If you have a business idea but don’t have a development team, a Bubble agency can help you test it. Bubble is a visual platform for building web apps without writing every part in code.
When you hire a Bubble agency, the agency may bill hourly, use a fixed fee, or tie payments to milestones. The right model depends on how clear the scope is and how often you expect it to change.
The cost depends on the scope, the team, and the amount of work after the first version.
This guide covers the work agencies usually include, the factors that change the price, and the questions to ask before you compare quotes.
The goal is a quote you can understand before you sign it.
Bubble agencies use Bubble’s visual editor, workflows, database, and plugins to build web apps. They still need to make technical decisions about data, permissions, integrations, and testing.
Related: What is a Bubble agency
Every agency includes different work. Ask for the deliverables, the review points, and the work that happens after testing.
Wireframes are rough page plans. A shopping app wireframe can show the search bar, product list, cart, and checkout. It lets you check the user path before the team spends time on visual design.
User stories describe what a person wants to do and why. For example: “As a customer, I want to browse products by category so I can find an item.” Stories help the team decide what belongs in the first version.
Related: How to write user stories for your Bubble app
High-fidelity designs show the final colours, fonts, images, icons, and interactions. A shopping app design can show the product view, image changes, cart, and checkout before development starts.
It is an optional service, and some Bubble agencies may not offer UI support. In such a case, you can ask the agency if they can refer you to a UI designer, or you can hire one separately.
MVP development includes the interface, workflows, database, and integrations. It is the core service in a Bubble project.
For example, an MVP for a shopping app may include the search bar, product search workflows, and a checkout flow. The checkout flow connects to a payment provider and saves the order in the database.
Bug fixing means finding and correcting problems in the app.
Ask whether bug fixing is included in the timeline and budget. If it is missing, the quote isn’t complete.
The design should make the main task clear. A custom design costs more because it adds design work and more review cycles.
You can start with a paid design system and add custom design after users confirm the idea.
The first version should solve one clear problem. More features add build time, testing, and support work. Cover the main use case before you add features for other problems.
Complexity includes the data model, workflows, integrations, permissions, and number of user roles. A complex app takes more time to build and test, so it costs more.
Testing checks that the app follows the agreed rules. It can include workflow tests, integration tests, and user acceptance testing. More test cases need more time, but a quote with no testing plan is incomplete.
The skill level and experience of the development team can influence both the quality and cost of MVPs.
An experienced team may work faster because it has seen similar problems before. It may charge more per hour, but the total cost can still be lower when there are fewer revisions.
The timeframe for development is another factor that affects both the quality and cost of MVPs.
A shorter timeframe may need more people or fewer features. A longer timeframe can give the team more time to test, but it can delay feedback from users. Before comparing quotes, decide whether an agency or a freelancer is the right fit for your project.
Ask how the agency connects payment to the work and what happens when the scope changes.
Hourly rates depend on location, experience, skill, and demand. Bubble developer rates range from $25 to $200 per hour. Regional teams often charge $50 to $85 per hour. Established Western agencies often charge $100 to $200 per hour.
Some agencies offer a fixed fee for a defined scope. This works when the requirements, review points, and exclusions are clear. Ask what happens when you add a feature.
Milestone payment ties each payment to a deliverable. It can help you review the work before you commit to the next phase. The total cost still depends on the full scope.
Related: How to Successfully Collaborate with a Bubble Agency
Experience can reduce the time spent solving common Bubble problems. Ask what similar work the team has built and what went wrong on those projects. Use this guide when you compare a Bubble developer or agency.
Reviews can help, but ask for specific examples. A newer agency may have less public work, while an older agency may charge more. Ask both about a project that went wrong and how they fixed it.
Look at the agency’s Bubble portfolio. Check whether the work has a similar user type, data model, or workflow. If the agency can’t show public work, ask for a walkthrough of a past project.
Related: How to hire a Bubble agency
Here is one estimate for a survey and quiz SaaS app.
Bubble platform fees are $29 per month for Starter or $119 per month for Growth when billed annually. Budget for the plan that matches your traffic and workload.
This is an example, not a quote. The cost changes with the data, screens, roles, and integrations in your scope.
Related: Building with Bubble
The cheapest hourly rate doesn’t always produce the lowest total cost. Compare the scope, hours, testing plan, exclusions, and support terms before you compare rates.
What is the typical cost of hiring a Bubble agency?
Bubble agency rates range from $25 to $200 per hour. Regional teams often charge $50 to $85 per hour. A medium-complexity MVP can take 270 to 450 hours, which puts the cost around $19,000 to $38,000 at mid-range rates.
What factors affect Bubble agency pricing the most?
The main factors are business logic, third-party integrations, the quality of the wireframes, and whether bug fixing is included. A clear scope reduces back-and-forth.
What hidden costs should I budget for beyond the agency fee?
Budget for Bubble fees, third-party services, and post-launch support. Ask how the agency handles bugs and small changes after the build.
Should I hire a Bubble agency or a freelance Bubble developer?
An agency gives you access to more than one role, such as development, design, and project management. A freelancer usually costs less per hour. Choose based on the work your project needs and the support you want after the build.
How do I evaluate whether a Bubble agency quote is fair?
Ask for a breakdown by phase. Check that the quote includes discovery, user acceptance testing, and bug fixing. Compare the hours with the work in the scope. If a complex MVP has fewer than 100 hours, ask what the quote leaves out.
Want a number for your specific project, not a range from a blog post?
We scope Bubble projects in 30 minutes. Tell us what you're building and we will explain what drives the price and give you a realistic range.
Himanshu runs NocodeAssistant, a development agency that builds internal tools and SaaS products for growing companies. He's worked directly with every client since 2019. Same person from kickoff to post-launch.
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