Lovable vs Bolt.new: Features, Pricing and Best Use Cases (2026)

Lovable and Bolt.new (now branded simply as Bolt) are two of the most popular AI app builders. You describe an app in plain language, and they build a working full-stack web app with a live preview, a backend and one-click publishing. Both let you keep the code.

They look similar from the outside, but they differ in ways that matter once a project grows: how the backend works, how GitHub sync behaves, whether you can bring an existing repository, how usage is metered and what you pay.

How to read this article: facts and prices come from Lovable's and Bolt's official websites and documentation, last verified on 22 October 2026. App builders change their plans often, so confirm on the official pages linked at the end. My opinions are labelled as such. I have not run benchmarks, so I make no claims about which one generates better apps.

Quick profiles: Lovable and Bolt.new in my AI tools directory.

Quick Comparison

What Is Lovable?

Lovable is an AI app builder focused on going from an idea to a working product through conversation. You describe your app, and it generates the interface, logic and backend, which you refine through chat or visual edits.

Key points:

• Lovable Cloud is the built-in backend, on by default. It is built on Supabase's open-source foundation and provides a database, authentication, storage, realtime and edge functions. You can connect your own Supabase project instead.
• New projects use TanStack Start (the default since 13 May 2026). Older projects use React with Vite.
• Plan mode lets you discuss a change before building it.
• GitHub sync is two-way, but it always creates a new private repository.
• An official MCP server (https://mcp.lovable.dev) lets coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor work with your Lovable projects.

Full walkthrough: Lovable AI app builder guide.

What Is Bolt.new?

Bolt is an AI app builder from StackBlitz. Its defining feature is that your app's code runs in the browser using StackBlitz's WebContainers, so you see the project install, run and update live, with full access to every file.

Key points:

• Bolt Cloud is now the default: free hosting on a bolt.host address, a built-in database and authentication.
• Supabase is an opt-in alternative on Pro and Teams plans, and Netlify is an option for browser-only sites.
• GitHub sync is two-way, and you can import an existing repository or start from a URL.
• You can download the whole project as a ZIP and run it with npm install && npm run dev.

Full walkthrough: Bolt.new AI app builder guide.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Building experience

Both build from chat prompts and show a live preview. Lovable adds Plan mode for talking through changes and visual edits in the preview. Bolt puts the code and running environment in the foreground, which developers who like seeing files and terminal output tend to appreciate.

In my opinion, Lovable feels more product-focused and Bolt feels more developer-focused, but both serve non-developers and developers.

Backend and data

• Lovable Cloud gives you a Supabase-based backend with database, auth, storage, realtime and edge functions out of the box.
• Bolt Cloud gives you hosting, a built-in database and authentication by default, with Supabase available on paid plans.

If you want a Supabase backend from the start, Lovable includes one by default. On Bolt, Supabase requires a Pro or Teams plan.

Code ownership and GitHub

This is one of the clearest differences:

• Lovable syncs two ways with GitHub, but always creates a new repository. You can't connect an existing repo, and reconnecting creates another new one. It syncs one branch (usually main), and if Lovable and GitHub diverge, it pushes to a lovable-sync branch.
• Bolt syncs two ways (checking GitHub about every 30 seconds), lets you import an existing repository, and lets you download the project directly. You can create branches in Bolt, but you merge them on GitHub.

If you want to bring an existing codebase into an AI builder, Bolt supports that and Lovable does not.

Running the code locally

• Lovable: clone the GitHub repo, use Node.js 22, and run npm ci (or bun install) and the project's dev script. TanStack Start projects build with NITRO_PRESET=node-server npm run build. Lovable notes that built-in connectors and AI calls don't work outside Lovable.
• Bolt: download or clone, then run npm install && npm run dev.

Hosting and domains

Both publish with one click to a free subdomain (lovable.app or bolt.host) and support custom domains on paid plans.

Metering: credits vs tokens

• Lovable uses credits. Plan mode costs 1 credit per message, and Build mode usually costs between 0.5 and 2 credits per message.
• Bolt uses tokens. Large projects use more tokens per message, because Bolt reads and syncs your project files.

In both, small and specific prompts cost less than vague ones that need fixing afterwards.

Pricing Comparison (Verified 22 October 2026)

Lovable

Lovable's pricing page loads prices dynamically and may be running a price test, so the amount you see can differ. These prices come from Lovable's official documentation. On monthly plans, unused credits roll over and expire two months after they are issued.

Bolt.new

On paid plans, unused tokens roll over for two months. Bolt's monthly-billing prices were not captured during verification and need confirmation on the official pricing page.

What this means: the entry prices aren't directly comparable, because Bolt's $18 is the annual-billing rate while Lovable's $25 is monthly, and credits and tokens measure different things. Estimate your usage on the free plans before choosing a paid one.

Advantages and Limitations

Lovable

Advantages

• Full Supabase-based backend included by default.
• Plan mode and visual edits make iterating easy for non-developers.
• Two-way GitHub sync with protection against overwriting diverged work.
• Official MCP server for working with coding agents.

Limitations

• Can't connect an existing GitHub repository.
• The free plan's credits are small (up to 30 per month).
• Built-in connectors and AI calls don't work when you run the app outside Lovable.
• Displayed prices may vary while plans are tested.

Bolt.new

Advantages

• Code runs live in the browser, with every file visible and editable.
• Import existing GitHub repos and download projects directly.
• Generous free token allowance.
• Hosting, database and auth included through Bolt Cloud.

Limitations

• Supabase requires a Pro or Teams plan.
• Large projects use more tokens per message.
• Advertised paid prices are annual; monthly prices need confirming.
• You merge branches on GitHub, not inside Bolt.

Example Workflows

Founder validating an idea

Describe the product, use Plan mode to agree the main screens, build in small steps and publish to share with early users. With auth and a database included by default, Lovable suits this path well.

Developer extending an existing project

Import the repository from GitHub, ask Bolt for a new feature, test it in the in-browser preview and merge the branch on GitHub. Bolt supports this directly; Lovable can't connect an existing repo.

Prototype to production

With either tool: build the prototype, sync to GitHub, then continue in your own editor with a coding agent such as Claude Code or Cursor. Before launch, review authentication, data access rules and secrets, whichever builder you used.

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

Both are easy to start with: create an account, write a prompt, watch the app appear. In my opinion:

• Lovable is gentler for non-developers, thanks to Plan mode, visual edits and a backend that's on by default.
• Bolt feels more natural for developers, because the code and running environment are always visible.

The real learning curve for both is writing clear, specific prompts and keeping an eye on credits or tokens.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Lovable if

• You want a full Supabase-based backend without any setup.
• You are a founder, designer or product person building an MVP through conversation.
• Starting a new repository is fine for your project.

Choose Bolt.new if

• You want to import an existing GitHub repository or download the project directly.
• You like seeing and editing the code as it runs in the browser.
• You want a larger free allowance to experiment with.

Final Verdict

There is no universal winner. On the verified facts, Lovable stands out for its built-in Supabase-based backend and guided building, while Bolt stands out for in-browser code, importing existing repos and a generous free tier. Build the same small app in both free plans; within an hour you'll know which workflow suits you.

Official Sources

• Lovable and Lovable plans documentation
• Lovable GitHub integration and Lovable Cloud
• Bolt.new and Bolt pricing
• Bolt support documentation

All prices and plan details last verified on 22 October 2026.

Related Guides

• Lovable: features, pricing and alternatives →The quick profile with verified plans.
• Bolt.new: features, pricing and alternatives →Plans from Free to Teams.
• Lovable AI App Builder Guide →Build, sync to GitHub, run locally and publish.
• Bolt.new AI App Builder Guide →Build in the browser, sync and deploy.
• v0 by Vercel Guide →A third option for Next.js projects.
• AI Tools for Developers →Compare every app builder, agent and editor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lovable better than Bolt.new?

Neither is better for everyone. Lovable includes a Supabase-based backend by default and suits guided, conversational building. Bolt runs code in the browser, can import existing GitHub repos and has a larger free allowance.

Is Lovable free?

Yes. Lovable's free plan includes 5 build credits per day, up to 30 per month. Paid plans start at $25 per month.

Is Bolt.new free?

Yes. Bolt's free plan includes 1 million tokens per month with a daily limit of 300,000 and needs no card. Pro starts at $18 per month, billed annually.

Can I export my code from Lovable and Bolt?

Yes. Lovable syncs your code to a new GitHub repository. Bolt syncs with GitHub and also lets you download the project directly.

Can I import an existing GitHub project?

Bolt can import an existing repository. Lovable's GitHub sync always creates a new repository, so it can't connect an existing one.

Which one uses Supabase?

Lovable Cloud is built on Supabase and is on by default. Bolt uses its own built-in database by default, with Supabase available as an option on Pro and Teams plans.

Conclusion

Lovable and Bolt both turn prompts into real, ownable web apps. Choose Lovable for a guided build with a Supabase backend included, or Bolt for code-first building, importing existing repos and a generous free tier. Whichever you pick, sync to GitHub early and review security before launch.

Compare more AI app builders in the AI tools directory.