First of all, why did I decide to share my experience in hiring Bubble developers? In 2021, I developed my first app using Bubble. At that time, I already had eight years of experience in traditional coding and owned an agency with over 50 developers.
Since then, my focus has shifted almost entirely to no-code and Bubble. I've conducted around 250 interviews and hired more than 50 Bubble developers and every year, we launch 20-30 new products while continuing to grow existing ones.
That's why I consider myself a ninja when hiring Bubble developers, and I want to share my experience with you.
Don't Rush to Hire a Bubble Developer
No, I’m not encouraging procrastination. Ideas must be brought to life quickly and on time while the universe and the market await them.
But, to find your perfect Bubble developer match, you must be clear on what you want to create. All your thoughts, research, interviews, and user stories should be put "on paper" in the form of a Software Requirements Specification (SRS). You could even use assistant services to help write an SRS, like SRS AI Generator.
Ideally, you should also have a general understanding of the tech stack needed to implement your future product’s functionality. Of course, you’ll discuss this in more detail with the technical team, but you need a clear vision to get started. It will help you focus on the specific expertise and skills that are key to your project when searching for and hiring a Bubble developer.
In-house, agency, or freelancer?
Choosing between hiring an in-house Bubble developer, a Bubble agency, or a freelancer depends on your project's complexity, budget, timeline, and long-term vision.
In Short:
- In-House: You’ll be closely involved in the development process. This can be both a pro and a con. This option is suitable if you have the time and resources to handle product management, quality assurance, HR management, and high-level technical oversight.
- Agency: Ideal if you want to launch a product quickly and as a turnkey solution. A Bubble agency provides experienced product managers, designers, and developers to ensure smooth communication and launch an MVP within 1-2 months. Bubble agencies are also invested in scaling the project, aiming to continue and expand the partnership.
- Freelancer: The most challenging model to manage, and I'd recommend it only if the budget is critically low and you have a strong recommendation for a great specialist.
More details about each model are outlined in the table below.
What Determines Rates and Is It Worth Overpaying?
Just like freelancers, agency rates vary depending on location. Agencies in North America and Western Europe generally have the highest rates, whereas agencies in Eastern Europe, South America, or Asia often provide more affordable options.
Bubble Agency Rates
I saw a claim on a forum that agency projects start at $20,000. This is definitely not always accurate ;) Sommo and many other agencies take on projects with smaller budgets, as quick launches allow founders to raise funds and expand partnerships later on. This was the case with Miren, Rozmova, and many others.
Even on Bubble's own platform, you can see plenty of agencies willing to work on projects under $10,000.
Regarding hourly rates, you can refer to data from Clutch, where Bubble agencies with the most reviews have rates of $25 - $49 - $99 per hour.
In addition to obvious factors like experience, reputation, and team size, the rate will also be significantly influenced by the scale and complexity of the project, as well as additional services like business analysis, post-launch support, growth consulting, or marketing.
Bubble Developer Rates
ZipRecruiter provides the following statistics for in-house developers in the US:
Junior Bubble Developers: Typically charge between $25 to $50 per hour. They have basic experience and can handle smaller projects or specific tasks. This option is suitable if you already have a team or team lead that needs urgent or temporary support.
Mid-Level Bubble Developers: Rates vary from $50 to $100 per hour. They have more experience, can work independently, and manage moderately complex projects.
Senior Bubble Developers: Charge between $100 to $200 per hour. They have extensive experience, work on complex projects, and have advanced problem-solving skills. You can trust them to develop an MVP from scratch, handle projects requiring custom integrations, advanced logic, or unique features, and even build a Bubble team (by hiring junior and mid-level developers).
Top developers who serve as Bubble coaches, for instance, have rates of $100-$150 per hour (Bubble Coaching).
Where to Find Bubble Developers for Hire
The choice of platform depends on your responses to the previous questions.
If you hire a Bubble agency, I recommend checking Trustpilot and Clutch. These services take the verification of company information and review authenticity very seriously.
If you want to hire a Bubble freelancer, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are suitable options.
LinkedIn is also a great choice because it usually provides a more comprehensive view of both the agency and the developer. Plus, you can often find mutual connections for obtaining reviews and recommendations (the “six degrees of separation” rule).
Additionally, Bubble provides its own platform for hiring Bubble developers and agencies (Bubble Agencies).
How to choose bubble developers for hire
I won't distract you with the obvious things that apply to any hiring process; instead, I'll focus only on those that are unique when hiring a Bubble developer.
Level of Experience: For complex applications, look for developers with over two years of experience in Bubble and/or developers who have worked on projects similar to yours.
Portfolio Review: Go through their past Bubble projects. Strong candidates will detail these projects, mentioning their role, key features developed, and any challenges they overcame. Assess the complexity and quality of the apps they've built. Look for user-focused, responsive designs, customized workflows, and any complex integrations they've handled. If their portfolio includes projects that are technically similar to yours—bingo!
Testimonials or Recommendations: Projects with positive client testimonials add credibility. LinkedIn recommendations or references are also helpful in assessing reliability. Try to find out the specifics—what did the client particularly like about this developer, and does that align with your needs? Ask for a link to a completed app (sometimes poor-quality apps can have good reviews).
Must-Have Skills:
- Bubble Workflows and Data Structure: Strong knowledge of setting up data types and relationships and creating efficient workflows.
- Responsive Design Skills: Ability to build applications that work well on all devices.
- API and Plugin Integration: Experience in integrating with third-party tools and customizing plugins to extend Bubble's functionality.
- Debugging and Testing: Skills in using Bubble's debugging tools and the ability to test applications for bugs and performance issues.
For example, here are some questions we at Sommo ask candidates when hiring Bubble developers about types of databases:
Can you explain the difference between relational and non-relational databases?
What are some common use cases for SQL databases?
How do NoSQL databases handle large volumes of unstructured data?
What are the advantages of using a relational database for transactional applications?
Nice-to-Have Skills:
- Knowledge of JavaScript: Custom code in JavaScript can extend Bubble's functionality beyond its built-in capabilities.
- Experience with Other No-Code Tools: Familiarity with tools like Airtable, Zapier, or Integromat adds value if your project involves multiple platforms.
- Design Skills: Experience in UI/UX design is helpful for creating visually appealing and user-friendly applications.
- SEO Understanding: If the app requires search engine visibility, knowledge of how to optimize Bubble apps for SEO is beneficial.
