Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Bubble vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Bubble is best for building complex web apps and native mobile apps visually, with logic and database in one place, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Only Bubble offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database. Only Windsurf offers inline code completion, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code. Bubble has a high learning curve, compared with medium for Windsurf. Both Bubble and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Bubble if…
- You need building complex web apps and native mobile apps visually, with logic and database in one place
- Hosting / deploy included matters to you
- Backend / database matters to you
- You're one of: non-technical founders building saas, startups building marketplaces, businesses replacing internal tools
Choose Windsurf if…
- You need developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents
- Inline code completion matters to you
- GitHub integration matters to you
- Choice of AI models matters to you
- You're one of: professional developers, former windsurf and codeium users, teams already using devin cloud agents
At a glance
| Bubble | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Building complex web apps and native mobile apps visually, with logic and database in one place | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $29/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | High | Medium |
| Platforms | Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Non-technical founders building SaaS, Startups building marketplaces, Businesses replacing internal tools | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| Bubble | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | No-code app builder | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | No | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Beta | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | Yes | No |
| Backend / database | Yes | No |
| GitHub integration | No | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | No | Yes |
| Export / own the code | No | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Bubble | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | Enterprise Dedicated | — |
| No training on your data | — | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | — | — |
| Admin controls | Enterprise plan | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, dedicated | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Bubble
Bubble is a visual development platform for building web apps and, more recently, native iOS and Android apps built on React Native, from one editor with a shared backend. An AI app generator creates a first version from a prompt and an AI agent (beta) can continue building, while the visual editor handles UI, workflows and the built-in database. It is used by startups and businesses building SaaS products, marketplaces and internal tools.
Key features- AI app generator and AI agent (beta)
- Visual editor for UI, workflows and logic
- Built-in database, user auth and hosting
- Native iOS and Android apps from the same backend
- Plugin marketplace and API Connector
- Version control and collaboration on team plans
Windsurf
Windsurf, the AI code editor formerly from Codeium, was acquired by Cognition and renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026; windsurf.com now redirects to it and existing plans and settings carried over. The editor keeps its Supercomplete tab completion, while the Cascade agent was replaced by Devin Local in July 2026, alongside handoff to Devin cloud agents and a free SWE-2 model. A Windsurf-branded plugin for JetBrains IDEs remains available.
Key features- Supercomplete tab completion
- Devin Local agent for multi-file edits (replaced Cascade)
- Handoff between local and Devin cloud agents
- Free access to Cognition's SWE-2 model plus other models
- MCP integrations such as Slack, Linear, Figma and Stripe
- JetBrains plugin
Pricing
Bubble
Free plan; Starter $29/mo annual ($32 monthly)
Windsurf
Free plan; Pro $20/mo (raised from $15 in 2026); Teams/Max tiers
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Bubble
Strengths- Handles far more complex logic than most no-code tools
- Web and native mobile share one backend
- Large plugin ecosystem and community
- Has a free plan
- No code export; apps run only on Bubble
- Workload-unit billing can make costs rise sharply with traffic
- Steeper learning curve than simpler no-code builders
- Native mobile builder is still in beta and AI agent support for mobile workflows is limited
Not ideal for: Teams that need to own their code or expect heavy, data-intensive traffic on a tight budget should consider a code-generating builder or a conventional stack.
Windsurf
Strengths- Fast, context-aware tab completion
- In-house model available at no extra cost
- Local and cloud agents managed from one app
- Has a free plan
- The Windsurf brand and Cascade agent have been retired, creating migration churn
- Product direction now tied to Cognition's Devin roadmap
- Heavy use of frontier third-party models draws on paid quotas
- Requires switching from the user's current editor unless using the JetBrains plugin
Not ideal for: Users who want a stable, long-standing product identity or a hosted no-code app builder should look at other options.
Integrations
Bubble
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between Bubble and Windsurf?
Bubble is built for building complex web apps and native mobile apps visually, with logic and database in one place; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Key differences: Bubble offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database; Windsurf offers inline code completion, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code.
Is Bubble or Windsurf cheaper?
Bubble starts from $29/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Windsurf is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Bubble and Windsurf have free plans?
Both Bubble and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Bubble or Windsurf?
Windsurf is generally quicker to learn (Bubble: high, Windsurf: medium learning curve).
What are good alternatives to Bubble and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
