Vibe coding is the latest evolution in AI software development. It lets anyone ship apps and websites up to 10x faster by using editors like Cursor and Replit.
Startup founders and indie hackers are already using it to crank out SaaS MVPs, mobile apps, micro-SaaS tools, and even games — often in days, not weeks.
In this guide you'll get:
- A simple primer on how vibe coding works
- Side-by-side tool comparisons of the best vibe coding tools
- Examples of real people vibe coding, both devs and non-devs
- Tips for AI programming effectively
1. What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is the practice of using AI coding assistants like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and other AI tools to rapidly build software.
It sits at the intersection of AI and code generation, sometimes called "AI pair programming" or "fast prototyping with AI."
Originally coined by OpenAI cofounder Andrej Karpathy in early 2025, vibe coding means using AI to rapidly generate code without reading or caring about the quality of code it produces.
Today, the term covers a broader spectrum of AI-assisted development approaches that prioritize speed over code perfectionism.
For indie hackers and founders, vibe coding offers two huge benefits:
- Significantly reduced development costs
- Much faster iteration cycles
These AI coding tools can generate functional code from natural language prompts, debug existing codebases, and explain complex structures in plain English. For non-technical creators, this lowers the barrier to entry for building MVPs and prototypes. And for experienced devs, this can mean moving 10x faster.
2. Top vibe coding tools
You generally only need one tool to vibe code with, but there are dozens available. How do you choose the best one for you?
The good news is that vibe coding tools don't differ all that much. So if you're new to vibe coding or just trying it out, it's easy to make a quick decision and move on.
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Coding Skills
If you're non-technical, we recommend web-based tools. Developers, on the other hand, should pick a tool that matches the environment they code in.
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Fun vs. Serious
Vibe coding is great for prototypes and throwaway projects. But for anything substantial, plan for developers to take over eventually.
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Setup Time
Most vibe coding tools are easy to set up. But some require more effort than others, and aren't worth it if you're just dabbling.
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Advanced Usage
Once you're a hardcore vibe coder, it's time to compare tools based on special features, costs, and the quality of their coding agents.
Just want to make a quick decision? You can't go wrong by downloading Cursor if you're familiar with coding, or by signing up for Lovable if you're not.
Otherwise, we've put together a list of our top recommendations below. It covers each tool in more detail, based on the factors listed above.
We've filtered the list to only include the most popular options that have extensive documentation and active communities.
2.1. Cursor
Using Cursor to vibe code a simple game of tic-tac-toe.
Cursor
is undoubtedly the most famous vibe coding tool. It even got a shout out in the original tweet that defined vibe coding.
It's an IDE (essentially a code editor) built for developers. It was forked from VS Code and comes jam packed with AI features that understand your codebase and that can write code in response to natural language instructions.
Cursor is best for developers who like IDEs and who want a proven vibe coding experience. It's particularly good for those already using VS Code, since it's trivial to import your extensions, settings, and shortcuts into Cursor. It's also well suited for vibe coding on an existing codebase.
Key features for vibe coding with Cursor:
- Cursor's "Agent Mode" can code entire apps from one prompt.
- @-tagging files makes it easy to provide context to the AI.
- Inline code generation with ⌘K is perfect for quick edits.
Cursor's pricing:
- Free tier: Generous usage limits depending on the model you choose, plus a free trial of the Pro tier.
- Pro tier: $20/month for unlimited AI requests + some usage-based costs for top-tier models.
Popular alternatives to Cursor:
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Windsurf
is another popular IDE built on top of VS Code. Their agent takes a slightly different approach than Cursor's and might work better for your needs. They also have a 1-click deploy-to-the-web button that's uncommon in IDEs and very friendly for beginners.
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GitHub Copilot
is an extension for VS Code. It was the original AI coding tool of the modern LLM era (until Cursor came along), and probably the most downloaded. In February 2025 they added an agent mode and caught up to the competition.
2.2. Lovable
Using Lovable to vibe code a tic-tac-toe game with a romantic theme.
Lovable
is unique in focusing their efforts on allowing non-technical users to vibe code. They believe the future of software development won't require knowing how to code, and that philosophy shows in their product.
It's a web-based tool, so all you need to do is sign up for an account, then enter your app idea into the prompt box and press enter.
Lovable is best for non-technical builders who want to get something up and running fast. Compared to other web-based editors, Lovable seems to be by far the most focused on vibe coding for no-coders. But it also provides access to the code and links your projects to GitHub, so it's easy to build protoypes that you can pass off to developers.
Key features for vibe coding with Lovable:
- Their "visual edits" feature lets you select an area on your screen, and then give editing commands to the AI that only apply to that area.
- You can publish the apps you vibe code live to the web with a single click.
- Their "versioning" feature makes it easy to revert to a previous version of your app.
Lovable's pricing:
- Free tier: Limited daily and monthly usage, and your projects are public.
- Pro tier: Usage-based pricing starting at $25/month more usage and, custom domains, private projects, and more.
Other web-based vibe coding tools:
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Replit Agent
is another web-based vibe coding tool designed to work well for both technical and non-technical creators alike. It claims to be more powerful than any other solution, and it's worth a try to compare it to other alternatives.
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Bolt
is a web-based vibe coding tool created by a company called StackBlitz. Like the other vibe coding tools on this list, it has a unique coding agent, and you may find that it produces better results than others for certain requests.
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v0
is a web-based vibe coding tool created by Vercel. It's specifically designed to generate React and Next.js apps, and it might be a great fit if you or the developers you're working with prefer the Vercel ecosystem. Which is likely, because it's quite popular among startups and indie hackers.
3. Real-world examples
Vibe coding is already powering real-world applications across multiple domains. From indie games that generate serious revenue, to SaaS MVPs launching in days instead of months, here's how vibe coding is being used in the real world.
3.1. Developing games
Pieter Levels' Flight Simulator MMO (released February 2025) demonstrates what's possible with vibe coding. Built in weeks rather than months, the game features realistic physics, multiplayer functionality, and procedurally generated terrain — without Levels writing most of the code himself.
Even more impressively, an indie developer created an AI-generated game now earning $50K/month. The initial prototype was built in just 30 minutes using vibe coding tools, then polished and launched to find its audience without requiring a traditional development team.
3.2. Game Jam 2025
The Game Jam 2025, organized by Pieter Levels, attracted over 1,170 submissions using "at least 80% AI-generated code." Participants ranged from professional developers to complete coding novices, with many completing functional games in under 48 hours — a timeline previously unthinkable for solo developers.
The diversity of winning entries proved that AI assistance doesn't mean cookie-cutter results, with games spanning from puzzles to immersive RPGs.
3.3. SaaS MVPs
Vibe coding isn't just for game development.
For founders and indie hackers, vibe coding has become the ultimate unfair advantage in bringing products to market.
When a founder named Sebastian Volkis wanted to build TrendFeed, a tool that helps creators make viral short-form videos, he didn't spend months coding.
Instead, he used AI to build the entire product in just four days — and then hit $12K in revenue within a month.
3.4. Beyond gaming and SaaS
Vibe coding is proving valuable across other domains as well:
- Personal tools: Custom scheduling assistants, educational apps tailored to individual learning styles, and personalized finance tools
- Enterprise applications: Internal tools, custom integrations between existing systems, and specialized data visualization dashboards
4. Best practices for vibe coding effectively
Establishing an effective vibe coding workflow is essential for maximizing productivity, whether you're a developer or non-technical founder.
4.1. How to write good prompts
The quality of your output depends heavily on how you communicate with your AI coding assistant.
For front-end tasks, specificity is key. Here's an example of a good prompt:
"Create a responsive pricing table with three tiers using Tailwind CSS. Include monthly/annual toggle, feature lists with checkmarks, and CTA buttons."
Back-end prompting benefits from clear architectural guidance. For example:
"Build an Express.js API endpoint for user authentication that handles registration, login, and password reset. Include JWT token generation, password hashing with bcrypt, and appropriate error handling."
Non-coders should focus on describing functionality rather than implementation. For example:
"I need a contact form that saves submissions to a database and sends me an email notification. It should validate email addresses and prevent spam submissions."
4.2. Fitting AI tools into your dev setup
Vibe coding tools work best when integrated with existing workflows rather than replacing them entirely.
Cursor and traditional IDEs:
- Use Cursor for initial code generation and complex refactoring
- Switch to your familiar IDE for fine-tuning and specialized tasks
Windsurf integration:
- Connect Windsurf to your GitHub repositories for seamless code management
- Export components to your existing codebase when needed
v0 by Vercel for UI prototyping:
- Configure v0 to match your design system
- Export React components directly to your Next.js project
Top performers maintain a hybrid approach, using AI for heavy lifting while preserving manual control over critical code paths.
4.3. Minimizing context switching
Context switching kills productivity in coding. The most efficient workflows minimize jumping between tools.
Windsurf Flows allow you to chain multiple generations together, creating entire features without leaving the platform.
Cursor's in-editor chat keeps conversations about your code directly alongside the code itself, enabling iteration without leaving your editor.
For maximum flow state, configure keyboard shortcuts for your most common AI interactions.
4.4. Testing and debugging
Despite the speed advantages of vibe coding, testing and debugging remain essential.
Replit's AI debugging leverages its large context window to understand your entire application, making it effective at identifying issues spanning multiple files.
Augment Code takes a structured approach with automatic test generation:
- Unit tests for new functions
- Edge case identification
- Integration test suggestions
When debugging, clear descriptions produce better results:
Poor:
"This code doesn't work."
Better:
"The authentication function returns a 500 error when registering with an email containing a plus sign."
Experienced vibe coders maintain a personal library of effective debugging prompts tailored to their tech stack and common issues.
5. Getting started quickly
If you're curious and want to jump into vibe coding right away, here's a simple roadmap:
5.1. Pick a tool
For a quick start, compare Cursor, Windsurf, and Replit:
- Cursor is ideal for developers who love IDEs like VS Code. You'll have to install it.
- Lovable works well for non-technical builders, right in your browser.
- Replit Agent offers a nice alternative for both groups. You'll need to sign up for an online account.
5.2. Enter a prompt
Start small.
A simple SaaS MVP or a 2D game is a manageable first project.
Simply describe what you want to build at a high level, and the AI will generate a complete project for you, from end-to-end. That's it.
5.3. Iterate and launch
- Refine your idea by prompting the AI to add new features or fix bugs.
- Deploy your MVP live to the web. With Lovable and Replit, that feature is built in.
- Gather feedback and update your code iteratively.