You've probably heard about Bubble, Zapier, Airtable. Here's when to use each (and when to use custom).
The Comparison Table
| Criteria | Bubble | Zapier | Custom Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Deploy | Weeks to months | 30 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Cost | $50-200+/mo + learning time | $20-100/mo | $200-1,500 build + $50-200/mo |
| Customization | High (but complex) | Limited | 100% Custom |
| Ownership | You own it | No ownership | You own it |
| Learning Curve | Steep (100+ hours) | Easy (30 min) | None (we build it) |
| Support | Community forums | Good support | Dedicated support |
| Scalability | Good | Limited | Unlimited |
When to Use Zapier: Simple Automations
Best for: Simple automations, one-off workflows, no UI needed
Example Use Cases:
- "Slack message when form is submitted"
- "Add new email subscriber to Google Sheets"
- "Create Trello card when someone books a call"
Zapier Stats:
- Cost: $20-100/month
- Time: 30 minutes setup
- Complexity: Low
- Best when: You need simple "if this, then that" logic
When to Use Bubble: Complex Workflows, DIY Approach
Best for: Complex workflows, want DIY approach, have time to learn
Example Use Cases:
- "Full marketplace app like Uber"
- "Social network with user profiles"
- "Complex SaaS product with multiple user types"
Bubble Stats:
- Cost: $50-200+/month + learning time
- Time: Weeks to months (if learning yourself)
- Complexity: High
- Best when: You want to build it yourself and have 100+ hours to learn
When to Use Custom: Fast, Perfect UX, Specific Requirements
Best for: Need it fast, need perfect UX, want ownership, have specific requirements
Example Use Cases:
- "Instant quote tool for lawn care business"
- "Appointment scheduler for salon"
- "Lead capture form with custom calculations"
- "Customer portal with specific workflow"
Custom Built Stats:
- Cost: $200-1,000+ build + $50-200/month hosting
- Time: Days to weeks (we build it for you)
- Complexity: None (we handle it)
- Best when: You need it fast, want perfect UX, and don't want to learn to code
The Real Cost Analysis
Building on Bubble Yourself
- Time investment: 100+ hours
- Opportunity cost: $5,000-10,000 (if your time is worth $50-100/hour)
- Monthly cost: $50-200
- Total first year: $5,600-12,400
Hiring Bubble Developer
- Build cost: $3,000-10,000
- Ongoing maintenance: $500-2,000/month
- Monthly hosting: $50-200
- Total first year: $9,600-34,400
Custom Build from Agency
- Build cost: $500-2,000 (transparent, predictable)
- Ongoing support: Included or $50-150/month
- Monthly hosting: $50-200
- Total first year: $1,100-5,600
Common Objections (And Why They're Wrong)
"I want to own my code"
We can export or provide ownership. With custom builds, you own the code. With Bubble, you also own it, but it's harder to export. With Zapier, you don't own anything.
"I want to customize later"
Easy and cheap with custom. Most changes cost $50-200 and take 1-3 days. With Bubble, you need to learn the platform or hire a developer. With Zapier, customization is limited.
"What if your company disappears?"
Code is in your hands or exported. We can provide full code access or export to standard formats. You're never locked in.
"Bubble is cheaper"
True upfront, but total cost of ownership is higher. When you factor in learning time, opportunity cost, and ongoing maintenance, custom is often cheaper.
Real Examples
Client X: Bubble DIY
- Spent 6 months learning Bubble
- Still not live
- Opportunity cost: $15,000+
- Result: Gave up, hired us to build custom
Client Y: Custom Build
- Spent $500 on custom app
- Live in 5 days
- Capturing 3x more leads
- ROI: Paid for itself in first week
Client Z: Zapier
- Using Zapier for 3 simple automations
- Cost: $50/month
- Setup: 2 hours
- Result: Works perfectly for their needs
Recommendation Matrix
- Simple automations only → Zapier
- Want to learn and build → Bubble
- Need fast, custom solution → Custom build (this is where we shine)
- Don't know? → Start with free consultation
Unsure Which Approach Is Best?
We can advise (free). Book a 20-minute call and we'll help you figure out the best approach for your specific needs. No obligation, just honest advice.