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No-Code · head to head

Bubble vs Cognito Forms

Bubble logo

Bubble

No-Code

No-code platform for building web and mobile applications visually

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cognito Forms logo

Cognito Forms

Surveys

Powerful forms made easy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bubble apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown.; Cognito Forms individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bubble and Cognito Forms actually diverge.

Attributes where Bubble and Cognito Forms differ
AttributeBubbleCognito Forms
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Platformsweb, ios, androidWeb
CategoryNo-CodeSurveys

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Bubble

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

Only in Cognito Forms

Nothing recorded that Bubble does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Bubble

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

Cognito Forms

  • Building HIPAA-compliant data collection forms without codingnot Bubble
  • Creating multi-step approval workflows for contract signingnot Bubble
  • Collecting payments inline within customer intake formsnot Bubble
  • Routing applications automatically based on responsesnot Bubble

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Cognito Forms

  • Individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user
  • Pro plan ($24/mo monthly, $19/mo billed annually) still limits to 2 users and 2,000 entries per month
  • HIPAA compliance and single sign-on are restricted to the Enterprise tier ($174/mo monthly, $129/mo annual)

Pricing, plan by plan

Bubble

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bubble review.

Cognito Forms

Free
  • IndividualFree
    • 100 entries per month
    • 1 user
    • Cognito Forms branding included
  • Pro$24/month
    • 2000 entries per month
    • 2 users
    • Electronic signatures
  • Team$49/month
    • 10000 entries per month
    • 5 users
    • 5 guest access
  • Enterprise$174/month
    • Unlimited entries
    • 20 users
    • 20 guest access

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Cognito Forms if

  • You want to start without paying.
Cognito Forms review

Questions people ask

Is Bubble or Cognito Forms better?
Neither clearly leads. Bubble starts at Free and Cognito Forms at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bubble or Cognito Forms?
Bubble starts at Free and Cognito Forms at Free.
Does Bubble or Cognito Forms run on more platforms?
Bubble runs on web, ios, android. Cognito Forms runs on Web.
Can I use Bubble for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bubble best used for?
Bubble is most often used for building mvps and startup web apps without a dev team, internal business apps with custom database logic, marketplace and saas prototypes, mobile app wrappers around a bubble web app. Of those, building mvps and startup web apps without a dev team and internal business apps with custom database logic are not what Cognito Forms is typically brought in for.
What can Bubble do that Cognito Forms cannot?
Bubble covers Visual app editor, Built-in database, Visual workflow logic, Plugin marketplace.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Cognito Forms: How much does Cognito Forms cost?

Cognito Forms offers a free Individual plan with 100 entries per month. Paid plans start at $24/month for the Pro plan, $49/month for the Team plan, and $174/month for the Enterprise plan. Annual prepayment provides up to 20% discount off monthly rates.

Source
Cognito Forms: What is the difference between Cognito Forms plans?

The Individual plan (free) includes 100 entries/month and 1 user. Pro adds electronic signatures and accommodates 2000 entries/month with 2 users. Team plan (Best Value) supports 10000 entries/month with 5 users and includes client portal and approvals. Enterprise provides unlimited entries, 20 users, and HIPAA compliance.

Source
Cognito Forms: Does Cognito Forms have a free version?

Yes, Cognito Forms offers a free Individual plan that includes 100 entries per month, 1 user, unlimited forms, and payment processing capabilities. Higher-tier plans are available for increased capacity and features.

Source
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