Bubble.io vs OutSystems

Bubble.io and OutSystems are two prominent players in the no-code/low-code development space, but they target different audiences and use cases. Bubble.io focuses on enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses to create fully functional web apps without coding, whereas OutSystems is designed for larger enterprises seeking rapid app development with more advanced customization and integration capabilities. This comparison will explore the key differences between these platforms to help you choose the best fit for your project.

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1. Target Audience and Use Cases

Bubble.io:

  • Small Businesses and Startups: Bubble is ideal for startups and entrepreneurs who want to build a minimum viable product (MVP) or a simple web application with minimal investment.
  • Web Applications: It’s primarily used to build web apps that require frontend design and backend functionality without writing code. Common use cases include SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and MVPs for startups.
  • No-Code Focus: Bubble requires no coding knowledge, making it accessible to non-developers.

OutSystems:

  • Enterprises and Large Organizations: OutSystems is designed for enterprises looking to build, deploy, and scale complex applications across various platforms (web, mobile, desktop).
  • Complex Business Applications: It's often used for enterprise-grade solutions, digital transformation, and automating business workflows. OutSystems is suited for mission-critical applications that require scalability and robust backend integrations.
  • Low-Code Platform: OutSystems is a low-code platform, meaning it allows for more custom coding when needed, offering greater flexibility and control over app functionality compared to Bubble.

Verdict: Choose Bubble.io if you're a startup or entrepreneur building a web app or MVP. Opt for OutSystems if you're part of a larger organization that needs scalable, enterprise-level apps with extensive customization.

2. Ease of Use

Bubble.io:

  • No-Code Simplicity: Bubble is designed for non-technical users. Its drag-and-drop interface allows users to create apps without writing any code. The learning curve is manageable but does require users to understand basic logic, workflows, and databases.
  • Fast Setup: Users can build functional prototypes and apps quickly without worrying about underlying infrastructure or coding.

OutSystems:

  • Low-Code Complexity: While OutSystems is a low-code platform, it still requires some level of technical understanding, especially when integrating advanced features or custom code. Developers familiar with coding will find more flexibility, but non-developers may face a steeper learning curve.
  • Visual Development with Coding Options: OutSystems offers a visual development interface but also allows custom code to be added where needed, providing more flexibility than a pure no-code platform like Bubble.

Verdict: Bubble.io is easier for non-developers and offers a purely no-code experience, while OutSystems has a steeper learning curve but provides more control and flexibility for experienced developers.

3. Design and UI Flexibility

Bubble.io:

  • Basic UI Design: Bubble offers a drag-and-drop UI builder, which is good for creating basic and functional user interfaces. However, it doesn’t have the advanced design features and precision control found in tools like Webflow.
  • Limited Visual Customization: While Bubble lets users customize elements, creating polished, responsive designs can be challenging, especially for non-designers.

OutSystems:

  • Pre-Built UI Components: OutSystems provides a library of pre-built UI components that are optimized for mobile, web, and desktop apps. These can be customized through the platform’s visual editor or with custom code.
  • Advanced Customization: Developers can use CSS, JavaScript, or other custom code to fine-tune the design and achieve complex UIs. OutSystems is more robust for enterprise apps requiring a professional, polished look.

Verdict: OutSystems offers more flexibility and customization for UI design, especially for enterprise apps, while Bubble.io provides basic design tools suited for simpler applications.

4. Backend and Functionality

Bubble.io:

  • Full-Stack No-Code: Bubble provides tools for both frontend and backend development, including database management, API integration, and logic workflows. It’s ideal for building apps that need backend processing but doesn’t offer the deep customization that OutSystems does.
  • No-Code Workflows: Bubble lets you create complex workflows and logic without writing code, making it a good fit for MVPs and simple apps.

OutSystems:

  • Low-Code with Advanced Backend: OutSystems allows users to build both the frontend and backend of an application, but with the ability to write custom code when needed. This makes it much more flexible for handling complex integrations, custom business logic, and large-scale enterprise needs.
  • Enterprise-Grade Features: OutSystems supports advanced features like AI, IoT, and extensive integration capabilities with existing enterprise systems (SAP, Salesforce, etc.).

Verdict: OutSystems is better suited for enterprise-level backend functionality and complex logic. Bubble.io is easier to use but lacks the deep backend customization that larger, more complex projects may require.

5. Performance and Scalability

Bubble.io:

  • Good for MVPs and Small Apps: Bubble works well for small to medium-sized apps, especially MVPs, but its performance may degrade as the app’s complexity and user base grow.
  • Limited Scalability: While you can optimize Bubble apps to a certain extent, it is not built to handle the large-scale, mission-critical applications that OutSystems can.

OutSystems:

  • Highly Scalable: OutSystems is designed to build and scale large, complex applications for enterprise use. It can handle high traffic volumes, complex workflows, and integration with large databases.
  • Enterprise-Level Performance: OutSystems offers robust performance for enterprise-grade applications, including high availability, security, and infrastructure management.

Verdict: OutSystems wins in terms of performance and scalability, especially for large enterprise applications. Bubble.io works well for smaller apps but struggles with larger-scale projects.

6. Integrations and Extensibility

Bubble.io:

  • API Integrations: Bubble offers API connectors to integrate with third-party services. While it supports external integrations, its capabilities are limited compared to enterprise-level platforms.
  • Plugins and Extensions: Bubble has a marketplace of plugins that can extend its functionality, but the selection is smaller compared to more enterprise-focused platforms.

OutSystems:

  • Extensive Integrations: OutSystems integrates with many third-party systems (e.g., Salesforce, SAP, Oracle), making it highly versatile for businesses already using enterprise tools.
  • Custom Code and APIs: OutSystems allows developers to write custom code and integrate with external APIs, offering far more extensibility than Bubble.

Verdict: OutSystems provides a broader range of integrations and extensibility options, making it ideal for enterprise users. Bubble.io is sufficient for small- to medium-scale projects needing basic integrations.

7. Pricing

Bubble.io:

  • Affordable for Startups: Bubble’s pricing is more startup-friendly, with a free tier for basic apps and paid plans starting at $29/month for additional features like custom domains and more server capacity.
  • Value for MVPs: Bubble’s pricing is well-suited for startups and small businesses building MVPs or small web apps, as it doesn’t require a significant upfront investment.

OutSystems:

  • Enterprise-Level Pricing: OutSystems is priced for enterprises, with plans that can be much more expensive. While it offers a free tier, most enterprise features require higher-tier subscriptions, which are generally customized based on business needs.
  • Higher Cost, More Features: OutSystems offers a far broader range of enterprise-grade features, which justifies its higher price point, but it may be overkill for smaller startups.

Verdict: Bubble.io is more affordable for startups and small businesses. OutSystems is priced for enterprises, offering more features but at a significantly higher cost.

Final Verdict

  • Choose Bubble.io if you are a startup or small business looking to build a web app or MVP with minimal investment. It’s easy to use, affordable, and perfect for no-code app development.
  • Choose OutSystems if you are part of an enterprise or larger organization needing to build complex, scalable applications with advanced backend functionality and integrations. OutSystems offers a more robust, flexible platform but comes with a higher cost and steeper learning curve.

In short, Bubble.io is best for no-code web app development and startups, while OutSystems excels in enterprise-level app development with extensive customization and scalability options.

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.

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Geo

Startup mentor, product strategist, no-code wiz and PMF expert. Eclectic dance style.

Founding Partner

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.

Learn More About No-Code

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