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Tool · StackBlitz · App builder

Bolt.new

Bolt.new is StackBlitz's tool that builds you a real, full web app from a simple description. You type 'make me a to-do list app with login' and it writes the code and shows it to you live, right in the browser. Perfect for prototyping an idea without writing code.

App tool 4 min read Updated 2026-05-25
— What it is

Bolt.new, in plain words

In plain words: you describe your idea in everyday language, Bolt codes the app, shows it live on the right side of the screen, and you tweak it by keeping the conversation going.

What's different from a Cursor or a Windsurf: there's nothing to install, everything runs in the browser. You describe your idea, Bolt codes it, and you see the result live in the right half of the screen. You make changes by chatting, and the code updates itself.

Under the hood, they use Claude Sonnet 4.6 by default (they're Anthropic partners) and let you deploy in one click to Netlify or Vercel.

What it's good for

  • Prototyping a business idea: "make me a European VAT calculator with a form and a result" — Bolt hands you an app in 2 minutes. Enough to show a partner.
  • Testing a landing page: describe a page, see how it looks, iterate 5 times in 30 minutes. Faster than briefing a designer.
  • Learning by example: you describe it, Bolt codes it, you read the generated code to understand how it's built. A genuinely effective way to learn.
  • Simple internal tools: a mini dashboard to track a few things, an internal form — Bolt is enough, no developer required.
  • A mockup for your developer: you hand the Bolt prototype to a real dev who finishes it for production.

How it compares

vs v0 by Vercel: v0 leans more toward design components (React + Tailwind). Bolt generates a full app with a back end. Pick v0 for pure design, Bolt for a working app.

vs Lovable: Lovable is a direct competitor, launched around the same time (late 2024). Lovable leans more toward SaaS, Bolt is more versatile. It's a tie — test both depending on your case.

vs Cursor / Windsurf: Cursor and Windsurf are IDEs for developers. Bolt is a no-code tool for non-devs. If you know how to code, Cursor and Windsurf are more powerful. If you don't code, Bolt is simpler.

What it costs

Prices as of May 25, 2026 (source: bolt.new/pricing):

  • Free: $0 — 200k tokens/day, enough to try it out
  • Pro: $20/month — 10M tokens/month, private projects, Vercel deployment
  • Teams: $50/month per user — team management, GitHub sync, support

Heads up: Bolt bills in tokens. A complex app can burn through several hundred thousand tokens. Keep a close eye on your usage at the start.

My take

I tested Bolt to whip up little internal tools (calculators, qualification forms). For that, it's stunning. A working app in 10 minutes without touching the code.

What I love: the magic of watching an app take shape live, the one-click deployment, the GitHub export so you can hand it off to a real dev afterward.

What bugs me: it eats through tokens fast the moment you start iterating, and the result stays fragile. As long as you're prototyping, it's great. To go to production with real users, you need a dev to take over. Not a replacement, an accelerator.

Quick questions

Is Bolt.new for a non-dev?

Bolt.new is StackBlitz's tool that builds a full web app from a plain-language description, no code needed: the code is generated and shown live in the browser, then exportable to GitHub.

Which AI model does Bolt use?

Claude Sonnet 4.6 by default, with access to other models depending on your plan.

Is my Bolt app really mine?

Yes, you export the code to GitHub. No technical vendor lock-in.

Checked on 2026-05-25 · next review 2026-11-25

Prices and specs verified on bolt.new. Personal use: 3-4 prototypes a month for internal tool ideas.

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