Stack guides / AI builders
AI app builders (Lovable, Bolt, v0) build from a prompt in the browser. AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor) work in a real codebase on your machine. Many people start in the first and move to the second.
18 options. Free tiers, catches and prices checked by hand on 2026-10-27; each one links to its sources.
Builds React + Vite + Tailwind apps on a managed NoSQL database with built-in auth and Deno backend functions.
Best for: Internal tools and simple SaaS without a separate backend.
Free
Starter, billed yearly (monthly price not shown; yearly saves 20%)
Checked 2026-10-27: base44.com, docs.base44.com
Browser builder for any JavaScript frontend with Node.js backends (Expo for mobile), plus Bolt Cloud hosting, databases and domains.
Best for: JavaScript web or Expo apps hosted in one place.
Free
Pro, billed monthly (yearly saves up to 28%)
Checked 2026-10-27: bolt.new, support.bolt.new, support.bolt.new
Prompt-to-app inside Figma: editable React code, Supabase backend, publish to a URL, one-way push to GitHub.
Best for: Designers turning Figma designs into working prototypes.
Starter (trial access)
Professional Full seat (3,000 AI credits/mo)
Checked 2026-10-27: figma.com, help.figma.com, help.figma.com
Vibe-codes Gemini-powered apps: React frontend by default, Node.js server, optional Firestore and Firebase Auth, deploy to Cloud Run; Android apps in Kotlin.
Best for: Prototyping apps that use Gemini models.
Free
Google AI Pro (expanded AI Studio limits) or pay-per-request API key
Checked 2026-10-27: ai.google.dev, ai.google.dev, one.google.com
Chat-to-app builder; apps created since 2026-05-13 use TanStack Start (older ones React + Vite) with Postgres via Lovable Cloud or Supabase.
Best for: Non-coders shipping a full-stack MVP.
Free
Pro, 100 credits/mo ($21/mo billed yearly)
Checked 2026-10-27: docs.lovable.dev, docs.lovable.dev, docs.lovable.dev
Agent builds and hosts full-stack web apps with managed PostgreSQL built into every app.
Best for: Building, storing data and hosting in one browser workspace.
Starter
Core ($18/mo billed yearly)
Checked 2026-10-27: replit.com, docs.replit.com, docs.replit.com
Generates Next.js apps with Tailwind and shadcn/ui and deploys them to Vercel.
Best for: React/Next.js UIs headed for Vercel.
Free
Terminal pair-programming agent that edits code in your local git repo.
Best for: Git-centric developers using any model.
python -m pip install aider-install, then aider-installFree and open source
Free
Checked 2026-10-27: aider.chat, pypi.org
Open-source coding agent for VS Code and the terminal with an MCP marketplace.
Best for: Bring-your-own-key users who want model choice.
VS Code Marketplace: saoudrizwan.claude-dev; CLI: npm i -g clineFree and open source
Enterprise (custom)
Checked 2026-10-27: cline.bot, github.com
AI code editor with agent, tab completion and a CLI, now sold bundled with Grok and X.
Best for: Developers wanting an AI-first IDE.
CLI: curl https://cursor.com/install -fsS | bash (editor: download from cursor.com)Free
Plus (X Subscription bundle with Grok); Grok models only
Checked 2026-10-27: cursor.com, cursor.com, cursor.com
Open-source terminal agent for Gemini models.
Best for: Teams with Code Assist licenses or paid Gemini API keys.
npm install -g @google/gemini-cliFree and open source
Paid Gemini API key or Code Assist license
Checked 2026-10-27: github.com, developers.googleblog.com
Completions, chat, agents and a CLI across IDEs and GitHub, billed in AI Credits since 2026-06-01.
Best for: GitHub-centric teams wanting a cheap paid tier.
CLI: npm install -g @github/copilotCopilot Free
Copilot Pro (1,500 AI credits/mo incl. 500 flex)
Checked 2026-10-27: github.com, docs.github.com, github.com
Google’s agent-first IDE and CLI; the official successor to free Gemini CLI use and to Firebase Studio.
Best for: Gemini users who lost free Gemini CLI or Firebase Studio access.
CLI: curl -fsSL https://antigravity.google/cli/install.sh | bash (IDE: antigravity.google/download)Individual
Google AI Pro (Google cites $20/mo)
Checked 2026-10-27: antigravity.google, antigravity.google, antigravity.google
Agentic IDE and CLI built around specs and agent hooks; sign in with Google, GitHub or AWS Builder ID.
Best for: Spec-first development with structured requirements.
CLI: curl -fsSL https://cli.kiro.dev/install | bash (IDE: download from kiro.dev)Kiro Free
OpenAI’s coding agent: open-source CLI plus IDE extension, desktop app and cloud tasks.
Best for: ChatGPT subscribers wanting a terminal agent.
npm install -g @openai/codex (or brew install --cask codex)ChatGPT Free
ChatGPT Go (Plus is $20)
Checked 2026-10-27: github.com, learn.chatgpt.com
Cognition renamed the Windsurf editor Devin Desktop; windsurf.com now redirects to devin.ai.
Best for: Existing Windsurf users managing agents from one IDE.
Download from devin.ai/desktop; existing Windsurf installs update over the airFree
Fast open-source editor with an agent panel, edit predictions and external-agent support.
Best for: Developers who want a fast editor and bring their own agent.
curl -f https://zed.dev/install.sh | sh (Linux); brew install --cask zed (macOS); winget install -e --id ZedIndustries.Zed (Windows)Personal
Pro ($5 of tokens included, unlimited edit predictions)
Checked 2026-10-27: zed.dev, zed.dev, github.com
Anthropic’s agentic coder for terminal, IDEs, desktop and web, extensible with skills, plugins, hooks and MCP.
Best for: Multi-file features and refactors driven from the terminal.
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash (macOS/Linux/WSL); irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex (Windows PowerShell)No free plan
Claude Pro ($17/mo billed yearly); free plan excludes Claude Code
Checked 2026-10-27: claude.com, code.claude.com
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