Launching a new web app, whether it’s a website, mobile app, SaaS tool, landing page, or sales page, has never been easier.
You can open one of the new vibe coding tools, type a few prompts, and have something live in minutes. What used to take days or weeks now happens almost instantly.
I first came across vibe coding before the term really caught on in 2025. In October 2024, StackBlitz launched Bolt.new. I signed up right away and within a few hours had something working.
My first idea was simple. A streaming tracker for my favorite movies, TV shows, and podcasts. I’d tried keeping lists in Notion, but it always felt clunky. I wanted something visual that I’d actually use.
That first app is still a work in progress, but it was the spark. Since then I’ve launched a handful of other apps, and each one proved the same thing: when you know how to prompt, you can build almost anything.
In this article, I’m sharing the 10 best vibe coding tools worth knowing in 2025, why they matter, and what you should watch out for if you want to build faster and smarter.
1. Cursor AI
If you know some code, Cursor is one of the best upgrades you can make to your workflow. It’s built on VS Code but optimized for AI. At around $20/month for unlimited completions, it’s a solid option for most many vibe coders.
I use it almost daily for writing modules, refactoring old projects, running tests, and even exploring new ideas when I’m stuck. It feels familiar if you’ve used VS Code, but smarter. You can say things like, “Add JWT authentication to this project,” or “Refactor this function to improve performance,” and Cursor will take a shot at it.
But here’s the truth: it’s only as good as your instructions. A vague prompt like “it’s broken” will get you nowhere. Instead, open your console, copy the exact error, explain what you expected to happen, and share any context. When you do that, Cursor feels like magic.
When you’re lazy, it’s frustrating. It can hallucinate or even break things. That’s why version control is your friend. Keep your code in Git, make frequent commits, and always have a staging environment separate from production.
One extra tip: documentation. I keep a markdown file for each feature and update it as I go. Sometimes I even ask Cursor to write the documentation for me as it builds. Later, when I return to a project, those notes are gold.
2. Windsurf AI (formerly Codeium)
Windsurf is the tool you turn to when you want more power and flexibility. It’s an AI-driven IDE that supports agents, plugins, and more complex tasks. I’ve used it to create entire payment flows, connect to APIs, and even scaffold microservices.
The interface is clean, but it moves fast—features are added and sometimes changed quickly. If you’re willing to ride the wave, it’s worth it.
Who is it for? Windsurf works best if you already understand development basics. If you know the difference between front end and back end, how deployments work, and why Git matters, you’ll get a lot more out of it.
Windsurf also rewards good prompting. Before I start a session, I often outline what I want in a quick doc: features, endpoints, tests to pass. Then I feed that to Windsurf. The more detailed the input, the better the output.
And don’t forget security and backups. When tools are this powerful, a wrong command can introduce issues. Always keep your code versioned and review what’s generated.
3. Bolt.new App
Bolt.new is pure speed. No setup. You open a browser, describe your app, and you have a working prototype in under an hour. My first Bolt project was a SaaS dashboard, and it looked surprisingly good.
But vibe coding is weakest on the backend. Front ends work fast; logic often breaks later. I’ve been excited by Bolt projects, only to stop when the backend got messy. That’s normal—Bolt is for sketching, not final builds.
One great feature worth mentioning: Bolt comes with built-in Supabase integration. That means you can set up a database, auth, and basic backend services without leaving the platform. It’s not perfect, but it saves a lot of time compared to wiring up your own backend from scratch.
Now Bolt is going further. They’ve announced Bolt Cloud, turning what was once a prototyping tool into something you can actually scale. According to the company, you can now launch and grow projects without leaving Bolt:
- Hosting with SEO and custom domains right inside the platform.
- A single Publish button to push your app live instantly.
- A private beta rolling out soon with features like unlimited databases, authentication and user management, secure payments, functions, file storage, analytics, and enterprise-grade security.
The big idea? Removing the “hidden tax” of integrations and fragile infrastructure. Instead of wasting hours stitching tools together or worrying about downtime, Bolt wants to be your end-to-end builder, from first prompt to production.
If they deliver, it changes what Bolt can be: not just a playground, but a serious tool for shipping apps to real users.
Use Bolt to validate ideas. Show clients something. Get feedback. And if you’re ready to push live, try the new Bolt Cloud features to host and scale without leaving your editor.
4. Lovable App
Lovable shines when looks matter. It takes your prompts or Figma designs and builds good-looking apps. I’ve used it to create dashboards, portals, and landing pages without touching CSS.
It’s friendly for beginners. You type, it builds. But it’s surface-level. The front end might sparkle, while the backend hides rough edges. Before you launch, review and lock down the code.
Where Lovable really steps up is its Supabase integration. Just like Bolt, you can hook up a database and user authentication quickly. For simple dashboards or small SaaS tools, this is a huge win. It won’t replace a full backend, but it’s a smart way to get something functional live without hiring a backend engineer.
One thing to watch: you can burn through credits fast if you jump straight into building. Every edit or rebuild costs something, and it adds up. To save time and credits, use Lovable’s chat feature to plan your app first. Break down what you want—pages, flows, data—and get it right before you start generating screens. This approach makes the credits you spend more valuable and keeps your builds cleaner.
Use Lovable for first impressions, pitches, or to test UI ideas, and lean on Supabase if you need light backend features fast.
5. Replit Agent
Replit has always been a great place to experiment with code, but the new Agent makes it feel like you’ve added an extra developer to your team. Describe what you want—“Build a tool that uploads a CSV and creates graphs,” or “Spin up a full-stack app with user auth”—and it takes a shot at it. It even handles hosting, so your work is live as soon as it’s ready.
What makes Replit stand out is its all-in-one environment. Instead of juggling a local editor, GitHub, and a separate host, everything is right there:
- A browser-based IDE that works anywhere.
- Built-in Git integration and version control.
- One-click deployments to Replit’s servers.
- A growing marketplace of templates and extensions.
The Agent accelerates all of this. It uses AI to generate boilerplate code, suggest fixes, and even debug issues. It’s great for beginners because you can see everything happening in real time. For more advanced users, it’s a way to prototype without leaving your browser.
But here’s what you need to watch:
- Security: Replit makes it easy to expose keys by accident. Hide secrets in environment variables.
- Scale: It’s powerful, but big production apps might need more robust infrastructure later.
- Review every commit: AI can hallucinate or introduce bugs. Always keep Git commits clean and separate staging from production.
Personally, I treat Replit like a lab. It’s where I try out ideas, build utilities, or test something new. Some of my best concepts started there. And because it’s so fast to deploy, it’s great for demos and client work too.
If you’re serious about no code, keep Replit in your toolkit. Learn the shortcuts, use the Agent wisely, and you’ll be surprised how much you can create in an afternoon.
6. GitHub Copilot
Copilot isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable. It’s the quiet assistant sitting in your editor, finishing your sentences, adding comments, and suggesting functions.
I keep it on all the time. It’s great for repetitive code, boilerplate, and even exploring libraries I’m less familiar with.
What makes it better is pairing it with other extensions. Tools like Klien integrate well and give Copilot even more context.
But here’s the key: Copilot isn’t going to plan your app. It’s there to speed up your work, not decide what you should build. The more you know—HTML, CSS, React, Git—the more you’ll get out of it.
7. Claude Code and Claude Pro
Claude Pro is a friendly way to start. It runs in the browser, costs around $17/month, and lets you describe what you want to build. Claude writes scripts or basic web apps and shows you the output.
It’s not a full IDE, but it’s perfect for small tasks and learning. I recommend it to people who want to dabble without installing anything.
Claude Code goes deeper. It’s a command-line tool, and it’s serious. It can integrate with your repo, plan features, and even automate parts of your workflow. At $100–$200/month, it’s not cheap, but it’s for people who want control.
I use Claude Code to plan features, update docs, and audit projects. I ask it to keep track of decisions, database changes, and API notes. That way, nothing gets lost.
8. Google AI Studio and Gemini CLI
Google AI Studio is a pleasant surprise. It’s free, runs in the browser, and uses Google’s Gemini models. It’s perfect for trying out ideas, testing snippets, and experimenting without risk.
I use it when I just want to see if something could work. It’s stripped down compared to a full IDE, but that’s fine for vibe coding beginners or for brainstorming.
Gemini CLI is new but exciting. It’s Google’s take on terminal-based coding. It supports big projects, has a huge context window, and right now it’s generous—up to 60 requests per minute and 1,000 per day while it’s in preview.
If you like the command line and want depth, Gemini CLI is worth exploring. It feels like an investment in future skills.
9. Warp 2.0
Warp is like the terminal reimagined. It adds AI help, autofill, and even agents. Instead of memorizing commands, you get suggestions and context.
For developers who live in the command line, it can be a game-changer. I’ve started using Warp for repetitive tasks and it saves time. It’s also less intimidating than a blank terminal window.
There’s a free tier and affordable paid plans. If you’ve ever thought the command line was old-fashioned, Warp will change your mind.
10. Vercel v0
v0 is perfect if you’re brand new or just need something live. It’s visual, free to start, and you type what you want: “Make me a portfolio site” or “Create a landing page with a signup form.”
It’s motivating to see results fast. It won’t do complex apps, but for getting your first project online or creating something small for a client, it’s ideal.
Once you need features like authentication, payments, or integrations, you’ll outgrow it, but it’s a great stepping stone.
Key Lessons After Months of Testing
Start simple. Tools like v0, Google AI Studio, Claude Pro, and Lovable are great first stops. They help you see results fast without getting lost in complexity. Don’t jump into the deepest tools before you understand what you actually want to build. Early wins create momentum.
Learn the basics. Even if these tools do a lot for you, knowing some fundamentals changes everything. Understand Git so you can track changes and roll back mistakes. Learn what staging vs. production means so you don’t break your live app. Get familiar with HTML, CSS, and a framework like React so you can tweak and fix when AI guesses wrong.
Write better prompts. The quality of your instructions drives the quality of the output. Instead of typing “Fix this bug,” explain the problem: “When I click signup, I see this error message in the console. Expected behavior is X.” Include context, goals, and constraints. AI tools are fast, not psychic.
Expect issues. Backend code is the weak spot of most vibe coding platforms. APIs may fail, functions can break, and logic can loop. Always test before you share with users. Treat every feature like a draft until it proves itself.
Make security a priority. Don’t let convenience make you sloppy. Hide API keys in environment variables. Scan your code for vulnerabilities. Review commits before deploying. Assume someone will try to break what you build, even if it’s just for fun.
Document as you go. A simple markdown file for each project or feature saves hours later. Record decisions, changes, database tweaks, and lessons learned. It’s not glamorous, but when you revisit a project in three months, you’ll thank yourself.
Speed only matters if you ship. It’s easy to get addicted to playing with new tools. Resist that trap. Build something small, put it in front of real people, get feedback, and adjust. The faster you close that loop, the faster you learn what works.
Quick FAQ
What is vibe coding (no code)?
It’s using natural language to tell AI tools what to do—write, refactor, or explain code. You become the guide, not the coder.
Will these tools replace developers?
No. They’re accelerators. You still need planning, testing, and creativity.
Which is best for vibe coding beginners?
v0, Lovable, Claude Pro, and Google AI Studio.
Which is best for advanced work?
Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, and Gemini CLI give you more control.
Conclusion
Vibe coding is still evolving, but the opportunity is huge. These tools can save you hours, help you launch faster, and reduce barriers to building.
Pick one or two from this list and experiment. Start small, learn the basics, and don’t skip documentation or security. Most importantly, launch.
The future belongs to those who build fast and learn even faster.
