Tools

Which tool should you build with?

Compare 18 AI coding tools by what they’re best for, plan model, and real approved apps built with each. Data from the VibbleLaunch directory.

New to coding?

Lovable or Bolt

Full apps from text, no code needed

Developer?

Cursor

AI-native IDE with full code control

Just exploring?

How to read this comparison

App counts include approved listings whose makers selected that tool. They show this catalogue, not total market share. Plan models are broad editorial summaries; verify current vendor terms before buying.

AI Code Editors

Write code with AI assistance in a full development environment

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
Cursor Developers who want AI-augmented coding with full control	Developers who want AI-augmented coding with full control	Free tier and paid plans	6
GitHub Copilot AI assistance inside an existing development workflow	AI assistance inside an existing development workflow	Free tier and paid plans	—
Windsurf Conversational full-app development	Conversational full-app development	Free tier and paid plans	—

App Builders

Build complete apps from text descriptions — no coding required

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
Lovable Non-technical founders building full-stack web apps	Non-technical founders building full-stack web apps	Free tier and paid credits	1
Bolt Quick prototypes and browser-based development	Quick prototypes and browser-based development	Free tier and paid credits	1
v0 React and Next.js interfaces generated from prompts	React and Next.js interfaces generated from prompts	Free tier and paid credits	1
Replit Learning to code and collaborative projects	Learning to code and collaborative projects	Free tier and paid plans	—

AI Assistants

Chat-based AI for code generation, review, and debugging

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
ChatGPT General-purpose coding and explanations	General-purpose coding and explanations	Free tier and paid plans	2
Claude Complex reasoning, code review, and architecture	Complex reasoning, code review, and architecture	Free tier and paid plans	1

Frameworks

The underlying tech stack powering indie apps

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
Next.js Production React apps with server rendering, routing, and APIs	Production React apps with server rendering, routing, and APIs	Free and open source	25
React Component-based interfaces across web and native apps	Component-based interfaces across web and native apps	Free and open source	23
Vue Progressive web interfaces with an approachable learning curve	Progressive web interfaces with an approachable learning curve	Free and open source	1
Svelte Compiled interfaces with a small client runtime	Compiled interfaces with a small client runtime	Free and open source	—

Backend & Database

Database, auth, and API infrastructure

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
Firebase Managed app services in the Google ecosystem	Managed app services in the Google ecosystem	Free allowances and usage pricing	2
Supabase PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, and realtime features	PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, and realtime features	Free tier and paid usage	—

Hosting & Deployment

Get your app live on the internet

Tool	Best for	Plan model	Apps
Vercel Deploying Next.js and frontend apps with integrated previews	Deploying Next.js and frontend apps with integrated previews	Free tier and paid plans	3
Railway Full-stack services with managed databases	Full-stack services with managed databases	Usage-based paid plans	—
Fly.io Running containerised services close to users	Running containerised services close to users	Usage-based pricing	—

Built something? Show what you used.

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