Lovable vs Bolt.new in 2026: which prompt-to-app builder should you use?
Updated 2026-10-17 · 6 min read
| Tool | What it is | Pricing | Usage limits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovable checked 2026-10-17 | Prompt-to-web-app builder. The fastest way for non-coders to ship a good-looking web app or SaaS MVP. | Free $0 (5 credits/day, max 30/mo) · Pro from $25/mo (100 credits) or $250/yr source (opens in a new tab) | Free: 5 credits/day, max 30/mo. Pro: 100 credits/mo + 5/day. Plan mode ≈ 1 credit/message; Build mode is usage-based. source (opens in a new tab) | Visit Lovable (opens in a new tab) |
| Bolt.new checked 2026-10-17 | Prompt-to-app builder in the browser. Full-stack apps from a prompt with hosting and databases included. Good for quick browser games too. | Free $0 (1M tokens/mo) · Pro $25 · Teams $30/member per month source (opens in a new tab) | Free: 300K tokens/day, 1M/mo. Pro: no daily limit, from 10M tokens/mo; unused tokens roll over 1 month. source (opens in a new tab) | Visit Bolt.new (opens in a new tab) |
Side by side (vendor pages, checked 2026-10-17)
| Lovable | Bolt.new | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 5 build credits/day, max 30/month, plus a daily chat allowance | 300K tokens/day, 1M/month |
| Entry paid plan | Pro $25/month, 100 credits, plus 5/day ($250/year) | Pro $25/month, from 10M tokens, no daily limit |
| Rollover | Monthly credits roll over and expire 2 months after they're issued | Tokens roll over one extra month (valid up to 2 months) |
| Top-ups | $15 per 50 credits (Pro) | Token reloads; see the pricing page |
| Team plan | Business from $50/month (100 credits) | Teams $30 per member per month |
| Hosting | Hosting and built-in backend paid from credits, with a monthly Cloud grant of 20 credits | Hosting on all plans: up to 333k web requests (Free) or 1M (Pro); unlimited databases |
| Branding | “Edit with Lovable” badge removable on Pro | Bolt branding on Free, removed on Pro |
| Custom domain | Pro and up | Pro and up |
| Code | Git sync on all plans; edit and download code from Pro | Not stated on the pricing page |
Sources: Lovable plans (opens in a new tab), Lovable credits docs (opens in a new tab), Bolt.new pricing (opens in a new tab).
Credits vs tokens: why you can't compare the numbers directly
Lovable charges Build mode by how complex the request is. Its examples: “make the button gray” 0.50 credits, “add authentication” 1.20, “build a landing page with images” 2.00. Plan mode is 1 credit per message. Lovable credits docs (opens in a new tab) Bolt charges in AI tokens and says most token use comes from syncing your project's files to the AI. The bigger the project, the more tokens each message costs. Bolt.new pricing (opens in a new tab) So 100 Lovable credits and 10M Bolt tokens can't be converted into each other. Small apps tend to make any allowance last longer. Large projects drain both.
Who should pick Lovable
- You want the app's database, auth and AI features paid from one balance. Lovable gives 20 monthly Cloud credits and 4 AI credits on Free and Pro. Lovable plans (opens in a new tab)
- You're a student or teacher: there's 50% off Pro (100 credits, monthly) for up to 12 months.
- You'll need team governance later: Business adds SSO, role-based access and security insights.
- You want your code in GitHub from day one, even on Free.
Try Lovable (opens in a new tab)
Who should pick Bolt.new
- You want to try lots of ideas before paying. The free allowance is published in tokens per day and per month. Bolt.new pricing (opens in a new tab)
- You want hosting with a stated web-request allowance and unlimited databases on every plan.
- You're a small team that prefers per-member pricing ($30 per member on Teams). Bolt notes that tokens aren't shared between team members.
- You want a choice of database provider (Pro).
Try Bolt.new (opens in a new tab)
Limits and what happens when you run out
Lovable: Lovable's docs say that when a workspace runs out of credits, building stops, AI features in deployed apps stop working and apps that rely on the built-in backend can pause. The published site itself stays live. Lovable credits docs (opens in a new tab) Long Build runs pause to check in once they've cost 20 credits (the default), so one prompt can't drain your balance without asking. Lovable credits docs (opens in a new tab)
Bolt.new: Free stops at the daily or monthly token cap. Pro has no daily limit, and leftover tokens carry over for one month as long as your subscription is active. Bolt.new pricing (opens in a new tab)
Either way, keep a free backup tool. See what to do when you hit a limit.
The gamer angle
Neither tool is a game engine. For a small browser game, Bolt's bigger free token allowance gives you more room to iterate, while Lovable is built around web apps and landing pages. If games are the point, look at Rosebud AI (built for games) or a coding agent with Phaser or Three.js. See the game dev guide.
Pricing details that may change soon
Lovable labels its current chat pricing (a per-message price plus a daily chat allowance) as a temporary offer that runs through October 31, 2026. It also calls the monthly Cloud, AI and connector grants temporary and subject to change. Lovable credits docs (opens in a new tab) We re-check every price on this page against the vendor's own page and update the date at the top when anything moves.
How to decide in an afternoon
- Write one brief, for example “a booking page with sign-in and an admin list”.
- Run it in both free tiers and make the same three follow-up edits.
- Check the usage meter in each tool after every edit.
- Pick the one whose output you'd still want to maintain next month.
Comparing a third option? See Replit vs Lovable vs Base44 or all Lovable alternatives. Or take the 3-question picker.
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- Lovable vs Base44
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FAQ
Is Bolt or Lovable cheaper?
Both Pro plans are $25/month (checked 2026-10-17). Lovable Pro includes 100 credits plus 5 a day; Bolt Pro starts at 10M tokens a month with no daily limit. Bolt Teams is $30 per member; Lovable Business starts at $50/month.
Which has the better free plan, Lovable or Bolt?
Bolt Free publishes 300K tokens a day and 1M a month with hosting. Lovable Free gives 5 build credits a day, up to 30 a month. The units differ, so test your own project.
Can I export code from Lovable and Bolt?
Lovable has Git sync on all plans and code download from Pro. Bolt's pricing page doesn't state its export options; check Bolt's help center.
Is Lovable or Bolt better for beginners?
Both target people who describe apps in plain English. Lovable adds a student discount; Bolt has the larger published free allowance.
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