Key takeaways:
- Vibe coding tools like Lovable, Bolt, and Cursor let you build apps and generate code using natural language. They all offer free plans you can get started with.
- Each tool serves a different type of user. Lovable and Bolt are beginner-friendly and run in the browser. Cursor is better suited for developers and needs to be installed.
- Unlike Lovable and Bolt, Cursor focuses on writing clean code. In the to-do list app test, Lovable and Bolt generated fully working apps with no coding required. Cursor did not build a UI directly.
- Cursor stood out in tasks like converting JavaScript to TypeScript and form to schemas with validation.
- Lovable and Bolt don’t just help you build apps. They also let you deploy them, making the process easier for non-technical users.
Cursor caught my attention when a developer friend in an AI dev community I’m part of shared that he had finally switched to it. Since I’m all about AI tools and vibe coding, that’s why I’m in the group in the first place; I asked him why. He simply replied, “AI features,” and added, “You get access to most AI models.”
Funny enough, my editor had already asked me to check out Cursor and compare it with Lovable and Bolt, but I was still busy exploring other tools. That post gave me the push I needed to finally try it.
Lovable and Bolt aren’t new to me. Even though I don’t have a coding background, I’ve tested both side by side. They each have strengths and weaknesses, and I genuinely liked them when I first tried them. But hearing a friend talk about a tool I hadn’t explored yet made me curious, especially since Cursor had also caught my editor’s attention.
I’m sure my friend thought carefully before switching and maybe struggled with the decision. Cursor probably isn’t the only tool with the features he mentioned. But that’s what this article is for; to help you decide if Cursor, Lovable, or Bolt is the right fit for you.
Whether you’re a founder, expert developer, learner, or just curious about new AI tools, I’ve documented my journey testing Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor head-to-head for vibe coding. You’ll also see how to get started if this is your first time.
Vibe coding and how to get started with it
Vibe coding is about using natural language prompts to ask an AI to build a fully functional app or write lines of code for you, without you having to do any of the hard work. Understanding the concept of vibe coding is one thing, but knowing how actually to get started with vibe coding tools is something else entirely.
While each tool has its own unique features and workflows, there’s some general knowledge that applies across the board. Typically, vibe coding follows a structured flow that includes planning, prompting, reviewing, debugging, and deploying. Let’s break down how to get started.
- Choose a vibe coding tool
Some popular options include Lovable, Bolt, v0, and Replit. Once you pick a tool, choose which version to use, whether it’s mobile, desktop, or web. Go with the most convenient option. If it’s a web-based tool only, simply sign in and start the onboarding process.
- Planning and prompting
Most tools have a chat field where you can enter your prompt or upload files. In that field, describe your idea in plain English using good prompting practices, then send it to the AI. The AI analyzes your input and generates code accordingly. When it finishes, you’ll usually see a preview of the app so you can test it and identify any needed changes. You can click on parts of the UI to request modifications or prompt the AI to update them directly.
Remember to start simple. Build something like a to-do app, an e-commerce landing page, a dashboard, or a basic game. If you have coding experience, you can switch to the code view to manually edit the code. Otherwise, you can continue prompting the AI to make updates for you.
- Reviewing and debugging
Once you’ve previewed and tested the app, you can start integrating external services like databases and APIs, depending on the tool’s capabilities. Before reaching this point, you should already have explored the tool’s features to make sure it supports the kind of app you want to build.
- Deploy or publish
After reviewing and making the necessary changes, you can deploy or publish your app. If you need to, you can revisit the project to make updates or edits even after deployment.
Meanwhile, to get more customized results from the AI, adjust your settings and preferences before starting a new project. Most tools also support team collaboration, allowing others to work with you on the same project. You can also choose whether your workspace is public or private.
Now that you know how to get started with any vibe coding tool, let’s take a closer look at Lovable, Bolt, and Cursor.
Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor: My setup and first impressions
Lovable setup and first impression
Lovable is an AI-powered platform for creating web applications. You can describe what you want in plain English, and Lovable generates it. This European company, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, launched Lovable 1.0 in 2024. The tool is available as a web application and built for both technical developers and non-technical users.
Lovable offers a free plan at $0/month. Paid plans start at $25/month for the Pro plan and $30/month for Teams.
To set up, I went to Lovable’s homepage. Since it’s browser-based, I signed up directly, completed onboarding, and was redirected to the homepage. From there, I could use the chat field to enter prompts using text, attach files, or import designs from Figma. The setup wasn’t overwhelming, and the UI felt clean and easy to navigate.
Key features include:
- A chat mode for interactive AI assistance that covers planning, development, debugging, and deployment
- A visual editor that allows refinements
- Integrations such as Supabase for backend and databases
- Pre-built templates to help you get started quickly
- AI-driven error analysis
What you can build with Lovable:
- Landing pages
- Web applications
- AI-powered tools
- Authentication systems
Bolt setup and first impression
Bolt is a browser-based AI web development agent for building web applications. It provides a chat-based interface where you tell the AI agent what you want, and changes are implemented directly in the development environment. Bolt was developed by StackBlitz and uses its WebContainers technology. It is designed for JavaScript-based web technologies and was launched in 2024. Bolt is suitable for technical users, code experts, beginners, and learners alike.
Bolt uses token-based pricing. There’s a free plan with limited tokens and a paid plan starting at $20/month for more tokens.
To set up, I visited Bolt’s website. Since it’s web-based, there was no need to download anything. I signed in, completed onboarding, and was presented with a chat field for typing prompts and uploading files. Bolt also supports Figma and GitHub imports. Setting up Bolt was easy, and the interface wasn’t cluttered.
Integrations include:
- Figma for design imports
- Netlify for deployment
- Supabase
- GitHub
- Expo
- Stripe for payments
What you can build using Bolt:
- Web applications
- Websites
- Mobile apps
Cursor setup and first impression
Cursor is an AI code editor that helps you code faster using natural language prompts. You describe what you want, and Cursor generates the code. Cursor supports all major programming languages and frameworks and is a fork of Visual Studio Code (VS Code).
Anysphere Inc. developed Cursor After its initial release in 2023, Cursor 1.0 officially launched in 2025. It’s not browser-based; it’s a desktop application that must be downloaded and installed on your computer.
Pricing includes a free plan, a Pro plan for $20/month, an Ultra plan at $200/month, and a Teams plan at $40/user/month. The Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.
To set up, I downloaded Cursor for Windows from the homepage. I signed up, logged in, completed onboarding, and chose initial settings. From there, I could chat with the Cursor AI, start a new project, or clone a repository. Unlike Lovable and Bolt, setting up Cursor involved downloading and launching the app before getting started.
Key features include:
- Agent: Cursor’s assistant that can complete coding tasks, run terminal commands, and edit code
- Tab Completion: Predicts multi-line edits based on your current code and recent changes
- Inline Edit: Lets you edit selected code using natural language
- Chat Interface: Natural language conversations with AI for coding help
Integrations include:
- Notion
- Figma
- Linear
- GitHub
- Slack
Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor at a glance
| Category | Lovable | Bolt | Cursor |
| Type | Browser-based AI-powered web app builder | Browser-based AI web development agent | Desktop application (VS Code fork) AI code editor |
| Company | Based in Stockholm, Sweden | Built by StackBlitz | Developed by Anysphere Inc. |
| Pricing | Free plan available. Pro at $25/month. Teams at $30/month | Free plan with limited tokens. The paid plan starts at $20/month | Free plan. Pro: $20/month. Teams: $40/user/month. Ultra: $200/month. Enterprise: custom |
| Setup process | Sign up on the web, complete onboarding, and start prompting in the browser | Sign up on the web, complete onboarding, and start prompting in the browser | Download and install the app, sign up, complete onboarding, and set up the environment |
| UI experience | Clean and easy to navigate | Simple and uncluttered | Similar to VS Code with added AI features |
| Key features | Chat-based AI assistantVisual editorSupabase integrationTemplatesAI-driven error analysis | Chat interfaceReal-time changesWebContainersGitHub/Figma imports | AI agent for tasksTab completionInline editingNatural language chat |
How I tested Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor
I tested Lovable, Bolt, and Cursor using the free version of each tool. I wanted to see how far you can go using the features available for the free plan. The way I tested each platform was based on the features it offers. I created a task list that covered both coding assistance and building a functional app from a prompt. This helped me understand how each tool really performs and what it’s best suited for.
Since all three platforms have a chat field where you can prompt the AI, I wrote four prompts based on four different tasks. I then fed each of the tools the same prompts and analyzed their responses. I evaluated how well they handled the tasks, noting their strengths, weaknesses, and creativity.
The tasks I gave the AI included
- Build a to-do list app
- Form to schema with validation
- Part of a project for inspiration
- JavaScript to TypeScript conversion
For code assistant tasks, I didn’t run all the code to see if everything worked from start to finish. My focus was on how well each tool handled the tasks and the approach it took to solving them. While the tasks I tested weren’t overly complex, they were enough to show how capable each tool is when it comes to real-world app development and coding needs.
Testing Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor for five tasks
Task 1: Build a to-do list app
I wanted to see how each of these tools could build a functional app from the ground up using just a prompt.
Prompt: I’m trying to stay more organized, so I want to build a simple to-do list app for myself. It should let me add new tasks as they come to mind, mark them as completed when I finish, and also delete or edit them if needed. I’d love a minimal interface that’s easy to use on both desktop and mobile.
Lovable’s response
The response I got from Lovable was a complete app that allowed me to add tasks, edit them, and delete them if needed. I tested the app by adding three tasks, marking one as complete, editing one, and deleting another. The interface was minimal, just as I asked in the prompt, and I didn’t have to write any code.
Bolt’s response
Bolt’s response was creative, simple, and minimal. It built a functional app from the prompt I provided. I tested it by adding three tasks, editing one, marking one as complete, and deleting one. It also displayed the number of added, completed, and active tasks.
Cursor’s response
Cursor first provided a development plan that included the tech stack, core features, and step-by-step instructions on how to build the app. However, it didn’t immediately generate the code or user interface. It then asked if I wanted it to scaffold the project and start building the main components. I said yes. After that, it threw an error telling me I didn’t have Node.js installed and that it needed to be installed to continue creating the app.
Comparing their results
Lovable and Bolt both built functional apps ready for deployment from just a prompt without requiring me to write code or install anything. Cursor, on the other hand, couldn’t deliver a working UI directly from my prompt. While Lovable had better responsiveness for this app, Bolt was more detailed and creative.
Task 2: Form to schema with validation
I wanted to see how the tools would handle coding assistance tasks involving turning unstructured data into a backend schema with validation.
Prompt: I’m working with some user data on the backend and need to validate it using Zod. The data includes a name (string), age (number), email (which should follow a valid email format), and a boolean indicating whether the user subscribed. Help me write a Zod schema for this.
Lovable’s response
In chat mode, Lovable generated a Zod schema to validate the data provided in the prompt. It returned the code and highlighted key features of the schema. It also suggested ways to make fields optional and add more specific validations.
Bolt’s response
I had to switch to discussion mode because the build mode was interpreting the prompt as instructions to build an app. Once in discussion mode, Bolt handled the task by first explaining how to validate user data. It then provided a file containing the Zod schema and functions to validate the data. It also outlined the plan for how the file was updated.
Cursor’s response
Cursor went straight into defining a Zod schema based on the user data in the prompt. It included example usage and added if-statements. Afterward, it provided an explanation and mentioned that it could go even further by adding more constraints if I wanted it to.
Comparing their results
Cursor was direct and gave a clear, organized response. Bolt’s response was longer and delivered as a file, which felt a bit overwhelming. Lovable’s response and approach were similar to Cursor’s, but Cursor’s output felt slightly more refined.
Task 3: For inspiration
For this task, I wanted to see how each tool could help spark inspiration for building parts of a project, both by generating code and designing the UI.
Prompt: I’m working on a SaaS project and need ideas for a simple pricing section to display our different plans. I want three clear options: Free, Pro ($25/month), and Team ($50/month). Each plan should list 3 to 5 features and include a “Select Plan” button. Keep it simple yet creative, like what you’d typically see on well-designed startup websites.
Lovable’s response
Lovable generated a pricing page that matched the prompt I entered. The response was simple, creative, and responsive, and it included soft animations. Its result could serve as good inspiration for designing the section. It provided both the UI layout and the code.
Bolt’s response
The response from Bolt also matched the prompt well. It was clean, creative, and resembled typical pricing pages. It was detailed enough to use as solid inspiration, included soft animations, and also provided the code along with the UI.
Cursor’s response
Cursor returned lines of code and outlined design tips but did not build out a UI. It mentioned that the structure and style of the code could be adapted to fit different stacks. The design tips it suggested include highlighting the Pro plan with a different border or background.
Comparing their results
Lovable and Bolt both generated good pricing pages that could serve as solid inspiration, complete with UI and code. Cursor, on the other hand, only returned code without a visual UI.
Task 4: JavaScript to TypeScript conversion
For this task, I didn’t have a personal code challenge I needed help with, so I remembered one that a beginner developer friend once shared in our group. I decided to test how each tool would handle it.
Prompt: I wrote this function in JavaScript to handle product data, but I want to convert it to proper TypeScript using interfaces and types. Can you help?
function createProduct(data) {
return {
id: data.id,
title: data.title,
price: data.price,
inStock: true
};
}
Lovable’s response
I had to prompt Lovable multiple times before it generated usable code. Eventually, it produced both a basic TypeScript conversion and an enhanced version based on my prompt. It also included a brief explanation of how to use the converted code. Lovable added sample values and explained what the TypeScript version was designed to do.
Bolt’s response
After prompting it more than once, I used Bolt’s prompt enhance feature to improve my original prompt. I sent the enhanced prompt in discussion mode. Bolt then explained briefly how it would convert the code before generating the TypeScript version based on my input. The result was clear and easy to understand.
Cursor’s response
Cursor started by outlining three steps for converting a JavaScript function to TypeScript using interfaces and types. It then generated a clean TypeScript version of the code and added helpful implementation tips, along with explanations for its chosen approach.
Comparing their results
Cursor’s response was clean, organized, and easy to follow. In contrast, Lovable’s output felt overwhelming, although it included helpful explanations and details. Bolt’s result was similar to Cursor’s response; it was simple, clear, and easy to understand.
Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor performance at a glance
| Task | Winner(s) | Why they won |
| Build a to-do list app | Lovable and Bolt | Both generated fully functional, ready-to-use apps with a clean UI and code. Cursor didn’t directly generate a working app. |
| Form to Schema with validation (Zod) | Cursor | Cursor gave a clean code and good explanations. Lovable also performed well, but Cursor’s clarity and completeness won. |
| Pricing section for inspiration | Lovable and Bolt | Lovable and Bolt created visually appealing pricing layouts with UI and code, good for inspiration. Cursor only returned code and design tips, not a usable UI. |
| JavaScript to TypeScript conversion | Cursor | While Bolt and Lovable generated good responses after a few times prompting them, Cursor stood out because it immediately provided a clear and simple solution. |
My final take
If you’re a beginner or someone without a coding background, both Lovable and Bolt are great choices. They take natural language prompts and turn them into fully functional apps—UI and code included. These tools don’t require you to write a single line of code. However, since code quality also matters, if you’re not skilled, you would need a professional who can review and refine the code.
Cursor, on the other hand, is best suited for technical users who already have a development environment set up and want an AI coding assistant. Cursor doesn’t generate UIs, but it does produce clean, executable code based on your prompts.
With Cursor, you can add context and tag files while prompting the AI for help. After testing Cursor for vibe coding, I understood why it appealed to my friend, who’s a seasoned developer. He wanted an enhanced coding experience with AI support.
Additionally, one thing I noticed with Lovable and Bolt is that they default to build mode. That means they automatically try to create a full app, even if all you want is a code snippet. To get better results for code assistance, you’ll need to switch to chat or discussion mode manually. That workflow can be a bit frustrating when you just want quick answers or to test out ideas.
Meanwhile, if you’re using Bolt, I recommend turning on the prompt enhance feature. It helps reframe your prompt for clearer, more accurate results.
Conclusion: Testing Lovable vs Bolt vs Cursor for vibe coding
After testing Lovable, Bolt, and Cursor head-to-head, I saw how important it is to choose the right tool based on your skill level and goals. Whether you’re switching tools, trying one for the first time, or figuring out which one fits a specific task, it’s worth thinking about what you really need from your tool.
One major takeaway for me is that vibe coding tools like Lovable and Bolt can build functional apps from a single prompt and even offer deployment features. On the other hand, tools like Cursor are designed to help you write and refine code, but you’ll still need to implement and deploy it in your own environment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, even though vibe coding tools welcome beginners, you still need to prompt wisely and have a basic understanding of app development and designing concepts to truly get the most out of them.
Finally, the tool you choose shapes your vibe coding experience. You might want something like Cursor that helps generate clean, functional code for your own dev environment. Or you might prefer tools like Lovable and Bolt, which generate both ready-to-publish code and UI.
Either way, knowing what you want and how involved you want to be in the process makes all the difference.
But to get the most out of vibe coding, be clear on these three things:
- What exactly you want the tool to do
- How your app or project should feel to end users
- What success looks like for your specific goal
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