PIES VS Bubble: Freedom to Build (and Keep) What’s Yours

In today’s world of rapid app development, speed isn’t the only thing that matters — ownership and flexibility do.

Platforms like Bubble have helped popularise no-code development, empowering non-technical founders to bring ideas to life faster than ever. But as the no-code landscape matures, many businesses are realising the hidden trade-offs: vendor lock-in, restricted hosting, limited flexibility, and no control over the technologies behind their product.

At PIES Studio, we believe building faster should never mean giving up control of your own product.
Let’s unpack the key differences between Bubble and PIES Studio, and why true freedom means being able to build, scale, and keep what’s yours.

App Ownership: Who Really Owns Your Product?

When you build on most no-code platforms, including Bubble, your app technically “lives” inside their ecosystem. That means:

• You can’t directly export your source code.
• If Bubble changes its pricing, policies, or shuts down, your business is affected.
• You’re tied to their hosting, architecture, and limitations — indefinitely.
• Your IP sits inside a closed environment

In other words, you’re renting your app, not owning it.

PIES Studio changes that.

With full code export, every app you build on PIES becomes your own standalone product. You can host it anywhere, modify it freely, and continue development with your own team — no strings attached.

With PIES, you choose your own:

• Code language — Java, Golang, React, Flutter (we are code independent)
• Database — MySQL, PostgreSQL, or others
• LLM — ChatGPT, Llama, Mistral, Claude (your AI, your rules)
• Hosting model — Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, or On-Premise

Your product. Your stack. Your IP. Always.

Flexibility and Customisation

Bubble is great for simple MVPs and internal tools, but it struggles with:

• Custom integrations
• Performance-heavy apps
• Complex logic or unique UI demands

Once you hit those walls, you either have to pay for custom development within their framework — or rebuild your entire product elsewhere.

PIES Studio’s development model bridges this gap:

• No-code tools for rapid prototyping
• Low-code flexibility for adaptable logic and integration
• Pro-code export when you need complete autonomy

Because PIES is code-independent, you’re never boxed into a proprietary system.

You can start no-code, grow into low-code, export to pro-code, and keep scaling — without ever starting over.

Scaling Without Limits

Bubble apps run on Bubble’s proprietary hosting infrastructure. While this is convenient at first, it often becomes a bottleneck when your app starts to grow.
You can’t optimise the backend, choose your database, or implement performance upgrades outside their environment.

PIES Studio gives you control from day one.
Because you can export and host your code anywhere, scaling becomes flexible and cost-effective — whether that means:

• Deploying on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• Integrating enterprise-level APIs
• Building advanced AI or data-driven features

You’re never restricted by someone else’s platform limitations.

Vendor Lock-In VS True Independence

Vendor lock-in might sound like a small issue until it becomes a big one. Many businesses underestimate how difficult it is to move off a closed platform once they’ve scaled.

Bubble (and most no-code tools) are closed ecosystems, meaning:

• You can’t take your backend or database with you.
• Your app’s logic and workflows are platform-specific.
• Migrating elsewhere often means a costly rebuild.

PIES Studio’s exportable codebase gives you true freedom.
No lock-in, no dependency — just a complete, portable version of your software that belongs to you.

That’s not just a technical benefit — it’s a strategic one. It protects your IP, your revenue model, and your investors’ confidence.

AI Powered Development that Keeps You Ahead

Bubble’s builder is powerful, but it’s still manually-driven.

PIES Studio integrates Data-Driven AI across the entire development lifecycle:

• AI-assisted code generation
• AI-driven workflow creation
• Automated error detection
• Automated deployment flows
• Customise your LLM (ChatGPT, Llama, Mistral, etc.)

And because you choose your LLM, you stay in control of:

• Cost
• Privacy
• Performance
• Data governance

This is AI on your terms — not the platform’s.

The Verdict: Build Fast, Scale Smart, Own Everything

Final Thoughts

No-code tools like Bubble have opened the door for rapid innovation — but they create a new kind of dependency.

With PIES Studio, you get the best of both worlds:

• Speed of no-code
• Power of pro-code
• Flexibility to scale
• Ownership of everything
• Freedom to choose your tech stack
• No vendor lock-in, ever

If you want to build fast and stay in control of your future, the choice is clear.

Build it. Export it. Own it.
This is PIES Studio.