Why compare these two approaches?
We started by building most client apps in Bubble.io. As projects became more complex, we looked for more control over the frontend and backend. We already used Xano for the backend and chose WeWeb for the interface.
WeWeb and Xano now suit most of our client projects. Bubble remains useful for simpler apps and teams that want one tool for everything.
All-in-one tools vs separate frontend and backend tools
Summary: Separate frontend and backend tools suit apps with complex features and growing usage. An all-in-one platform is simpler for smaller apps and non-technical builders.
Bubble.io combines the frontend and backend in one platform. With WeWeb and Xano, you build the interface and backend logic in separate tools.
What are the main advantages of using separate tools?
- Control: You have more control over the functionality of your app.
- No Vendor Lock-in: You can replace the frontend or backend separately without rebuilding the entire app.
- Performance: A dedicated backend, such as Xano, Buildship, or Fastgen, usually offers better performance.
What are the advantages of using an all-in-one tool?
- Simplicity: Building is simpler and faster because the frontend and backend are already connected.
- Pricing: You pay only for one development platform.
- Version Control: Different environments of your app are automatically synced for back-end and front-end.
How did we compare Bubble with WeWeb + Xano?
We compared the work involved in building interfaces, frontend logic, and databases, along with performance and pricing. We also considered requirements that affect specific projects, such as HIPAA or GDPR compliance.
UI editor: building the frontend
Summary: WeWeb uses a visual editor with concepts closer to traditional development. Bubble’s editor is easier to work with, especially for builders without a technical background.
Components
- WeWeb: Uses components to create re-usable elements that can be used across your entire application or shared between projects. You can define properties, local variables, workflows, formulas, and triggers to build a shared component library.
- Bubble: Uses “re-usable components”. Recently introduced “properties” to pass data, which is an improvement, but it still has some limitations when interacting with “outside elements”.
Styles/classes/design system
- WeWeb: Uses the equivalent of CSS classes. You can define colors, typography, and spacing and apply multiple classes to elements.
- Bubble: Uses “styles” (visual variants). The disadvantage is that it doesn’t allow you to combine multiple styles; you can only apply one style per element.
Responsiveness
- WeWeb: Uses the concept of breakpoints (similar to Webflow). It makes it easier to define responsiveness, though breakpoint values are currently fixed.
- Bubble: Uses conditional logic (e.g., if screen size < X, change font). This offers flexibility for specific values, but requires individual definition and some properties can’t be changed conditionally, necessitating duplicate elements for mobile.
Front-end workflows/business logic
Summary: WeWeb frontend workflows are visually clearer, while Bubble has more predefined actions.
- WeWeb: Complex workflows are created as diagrams, which are visually clearer and easier to understand.
- Bubble: Offers more pre-built actions out of the box, but complex business logic can become difficult to manage (“a mess”).
Database management
Summary: You have more control in Xano, but it is easier to manage the database in Bubble.
- Xano: Full PostgreSQL management. Includes DB triggers, custom indexing, and an Excel-like UI. It mimics traditional SQL logic.
- Bubble: Requires less database configuration, which can help non-technical users. It supports DB triggers but lacks control over DB indexes for query optimization.
Custom code
Summary: Using custom code in WeWeb & Xano feels much more native than in Bubble.
- WeWeb: Supports reusable JavaScript functions and imports of Vue.js components from GitHub.
- Xano: Allows JavaScript “lambda functions” for complex data transformations.
- Bubble: Requires external plugins to run plain JS, and code is often not easily re-usable across the app. However, you can create custom plugins for the marketplace.
Code export
Summary: WeWeb allows code export, Xano doesn’t and neither does Bubble.
- WeWeb: Allows exporting and self-hosting the Vue.js application (requires an annual subscription).
- Xano: No code export, but offers on-premise or private cloud hosting on Enterprise plans.
- Bubble: No code export or self-hosting (dedicated instances are available for regional hosting).
Back-end performance
Summary: Xano offers better performance potential for those who know how to optimize it; Bubble is simpler but less flexible for high-load optimization.
- Xano: Provides tools like database indexes and response caching to keep queries fast, even with huge amounts of data or heavy user load.
- Bubble: Handles queries “out of the box”. While not necessarily slow, it lacks advanced optimization tools and proper caching mechanisms for ultra low-latency pages.
Security
Summary: Bubble has excellent built-in privacy rules; Xano has more enterprise-level certifications.
- Xano: GDPR, SOC2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, 27701, and 9001 certified. Authentication uses JWE tokens. Row/column level security must be implemented manually.
- Bubble: SOC 2 certified and GDPR compliant (with DPA). Its “Privacy Rules” let you configure row/column level security.
Community and marketplace
Summary: Bubble has the largest community and marketplace; WeWeb and Xano are growing but smaller.
- WeWeb: Marketplace for components and plugins is in the roadmap. Community is smaller but very helpful.
- Xano: Has a snippet marketplace, though searching/discovery is currently limited.
- Bubble: Large community and thousands of plugins. This makes finding solutions and fellow developers much easier.
Pricing
Summary: All platforms have free tiers for testing, but production requires a paid plan.
- WeWeb: Starter, Scale, and Enterprise plans (based on visits and features).
- Xano: Launch and Scale plans (based on performance/CPU) and Enterprise.
- Bubble: 4 plans based primarily on Workload Units (WU).
Summary
Both approaches have their place. Bubble suits builders who want the frontend and backend in one tool. WeWeb + Xano is better suited for complex projects requiring detailed control over performance and functionality.
At QikBuild, we primarily use WeWeb and Xano because our client projects often need more control over the frontend and backend. Bubble still suits projects that benefit from its simpler setup.
