The numbers speak a new reality. The global low-code/no-code development market is skyrocketing, projected to reach a staggering $187 billion by 2030, fueled by a blistering 31.1% annual growth rate. Simultaneously, the broader website builders market – the foundation upon which these platforms stand – was valued at USD 1.89 billion in 2025 and continues its steady climb. Within this expansive and competitive landscape, one business model stands out for its power and complexity: the multi-vendor marketplace.
For founders at this crossroads, the "no-code marketplace" debate boils down to two contenders: the specialist, Sharetribe, and the generalist, Bubble. Getting this "Sharetribe vs Bubble" choice right? That's what separates a smooth launch from a tangled mess.
This article is your strategic guide through this decision. We will move beyond the hype of the "Bubble vs. Sharetribe for a marketplace" debate and provide a clear, detailed comparison to help you determine which platform aligns with your business goals, technical skills, and vision for the future.
Sharetribe: the marketplace specialist, refined and ready
History & evolution
Founded in 2011, Sharetribe has been in the marketplace game longer than most. It was born from a simple, powerful idea: to make marketplace creation accessible. Over the years, it has evolved from a one-size-fits-all solution into a sophisticated, bifurcated platform. By 2025, Sharetribe has solidified its position as the go-to for entrepreneurs who want a marketplace, not a development project.
Positioning
Sharetribe is a specialized no-code/low-code platform with one primary goal: to get your multi-vendor marketplace online, fast. It’s the "marketplace in a box." While you can do it all yourself, some teams partner with a specialized developer like Roobykon software company for custom development, ensuring their platform is perfectly tailored from day one.
Main features:
- Multi-vendor core: Its DNA is built for multiple sellers, with built-in user profiles, listings, booking/rental systems, reviews, and messaging.
- Pre-built logic: The complex workflows of transactions, commissions, and payouts are handled for you.
- Integrated payments: Stripe and PayPal integrations are baked in, handling split payments between buyers, sellers, and your platform commission seamlessly.
- Scalability: It’s designed to grow with you, from a small community site to a high-volume enterprise platform.
Ideal use cases for Sharetribe:
- The entrepreneur with a validated idea who needs a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in weeks, not months.
- Standard marketplace models: rental markets (e.g., equipment, space), service markets (e.g., freelancers, tutors), and product markets.
- Founders with limited technical resources who want a reliable, secure, and payment-compliant foundation.
While you can launch entirely on your own, some founders want to customize their platform further. This is where knowing how to hire a Sharetribe expert comes in. A skilled developer or agency can tailor the design and functionality to your specific brand needs, helping you bridge the gap between a standard setup and a fully custom experience.
Bubble: the universe builder, limitless and demanding
Platform evolution
Bubble emerged as a radical tool that asked, "What if you could build software without writing code?" It has since evolved into a powerful, general-purpose no-code app builder. While not exclusively for marketplaces, its flexibility makes it a formidable contender. In 2025, with advanced AI integrations and a massive plugin ecosystem, Bubble's capabilities are staggering.
Positioning
Bubble is an app builder. It provides the canvas, paints, and brushes – you are the artist who creates the masterpiece, marketplace, or otherwise.
Key features:
- Visual programming: A powerful drag-and-drop interface for UI design, combined with a workflow editor that defines logic through visual connections (e.g., "When Button is clicked, Create a new Thing, Then Show a message").
- Full customization: You have extensive control over the front-end design and can structure your app's data relationships within Bubble's framework.
- Extensive plugin marketplace: The Bubble plugin marketplace is a treasure trove of extensions for payments (Stripe, PayPal), maps, communications, and AI services.
- AI & advanced features: You can integrate AI for smart recommendations, build custom admin dashboards, or create complex, multi-step workflows that go far beyond a simple transaction.
Ideal use cases for Bubble:
- Highly unique marketplaces that don't fit a standard mold (e.g., a marketplace for custom-made spacecraft parts with complex quoting systems).
- Your marketplace is just one component of a broader, more complex application that you're building on the Bubble platform.
- Entrepreneurs and "citizen developers" who have the time and appetite for a steeper learning curve to achieve a 100% custom look and feel.
- Bubble for startups that are building a unique, defensible tech moat and plan to scale aggressively with heavy customization.
Feature-by-feature showdown: Sharetribe vs Bubble
| Feature | Sharetribe | Bubble |
| Core focus & purpose | Specialized, no-code platform dedicated to building multi-vendor marketplaces | General-purpose no-code app builder for creating any web application, including marketplaces |
| Marketplace foundation | Pre-built marketplace logic includes user profiles, listings, bookings, reviews, and two-sided payments out of the box | Custom-built from scratch. Templates can help, but you must configure database, workflows, and all marketplace logic |
| Customization & flexibility | Moderate — customization within a predefined marketplace structure | High — full control over design, data, workflows within Bubble’s environment |
| Ease of use & speed | Fast and user-friendly; designed for quick launch (even in one day) | Steeper learning curve; longer development time for a marketplace |
| Payment integration | Built-in Stripe Connect with automated split payments | Flexible plugins (Stripe, Braintree, etc.), but split-payment logic must be built manually |
| Technical requirements | Truly no-code for core marketplace setup and launch | No-code, but requires building all application logic step-by-step |
| Plugin & integration ecosystem | Limited native integrations; most core features included out-of-the-box | Large ecosystem with thousands of plugins for advanced functionality |
| Pricing model | Simple subscription pricing, often based on users or transactions | Tiered subscription + usage-based fees (Workload Units; extra usage billed separately) |
Pros and cons of Sharetribe and Bubble
Sharetribe Pros:
- Speed to market: Unbeatable for launching an MVP quickly.
- Marketplace-ready: All the hard problems (payments, disputes, reviews) are solved.
- Cost-effective early on: Lower initial development cost and time.
- Payment peace of mind: Integrated, compliant payment handling from day one.
- Best for standard models: Perfect for rentals, services, and product sales.
Sharetribe Cons:
- Customization ceiling: If you're using the standard no-code version, you may hit a wall if you need a highly unique user journey.
- Platform lock-in: Your marketplace is fundamentally built on their infrastructure.
- Limited non-marketplace use: It's not designed to be a blog, a social network, or anything else.
Bubble Pros:
- Unparalleled flexibility: If you can imagine it, you can probably build it.
- Total control: Over design, user experience, data, and everything in between.
- Powerful integrations: Connect to virtually any API or service via plugins.
- One tool for everything: Your entire web presence can live in one Bubble marketplace.
Bubble Cons:
- Longer Development Time: Building complex logic from scratch takes time.
- Steep Learning Curve for Teams: Collaborative development is less straightforward than with traditional code.
- Platform lock-in: Your marketplace is fundamentally built on their infrastructure.
- You Build the Foundation: A poorly structured Bubble app can have scalability issues.
- Responsibility for Everything: You must design and build every single feature, including security logic.
Sharetribe vs Bubble comparison guide
Your choice isn't about which platform is "better"; it's about which is better for you.
For those comparing Sharetribe or Shopify, remember: Shopify is a brilliant single-vendor store builder. For a true multi-vendor marketplace, Sharetribe and Bubble are in a different league.
Ultimately, your choice comes down to honest self-assessment. Evaluate your project's core needs, be realistic about your technical appetite and resources, and pick the platform that aligns with your vision for not just launching, but truly growing your digital agora. Choose the path – be it customizing with Sharetribe development or building from the ground up in Bubble – that can grow as ambitiously as you do.
After reading this Sharetribe vs Bubble review, you should have a much clearer picture. Remember, you're not just choosing a tool; you're choosing the path your business will take to reach its market.
FAQ
1. Is Bubble good for the marketplace?
Absolutely. Bubble is excellent for building a marketplace, but with an important nuance. It gives you the flexibility to build anything — including a marketplace — but you must create all the logic yourself. Unlike a platform with predefined marketplace architecture, Bubble provides components and templates, not a ready-made marketplace system.
2. Which is better, Sharetribe or Bubble?
There is no universal “better” when comparing Sharetribe vs. Bubble. Sharetribe wins on speed, simplicity, and built-in marketplace workflows. Bubble wins on full flexibility, deep customization, and control. The right choice depends entirely on your project’s requirements, timeline, and budget.
3. How long does it take to launch a marketplace on each platform?
With Sharetribe, you can launch a functional marketplace in days or weeks. With Bubble, prepare for a longer development cycle. Even simple marketplaces require building all components from scratch, so 1–4 months is a realistic timeframe depending on complexity and your experience.
4. Can I migrate from one platform to another later?
Migration is possible but challenging. Sharetribe allows data exporting via API, and Bubble also supports building custom APIs. However, migration typically feels like rebuilding: time-consuming and costly. It’s best to choose the right platform from the beginning rather than relying on future migration plans.
