Building Scalable SaaS Architectures with Bubble

No-code platforms like Bubble have completely transformed how startups bring their products to life. But when you're not just prototyping—you're building a real SaaS product with growth in mind—architecture matters. A lot.

At Syrup, we’ve worked on everything from MVPs to enterprise-grade platforms. So today, we’re walking you through how to approach scalable architecture in Bubble—without breaking your app (or your brain).

1. Think Multi-Tenant from the Start

If you’re building a SaaS app, odds are you'll need to support multiple companies or client accounts. Rather than spinning up a new Bubble app for each, architect your database to support multi-tenancy from day one.

Key Patterns:

• Use a "Company" or "Tenant" data type.
• Link every relevant data type (e.g., Users, Projects, Files) to that parent Company.
• On every page and workflow, filter data by the current user’s company.

This makes user access and permissions far easier to manage as you scale.

2. Database Design: Flat, Not Deep

Bubble doesn’t perform well with deeply nested structures. A common trap is using too many lists within lists (e.g., a Company has a list of Projects, and each Project has a list of Tasks, and so on).

Best Practices:

• Use Do a Search for queries instead of nested lists.
• Avoid storing massive lists on a single Thing.
• Normalize your data like you would in traditional relational databases.

Keep it flat, index it well, and Bubble will thank you.

3. Custom States Over URL Params

When managing large or complex UI states (think: dashboard filters, tabs, pagination), don’t overuse URL parameters. Custom states are lighter, faster, and reduce reloads.

Use custom states for:

• Showing/hiding elements
• Holding temporary filters or selections
• Modal windows

This leads to a faster, smoother UX without unnecessary database calls.

4. Backend Workflows: Your Scaling Secret Weapon

If you're relying too heavily on client-side logic, you're limiting your app’s speed and security. Bubble’s backend workflows can offload heavy lifting:

Use them for:

• Batch processing large datasets
• Scheduled automations
• Complex API workflows

Even better: they run server-side, so they won’t timeout or freeze your UI.

5. Rate Limit & Secure Your APIs

As you open up your app via API, you’ll want to make sure it can handle (and defend against) a growing number of external calls.

Tips:

• Use Bubble's privacy rules to restrict data access
• Rate limit your endpoints via backend workflows
• Don’t expose sensitive logic client-side

Security and scalability go hand-in-hand.

6. Monitor Performance Religiously

Scaling isn’t just about surviving traffic—it’s about staying fast while doing so. Use Bubble's built-in Server Logs and Capacity Monitoring tools to track performance.

What to watch for:

• Slow repeating groups (optimize searches, use pagination)
• Heavy data calls (split into smaller workflows)
• Backend queue times (review workflow design)

Also consider adding logging inside your app for deeper usage insights.

7. When It’s Time to Go Hybrid

Bubble can take you incredibly far—but if you start hitting limits, you can extend it:

Hybrid Stack Options:

• Xano or Supabase for external databases
• Custom plugins for compute-heavy logic
• JavaScript for specific UI enhancements

Build your MVP in Bubble. Then upgrade parts of it without abandoning the platform.

Final Thoughts

Scalability isn’t about overengineering—it’s about making good decisions early that let your product grow without pain. Bubble gives you the tools, but how you use them determines your ceiling.

Whether you’re building a niche SaaS or the next big thing, structuring your app right will save you months down the line. And if you ever need help—Syrup’s here.

Digital solutions that stick.

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