What Is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is a term increasingly used in design-led development circles to describe a workflow that blends:
- Intuitive UI design
- Modular components
- Low-code logic scaffolding
- Real-time feedback and iteration
Think of it as building with a feeling—guided by what looks and feels right—while still being rooted in solid front-end logic. Vibe coding sits in the sweet spot between traditional programming and drag-and-drop interfaces. It relies heavily on visual tools like Framer, Webflow, Builder.io, and Bricks Builder (for WordPress), but always with the option to drop into the code when needed.
It’s popular with:
- Designers looking to prototype complex ideas fast
- Developers seeking better UI-first collaboration
- Product teams wanting quicker MVPs
- Agencies like Websi, who build performance-first designs with flexibility baked in
The Rise of “No-Code” Web Apps
No-code platforms have exploded in popularity. Tools like Bubble, Glide, Adalo, and OutSystems are advertised as ways to “build a web app without writing a single line of code.”
And they work—to a point.
No-code is great for:
- MVPs and proof of concept
- Internal tools or dashboards
- Collecting and displaying structured data
- Simple CRUD applications
But here’s where the marketing gloss wears thin.
The Reality: Commercial Web Apps Need More Than Drag-and-Drop
While it’s technically possible to build an app without touching code, serious commercial projects often require:
1. Security & Compliance
No-code platforms tend to abstract away data access layers and permissions logic—dangerous if mishandled.
- Are your API keys exposed?
- Are user roles and authentication secure?
- Can you comply with GDPR or PCI-DSS?
Platforms like Bubble still require manual configuration for security and have limited visibility into backend processes. That’s risky for apps handling personal data or payments.
🔗 https://manual.bubble.io/core-resources/data/security
2. Performance & Scalability
Most no-code tools host your app in a shared environment. That’s fine for 100 users… less so for 10,000.
- You can’t always control caching or database optimisation
- You might face throttling or performance dips at scale
- You’re locked into their infrastructure
You’re trading speed of build for long-term control.
🔗 https://bubble.io/blog/why-scalability-matters/
3. Maintainability & Flexibility
Even if you get the app live, you’ll hit limits fast:
- Want a custom checkout flow? Sorry, that’s a workaround.
- Need a third-party API that doesn’t exist in their marketplace? Custom code required.
- Need offline support, edge caching, or native-like performance? Not happening.
These tools are fantastic for starting, but they don’t replace professional development for evolving needs.
Vibe Coding vs No-Code: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Vibe Coding | No-Code |
|---|---|---|
| Code Access | Optional (used when needed) | Usually hidden or restricted |
| Design Flexibility | High (code meets canvas) | Moderate (template-dependent) |
| Security & Compliance | Developer-controlled | Limited to platform’s guardrails |
| API Integration | Full access with logic control | Often limited or dependent on plugins |
| Commercial Viability | Scalable & extensible | Risky for production-grade projects |
What We Tell Our Clients at Websi
“No-code is great for learning. Vibe coding is great for prototyping. But if you’re serious about growth, you’ll need real development.”
We’ve seen too many startups spend months building an app in Bubble or Glide, only to rebuild it later from scratch when it couldn’t scale, wasn’t secure, or lacked functionality. Even platforms marketed as “enterprise-ready” fall short when custom infrastructure or integrations are required.
At Websi, we use vibe-led workflows early in projects—to design interactions fast and demo ideas to stakeholders. But we always back it with custom code and smart architecture for performance, security, and longevity.
Final Thoughts
No-code is not bad—it’s just not the endgame. It’s a brilliant sandbox and a perfect launchpad for ideas. But when you’re handling customer data, planning for scale, or building something truly unique, you need more than drag-and-drop.
Vibe coding gives you the flexibility of design tools with the power of custom logic. And when you’re ready to go from vibes to velocity, a dev team like Websi can help you build a platform that’s made to last.
Want to turn your MVP into a serious product?
👉 Talk to us about vibe coding and scalable app builds
