AlgorithmShift vs Bubble
Build fast, own nothing
The Verdict
Choose AlgorithmShift if you want Bubble's rapid development speed with the crucial addition of code ownership and predictable scaling costs.
At a Glance
Quick comparison of key features and capabilities
| Feature | Bubble | AlgorithmShift |
|---|---|---|
| Code Export | No | Full source code |
| Vendor Lock-in | Very High | None |
| Pricing Model | Usage + workload units | Fixed pricing |
| Scaling Cost | 10-100x at scale | Standard hosting |
| Self-Hosting | No | Yes |
| Skill Transferability | Bubble only | Standard dev skills |
Detailed Feature Comparison
Explore features by category to see the full picture
Pricing Comparison
True cost of ownership, not just the sticker price
Bubble
Subscription + workload units
Starting Price
$29/month (Starter)
Enterprise
$349+/month (Team)
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Workload unit overages
- Capacity boosts for traffic
- Plugin costs
- Agency/developer fees
- Performance at scale
AlgorithmShift
Fixed pricing
Starting Price
Free tier available
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Everything Included
- Full source code export
- Deploy to any hosting
- Standard hosting costs
- No workload units
Pros & Cons
An honest look at both platforms
Bubble Pros
- Very fast prototyping
- Large plugin ecosystem
- Active community
- Good for MVPs
- No coding required to start
Bubble Cons
- Zero code export capability
- Costs explode at scale (10-100x)
- Skills only apply to Bubble
- Performance issues under load
- Investors see it as a liability
- Platform changes can break your app
Choose Bubble if you...
- •You're building a quick prototype/MVP
- •You have zero development resources
- •Scale isn't a consideration
- •You're okay rebuilding later
Choose AlgorithmShift if you...
- •You want to own your code from day one
- •You're planning for scale
- •You want skills that transfer
- •Investors or acquirers are in your future
- •You need predictable costs
What Users Are Saying
Real experiences from teams who made the switch
“I have been a bubbler since they started… the platform's unstable performance, ridiculous cost, constantly changing things and breaking my apps… To feel trapped in their system. I'm so exhausted by this I don't even care to explain it anymore.”
@ryan8
“You cannot export your code so what you build is only working on Bubble. When successful, running on Bubble is 10-100 times more expensive than running on self written code.”
@sem
“Most companies looking to purchase your app will not move forward if you depend on something like Bubble. If you ever have any ounce of thought that you would sell then do not use a 3rd party no code solution.”
@BlakeRunyon
“My experience with Bubble has been nothing short of a living hell, an absolute nightmare.”
Anonymous
Switching from Bubble
Your migration roadmap
Migration Difficulty
Complex
Typical Timeline
4-8 weeks (rebuild)
Migration Steps
Document your Bubble app's functionality
Export your database to CSV
Design equivalent data model in AlgorithmShift
Rebuild your UI using templates
Recreate workflows as code
Import your data
Test and iterate
What Transfers Easily
- Database records (as CSV)
- User accounts (with password reset)
- File uploads
Requires Rebuilding
- Bubble workflows (must rebuild)
- Visual design (must recreate)
- Plugin functionality (find alternatives)
- Custom states and logic
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Bubble
No. Bubble does not allow code export. Your only option is to rebuild your application from scratch on another platform. AlgorithmShift lets you export your code at any time.
Ready to Own Your Code?
Stop paying the platform tax. Build with AlgorithmShift and export clean code you own forever.
No credit card required. Export your code anytime.