Thunkable vs Bubble
Bubble is a full-stack no-code platform where you can switch between AI prompting and visual editing, and it's built for web apps like SaaS products and marketplaces.
Bubble now has a native mobile builder too. Thunkable has been building for phones since 2016. If you're looking for a Bubble alternative for mobile, this post looks at what that difference means when most of your users are on their phones.
Quick verdict: Thunkable is an AI mobile app builder for native iOS and Android apps. If your users will mostly reach you on their phones, it's the stronger choice, with more than a decade of mobile focus behind it. Bubble remains a great pick for web SaaS and marketplaces.
Why founders and agencies choose Thunkable for mobile
- Mobile is the main path. Every project is a native iOS and Android app from the first prompt, and the same project can publish to the web.
- More than a decade of mobile. Launched in 2016, with more than 5 million creators and a quarter of Fortune 500 companies supported.
- AI plus control. Build with AI, plan in Discuss Mode, refine in the visual editor, or edit code directly.
- Built for client work. Publish white-label apps under each client's brand on Builder and Advanced plans.
- Proven speed. Opendoor cut a mobile build from five to six months to an estimated six to eight weeks.
At a glance
What Bubble is, and where it shines
Bubble's pitch is "Build apps with AI, no code required."
It shines on complex web apps: SaaS products, two-sided marketplaces and internal web tools with a lot of logic. If that's what you're building, Bubble is a strong pick.
Can Bubble build native mobile apps?
Yes, on both, but the paths are different. Bubble's native mobile builder is newer, with its own editor and plans.
Thunkable has been mobile-first for more than 10 years. Building for phones is the main path, not a side road. Every project is a native iOS and Android app from the first prompt, with 25+ native device features, including camera, barcode scanning, GPS and maps, push notifications, biometrics, NFC, Bluetooth and motion sensors. In-app purchases, subscriptions and ads are built in.
Can you turn a Bubble web app into a mobile app?
Not directly. There's no way to convert a Bubble web app. You rebuild the screens in the mobile editor, though you can copy some elements over and reuse your database and backend workflows.
On Thunkable, one project publishes to iOS, Android and the web. Both tools pair AI with visual editing, and Thunkable adds two more options: Discuss Mode, to plan changes and troubleshoot before you build, and direct code editing when you want more control. Version History lets you roll back anytime.
How much does it cost to publish a Bubble mobile app?
You can build on Bubble's free plan, but testing with TestFlight and Google Play, or publishing, requires a paid mobile plan. Plans start at $59/mo billed annually, with 5 build submissions a month, according to Bubble's pricing page.
Thunkable publishes to the App Store, Google Play and the web in a few clicks, with publishing guides and AI checklists. Store publishing is on the Builder plan (1 published app) and the Advanced plan (unlimited published apps).
Bubble vs Thunkable: mobile as an add-on
Bubble's native mobile builder launched in public beta in 2025 and sits on a separate pricing track. Web and mobile share one pool of workload units, according to Bubble's own pricing page and manual.
Where Thunkable comes out ahead: On Bubble, mobile is a separate track with its own editor, plans and monthly submission limits. On Thunkable, mobile is the whole point. Every project is a native iOS and Android app from the first prompt, and the same project can also publish to the web.
Switching from Bubble to Thunkable
If your Bubble app works on the web but your users want a phone app:
- Keep Bubble for the web app. There's no need to move what's working.
- Connect to your Bubble data. Thunkable's docs say its AI can connect your app to any third-party API, including the API your Bubble app exposes.
- Describe the mobile experience to Thunkable AI. Design for phones from the start, not a resized web page.
- Add native features. Push notifications, biometrics, NFC and in-app purchases.
- Publish to both stores with publishing guides and AI checklists.
Which should you choose?
A decade of mobile, in numbers
Thunkable was founded in 2016 by former MIT App Inventor teammates. More than 5 million creators in 185 countries have created more than 11 million apps, and Thunkable supports a quarter of Fortune 500 companies. Opendoor used Thunkable to cut a mobile build from five to six months to an estimated six to eight weeks.
FAQ
- Is Thunkable a good Bubble alternative? For mobile, yes. Thunkable has been mobile-first since 2016, so every project is a native app from the first prompt.
- Can Bubble make native mobile apps? Yes, through its newer native mobile builder.
- Can I convert my Bubble web app to mobile? Not directly. You rebuild the screens in the mobile editor, reusing your database and backend workflows.
- How long has Thunkable built mobile apps? Since 2016. That's more than 10 years of mobile app building.
- Can Thunkable apps also run on the web? Yes. The same app can publish to the App Store, Google Play and the web.
Mobile isn't an add-on here. Thunkable is built for native iOS and Android apps, from the first prompt to the App Store and Google Play.
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