Migration Guide

Migrate from Bubble to Fabricate

Own your code, build 10x faster

~30 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Escape Bubble vendor lock-in -- Fabricate exports real, portable React code
  • Build 5-10x faster with AI generation vs visual drag-and-drop
  • Get standard React + TypeScript instead of Bubble-proprietary logic
  • Lower costs at scale -- no per-workflow-run charges

Why Switch from Bubble?

Code Ownership

Bubble does not let you export your code. If Bubble shuts down or changes pricing, your entire application is at risk. Fabricate generates standard React + TypeScript code you own completely.

10x Faster Development

Bubble's visual builder is powerful but slow. Describing what you want in natural language and letting AI build it is dramatically faster for most applications.

Standard Technology Stack

Bubble uses proprietary technology. Fabricate generates standard React, TypeScript, and SQL that any developer can understand, modify, and maintain.

Better Performance

Fabricate deploys to Cloudflare's edge network with sub-50ms response times globally. Bubble applications are hosted on shared infrastructure with variable performance.

Step-by-Step Migration

1

Document Your Bubble Application

Since Bubble doesn't export code, document everything: pages, workflows, database schema, user roles, and integrations.

  • Screenshot every page
  • Document all workflows
  • Export your database schema
  • List all plugins and integrations
2

Prioritize and Simplify

Identify the core features of your Bubble app. Many Bubble applications accumulate unnecessary complexity through visual building.

  • List the 5-10 most important features
  • Identify features that can be simplified
  • Note any Bubble-specific workarounds that can be eliminated
3

Create Your Fabricate Account

Sign up at fabricate.build. Start with the free tier or Pro for larger applications.

  • Free tier: 60 credits
  • Pro: $25/month for larger projects
4

Build Your Application with AI

Describe your application comprehensively. Include database schema, user flows, and design requirements.

  • Describe the database structure from your Bubble schema
  • Specify user roles and permissions
  • Include payment and subscription logic if applicable
5

Migrate Your Data

Export data from Bubble and import it into your new Fabricate application.

  • Export CSV/JSON from Bubble
  • Create migration scripts if needed
  • Verify all data relationships are preserved
6

Test and Deploy

Thoroughly test all workflows, then deploy to production.

  • Test every user flow
  • Verify payment processing
  • Check email notifications
  • Deploy to Cloudflare

Feature Mapping: Bubble vs Fabricate

FeatureBubbleFabricate
Building ApproachVisual drag-and-dropAI from natural language
Code OutputProprietary (no export)React + TypeScript (full ownership)
DatabaseBuilt-in (proprietary)Cloudflare D1 (SQL standard)
WorkflowsVisual workflow builderTypeScript serverless functions
PluginsBubble plugin marketplacenpm ecosystem (millions of packages)
PerformanceShared hosting, variableCloudflare edge, sub-50ms globally
Pricing$29-529/monthFree or $25-50/month
Vendor Lock-inComplete lock-inNone -- export anytime

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Trying to replicate Bubble workflows exactly

Think about what the workflow accomplishes, not how Bubble implements it. Describe the business logic and let Fabricate implement it in code.

Underestimating data migration complexity

Start with a subset of data to test the migration. Verify relationships and data types before migrating everything.

Expecting a visual editor

Fabricate uses AI prompting, not visual building. It's faster once you're comfortable, but the workflow is different from Bubble.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Start building with Fabricate today. Free tier available -- no credit card required.

Start Building Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export my Bubble app to Fabricate?

Bubble does not allow code export, so there is no direct migration path. You need to rebuild your application in Fabricate. The good news: AI generation is much faster than Bubble's visual builder, so rebuilding often takes hours rather than the weeks or months the original Bubble build took.

Will I lose my Bubble plugins?

Bubble plugins are proprietary. In Fabricate, equivalent functionality comes from the npm ecosystem (millions of packages) or built-in integrations (Clerk auth, Stripe payments, D1 database).

How long will the migration take?

A typical Bubble application that took months to build can be recreated in Fabricate in 1-3 days, depending on complexity. The AI handles most of the implementation, and you focus on testing and refinement.

What if I have paying users on my Bubble app?

Run both applications in parallel during migration. Build the Fabricate version, migrate data, test thoroughly, then redirect users. Keep Bubble running as a fallback until you're confident in the new version.