Quick answer
Base44 or Bolt? Choose Bolt if you want developers who want AI speed but will edit the code. Choose Base44 if you want non-technical founders shipping a full-stack MVP inside 30 days. In our hands-on testing Bolt scored 8.1/10 vs 7.5/10 — full breakdown below.
At a glance
| Base44 | Bolt | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Non-technical founders shipping a full-stack MVP inside 30 days | Developers who want AI speed but will edit the code |
| Price from | $16/mo | $20/mo |
| Our score | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Generates | Hosted full-stack web + mobile app | Any JS framework (Vite-based) |
| Code ownership | Partial — frontend exports, backend stays on Base44 | Full — lives in the editor |
| Deploy | One-click (web, App Store, Google Play) | Netlify integration |
Where each one wins
Base44 strengths
- True full-stack from one prompt — DB, auth, Stripe and hosting bundled
- One-click deploy to web plus Apple App Store & Google Play
- Cheapest paid entry in the category — $16/mo on annual billing
Bolt strengths
- Full code visibility in the browser
- Stronger on custom logic than Lovable
- WebContainers — instant environment
Base44 weaknesses
- Backend can't leave — export is the React shell, not the engine
- Database only comes out as per-collection CSV files
- Complex custom logic stays fragile beyond basic CRUD
Bolt weaknesses
- Slower to first working app
- UI output needs manual polish
- Token burn on large projects
Pricing side by side
| Plan | Base44 | Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 — 25 message + 100 integration credits/mo; unlimited apps, no rollover | $0 — Token allowance resets daily |
| Starter | $16/mo — Annual ($20 monthly); 100 message + 2,000 integration credits/mo | $20/mo — More tokens; usage-based beyond |
| Builder | $40/mo — Annual ($50 monthly); the first tier that survives a real project | — |
Our verdict
Bolt (8.1/10): The right pick when a project will outgrow prompting — you're already in the code.
Base44 (7.5/10): The most batteries-included AI app builder we've scored — and the most locked-in.
🎁 20% off with our linkTry Bolt free → See all AI App Builders ranked Disclosure: if you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We buy and test every tool ourselves.