Bubble.io vs Retool: Which One Should You Choose?
Explore the key differences between Bubble and Retool to determine the best no-code platform for your project needs
When I first started exploring no-code tools, Wix was the first platform I used to build something. It was easy to use, visually appealing, and perfect for quickly setting up my personal travel blog. I didn’t have to worry about coding or backend management; it just worked.
But as my ambitions grew, I encountered limitations. I wanted to create a dynamic farmhouse booking platform with availability checks and online bookings. That’s when I tried Bubble.
In this article, I’ll compare Bubble and Wix based on features, use cases, pricing, and more. Whether you’re looking to create a simple blog or a complex app, this guide will help you choose the right platform for your needs.
Here are the quick takeaways from this article:
Choose Wix
- If you want a simple and visually stunning website with minimal setup.
- If your focus is on personal blogs, portfolios, or small business websites.
- If you prioritize ease of use over advanced functionality.
- If you’re building small-to-medium e-commerce stores.
- If you need SEO tools and automated mobile optimization built-in.
Choose Bubble
- If you want to build complex web applications, like marketplaces or SaaS platforms.
- If you need advanced backend capabilities, including database management and API integrations.
- If scalability and performance for growing applications are important to your project.
- If your project involves dynamic features like workflows, interactive dashboards, or user roles.
- If you’re focusing on creating custom apps with intricate logic or automation.
What is Wix?
Wix is an easy-to-use website builder that allows you to create professional websites without any coding. With its drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of customizable templates, Wix is perfect for personal blogs, small businesses, and online stores. It also includes built-in SEO tools, e-commerce features, and an AI-powered design assistant called Wix ADI.
What is Bubble?
Bubble.io is a no-code platform designed for building complex web applications. Unlike Wix, which focuses on websites, Bubble lets you build dynamic, data-driven apps with workflows, database integrations, and API connectivity. It's especially popular among startups and entrepreneurs developing MVPs, marketplaces, or SaaS platforms.
Design and Customization
With Wix, the design process is incredibly intuitive. Its drag-and-drop editor feels like playing with building blocks—just choose a template, customize it, and you're all set. I loved how quickly I could create a professional-looking website. Even if you start from scratch, Wix provides pre-built components for every possible use case.
However, I soon realized that while Wix offers templates and an intuitive interface, it can be restrictive if you want to build something unique and complex. Customizing beyond the provided layouts can feel limiting, especially since the Wix editor has limited options for responsiveness. There are only two screen options for laptops and mobile, but what about other devices like tablets? You can't check for specific resolutions.
Bubble, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It’s not as visually intuitive at first, but it gives you complete control over your design. You’re not restricted to templates; instead, you can create layouts from scratch. This freedom is great if you’re building interactive dashboards, custom forms, or unique interfaces.
However, you'll need to spend time learning how Bubble handles responsiveness and design logic. Bubble requires more manual setup for responsiveness. But if customization is your priority, Bubble is better than Wix.
Also read - Top no-code app builders
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, Wix is the clear winner for beginners. Its interface is simple, and features like Wix ADI make the process even easier by automatically creating an initial version of websites based on your input. You can publish a fully functional site in minutes, even if you've never built a website before. However, as you start adding advanced features or custom workflows, Wix may feel less capable.
Bubble isn't as beginner-friendly. When I first used it, the platform felt overwhelming with its visual editor, workflows, and database setup. However, I realized that this complexity is the cost of flexibility. Once I got used to it, Bubble became a powerful tool, allowing me to build apps exactly as I imagined. If you're willing to spend time learning, Bubble offers many more possibilities than Wix.
Workflow Automation
Wix provides basic automation features. You can set up email notifications, connect with Zapier, or use Wix’s apps for simple tasks like lead generation or appointment bookings. These features work well for small businesses or personal websites. However, if your project needs complex workflows, such as automating multi-step processes or integrating advanced APIs, you will notice Wix’s limitations.
Bubble, on the other hand, is built for custom automation. Its visual workflow editor allows you to create complex processes triggered by user actions, scheduled events, or external API calls.
For example, when I was building a booking app, Bubble allowed me to automatically update availability, notify users, and process payments, all without writing any code. If automation is important for your project, Bubble offers far more capabilities than Wix.
Also read - Best no-code web app builders
SEO and Performance
Wix is great for SEO on standard websites. It has built-in tools for managing metadata, creating SEO-friendly URLs, and optimizing images. Plus, its automatic mobile optimization ensures your site loads quickly on all devices. I found Wix’s SEO features to be enough for my travel blog. It really depends on how you organize the site and its pages.
Bubble’s SEO features are more limited. While you can customize metadata and URLs, the platform’s default URL structure sometimes includes unnecessary database IDs, which isn’t ideal for SEO. Bubble also requires more effort to optimize performance.
For example, if your app uses large datasets, you’ll need to carefully manage your workflows and database queries to keep load times fast. If SEO and performance are crucial, Wix is the better choice for simpler websites, while Bubble can handle it with careful planning for apps.
Use Cases
Wix is perfect for personal blogs, portfolios, small e-commerce stores, and local business websites. If you want to create something quickly and make it look good without much hassle, Wix is a great choice. It's also excellent for content-heavy sites because of its CMS features.
On the other hand, Bubble is great for building complex, data-driven applications. Whether you're creating a SaaS product, a custom marketplace, or a CRM system, Bubble provides the necessary tools. I used Bubble to prototype a booking platform with dynamic availability and user roles—something Wix couldn't handle.
Also read - Best no-code mobile app builders
Wix Pricing
Wix’s pricing and plans change every 6 months or so.
- Wix offers a free plan, but it includes Wix branding and a subdomain.
- Paid plans start at $16 per month for personal sites and go up to $45 per month for advanced features like priority support and analytics.
- E-commerce plans start at $27 per month, making it affordable for small online stores.
Bubble Pricing
Bubble’s free plan is great for learning and prototyping but lacks the features needed for live apps.
- Paid plans start at $32/month for basic projects, while the $134/month Growth plan is ideal for more complex apps.
- For larger teams or high-traffic applications, the $399/month Team plan offers advanced features like sub-apps and enhanced workload capacity.
Check out our article for a detailed breakdown of Bubble's pricing.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between Wix and Bubble depends on your project's goals.
If you're building a simple, visually appealing website, like a blog, portfolio, or small business site, Wix is the obvious choice. It's easy to use, affordable, and packed with features to help you get started quickly.
If you're looking to build a complex web application, such as a marketplace, CRM, or SaaS platform, Bubble is the better choice. It may take more time to learn, but the flexibility and power it provides are unparalleled.
If you want to skip the technical details, our team of certified Bubble experts at Zeroqode has built over 500 custom solutions. Whether you need a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a fully scalable app, we're here to help you.
See you soon in the next article of our comparison series. In the meantime, check out our case studies and over 700 Bubble plugins.
Related Posts
Why Every Business Needs Automation?
Discover why business automation is essential. Learn how it saves time, reduces errors, and enhances efficiency and customer experience
What Is Automation Software?
Learn how automation software enhances efficiency and productivity with its functionality and real-world applications across various industries