Web

A web app is an application that runs in a web browser. Unlike native mobile apps, which are installed directly onto a user’s device via an app store, a web app lives online—accessible by visiting a URL. This includes everything from productivity tools like Google Docs, to social platforms like Facebook, to AI interfaces like ChatGPT.

You don’t need to install a web app to use it. You simply open a browser (like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox), enter the web address, and sign in. Updates happen automatically, and the experience remains consistent across platforms, as long as the browser supports the features used by the app.

How is a web app different from a native mobile app?

Native mobile apps are designed to run directly on a device’s operating system (iOS or Android). A web app, on the other hand, runs inside a browser and relies on an internet connection to access its content and features.

Here are some of the main differences:

Installation

• Web app: No installation required. Accessed by URL.

• Native mobile app: Installed from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Platform integration

• Web app: Limited access to device hardware (e.g., camera, GPS), usually via browser APIs.

• Native mobile app: Deep integration with device features, like push notifications, local storage, Bluetooth, and offline access.

Distribution

• Web app: Instantly accessible—share a link, and users can open it right away.

• Native mobile app: Requires submission and approval from app stores. Users must download and install the app before using it.

Updates

• Web app: Updated centrally. Users always access the latest version.

• Native mobile app: Users may need to update manually or wait for updates to be pushed via the app store.

Building a web app

When you build a web app with Bubble, there's no need to write code. Instead, Bubble uses a combination of AI and visual tools to let you define how your app looks, how it works (with workflows, conditions, and dynamic expressions), and how it stores information using a built-in database.

Behind the scenes, Bubble automatically generates the code that makes your app run: HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactivity. This output is fully compatible with modern browsers like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox, so your app works seamlessly across devices.

This output is what allows your app to run in a browser. Because it uses standard web technologies, your app works across all modern browsers—like Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, and others—without requiring any adjustments.

The generated code is also set up to communicate directly with Bubble’s servers. This connection is what powers everything from your app’s database to user authentication, APIs, and encryption. Bubble manages all of these backend systems for you, so you don’t have to worry about setting up infrastructure or maintaining servers.

This is what makes building with Bubble so efficient: while you focus on the interface and logic, Bubble handles everything technical under the hood, and it's all compatible with all modern browsers.

Can't I just run my web app on a mobile device?

Sure you can! But with one caveat: the user has to access the app through the browser on their mobile device. That's not to say there's anything wrong about that: you probably already use many web apps through your phone's browser already, but they come with some restrictions:

• Some browser-based APIs (like location or camera access) are available, but with restrictions.

• You won’t be able to send push notifications or use offline features unless you're using advanced patterns like Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

• The app runs in the browser window, which may include the browser’s interface elements (e.g., the address bar or back button).

When is a web app the right choice?

A web app is often the best fit when:

• You want to build and iterate quickly without going through app store approval processes.

• Your audience is spread across devices and platforms.

• You want users to access your app via a link—instantly and without installation.

• Your app doesn’t need deep access to device hardware (like Bluetooth or offline file access).

Can I build both?

Yes—and Bubble is designed specifically to support that. You can build your web app and native mobile app in the same editor, with both versions sharing the same database and backend workflow logic.

That’s one of the things that makes Bubble so powerful: in traditional development, you’d need to build two separate apps and connect them through complex API calls and data handling. With Bubble, features like user authentication, database access, and workflows are already integrated and shared across platforms.

You’re free to start with a web app, a mobile app, or focus on just one—there’s no need to decide upfront. If you’ve built a successful web app, you can extend it into a native mobile app at any time. Bubble is built to support both, and you can make that decision at any point in time.

If you want to learn more about native mobile apps, keep reading our Building a native iOS and Android app in Bubble section.