Why Your Bubble App Is Slow: Common Performance Pitfalls & Fixes

Bubble is a fantastic platform for building web and mobile apps quickly, especially when you're validating an idea or launching an MVP. But at some point, many users hit the same frustrating wall:

My app is getting slower. Pages take forever to load. Workflows feel sluggish. What's happening?

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone - and it's not your fault. In this article, we'll break down the most common causes of slow performance in Bubble apps, what you can do to improve things, and when it might make sense to consider migrating to a more scalable solution.

1. Heavy Pages with Too Many Elements

The problem:

Bubble renders every visible element on a page, even those hidden under conditionals or tab states. The more groups, inputs, repeating groups, and visual logic you include, the more the browser has to process.

Fixes:

• Split your app into multiple smaller pages
• Use reusable elements for components like navbars, modals, and forms
• Defer hidden elements or workflows to popup pages or overlays

2. Repeating Groups with Complex Data Sources

The problem:

Repeating groups are one of the most powerful tools in Bubble - but they're also performance killers if they load too much data or rely on nested searches.

Fixes:

• Use “Do a search for” only when absolutely needed - and cache results in custom states
• Paginate large lists or load data incrementally
• Avoid nested searches and sort/filter operations directly in the repeating group

3. Too Many Workflows Triggering at Once

The problem:

Every time a page loads, a user clicks a button, or a condition becomes true, Bubble might be firing multiple workflows - many of which run in the browser. This creates noticeable lag.

Fixes:

• Consolidate workflows where possible
• Avoid using "Do When Condition is True" unless absolutely necessary
• Use backend workflows for long-running or intensive operations

4. Slow External API Calls or Plugins

The problem:

Third-party API calls and plugins can introduce unpredictable delays - especially when chaining calls or using visual plugins that load external assets.

Fixes:

• Move non-essential API calls to backend workflows
• Reduce or batch external calls
• Audit your plugin list and remove unused or heavy ones

5. Database Design Issues

The problem:

Poor data structure leads to slow lookups, long queries, and high workload unit usage.

Fixes:

• Avoid storing large lists inside a single data type (e.g. don't put 1,000 things inside a single list field)
• Use option sets instead of repeating reference types where possible
• Normalize your data - don't duplicate fields or store unnecessary joins

6. Lack of Performance Testing or Metrics

The problem:

Bubble doesn't give you much visibility into where performance is breaking down, and many users don't test their app under real usage conditions.

Fixes:

• Use the built-in Bubble Performance tab (in preview) to check bottlenecks
• Profile workflows using logs and step-by-step debugging
• Use workload units as a proxy for inefficiency - high WU usually means something can be optimized

When Fixes Aren't Enough: Consider Migration

Sometimes, you've done all the right things - optimized workflows, split pages, cleaned up the data - and your app still isn't fast enough. That's when you may be hitting the natural limits of a visual platform like Bubble.

If you:

• Need mobile-native performance
• Want full control over logic and data
• Are building a product meant to scale
• Have reached the limit of plugin or workflow complexity

…it might be time to migrate.

From Bubble to React Native - Without Rewriting Everything

We're working on a tool called ReCode that helps you transition from Bubble to real code without starting from scratch. Here's how it works:

• Export your app's .bubble file
• ReCode automatically converts your Bubble UI into clean, editable React Native code
• You get a full React Native + Expo app - with screens, components, and CI/CD templates - ready for developers to build on

Right now, ReCode supports core Bubble components (buttons, inputs, images, text, groups, maps, etc.), with styling preserved. We're currently in free pre-alpha, and offering early access to Bubble users who want to explore their next step.

If you're interested in trying it out or learning more, just request access here.