I’ve used bolt.new a lot. It’s fast, smart, and lives in the browser. I like that. But I kept hitting limits when my projects grew. So I went hunting for tools that felt close, or even better for bigger builds.
(If you’re curious about the full story of why I swapped tools, I wrote a detailed breakdown in this follow-up.)
Here’s the thing: I didn’t just kick the tires. I built real stuff. I broke things. I fixed them. And I took notes.
Quick take
- For quick web demos in the browser: StackBlitz or CodeSandbox works great.
- For full apps on my laptop: Cursor or Windsurf feels stronger than bolt.new.
- For easy sharing and school work: Replit is friendly and simple.
And if you ever need to spin up a landing page without touching code, ZyWeb gives you a drag-and-drop builder that can sit in front of any of these back-end setups.
You know what? None of these is perfect. But a few fit different jobs really well.
What I built in bolt.new (and where I got stuck)
- A tiny Next.js note app with Tailwind. The bot set up pages, styles, and a basic CRUD flow. It even wrote tests. Pretty neat.
- A SvelteKit chat toy that called an API. The preview worked in the browser. I could share the link with a friend. Easy.
Where I hit the wall:
- Env keys were a pain. I had to paste them again after idle.
- No Docker. No system tools. So Prisma migrations were hit-or-miss for me.
- Long installs sometimes timed out. Big packages got cranky.
- Background jobs? Not happening inside a browser sandbox.
That’s why I went looking. I needed more power for real apps, not just sketches.
My favorite bolt.new alternatives I actually used
1) Cursor (my daily driver for real work)
Cursor is a desktop editor with chat built in. It edits many files at once. It runs on my machine, so I get full control.
What I shipped:
- A Next.js habit tracker with Prisma + SQLite. I asked, “Make models for habits and logs.” It wrote the schema, routes, and hooks. I ran the dev server, fixed one type error, and shipped a working MVP in a weekend.
- A React dashboard using shadcn/ui. I said, “Wire up a table with filters.” It created the code and even explained edge cases.
Why I like it:
- Full Node, real dev server, my tools, my terminal.
- Good at “change five files to add auth” kind of tasks.
- Code edits feel safe. I can read the diff and accept or reject.
Where it nags:
- It can get “confident but wrong” with complex state.
- You still need to know your stack. It won’t read your mind.
Who it fits:
- You build real apps on your laptop and want AI help that doesn’t get in your way.
2) Replit with Ghostwriter and Deploy
Replit runs in the cloud. No setup on your computer. Share a link and boom—someone can see it.
(If you’re comparing Replit to its competitors, my notes on Replit’s rivals might help—check them out here.)
What I shipped:
- A Python Flask quiz API for a class. I stored scores in a file (then SQLite). Ghostwriter wrote most routes. Secrets were easy to add. I shared a link with my students, and it just worked.
- A tiny Node bot that hit a public API on a timer. The logs were simple to read.
Why I like it:
- Sharing is easy. Good for teams, classes, or show-and-tell.
- Deploy is one click. No fuss.
- Works fine on a Chromebook.
Where it nags:
- Cold starts happen. Larger installs can drag.
- CPU and memory limits hit long builds.
Who it fits:
- Teachers, students, hack nights, quick web services you want to share fast.
3) CodeSandbox Projects + AI
This feels a lot like bolt.new but with cloud devboxes. It’s good for front-end and small full-stack demos.
(I also tested a batch of websites similar to bolt.new, including CodeSandbox—my findings are summarized here.)
What I shipped:
- A SvelteKit todo app with a tiny API route. I shared a preview link with my friend. We edited the same file at the same time. It felt like Google Docs for code.
Why I like it:
- Live previews and easy sharing.
- Good for “hey, look at this idea” demos.
Where it nags:
- Cold starts and install time on bigger stacks.
- Heavy backend tools can be rough.
Who it fits:
- Teams who pair in the browser. Front-end folks who want fast links.
4) StackBlitz (without Bolt)
Plain StackBlitz is still a beast for front-end demos.
What I shipped:
- A Vite + React table with filtering and CSV export. I pushed it to a teammate in minutes. No install, just code.
Why I like it:
- Lightning fast for web apps.
- Npm packages just work for front-end.
Where it nags:
- Server stuff is limited. No Docker or native tools.
- Databases and migrations are tricky.
Who it fits:
- Front-end demos, docs, and workshops.
5) Windsurf by Codeium
Windsurf is an “agent-style” editor. It plans, edits many files, and explains choices.
What I shipped:
- A Next.js dashboard with Auth routes and a couple charts. It scaffolded pages, wrote layout code, and gave a plan I could tweak. I still had to add env keys myself.
Why I like it:
- Strong multi-file edits. Good “bigger change” flow.
- The plan view keeps me calm. I like seeing the steps.
Where it nags:
- It can loop on scripts or build steps. You still steer the ship.
- Needs a steady internet link for the big moves.
Who it fits:
- Builders who want an AI that sketches the map, not just a chat box.
6) VS Code + Continue (open source)
Continue is an open source AI sidekick that runs in VS Code. You can plug in your own model.
What I shipped:
- A refactor of a messy utils folder. I asked it to group helpers, add tests, and write JSDoc. It did most of it, and I cleaned the rest.
Why I like it:
- Free, simple, and local. You keep control.
- Great for “change this file and tell me why.”
Where it nags:
- It’s not an agent. It won’t run tasks for you.
- You handle the terminal and installs.
Who it fits:
- Folks who want light AI help without a new tool.
A quick head-to-head from my week
- Fastest to share: Replit and CodeSandbox. Click, share, done.
- Best for heavy lifting: Cursor or Windsurf on my laptop.
- Easiest for front-end demos: StackBlitz.
- Most “bolt-like” feel in the browser: CodeSandbox Projects.
- Best for control freaks (like me on Mondays): Cursor.
Real examples I shipped (short and sweet)
- Notes app in bolt.new: Good UI, env keys were flaky after idle.
- Habit tracker in Cursor: Prisma + Next.js, shipped fast, tests passed.
- Quiz API in Replit: Shared link with a class, students hit it in minutes.
- SvelteKit todo in CodeSandbox: Paired live with a friend. We fixed a bug while chatting.
- React table in StackBlitz: Quick demo for a meeting, zero setup.
- Dashboard in Windsurf: Multi-file edits with a clear plan, I handled env and deploy.
Little gotchas and tips
- If you need Docker, cron, or native tools, use a desktop IDE (Cursor or VS Code).
- If you’re teaching or sharing a demo, Replit and CodeSandbox are less fuss.
- Save your env keys in one place. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Tell the AI your stack up front: “Next.js 14, App Router, Tailwind, Prisma with SQLite.” It writes better code when you’re clear.
- When it “hallucinates,” ask for a diff and tests. It slows the mess.
So, which should you try?
- I’m on a Chromebook and want quick wins: CodeSandbox or StackBlitz.
- I’m building a real product with a database: Cursor or Windsurf.
- I want friends to try my app today: Replit.
- I need a simple helper inside VS Code: Continue.
Honestly, I still open bolt.new when I want to sketch an idea fast. But for real builds, I reach for Cursor or Windsurf. For class work or share links, I grab Replit or CodeSandbox. It’s a toolbox thing.
Final word
Choosing the right dev tool can feel a lot like choosing the right dating app—there’s plenty of swiping, a bit of trial and error, and the moment when something finally clicks. If you’re curious how a thorough teardown looks in a completely different space, check out this