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Databases · head to head

Amazon RDS vs Bubble

Amazon RDS logo

Amazon RDS

Databases

Set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Amazon RDSFull review
Bubble logo

Bubble

No-Code

No-code platform for building web and mobile applications visually

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit BubbleFull review

The short version

  • Both are free.
  • Only Amazon RDS lists multiple DB Engines; only Bubble lists visual app editor.
  • Where Amazon RDS falls short: no super-user access or direct host connectivity limits advanced customization.
  • Where Bubble falls short: apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon RDS and Bubble actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon RDS and Bubble differ
AttributeAmazon RDSBubble
Pricing modelUsage-basedFreemium
PlatformsWeb, Multi-AZ, Multi-regionWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryDatabasesNo-Code

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for Bubble.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon RDS

  • Multiple DB Engines
  • Automated Backups
  • Multi-AZ Deployment
  • Read Replicas
  • Encryption
  • Performance Insights
  • Automatic Scaling
  • MySQL

Only in Bubble

  • Visual app editor
  • Built-in database
  • Visual workflow logic
  • Plugin marketplace
  • Responsive design engine
  • Custom domains

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon RDS

  • Transaction processingnot Bubble
  • Data storagenot Bubble
  • Application backendnot Bubble
  • Reportingnot Bubble
  • Data analyticsnot Bubble

Bubble

  • Building MVPs and startup web apps without a dev teamnot Amazon RDS
  • Internal business apps with custom database logicnot Amazon RDS
  • Marketplace and SaaS prototypesnot Amazon RDS
  • Mobile app wrappers around a Bubble web appnot Amazon RDS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon RDS

  • No super-user access or direct host connectivity limits advanced customization
  • Pricing unpredictable and expensive compared to GCP alternatives with equivalent features
  • Limited access to system procedures and tables requiring advanced permissions
  • No Oracle RAC (Real Application Clusters) support for high-availability Oracle deployments

Bubble

  • Apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown
  • Complex apps can hit performance limits compared to hand-coded applications as data and workflow complexity grows
  • The visual workflow editor has a steep learning curve for genuinely complex business logic
  • Free tier cannot host apps on a custom domain, limiting it to prototyping rather than production launches

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon RDS

Free
  • On-Demand InstancesOn request
  • Reserved InstancesOn request
  • Database Savings PlansOn request

Bubble

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bubble review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon RDS if

  • You need multiple db engines.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Multi-AZ, Multi-region.
  • You also want automated backups.
Amazon RDS review

Choose Bubble if

  • You need visual app editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want built-in database.
Bubble review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon RDS or Bubble better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon RDS starts at Free and Bubble at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon RDS or Bubble?
Amazon RDS starts at Free and Bubble at Free.
Does Amazon RDS or Bubble run on more platforms?
Amazon RDS runs on Web, Multi-AZ, Multi-region. Bubble runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Amazon RDS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Amazon RDS best used for?
Amazon RDS is most often used for transaction processing, data storage, application backend, reporting. Of those, transaction processing and data storage are not what Bubble is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon RDS do that Bubble cannot?
Amazon RDS covers Multiple DB Engines, Automated Backups, Multi-AZ Deployment, Read Replicas. Bubble covers Visual app editor, Built-in database, Visual workflow logic, Plugin marketplace.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Amazon RDS: What is included in the AWS Free Tier for RDS?

For signups before July 15, 2025: 750 hours per month of single-AZ database instance usage (12 months), 20 GB General Purpose SSD storage monthly, 20 GB automated backup storage monthly, available engines include MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server Express Edition. For signups after July 15, 2025: choice between Free Plan or Paid Plan, $100 in credits plus up to $100 additional credits for activating foundational services, credits valid 12 months. Free Tier unavailable in AWS GovCloud (US) and China (Beijing) regions.

Source
Bubble: Does Bubble publish pricing information on their main website?

Bubble's pricing details are not available on the main homepage. Detailed pricing information would need to be found on their dedicated pricing page or terms of service.

Source
Amazon RDS: How is data transfer priced in RDS?

Same Availability Zone (EC2 to RDS) is free. Multi-AZ replication is free. Cross-AZ within same region is 0.01 USD per GB in and out. Cross-region snapshots and backups follow standard data transfer charges.

Source
Amazon RDS: What database engines are supported by RDS?

Aurora, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and IBM Db2. Pricing varies by engine.

Source
Amazon RDS: What cost components are included in RDS monthly pricing?

DB instance hours (billed in 1-second increments, 10-minute minimum), storage per GB per month, I/O requests (Aurora and magnetic storage only), provisioned IOPS per month, backup storage, and data transfer fees.

Source
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