Base44 vs Bolt: Which AI App Builder for Your MVP?
Base44 and Bolt both turn a description into a working app, but they make different trade-offs about control, code and back end. Here's how to choose for your MVP.
Both tools are moving fast, so features change month to month. Check each platform's current plans and export options before you commit. This guide focuses on the differences that matter most when you're deciding.
The short answer
- Choose Base44 if you want the database, sign-in and hosting handled for you, with as little setup as possible, for internal tools or simple apps.
- Choose Bolt if you want a real code project you can download, push to GitHub and hand to a developer later.
How they differ
- Back end: Base44 includes its own built-in back end. Bolt generates the project code, and you connect a back end such as Supabase.
- Code ownership: with Bolt you get the project files. With Base44, check what your plan allows you to export before building anything important.
- Who it suits: Base44 suits non-technical founders and internal tools. Bolt suits people comfortable working with a code project, or who plan to bring in a developer.
What about Lovable and Replit?
Lovable sits between the two: polished interfaces, code synced to your GitHub, usually with Supabase. Replit is a full development environment with an AI agent, more technical but very flexible. Our full comparison of all four covers them side by side.
When to bring in a developer
- Before real users and personal data arrive: check security and database rules.
- When the same bug survives several prompts.
- When you add payments, integrations or need it to scale.
We fix, secure and scale apps built with Base44, Bolt, Lovable and Replit. See our AI-built app developer service or the security checklist.
Common Questions
Base44 is better if you want the back end handled for you with minimal setup. Bolt is better if you want a code project you own and can take to a developer. Choose based on how much control you need later.
Bolt lets you download the project or push it to GitHub. For Base44, export options depend on your plan, so check them before building anything important.
Base44 needs the least technical knowledge, because the database, login and hosting are built in.
Yes. Bolt projects are code a developer can work on directly, and Base44 apps can usually be extended or rebuilt in stages.
Yes. Send us your app and we'll review it, tell you what to fix first, and can fix it for you.
Built Something With Base44 or Bolt?
We'll review it and tell you in writing what to fix before real users arrive.