Bubble.io has revolutionized web application development, empowering founders and businesses to build powerful software without writing code. With the platform surpassing 3 million users by 2023, the demand for skilled Bubble.io developers has exploded. But how do you find, vet, and hire the right talent for your project? This guide covers everything you need to know to successfully hire a Bubble.io developer.
Sourcing Bubble Talent
Finding the right developer starts with knowing where to look. When you set out to hire a Bubble.io developer, the talent pool is diverse, spread across various platforms and communities.
Where to Find Bubble Developers
You can source Bubble.io developers from three primary places: freelance marketplaces, specialized no code talent networks, and community channels. Each offers a different set of advantages.
Freelance Platforms
Online marketplaces are vast ecosystems for hiring independent contractors. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Fiverr host millions of freelancers, making them a quick way to find help. In 2020, 59 million people in the U.S. alone performed freelance work, contributing an estimated $1.2 trillion to the economy. On a site like Upwork, which has reported hosting 3 million jobs annually, you can post a project and receive proposals within hours. These platforms offer built in rating systems and secure escrow payments, providing a layer of protection for both clients and developers.
Specialized Bubble Agencies
A specialized Bubble agency is a software development firm focused exclusively on building applications with Bubble and other no code tools. These agencies offer a complete team of experts, including UI/UX designers, project managers, and multiple developers. The primary benefit is speed and experience. No code development can slash development time by up to 90% compared to traditional coding. Agencies often have proven processes and reusable components, allowing them to deliver a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in weeks, not months.
For founders who need a reliable, end to end partner, working with a design led agency like Bricks Tech can provide both no code speed and seasoned product guidance. They can take a project from idea to a fully functional app, handling everything from design to deployment and maintenance.
Community Forums and Networks
The official Bubble Community Forum is a vibrant hub where builders share knowledge, ask questions, and network. You can often find a “Jobs/Freelance” section where you can post opportunities or scout for talent. Developers who actively provide helpful answers on the forum are often highly knowledgeable. Beyond the official forum, you can find talent in LinkedIn groups, Discord channels, and Slack communities dedicated to Bubble and no code development.
Evaluating and Selecting Bubble Developers
Once you have a pool of candidates, the real work begins. To hire a Bubble.io developer who is the right fit, you need a careful evaluation of their skills, experience, and professional background.
How to Choose the Right Bubble Developer
Selecting the right developer means balancing technical skills, relevant experience, and project fit. Bubble’s own research found that expertise is the number one thing clients look for when hiring. A bad hire can be incredibly costly, with 76% of senior managers admitting they’ve made the wrong choice before.
Look for a deep understanding of Bubble’s core concepts: database structure, responsive design, workflows, and API integrations. Match their experience level to your project’s complexity to ensure a successful outcome.
Bubble Experience Requirements
Since Bubble was founded around 2012, even the most seasoned experts have about a decade of experience. For most projects beyond a simple prototype, look for a developer with at least two years of dedicated Bubble experience.
Entry Level (0 to 2 years): Can build simple apps and prototypes but may need guidance on performance and scalability.
Mid Level (2 to 5 years): Capable of building full MVPs with efficient database design and an understanding of Bubble’s quirks.
Expert Level (5+ years): Can architect complex, scalable applications, handle performance tuning, and lead development teams.
Evaluating a Developer’s Portfolio
A portfolio is the best evidence of a developer’s capabilities. Look for live, functioning applications, not just screenshots. Ask for a walkthrough of one or two of their past projects. Seeing how they structured the database and workflows in the Bubble editor provides a clear view of their expertise. A portfolio with projects similar in scope to yours is a strong signal that the developer can handle your requirements.
Reviewing Client Testimonials
Client reviews offer a window into a developer’s professionalism, communication, and reliability. Look for feedback on platforms like Upwork or Clutch. Consistently positive reviews that mention meeting deadlines, high quality work, and good communication are excellent signs. An experienced agency will have a strong reputation, while a less experienced one might risk longer delays and lower quality work. Remember that nearly half of all employers have caught a lie on a resume, making verified client feedback an invaluable resource.
The Importance of Technical and Business Knowledge
The best Bubble.io developers possess both technical proficiency and business acumen. Technical skill ensures they can build the app correctly, while business understanding ensures they build the right app. A developer who understands your industry can offer valuable suggestions and make better architectural decisions. This “founder centric” mindset is what separates a good developer from a great product partner.
AI and Project Specific Expertise
AI Integration Capability: Modern apps often leverage AI for features like chatbots, recommendation engines, or data analysis. A developer skilled in integrating external AI APIs (like OpenAI’s GPT‑4) can future‑proof your product. For a founder‑friendly overview, see how smart startups use agentic AI to build MVPs faster.
Project Specific Expertise: If you’re building a two‑sided marketplace, hiring a developer who has built marketplaces before is a massive advantage. See this job marketplace case study for an example of scale and traction. They will already know the common patterns for user ratings, transactions, and filtering. Agencies often highlight their expertise in specific verticals, which can help you find a team that understands your unique challenges.
Cost and Engagement Models
Understanding the costs and different ways to engage developers is crucial for budgeting and project planning. The investment needed to hire a Bubble.io developer can vary significantly.
Typical Bubble Developer Costs
While more affordable than traditional development, rates for Bubble developers vary. In 2025, hourly rates can range from $10 to over $120.
Entry Level: $10 to $25 per hour
Mid Level: $25 to $50 per hour
Senior/Expert: $50 to $100+ per hour
Rates also vary by location. Developers in the U.S. or Western Europe may charge $70 to $120+, while those in Eastern Europe or Latin America might be in the $35 to $80 range. For a full MVP, a fixed project price might fall between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on complexity.
Hourly Rates vs. Project Pricing
Hourly Rate: You pay for the actual hours worked. This model offers flexibility and is ideal for projects with evolving requirements. The downside is less budget predictability.
Project Pricing: You pay a fixed fee for a clearly defined scope. This provides cost certainty, but any changes (scope creep) will require renegotiation.
Many agencies offer both models. A fixed price works well if you have a detailed project specification, while an hourly rate is better for more exploratory work.
Agency vs. Freelancer
Freelancer: Often more cost effective and offers direct communication. A great choice for smaller, well defined projects. However, you are reliant on one person’s availability and skillset.
Agency: Provides a full team (design, development, QA, project management) and greater reliability. The cost is higher, but you get a more comprehensive service, which is ideal for end to end MVP builds. A bad hire in either case is costly, potentially setting you back 30% of their annual pay in losses.
Long Term Cost Considerations
Your app’s total cost of ownership extends beyond the initial build. Plan for ongoing expenses:
Maintenance and Support: Budget for bug fixes, updates, and improvements. Annual maintenance can cost 15 to 25% of the initial build price.
Platform and API Fees: Your Bubble subscription plan and any third party services (like Google Maps or Stripe) will have recurring costs that may scale with usage.
Technical Debt: Quick, messy solutions might save time now but will cost more to fix later. Investing in a skilled developer who builds a clean, scalable app saves money in the long run.
For predictable post launch support, many founders opt for a maintenance plan. For example, Bricks Tech offers a plan that includes proactive optimizations and functionality improvements.
The Bubble Development Process
A structured development process ensures your project stays on track from concept to launch. This is a critical element when you hire a Bubble.io developer, as it ensures transparency and alignment.
From Discovery to Launch
The typical Bubble development process is highly iterative and mirrors agile software development, essentially rapid web app development. It includes discovery, design, development, testing, and deployment. Thanks to visual development, this cycle is much faster, with functional MVPs often ready in just 4 to 8 weeks.
Discovery and Scope Refinement: The process starts with a discovery phase to define the project’s core features, target users, and business goals. This produces a clear project plan, which is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings. Scope refinement is the ongoing process of managing changes to this plan, preventing “scope creep” from derailing the budget and timeline.
Design and Wireframing: Before any building happens, wireframes and high fidelity design mockups (often in Figma) are created. This design first approach ensures the user interface and experience are locked in, minimizing rework during development.
Development Workflow: The actual build happens in iterative cycles. Features are built, reviewed with the client in weekly demos, and adjusted based on feedback. This tight feedback loop ensures the final product aligns perfectly with the client’s vision.
Quality Assurance (QA) and Client Testing (UAT): Rigorous testing is performed to find and fix bugs. This includes functional testing by the development team and User Acceptance Testing (UAT), where you, the client, validate that the app meets your requirements. Skipping testing is a major red flag and a sign of unprofessionalism.
Launch and Maintenance: After a successful UAT, the app goes live. The work doesn’t stop there. Ongoing maintenance is required to fix bugs, make improvements, and adapt to user feedback. Planning for post launch support ensures your app remains healthy and secure.
Working with Bubble Developers
Effective collaboration is just as important as technical skill. Here’s how to manage the working relationship successfully.
Overcoming Hiring Challenges
Hiring skilled talent can be tough. The process to hire a Bubble.io developer is no exception. Demand is high, with Bubble reporting a 418% increase in hiring interest in a single year. Because it’s a newer skill, it can be hard to vet expertise. You may face a high volume of unqualified applicants, a challenge cited by 62% of employers in one survey. To overcome this, write a detailed job posting and be prepared for a thorough vetting process.
Communication and Time Zone Management
Clear communication and aligned expectations are the bedrock of any successful project. Establish a regular check in schedule and document key decisions. If your developer is in a different time zone, find a few hours of overlap for real time discussions and rely on asynchronous tools for the rest. Proper time zone management can turn a potential bottleneck into an advantage, with work progressing nearly around the clock.
Tracking Progress and Deadlines
Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to maintain a transparent view of progress. Break the project into milestones with clear deadlines. Regular demos of the working application are the best way to gauge progress. A skilled developer or agency should provide consistent updates, ensuring there are no surprises as you approach your launch date.
Advanced Hiring Considerations
For those looking to hire a Bubble.io developer from the top tier of talent, a few advanced tactics can make all the difference.
Vetting, Certifications, and Interviews
Developer Vetting: Go beyond the resume. With studies showing that over half of resumes contain inaccuracies, verification is key. Give candidates a small, paid trial task to assess their skills in a real world scenario. This is a powerful step when you need to hire a Bubble.io developer you can trust.
Bubble Developer Certification: In late 2023, Bubble launched its official certification program to create a universal standard for expertise. A certified developer has passed a proctored exam covering everything from database design to performance optimization. In its first year, over 570 developers earned this certification.
AirDev Certification: AirDev, a leading Bubble agency, runs its own rigorous partner program. A developer who is an “AirDev certified partner” has been vetted and trained by one of the best in the ecosystem.
Technical Interview: A technical interview for Bubble developers should focus on practical problem solving. Ask them how they would design a specific feature or solve a common performance issue. A structured interview is twice as effective at predicting job performance as an unstructured one.
Checking for Deeper Expertise
Forum Activity Review: Check a candidate’s activity on the official Bubble Forum. A history of providing helpful, insightful answers is a strong positive signal.
Security and Privacy Rule Check: A critical but often overlooked skill. Ask candidates how they protect user data. Their answer must include a discussion of Bubble’s Privacy Rules. A competent developer treats security as non negotiable.
API Integration Experience: Most apps need to connect to external services. A developer with experience using Bubble’s API Connector to integrate services like Stripe, Google Maps, or OpenAI can build much more powerful applications. For a deeper dive, read this comprehensive guide to API integration.
Reference Checks: Don’t skip this step. Speaking directly to a previous client can validate a developer’s claims and give you honest insight into their work ethic. Around 80% of employers contact references, and it’s a proven way to filter out unsuitable candidates.
Hiring the right team can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. For founders who want to hire a Bubble.io developer and move fast without compromising on quality, partnering with an experienced agency can be the perfect solution. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, consider scheduling a free consultation to see how a dedicated team of Bubble experts can build your MVP in weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much does it cost to hire a Bubble.io developer?
Rates typically range from $25 to $80 per hour for most projects, with experts commanding over $100 per hour. A full MVP project can cost between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on the scope.
2. Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
Hire a freelancer for smaller, well defined tasks or if you have technical oversight. Hire an agency for end to end development of a complex MVP, as they provide a complete team (design, development, QA) and more reliability.
3. What is a certified Bubble developer?
A certified Bubble developer has passed Bubble’s official proctored exam, which validates their advanced knowledge in areas like database architecture, security, performance optimization, and API integrations.
4. How long does it take to build an app on Bubble?
With an experienced developer or agency, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) can often be designed, built, and launched in just 4 to 8 weeks, a fraction of the time required for traditional coded development.
5. What should I look for in a Bubble developer’s portfolio?
Look for live, functional applications that are similar in complexity to your project. Ask the developer to walk you through the backend of one of their projects to see how they structure their database and workflows.
6. Do Bubble developers need to know how to code?
No, Bubble is a no code platform. However, some understanding of web development concepts (like databases and APIs) is essential, and knowledge of JavaScript can be helpful for advanced customizations.
7. How do I ensure my app is secure?
Hire a developer who has a deep understanding of Bubble’s Privacy Rules. These rules are essential for controlling who can see and modify data in your application and are the foundation of a secure Bubble app.
8. What happens after my app is launched?
After launch, you will need ongoing maintenance for bug fixes, updates, and new features. You can either retain your developer on an hourly basis or sign up for a monthly maintenance plan with an agency for proactive support.