically handles the layout for both iOS and Android devices, saving developers time in ensuring compatibility across platforms.
Verdict: Thunkable is better for mobile app design with built-in cross-platform support, while Bubble.io provides more control for building web applications with custom layouts and UIs.
4. Backend and Functionality
- Full Backend Control: Bubble allows users to manage complex databases, workflows, and server-side logic, making it great for creating data-driven web apps.
- API Integrations: Bubble supports integrating with third-party APIs, enabling custom functionality for your app.
Thunkable:
- Simple Backend Integrations: Thunkable supports basic integrations with APIs and Google Sheets for data storage, but it doesn’t offer the same level of backend management as Bubble.
- No Complex Logic Handling: Thunkable is ideal for simpler mobile apps that don’t require advanced backend logic or workflows.
Verdict: Bubble.io provides more robust backend functionality for complex apps, while Thunkable is best for simpler mobile apps with basic backend integrations.
5. Performance and Scalability
- Handles Complex Apps: Bubble can handle complex workflows and large datasets, but as apps scale, performance may require optimization to ensure smooth operation.
- Web-First: Since Bubble is focused on web apps, it scales best in web environments and doesn’t support native mobile apps out-of-the-box.
Thunkable:
- Optimized for Mobile: Thunkable apps are natively compiled, meaning that mobile apps perform well on both iOS and Android devices.
- Mobile App Focus: Thunkable apps are designed to scale well in mobile environments, although they may not be suitable for highly complex or data-heavy use cases.
Verdict: Bubble.io scales better for complex, web-based applications, while Thunkable is optimized for mobile app performance and cross-platform scalability.
6. Integrations and Extensibility
- Advanced API Support: Bubble supports integrating with external APIs and building custom workflows, making it highly extensible for different types of web apps.
- Plugin Marketplace: Bubble offers a plugin marketplace with numerous plugins to extend the platform’s functionality.
Thunkable:
- Limited API Integration: Thunkable supports API integration, but the customization options and complexity are limited compared to Bubble.
- Basic Extensibility: While you can extend Thunkable’s functionality through APIs and third-party services, it’s more constrained than Bubble in this area.
Verdict: Bubble.io provides more extensive integration capabilities and custom workflows, while Thunkable is more limited in extensibility, though sufficient for simpler mobile apps.
7. Pricing
- Free Plan with Limitations: Bubble offers a free plan with restricted features such as limited database capacity and a branded domain. Paid plans start at $29/month.
- Scaling Costs: As your app grows, costs may increase based on your app’s complexity and the number of users.
Thunkable:
- Free Plan Available: Thunkable offers a free plan, but apps come with Thunkable branding. The paid plans, which start at $13/month, allow for removing branding and offer additional features such as higher API limits and premium components.
- Affordable for Small Apps: Thunkable is relatively affordable for mobile apps, especially if your needs are simple.
Verdict: Thunkable has a more affordable pricing structure for mobile app builders, while Bubble.io scales in cost depending on the app’s complexity and web traffic.
Final Verdict
- Choose Bubble.io if you need to build complex, data-driven web applications with full control over both the frontend and backend. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to launch full-fledged web apps or SaaS platforms.
- Choose Thunkable if you’re looking to create mobile apps quickly for iOS and Android without coding. It’s best for simpler mobile projects and educational or prototyping use cases.
In summary, Bubble.io is a powerful platform for web application development, while Thunkable is best suited for mobile app creation with a focus on cross-platform functionality.
Pushing No-Code to Its Limits
Launching an app has never been more cost-effective and time-efficient. Platforms like Bubble.io and Flutter Flow have transformed the development landscape, enabling developers to create sophisticated applications rapidly.
Fast and Cost-Effective Launch
No-code platforms empower startups to launch their apps at lightning speed—often multiple times faster than traditional development—at a fraction of the cost. This agile approach helps startups focus on growth and innovation rather than high upfront development expenses.
Agile Iteration
For early-stage startups, quickly reaching a problem-solution fit is critical. No-code platforms allow rapid adaptation, letting you implement and push new features live in a matter of hours, not weeks. This flexibility means you can stay responsive to market needs and iterate on your product with ease.
Seamless Integration and Plugins
Platforms like Bubble.io and Flutter Flow come with built-in integrations and a wealth of plugins, giving you instant access to essential features and functionalities. Whether you're building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or scaling up, these platforms make it easy to connect with tools you need, from payments to analytics.
Version Control Made Simple
Launching new versions of your app has never been easier. No-code platforms provide flexible version control, enabling you to create save points, roll back to previous versions if needed, and experiment confidently
Geo George: Leading the No-Code Frontier
While no-code development can have limitations in performance and certain functionalities, Mayfly Ventures, led by CTO Geo George, is pushing past these boundaries. We specialise in building high-performance, highly scalable MVPs with advanced features, deep integrations, and native user experiences that feel polished and professional.
Geo has been at the forefront of low-code development, becoming one of the earliest adopters of Bubble.io in Australia. Over the past six years, he’s honed his expertise in low-code and no-code capabilities, training the Mayfly team to push these platforms to their full potential.
Geo
Startup mentor, product strategist, no-code wiz and PMF expert. Eclectic dance style.
MUCUDU: deep integrations and AI wrapped in low code
Mayfly collaborated with the MUCUDU team to build a low-code MVP for their hospitality tech platform, which includes loyalty management, peer-to-peer monetary gifting, and Tab functionality. Beyond the standard integrations with Stripe, Apple, and Google for login and payments, we incorporated advanced integrations with Point of Sale systems like Doshii and AI-driven recommendations that personalize the dining experience.
With Mayfly Ventures, you get the speed and cost benefits of no-code, combined with the performance and functionality typically reserved for full-stack development.
VOLI Case Study: No-Code in Action
Before working with Mayfly, VOLI’s founder Charlie Crozier had approached 12 different development agencies. As a non-technical founder, Charlie struggled to get his app built and ready for users, with quotes ranging from $300,000 to $1 million. These high costs placed immense pressure on early capital raising.
“When we met Mayfly, both our budget and timeline were completely reevaluated. We were able to go to market at a fraction of the cost and time we had expected—without compromising on quality.”
— Charlie Crozier, Founder
The Process:
Mayfly worked closely with VOLI through a series of workshops to deeply understand the product, its vision, and user needs. Leveraging no-code and low-code frameworks, we built an enterprise-grade app at a fraction of the cost quoted by other studios. Now in pilot testing, VOLI is preparing for release to 10 companies already on the waitlist.
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No-Code Tools We Love
We use state of the art low code tools and push them to the limit to create performant, scalable, highly functional mobile web apps.
Bubble.io
A powerful no-code platform that lets you build fully functional web applications with drag-and-drop ease. Its flexibility allows you to design, develop, and launch complex apps quickly, without writing a single line of code.
Flutterflow
A platform designed for building mobile apps using Google’s Flutter framework, Flutterflow simplifies the development process while offering extensive customization, making it a go-to tool for responsive, high-performance mobile applications.
Xano
A no-code backend platform that gives you the tools to manage your database, set up APIs, and create scalable back-end solutions, all without the need for server-side programming knowledge.
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