Description
Bolt.new is an AI-powered builder for creating websites, web apps, and mobile apps directly in the browser, from StackBlitz. Users describe an idea in a chat interface and Bolt generates working code that runs immediately using WebContainer technology, a full Node.js development environment running entirely in-browser with no local setup. The platform integrates coding agents from multiple AI labs into one interface, automatically testing, refactoring, and iterating on generated code. Bolt bills usage in tokens rather than a flat per-project fee, with cost scaling to project size and how many AI-assisted edits a build requires. Bolt Cloud adds hosting, databases, and third-party integrations directly inside the same environment, and finished projects can sync to GitHub for version control. It suits developers, designers, and product teams who want to prototype or ship a full-stack app quickly without configuring a local development environment first.
Key Features
- AI code generation — describe an app in natural language and Bolt generates working code.
- WebContainer technology — runs a full Node.js environment in-browser with no local install.
- Multi-agent coding — integrates coding agents from multiple AI labs into one interface.
- Automatic testing and refactoring — iterates on generated code to reduce errors without manual prompting.
- Bolt Cloud — built-in hosting, databases, and third-party integrations alongside the code editor.
- GitHub integration — sync a project to GitHub for version control.
- npm framework support — use popular JavaScript frameworks and libraries inside the browser environment.
How It Works
A project starts with a chat prompt describing what to build; Bolt generates a working codebase and opens it inside WebContainer, a browser-based runtime that executes real Node.js without any local setup. From there, a user can keep prompting Bolt to add features or fix issues, or edit code directly inside the integrated environment, with a live visual preview showing the result at each step. Token usage scales with project size and how many AI-assisted changes a build goes through, since syncing project files with the AI on each request consumes tokens proportional to codebase size. Once a project is ready, Bolt Cloud handles hosting, database provisioning, and third-party integrations, and finished code can sync to a connected GitHub repository for ongoing version control.
Technical Architecture & Overview
- Core Engine: Integrates coding agents from multiple AI labs rather than one proprietary model, selectable depending on the task.
- Deployment: Runs entirely in-browser through WebContainer (StackBlitz’s technology); Bolt Cloud adds hosting and database infrastructure without leaving the same environment.
- API Surface: npm package support for standard JavaScript frameworks; GitHub sync for external version control; Bolt.diy is a separate open-source version available on GitHub.
- Known Limits: Free plan is capped at 300,000 tokens per day and 1 million tokens per month, per Bolt’s official pricing page; the Free plan also carries Bolt branding on websites, removed on Pro.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Runs a full Node.js environment entirely in-browser, with zero local setup required | Token usage scales with codebase size, so costs can grow quickly on larger or more complex projects |
| Integrates coding agents from multiple AI labs in one interface rather than a single model | Free plan carries a 300K daily and 1M monthly token cap, limiting sustained daily use |
| Bolt Cloud bundles hosting, databases, and integrations without leaving the coding environment | Free plan includes Bolt branding on published sites |
| Unused tokens on paid plans roll over for one additional month rather than expiring immediately | Teams plan bills per member, which adds up quickly for larger teams |
| GitHub sync and an open-source version (Bolt.diy) give paths beyond the hosted product | Best pricing requires committing to yearly billing rather than staying month to month |
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0/month (300K tokens/day, 1M tokens/month, Bolt branding) |
| Pro | $18/month billed yearly (monthly billing also available; 10M+ tokens/month, no daily cap, custom domain) |
| Teams | $27/member/month billed yearly (monthly billing also available; centralized billing, admin controls) |
Platform Availability
Web (browser-based)
Best For
Developers | Designers | Product managers | Startups and freelancers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolt.new free to use?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0 and includes 300,000 tokens daily and 1 million tokens monthly, though Bolt branding stays on published sites and custom domains require a paid plan, per Bolt’s official pricing page.
How much does Bolt.new Pro cost?
Pro costs $18 per month billed yearly, or a higher rate if billed monthly. It includes 10 million or more tokens per month with no daily cap and a custom domain, confirmed directly on Bolt’s pricing page.
Do unused tokens roll over in Bolt?
On paid plans, unused tokens roll over for one additional month, remaining valid for up to two months total. Free plan tokens do not roll over and reset monthly.
How does the Teams plan work?
Teams costs $27 per member per month billed yearly, with each paid member getting their own monthly token allotment that isn’t shared across the team, according to Bolt’s official pricing page.
How does Bolt.new differ from Base44?
Bolt.new runs entirely in-browser through WebContainer with token-based billing, while Base44 uses a dual-credit system (message and integration credits) with its own hosted backend rather than a Node.js runtime exposed to the user.
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