Bubble.io, a popular no-code tool, has announced the rollout of a new pricing model based on the workload units which replaces their previous pricing strategy. Bubble.io noted that other no-code platforms, like Glide and Softr, had higher price ranges ($25 to $799 and $59 to $232 respectively), compared to Bubble.io. The shift in pricing reflects the company's attempt to adapt as more and more businesses increasingly turn to no-code tools, like AppMaster, to address their scaling and development needs.
In the past, Bubble.io's pricing model was based on performance ceilings, storage, and features, with metrics that proved to be confusing to users. As a result, a large portion of their revenue was generated from feature plans, rather than capacity. The old pricing strategy was not sustainable for the long term, given the continuous optimization of Bubble.io's performance.
In March 2022, Bubble.io introduced a new pricing model based on database entries and monthly unique daily visitors. However, the new model received a negative backlash from the community, with users voicing concerns about the sudden and disproportionate impact of the changes. Bubble.io's team withdrew their announcement and promised to devise a new metric after careful consideration.
Bubble.io is now introducing a new metric called Workload Units. It measures the amount of computational resources required by an app to perform various actions like sending emails, running workflows, uploading files, loading pages, and API calls. Actions consume workload units based on their complexity, with heavier actions consuming more units. However, the exact weight ratio for different actions has not been disclosed and may evolve in the future.
By focusing on actual usage instead of capacity or features, the new pricing model offers more flexibility and control to Bubble.io users. The recent tier rates remain largely unchanged, except for their Team plan becoming less expensive. Bubble.io also offers add-ons for users who need additional workload units with the new pricing model. This change better aligns with how users’ apps scale on the platform.
The introduction of Workload Units brings some changes to features, storage, and pricing. The new pricing model boosts storage capacity and reduces costs, with storage now 33 times cheaper. The Starter plan is also enhanced with new, value-adding features.
Bubble.io has released an updated version of the App Metrics tab, aiding users in evaluating their workload consumption and making the necessary optimizations. They have also provided hypothetical examples to help users understand how the new pricing model works.
The new pricing model will take effect on May 1st, allowing users to subscribe to the new plans. Existing users who created apps before April 6th can keep their legacy plans for up to 18 months, giving them time to adapt to the new pricing model.
In conclusion, Bubble.io's new pricing model, based on Workload Units, aims to provide a more transparent, predictable, and user-centric pricing model. As businesses continue to adopt no-code tools, like AppMaster, pricing models that reflect actual usage will play a crucial role in meeting the diverse needs of users ranging from startups to enterprises.
