Bubble.io vs Webflow: Which One is Better in 2025?
Choosing between Bubble.io and Webflow? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your design and frontend needs.
Irvin Zhan
•
2025-01-13
When it comes to building websites, Bubble.io and Webflow are two popular platforms. Both offer unique features and cater to different needs. In this article, we'll compare their key features, pricing, limitations, and user reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Bubble.io: Overview and Key Features
Bubble.io is a no-code platform designed to help users build web applications without traditional coding.
Visual Editor: Bubble.io offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design web applications visually. This eliminates the need for HTML or CSS knowledge.
Database Management: Users can create and manage databases directly within the platform. It supports complex data structures and relationships, making it suitable for dynamic applications.
Custom Plugins: Bubble.io supports a variety of plugins, such as Stripe for payment processing and Algolia for search functionality. These plugins extend the platform's capabilities.
API Integrations: Bubble.io allows users to connect with external APIs. This feature is essential for integrating third-party services like Google Maps or social media platforms.
User Authentication: The platform includes built-in user authentication, supporting email/password logins, social logins, and two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
Responsive Design: Bubble.io ensures that applications are mobile-friendly. Users can customize layouts for different screen sizes to improve user experience across devices.
Workflow Automation: Users can set up workflows to automate tasks within their applications. This includes actions like sending emails, updating data, or triggering API calls.
SEO Tools: Bubble.io provides tools for SEO optimization, including meta tags, custom URLs, and sitemap generation. These features help improve search engine rankings.
Bubble.io's Reviews
Overall, users appreciate Bubble.io for its ease of use and powerful no-code capabilities, though some have noted performance issues and high pricing.
G2: 4.4/5
"Bubble saved my business from shutting down. Easy to use, super cost-effective, and can be deployed instantly." - Shubham B., 5/5
"Built my first app after only 1 month since I started to study Bubble. Very intuitive, easy to use, and clear processes." - Razvan P., 5/5
"Bubble had a lot of promise but it was never kept. Too bloated and expensive." - Lloyd P., 0/5
"Best Solution within the No Code Tools. Very robust as a backend and almost everything can be done without coding." - Pritam S., 5/5
"Do not use bubble.io - They do not care about security. The platform is slow and the support is so bad." - Adam V., 0/5
Positive Aspects:
User-friendly and intuitive interface
Powerful and advanced features
Quick and easy app development
Strong community and customer support
Common Concerns:
High pricing, especially for the Business plan
Occasional slow loading speeds
Limitations in publishing apps to major app stores
Restrictions on the number of users and data rows
Webflow: Overview and Key Features
Webflow is a versatile website builder known for its advanced design capabilities and flexibility.
Visual Design Tools: Webflow lets users create professional-grade websites visually. Its interface allows detailed customization of HTML, CSS, and even animations without writing code.
Custom Interactions and Animations: A standout feature is Webflow's ability to create complex interactions and animations visually. This can elevate the look of your site beyond basic templates.
CMS (Content Management System): Webflow's integrated CMS allows easy creation, editing, and management of dynamic content. It's especially useful for blogs, portfolios, and news sites.
Hosting and Performance: Webflow provides secure, reliable hosting with built-in security features, SSL certificates, and excellent load speeds. It leverages AWS infrastructure for reliability.
E-commerce Capabilities: Though initially focused on websites, Webflow has robust e-commerce functionality, suitable for small to medium-sized online stores. It supports custom checkout pages, product variants, and inventory tracking.
SEO Optimization: Webflow includes built-in SEO controls, enabling customization of meta descriptions, titles, URLs, and structured data directly within the visual editor.
Code Export Option: Webflow uniquely allows users to export clean, semantic HTML/CSS code, giving designers and developers additional flexibility.
Webflow's Reviews
Webflow receives mixed reviews from users, highlighting its strengths in design flexibility and ease of use, but also noting areas for improvement such as pricing and platform stability.
G2: 4.4/5
"Webflow is my perfect tool for work. I can do anything as a designer and get a good result." - Darya K., 5/5
"Mostly very intuitive way to manage a website. No need to know HTML and like the online help." - Verified User, 4.5/5
"Webflow enables users to build professional websites even when they do not possess programming skills." - Regie F., 5/5
"Great platform — enabler of productivity and design success, sometimes unreliable pricing." - Leon B., 4/5
"Webflow: A Powerful Low-Code/No-Code Tool for Designers and Marketers." - Darshak C., 4/5
Positive Aspects:
Ease of use and intuitive design interface
High design flexibility and customization options
Effective for users without programming skills
Strong support for SEO and integrations with other tools
Responsive and helpful customer support
Common Concerns:
Steep learning curve for beginners
High pricing and confusing pricing structure
Some missing or underdeveloped features
Occasional platform instability and crashes
Feature Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Webflow
Similarities
Despite their differences, Bubble.io and Webflow share several key features:
Visual Design Tools: Both platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces, allowing users to design web applications and websites without coding.
Hosting Services: Each provides secure, managed hosting, eliminating the need for users to handle server maintenance or security.
SEO Tools: Both include built-in SEO features, enabling users to optimize their sites for search engines.
API Integrations: Both platforms support connecting with external APIs, facilitating integration with third-party services.
Responsive Design: Each ensures that applications and websites are mobile-friendly, with customization options for different screen sizes.
Workflow Automation: Both allow users to automate tasks within their applications, enhancing efficiency and functionality.
Differences
Understanding the biggest differences between Bubble.io and Webflow can help you decide which platform suits your needs best.
Primary Focus: Bubble.io is a full-stack no-code app builder, while Webflow is primarily a visual website builder.
Database Management: Bubble.io includes built-in database management for complex data structures, whereas Webflow focuses on content management through its CMS.
Custom Interactions: Webflow offers advanced custom interactions and animations, a feature not emphasized in Bubble.io.
Code Export: Webflow allows users to export clean HTML/CSS code, providing flexibility for developers. Bubble.io does not offer this feature.
E-commerce Capabilities: Webflow includes robust e-commerce functionalities suitable for online stores, which is not a primary focus of Bubble.io.
Pricing Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Webflow
Bubble.io Pricing
Bubble.io offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different needs, from individual developers to large enterprises.
Free: $0/month - Includes core platform features, community support, and the ability to build and test applications.
Personal: $29/month - Adds custom domain support, increased server capacity, and email support.
Production: $529/month - Designed for high-traffic applications, includes dedicated resources, and advanced security features.
Custom: Contact support for pricing - Tailored solutions for large enterprises with specific needs and requirements.
Webflow' Pricing
Webflow's pricing is divided into plans for standard websites and e-commerce sites:
Standard Websites:
Starter: Free - Includes Webflow.io domain, 2 pages, 20 CMS collections, 50 CMS items, 50 form submits (lifetime), and 1 GB bandwidth.
Basic: $14/month (billed yearly) - Offers a custom domain, 150 pages, unlimited form submits, 10 GB bandwidth, and surge protection.
CMS: $23/month (billed yearly) - Features a custom domain, 150 pages, 20 CMS collections, 2,000 CMS items, unlimited form submits, 50 GB bandwidth, surge protection, 3 legacy Editor users, and site search.
Business: $39/month (billed yearly) - Provides a custom domain, 300 pages, 40 CMS collections, up to 20,000 CMS items, unlimited form submits, up to 2.5 TB bandwidth, surge protection, 10 legacy Editor users, site search, and form file upload.
Enterprise: Custom (Contact support) - Includes enterprise-ready scale, advanced collaboration, guaranteed SLA, enterprise security, customer success, and enterprise support.
E-commerce Websites:
Standard: $29/month (billed yearly) - Contains 500 e-commerce items, 2,000 CMS items, 2% transaction fee, and all CMS plan features.
Plus: $74/month (billed yearly) or $84/month (billed monthly) - Includes 5,000 e-commerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee, $200K annual sales volume, and all Business plan features.
Advanced: $212/month (billed yearly) - Offers 15,000 e-commerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee, and all Business plan features.
Subframe, a Better Alternative to Bubble.io and Webflow
Subframe is a UI design tool that makes it easy to create and sync designs with code. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that lets you build pixel-perfect, responsive layouts without any hassle. Our platform instantly converts your designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, speeding up your workflow and eliminating the need for handoff.
Subframe's Features
Subframe is a UI design tool that makes it easy to create and sync designs with code.
Component-Based Design: Subframe helps create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups. The visual editor includes a responsive drag-and-drop canvas for building precise, production-ready layouts.
Pre-Built UI Templates: Subframe offers a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns. Each template is built with reusable components to help speed up the design process.
Code Export: Subframe generates clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code. Designs can be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
Free to Get Started: Subframe offers free access to its visual design tools with no credit card required.
AI-Powered Design: Subframe leverages AI to assist in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional designs, adapting to your specific needs and preferences.
Subframe's Pricing
Subframe offers flexible pricing options to suit different needs:
Free: $0 per user/month - Includes 1 project, up to 3 page designs, up to 3 team members, 100s of UI templates, and limited AI features.
Pro: $29 per user/month - Offers up to 3 projects, unlimited page designs, unlimited team members, custom components, 100s of UI templates, and full AI beta access.
Custom: Contact for pricing - Provides unlimited projects, unlimited page designs, integration of your components, dedicated Slack support, Figma plugin, and unlimited AI.
For more details, visit the Subframe pricing page. Book a demo with Subframe today to see how it can transform your design workflow.
Subframe's Reviews
Users have shared positive feedback about Subframe, noting its user-friendly interface, time-saving tools, and the quality of the UI designs it produces. The platform has earned a 5/5 rating on Product Hunt. Customers especially value the visual editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and AI features that help refine designs based on user input.
"Without Subframe, the frontend build of this tool would've taken a lot longer and a lot more financial resources." - Erin Kim
"Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers." - Carl Peterson
"Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great." - Amartya Jha
Bubble.io, Webflow or Subframe? Which is The Best Tool For You
Bubble.io is ideal for building full-stack web applications without code. It offers strong database management and workflow automation, making it a solid choice for complex applications and backend-driven projects.
Webflow excels in web design, allowing users to create visually rich websites with custom interactions and animations. It's particularly well-suited for designers who want detailed control over HTML and CSS without writing code.
Subframe, on the other hand, seamlessly integrates design and code. It combines real component-based design with AI-powered features, enabling the creation of production-ready React and Tailwind code. Subframe is a great option for those seeking both design flexibility and efficient code generation in a single platform. Get started with Subframe for free.
Join thousands of happy builders.
Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.