Tier list · updated Oct 15, 2026

Best AI for vibe coding an MVP

The job: Go from an idea to a working, hosted web app with auth and a database, mostly by chatting.
For: Indie hackers, vibe coders and non-devs shipping a first version

⚠ Preliminary, based on public research, hands-on test pending. These scores come from a desk review of public sources (official pricing pages, docs, changelogs), linked on each tool page. Rex hasn't run the hands-on tests yet, so tiers shown are projected. Under our rubric, a tool's official tier is capped at B until it's tested.
SMeta-defining
No tools in this tier yet
CNiche / outclassed

Full rankings

#1

LovableMeta pick

Chat-to-full-stack-app builder with hosting, Cloud backend and GitHub sync.

Current meta pick on paper: full stack, hosting and GitHub sync in one chat, priced by credits not seats. Watch credit burn on bigger apps.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 28/35
Speed & friction 13/15
Value / price 11/15
Control & ownership 7/10
Momentum & community 9/10
Reliability & trust 8/10
Builder-fit 4/5
Total80/100
A80
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#2

Replit Agent

Cloud IDE with an autonomous Agent that builds, hosts and deploys apps.

The most complete 'real dev environment' of the builders. Free Mode buffs everyday work; paid-mode costs are harder to predict.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 27/35
Speed & friction 12/15
Value / price 11/15
Control & ownership 8/10
Momentum & community 8/10
Reliability & trust 8/10
Builder-fit 4/5
Total78/100
A78
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#3

Bolt.newBudget pick

StackBlitz's in-browser AI app builder with hosting and databases built in.

Generous free tier, free hosting and rollover tokens. Token burn climbs as the project grows.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 26/35
Speed & friction 13/15
Value / price 12/15
Control & ownership 7/10
Momentum & community 8/10
Reliability & trust 7/10
Builder-fit 4/5
Total77/100
A77
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#4

v0 by Vercel

Vercel's AI builder for React/Next.js UIs and apps, deployed straight to Vercel.

Best-looking React/Next.js UI on paper. Nerfed for new users: the $20 plan is gone, so paid now starts at $30/user.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 25/35
Speed & friction 13/15
Value / price 9/15
Control & ownership 7/10
Momentum & community 8/10
Reliability & trust 8/10
Builder-fit 4/5
Total74/100
B74
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#5

Base44

All-in-one AI app builder with auth, database and integrations built in.

Batteries included (auth, DB, integrations). GitHub and custom domains only from the $40-50 Builder tier.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 25/35
Speed & friction 13/15
Value / price 12/15
Control & ownership 5/10
Momentum & community 8/10
Reliability & trust 7/10
Builder-fit 3/5
Total73/100
B73
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#6

Emergent

Agentic app builder that plans, builds and deploys full-stack and mobile apps.

Ambitious multi-agent builder, but hosting costs credits every month and there's no tier between $20 and $200.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 24/35
Speed & friction 11/15
Value / price 9/15
Control & ownership 6/10
Momentum & community 8/10
Reliability & trust 6/10
Builder-fit 3/5
Total67/100
B67
projected · official: B
⚠ Preliminary
#7

Anything (formerly Create.xyz)

Prompt-to-app builder for web and mobile apps.

No free building, and its standout auto-testing is locked to $199+/mo.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 22/35
Speed & friction 11/15
Value / price 9/15
Control & ownership 5/10
Momentum & community 7/10
Reliability & trust 6/10
Builder-fit 3/5
Total63/100
C63
projected · official: C
⚠ Preliminary
#8

Firebase Studio

Google's browser workspace with an App Prototyping agent. Being shut down.

Closed to new users since Jun 22, 2026 and shutting down Mar 22, 2027. Don't start a new project here.

Score breakdown
Output quality on the job test 15/35
Speed & friction 4/15
Value / price 12/15
Control & ownership 7/10
Momentum & community 0/10
Reliability & trust 2/10
Builder-fit 4/5
Total44/100
D44
projected · official: D
⚠ Preliminary

How to read this list: each tool gets a job score out of 100 using our public rubric. Tiers: S ≥ 85, A 75-84, B 65-74, C 50-64, D < 50.

For this job we care about one thing: can a non-expert get a working, hosted MVP with sign-in and a database without hitting a wall? Price matters too, because most MVPs die before they earn anything.

Hands-on test pending. Rex’s test for this list will give every builder the same prompt pack (a waitlist + auth + CRUD dashboard app), then record time to first deploy, number of fix-up prompts, credits burned and whether the checklist passes. Results and outputs will be published here.