The verdict in three sentences
Bubble lets you test a vertical SaaS for USD 3,500 to 17,000 (EUR 3,000 to 15,000) in 4 to 8 weeks, which makes it ideal for proving that an industry will pay. A custom build costs USD 40,000 to 100,000 (EUR 35,000 to 90,000) and 10 to 16 weeks, but becomes more cost-effective once you target more than 1,000 users or an investor valuation. The right choice depends less on technology than on your horizon: validation in 6 months or a software asset over 5 years.
Head-to-head comparison
You run a business and peers keep asking for the tool you built internally: job scheduling, claims file tracking, fleet management. Two paths are open, whether you are in Manchester or Minneapolis.
| Criterion | Bubble (no-code) | Custom (Next.js, PostgreSQL) |
|---|---|---|
| Build cost | USD 3,500 to 17,000 | USD 40,000 to 100,000 |
| Platform subscription | USD 29 to 349/month (Starter to Team plans) | USD 60 to 350/month hosting |
| Time to market | 4 to 8 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks |
| Performance beyond 1,000 users | Slowdowns, billed workload units | Stable, controlled scaling |
| Code ownership and portability | No code export, full lock-in | Source code delivered, any host |
| Complex integrations | Limited to plugins and simple APIs | Unlimited (ERP, accounting, IoT) |
| Investor due diligence | Frequent red flag | Valuable asset |
The most underestimated point is portability. Bubble does not export application code: migrating later means rebuilding everything, often for USD 45,000 to 90,000.
Total cost over 3 years
The entry price is misleading. You must include subscriptions, maintenance and the cost of a possible rebuild.
| Item over 36 months | Bubble, 300 users | Bubble, 1,500 users | Custom, 1,500 users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | USD 11,000 | USD 17,000 | USD 67,000 |
| Subscription or hosting | USD 4,800 | USD 14,000 (Team plan and workload units) | USD 7,300 |
| Maintenance and features | USD 10,000 | USD 20,000 | USD 40,000 |
| Forced rebuild | USD 0 | USD 62,000 (likely around month 24) | USD 0 |
| 3-year total | USD 25,800 | USD 113,000 | USD 114,300 |
At 300 users, Bubble clearly wins. At 1,500 users, both options cost about the same, but custom leaves you with a proprietary asset and avoids a risky migration in the middle of growth.
The hybrid route
Many founders combine both: a USD 5,500 Bubble prototype to sign 10 to 20 pilot customers, then a custom build funded by that revenue. This lowers risk, provided you accept from day one that the prototype will be thrown away. Keep a clean, documented data model: it cuts the custom version's cost by 15 to 20%.
Mini case study
Claire, managing director of a building surveying firm in Leeds, wants to sell her survey reporting tool to other firms at GBP 79 per user per month.
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- Phase 1 Bubble: GBP 7,000, 6 weeks, 25 pilot firms and 140 users, or GBP 11,060 monthly revenue.
- Phase 2 custom build in month 8: GBP 56,000, funded by 5 months of revenue.
- Gain: the platform supports 2,000 users with no extra workload units, saving about GBP 3,100 a year in Bubble fees.
Claire validated her market for GBP 7,000 before committing the larger investment.
FAQ
Is Bubble enough for SaaS sold to professionals?
Yes for a validation phase up to a few hundred users. Beyond 1,000 active users, capacity costs and response times start to hurt.
Can I get my Bubble code back?
No, only data can be exported, via CSV or API. Migration means rebuilding the app, USD 45,000 to 90,000 depending on complexity.
How long does a custom vertical SaaS take?
Plan 10 to 16 weeks for an MVP with 3 to 5 core features, billing and an admin area.
Does a custom build reassure investors?
Usually yes: 100% owned source code and documented architecture make due diligence and valuation easier.
What does custom SaaS maintenance cost?
Budget 15 to 20% of the build cost per year, or USD 10,000 to 20,000 for a USD 67,000 project.
Let's scope your project. Describe your industry tool, your target user count and indicative budget, and we will recommend the right approach and price each option. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.