From: gregisenberg
This article explores the integration and deployment capabilities of various AI coding tools, considering the user’s technical skill and desired level of control. It aims to provide an unbiased look at the strengths and weaknesses of tools like Bolt, Lovable, v0, Tempo, Replit, Onlook, Wind Surf, and Cursor [00:00:47].
Categories of Tools Based on Capabilities
AI coding tools can be broadly classified by their core functionalities, which directly impact their integration and deployment features:
- CD + Code Gen + Deploy: These platforms can generate code and handle deployment. Examples include Lovable, Bolt, Replit, and v0 [00:11:40].
- Code Gen + Code Editor: These tools generate code and provide a code editor for further modifications. Replit, Bolt, v0, Wind Surf, and Cursor fall into this category [00:11:47].
- Code Gen + Code Editor + Figma Integration: Tempo Labs is noted for its ability to generate code, offer a code editor, and integrate with Figma-like editing for components and pages [00:11:58]. However, its deployment is currently limited to preview deployments [00:12:11].
- CD + Code Editor: Replit, Bolt, and v0 also offer continuous deployment (CD) capabilities alongside a code editor [00:12:16].
The desired level of control often dictates which tool is suitable:
- For ultimate control and direct code access (including installing packages), tools like Cursor and Wind Surf are ideal for developers [00:03:53].
- For less technical users who want to simply type something and see it build, Bolt and Lovable are good choices [00:12:30].
- For those with some understanding who desire more fine-grained control, Replit and Tempo are suggested [00:12:41].
Production-Level Deployment Capabilities
While no AI coding tool is currently 100% capable of building production applications easily without significant roadblocks, headaches, and debugging, some are closer than others [00:07:10]:
- Tempo Labs and Replit are considered “pretty close” to production readiness [00:07:15]. They generally have an edge in this area [00:08:20].
- Bolt and Lovable are “headed there” [00:07:23].
- Cursor and Wind Surf can be used for production applications, but users must be prepared to face “a lot of pain, a lot of blocks, a lot of debugging” [00:07:28].
It is advised to invest time in learning and experimenting with these tools, building multiple projects, as they are rapidly evolving. Being familiar with them now will be an asset when they fully mature for production use [00:07:58].
Integration Features
When it comes to integrations, some tools stand out:
- Lovable is excellent at integrations, making it very easy to integrate with services like Stripe and Supabase [00:13:21]. It has integrated well with external packages that many users might not even realize they are utilizing [00:13:37].
- Replit is a close second in terms of integration capabilities [00:13:40].
- Tempo Labs and Bolt also offer good integration features [00:13:46].
Collaboration and Deployment
For projects involving multiple team members, collaboration features are crucial for a smooth deployment workflow:
- Tempo Labs and Replit are particularly strong for collaboration, especially when working with a mix of technical and non-technical team members, or designers [00:14:14]. Tempo often has an edge in this regard [00:14:17].
- Regarding the direct deployment experience, Lovable, Replit, and Bolt offer excellent and comparable services, with no significant differences in job execution [00:14:20].
- Tempo Labs currently only supports preview deployments, though the team is working on full production deployments [00:14:34].
Recommendations
The best approach is to leverage the generous free tiers offered by most of these tools [00:15:38]. Build a simple “to-do list” application in each to evaluate the experience, control, and assumptions the AI makes [00:19:21].
General recommendations based on user profile:
- Non-technical with ideas: Lovable, Bolt [00:19:46].
- Technical, likes to code: Wind Surf, Cursor [00:19:56].
- Technical, prefers not to code but wants control: Replit, Tempo, Bolt [00:20:00].
- Non-technical, product-minded, wants control (e.g., uses Figma, likes design components): Tempo [00:20:08].
While none are perfect, these tools are rapidly improving, with some being 70-80% ready for production [00:20:43]. Aligning with tools that suit your profile now will ensure you are ready when they fully achieve production-grade capabilities [00:21:00].