AI Web App Builders Face Off

AI-assisted software development is no longer a futuristic idea. It’s happening now. But how do the leading tools perform when asked to build something real?

In this hands-on test, we asked four well-known AI app builders to create the same project using only the prompt we gave them. No manual coding. No frameworks. Just the AI’s response.

The project: a weather app called the "Augusto AI Demo Weather App" that:

• Asks for a name and zip code

• Uses the zip or your location to get the current weather

• Displays the forecast with a matching background

• Works on mobile and looks modern

These tools aim to make web development faster and easier, even for people without technical experience. So how did they do? Which one is right for you?

At Augusto, we regularly test tools like these to evaluate how they can help our clients prototype faster, reduce friction, and bring digital products to life more efficiently.

Overview of AI Coding Tools

AI coding tools can turn a plain-language prompt into real, working code. Some are built for non-developers. Others are better suited for people with some technical background. Either way, they aim to reduce the time and complexity of building software.

The tools we tested show just how much progress has been made in this space. Some can scaffold full apps in minutes. Others focus on visual design or editing code with the help of AI. Our goal was to see what these tools can really do with a practical, simple challenge.

The Challenge: Build a Weather App

Each tool received the same prompt: Build a weather app that asks the user for their name and zip code (or uses geolocation), fetches current weather data via the OpenWeather API, and updates the UI background based on the weather condition (e.g. sunny, rainy, snowy). The app should look modern and work well on mobile.

This gave us a baseline to compare:

• How well each tool understood and followed the instructions

• How fast they worked

• The quality of the design and code

• How much help they needed along the way

Side-by-Side Comparison

Observations by Tool

Bolt.new

• Fastest build time at 8 minutes

• Very intuitive interface with helpful UI cues

• Full access to clean code and backend integration (Supabase, Framer)

• Best balance between speed, control, and final result

• Free tier is generous; Pro plan unlocks more tokens and hosting

Loveable.dev

• Guided design experience with minimal prompts

• Strong focus on polished UI and user flow

• Not as fast, but very beginner-friendly

• Ideal for users prioritizing visual design over control

• Limited free tier; affordable entry-level pricing

V0.dev

• Lightning-fast React component generation with Tailwind and shadcn/ui

• Requires some dev familiarity but produces clean, modular code

• Great for prototyping or embedding into an existing project

• Fully free at the time of testing; seamless with Vercel hosting

Replit

• Full code editor experience with deep flexibility

• Ghostwriter AI is powerful, but requires more hands-on steering

• Longest build time and most back-and-forth prompts

• Best for developers who want full control and don’t mind getting under the hood

• Free for basic use, but AI agents and hosting require a paid plan

Conclusion

Each tool has its place:

• Use Bolt.new for flexible, full-stack apps with code access.

• Try Loveable.dev if you want a polished, no-code design experience.

• Choose V0.dev for fast React component generation.

• Go with Replit if you're comfortable working with code and want a full IDE.

Choosing the right tool isn’t just about speed. It’s about aligning with your goals and delivering value that lasts. That’s what we care about most.

Want help choosing or integrating the right tools into your workflow? Let’s talk.