How each approach works
Bubble is a visual development platform. You design screens, data and workflows in its editor, and Bubble handles hosting and infrastructure. Your app lives on Bubble.
AI-built software means engineers use AI coding agents such as Claude Code to write real code on a standard stack, for example Next.js, Supabase and Vercel. The AI speeds up the writing, while engineers set the architecture, review every change and test the result. You get a normal codebase that any developer can work on.
Side by side
- Speed to launch: both are fast for a well-scoped MVP. Bubble is often quickest for simple internal tools; AI-built is now comparable for most products.
- Cost: similar for an MVP. Bubble adds ongoing platform fees that grow with usage; AI-built has standard hosting costs.
- Flexibility: Bubble works within its platform’s limits. Custom code has no such ceiling, which matters for complex logic, performance and unusual integrations.
- Ownership: with Bubble, your app depends on the platform. With custom code, you own the repository outright.
- Maintenance: Bubble apps need Bubble skills. Custom code needs developers, but on mainstream technology that is easy to hire for.
When Bubble wins
- Internal tools and admin dashboards where speed matters more than scale.
- Teams that want to make small changes themselves without writing code.
- Validating an idea quickly with a limited budget and a simple data model.
When AI-built wins
- Products you expect to scale, raise investment on or sell.
- Complex logic, heavy data, performance needs or AI features at the core.
- When investors or acquirers will ask who owns the code.
Already on Bubble?
Migrating from Bubble later is entirely possible. Your existing app becomes a working specification: screens, data and workflows are already defined, which makes an AI-assisted rebuild faster and more predictable. The key is planning the data migration and switching users over without disruption.
A quick decision checklist
- Will this product need to scale significantly in the next two years?
- Do you need full ownership of the code for investors or a future sale?
- Is the core logic complex, or does it rely heavily on AI?
- Does your team need to edit the app without a developer?
Mostly yes to 1-3: lean towards AI-built. Yes to 4 with a simple product: Bubble may be the better fit.
We build with both. See our Bubble work, see how we build with Claude Code, or book a discovery call and we’ll recommend the right approach for your product.
