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No-Code · head to head

Bubble vs Windmill

Bubble logo

Bubble

No-Code

No-code platform for building web and mobile applications visually

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windmill logo

Windmill

Automation Integration

Open-source developer platform for building scripts, workflows, and internal apps

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.; Windmill free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.
  • They diverge on capability: Bubble covers Visual app editor, Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bubble and Windmill actually diverge.

Attributes where Bubble and Windmill differ
AttributeBubbleWindmill
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
Platformsweb, ios, androidweb, api, linux, windows, mac
CategoryNo-CodeAutomation Integration

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 Windmill

  • Script-to-workflow engine
  • Auto-generated UIs
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Git sync
  • SSO support
  • Audit logs

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 Windmill
  • Internal business apps with custom database logicnot Windmill
  • Marketplace and SaaS prototypesnot Windmill
  • Mobile app wrappers around a Bubble web appnot Windmill

Windmill

  • Turning ad-hoc scripts into scheduled jobs and APIsnot Bubble
  • Building internal tools from existing Python/TypeScript codenot Bubble
  • Self-hosted automation for engineering teamsnot Bubble
  • Orchestrating multi-language workflowsnot 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.

Windmill

  • Free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.
  • Compute unit and seat-based pricing (developer vs. operator seats, worker compute units) adds pricing complexity beyond a flat monthly fee.
  • Email triggers are capped at 100/day on the free tier, limiting event-driven use cases without upgrading.
  • Smaller ecosystem of pre-built integrations compared to more established automation tools like n8n.

Pricing, plan by plan

Bubble

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bubble review.

Windmill

Free
  • Free / Open-sourceFree
    • Unlimited executions
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Max 10 users with SSO
  • Enterprise$120/month
    • Unlimited executions and workspaces
    • Uncapped SSO seats
    • 24/7 priority support (3-hour response)

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 Windmill if

  • You need script-to-workflow engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
  • You also want auto-generated uis.
Windmill review

Questions people ask

Is Bubble or Windmill better?
Neither clearly leads. Bubble starts at Free and Windmill at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bubble or Windmill?
Bubble starts at Free and Windmill at Free.
Does Bubble or Windmill run on more platforms?
Bubble runs on web, ios, android. Windmill runs on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
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 Windmill is typically brought in for.
What can Bubble do that Windmill cannot?
Bubble covers Visual app editor, Built-in database, Visual workflow logic, Plugin marketplace. Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine, Auto-generated UIs, Self-hosted deployment, Git sync.

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
Windmill: What does Windmill cost?

Windmill's Free and Open-source edition is $0/month for self-hosted use with unlimited executions, while Enterprise starts at $120/month with unlimited workspaces and uncapped SSO seats, priced further by developer/operator seats and compute units.

Source
Windmill: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

The free self-hosted plan supports unlimited executions but caps SSO at 10 users, workspaces at 3, groups/permissions at 4, and email triggers at 100 per day.

Source
Windmill: How is usage metered on Windmill Enterprise?

Enterprise usage is metered through seats (developer seats at $20/month, operator seats at $10/month) and compute units, e.g. $100/month for 2 standard-worker compute units.

Source
Windmill: What happens to a self-hosted Windmill deployment if the company shuts down?

The pricing page addresses this directly as an FAQ topic, noting that self-hosted applications built on the open-source edition can continue running independently of Windmill the company.

Source
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