v0.dev vs Bolt.new: Which AI App Generator Is Right for You?

By

Dora Gurova

Updated:

June 1, 2025

AI app generators are reshaping how developers and product teams build software. By simply describing what you want, you can get a working UI, boilerplate code, and even backend logic – without writing everything from scratch. Two tools that stand out in this space are v0.dev by Vercel and Bolt.new, both offering unique takes on prompt-based application generation.

In this article, we’ll explore how v0.dev and Bolt.new work, what sets them apart, and which one might be the better fit for your use case. Whether you’re comparing v0.dev vs Bolt.new or deciding between v0 or Bolt, this guide is built to help you find the right tool for your next project.

What Is v0.dev?

v0.dev is an AI-powered UI generation tool built by Vercel. It turns text prompts into fully functional, production-ready React components using Tailwind CSS and ShadCN UI components. The tool's goal is to let developers quickly scaffold UI layouts by typing natural language descriptions like “a pricing card with three tiers”.

Key features:

Prompt-to-UI generation in seconds
Generates React + Tailwind components
ShadCN-based components for consistency and accessibility
Editable code output in a side-by-side code editor
Deployable via Vercel with a single click

Many developers weighing Bolt vs Vercel in frontend generation tools find v0.dev appealing for its simplicity and seamless Vercel integration.

📌 Best for

Frontend developers and teams already in the Vercel ecosystem who want to rapidly build and deploy beautiful UIs with minimal overhead.

What Is Bolt.new?

Bolt.new takes things a step further. It’s not just a UI generator – it’s a full-stack app generator. Type a prompt like “a task manager with user login and PostgreSQL database” and Bolt will scaffold a working app, complete with React frontend, Node.js backend, authentication, database models, and API routes.

When it comes to bolt new vs v0, the key distinction is backend generation. Bolt builds the logic and DB models while v0 focuses on UI.

Key features:

Full-stack app generation from a single prompt
Built-in backend logic with Node.js + Prisma
Pre-integrated PostgreSQL and MongoDB
AI-generated code is editable and exportable
GitHub integration for version control
Fast iteration loop for startup and MVP teams

Startups comparing v0 bolt solutions often choose Bolt for its back-to-front capabilities.

📌 Best For

Startups and indie hackers who need a working product quickly and want both frontend and backend generation in one tool.

v0.dev vs Bolt.new Comparison

Key Differences

Aspect	v0.dev	Bolt.new
Scope	Frontend UI only	Full-stack (frontend + backend)
Stack	React + Tailwind + ShadCN	React + Tailwind + Node.js + Prisma
Backend Support	❌	✅ (API, DB, Auth, Logic)
Code Export	✅ (frontend only)	✅ (full-stack)
Ease of Use	Dev-friendly, minimal	Dev-oriented, more complex
Best For	Frontend teams, quick mockups	Startup builders, MVP creators

Key competitors: UI Bakery and Lovable

UI Bakery combines the best of both worlds: it’s a visual, low-code platform that also offers AI-powered app generation. In contrast to v0 and Bolt, UI Bakery focuses heavily on internal tools, enterprise-grade backends, and data connectors like SQL, REST, and GraphQL.

Teams can generate CRUD apps, then fine-tune it with a visual editor, write custom JS code, and even export your full app for self-hosting. It serves as a powerful alternative if you're debating Bolt and v0 tools but also want a visual interface and enterprise flexibility.

Lovable AI is a newer entrant that focuses on prompt-based UI mockup generation. It’s a great choice for designers or product teams who want to quickly visualize a layout or flow without coding. It doesn’t provide backend or code export capabilities, which limits its use for full development but makes it useful in early-stage ideation.

For users focused purely on UI concepts, Lovable might be a better fit than either v0.dev vs Bolt.new, especially for non-developers.

AI Tools Comparison

Comparison Table

Feature / Tool	v0.dev	Bolt.new	UI Bakery AI App Generator	Lovable AI
AI Focus	Prompt-to-UI	Full-stack prompt-to-app	AI + low-code internal tool builder	Prompt-based UI mockups
Frontend Stack	React + Tailwind + ShadCN	React + Tailwind	Angular, React (customizable)	React (limited)
Backend Support	❌	✅ Node.js + Prisma	✅ Built-in logic editor, API connectors	❌
Database Integration	❌	✅ PostgreSQL, MongoDB	✅ SQL/NoSQL, REST, GraphQL	❌
Code Export	✅ (frontend only)	✅ (full-stack)	✅ (frontend, backend, DB)	❌
Deployment	Via Vercel	GitHub / Manual	Built-in + self-hosting	❌
Ease of Use	Developer-friendly	Dev-oriented	Visual builder + custom JS	No-code
Best For	Frontend devs & prototyping	Startup builders & MVPs	Enterprise apps & internal tooling	Designers, product teams

Final thoughts

Choose v0.dev if you're building UIs and want clean, editable React components instantly.
Pick Bolt.new if you need a working full-stack app from a prompt, especially for MVPs.
Use UI Bakery AI App Generator if you want a balance between visual low-code and real backend logic, especially for internal tools.
Try Lovable AI if your focus is on fast mockups and design concepts — not development.

If you're still unsure whether to go with v0 or Bolt, it’s worth testing both tools side by side. The growing popularity of v0.dev vs Bolt.new comparisons shows that each has a clear niche. Whether it’s a question of bolt vs vercel or bolt new vs v0, your ideal solution depends on the depth of functionality you need — just frontend, or full-stack.