Migrating Your Bubble App to Code
Has your Bubble application reached its limits?
First and foremost, do you really need to migrate from Bubble to custom code?
Here I've listed the truly problematic issues that show Bubble is no longer the right solution for your needs. If you don't recognize yourself in any of these points, you can probably continue using Bubble!
- Multi-user editing creates version conflicts
- Explosion in the number of workflows and complexity, with bugs flooding in that are increasingly difficult to detect and fix
- Skyrocketing workload unit costs
- Need for complex API connections, particularly with WebSocket APIs
- Necessity to develop SEO optimization at the core of your application
- Difficulty implementing GDPR and SOC2 compliance regulations
Bubble vs Custom Development Comparison Table
| Criteria | Bubble | Custom Code |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | ✅ Low | ❌ Higher |
| Quick launch | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Independence without coding knowledge | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Easy product iteration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Simple MVP launch time | ✅ 1-2 weeks | ❌ 1-4 months |
| Complex API connections capability | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| SEO optimization development capability | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Infrastructure cost at 10k users/month | ❌ €500-2000+ | ✅ €100-300 |
| Performance | ❌ 2-5s | ✅ <500ms |
| Flexibility | ❌ Limited | ✅ Complete |
| Mobile | ❌ Web app | ✅ Native possible |
| Code ownership | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Strict European zone hosting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Simply put, Bubble is probably the best solution for launching an MVP and growing your business to a few hundred or thousand users, especially if you don't know how to code.
Once your MVP has proven itself, once you've been able to iterate on the product with Bubble and have a clear idea of what you want to build, if you encounter any of the problems mentioned above, it's certainly time to migrate to custom code.
You don't necessarily need to migrate your entire Bubble application
If you're facing a very specific problem, it's often possible to develop only the small portion that's causing issues in code. This is what I accomplished for Tastyn. Their Bubble application was very complex but well-managed. The team simply needed to develop a WebSocket API component to manage a fleet of connected fridges for their application. However, Bubble doesn't support WebSocket API connections. So I created a custom backend for them that bridges the connected fridges and their application.
How to migrate from Bubble to custom code?
If you know how to code and your position allows it, it's your turn to play!
If you don't know how to code, or you're now too busy with your business, I can help you migrate your Bubble application to custom code.
Do you necessarily have to make the change all at once?
Not necessarily. The advantage of Bubble is that it's entirely possible for me to develop the backend/API portion and integrate it incrementally into your Bubble application, gradually replacing all workflows with the backend. Then comes the frontend development and the final switch.
The support is tailored to you, adapted to your situation
My objective in this mission is to be your right-hand advisor on the technical side, establishing the roadmap and making the most appropriate technology choices for your situation. On the other hand, I also handle the complete development to allow you to focus on your business.
Throughout the mission, I guide you in decision-making and regularly present progress updates. The goal is that you're never alone or dispossessed of your application. At the end of the mission, I'll make myself available to monitor and maintain the application until you can recruit internally. I'll also help your internal team with the transition.