6 Tools for Vibe Coding and 3 Case Studies

Large AI models can already write a significant portion of code, with the developer overseeing the output rather than writing it manually. This approach is called vibe coding — it has been widely covered in the media and was even named Collins Dictionary's Word of 2025.

In this article, we break down which tools work best, how they differ, and who they're suited for. We also explain the difference between a classic AI assistant and vibe coding, and walk through real-world cases.

What is vibe coding?

Vibe coding is a programming approach where AI generates most of the code from a text description, and the human focuses on directing the outcome rather than writing lines manually. The key element of this process is testing: the developer formulates the task, reviews the result, and adjusts the AI.

Unlike classic AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot — where the model helps autocomplete code, offers suggestions, and does code review — vibe coding assumes that the majority of code is generated automatically from a spec.

This enables rapid prototyping and MVP development, but comes with certain risks: AI-generated code may require refinement, especially for mission-critical parts of a product.

We already covered who vibe coders are and why companies are hunting for them in our previous article.

Types of vibe coding tools

The first type is IDE assistants. They work within familiar development environments and help write code faster: offering suggestions, explaining errors, and sometimes doing code review. This category includes GitHub Copilot, Codeium, JetBrains AI, Google AI, etc. Here the developer retains full control, and AI acts as a helper.

The second class is AI IDEs. In Cursor, Windsurf, Bolt, Cline, or Devin, AI becomes the central interface: it analyzes the codebase, can modify multiple files at once, and handle complex tasks. This is vibe coding — the human describes the task and delegates the implementation to the model.

A separate niche is occupied by web platforms and low/no-code tools with vibe coding capabilities. They are geared toward rapid MVP and prototype creation without a local setup. Replit, Base44, Lovable, and similar services let you build an application entirely from a text description — at the cost of less control over the code.

At the core of all these tools are general-purpose LLM models — Claude, GPT, Gemini. They determine the quality of code generation and the ability to work with context, which is typically measured by benchmarks such as SWE-Bench.

Overview of key vibe coding tools

In this section, we cover the tools that currently define what vibe coding looks like in practice — from near-fully autonomous AI IDEs to classic assistants that augment a developer's workflow.

Claude

Claude is an AI IDE that has become a leader in the space. It allows you to work with large projects, generate logic, UI, and backend from a text description, and handle complex scenarios automatically.

The tool is well-suited for prototyping, MVPs, and working with existing codebases. The user formulates the task, reviews the result, and refines the prompts — while AI handles the bulk of the work.

Pricing: Free — basic access, code generation, and core features; Pro — $17–$20/month, higher limits, Claude Code, file execution, and memory across chats; Max from $100/month — priority access and extended features; Team — $25–$30/user, centralized administration and SSO; Enterprise — custom terms.

Cursor

Cursor is an AI IDE where LLM interaction is at the core of the interface. It can analyze the full context, modify multiple files simultaneously, and execute complex tasks from a text description.

This tool is commonly used for vibe coding, prototyping, and working with existing code. The downsides are a steeper learning curve and less control over the code compared to classic IDEs.

Cursor is a good fit for solo developers and small teams working on complex products who want to ship changes quickly.

Pricing: the free Hobby plan offers a limited number of AI requests; Pro at $20/month provides higher limits; Business at $40/user adds privacy controls, SSO, and admin tools.

Lovable

Lovable operates on a "Prompt → finished product" principle. The tool lets you build UI and backend with virtually no manual coding, making it convenient for MVPs and landing pages.

This tool is aimed at users without a deep technical background — for example, marketing teams and low-code/no-code developers. The user formulates the task, and AI assembles a working product.

Lovable is a textbook example of vibe coding: the human's role is to guide the process through prompts and test the result, while AI takes on all the technical work.

Pricing: the free plan provides basic credits for public projects; Pro at $25/month adds private projects and more credits; Teams at $30/month offers centralized management and team access; Enterprise — custom terms.

Replit AI

Replit AI is a low/no-code platform with built-in AI, designed for quick starts and working directly in the browser. It lets you describe an idea in plain language and quickly get a working interface.

The tool is convenient for MVPs and personal projects, but less suited for large or complex codebases. Architectural control is limited.

Replit AI is best for rapid experimentation and building simple products without a complex setup.

Pricing: the free plan limits resources and AI features; Core at $15/month unlocks full AI and additional resources; Teams at $40/user provides team tools; Enterprise — for custom needs.

Google Antigravity

Google Antigravity is an AI assistant that helps write code, provides autocomplete, and explains logic. The tool behaves more like a classic AI assistant and rarely takes on complex autonomous tasks.

Antigravity is suited for teams and developers in enterprise environments who want to speed up their coding workflow and improve the quality of their solutions.

Pricing: Individual — $0/month, basic access with limitations; Developer — via Google AI Pro/Ultra subscription, higher limits; Team — via Google Workspace AI Ultra for Business, high limits for teams; Organization — enterprise solution on Google Cloud, terms available on request.

Windsurf

Windsurf is an AI-IDE tool that comes closest to the idea of vibe coding. Here the model works with defined tasks rather than individual files, and can autonomously execute sequences of actions, minimizing manual coding.

The tool is built for speed, making it well-suited for prototyping and building MVPs. The user describes what needs to be done and gets a ready result without having to parse every line of code.

Windsurf is ideal for developers and startups who want to bring ideas to life quickly without investing time in full-scale programming.

Pricing: the free plan provides 25 credits per month; Pro — $15/month for 500 credits; Teams — $30/user for 500 credits; Enterprise — $60/user for 1,000 credits.

The market also includes tools such as GitHub Copilot, Codeium, and JetBrains AI. They function as AI assistants within an IDE and help write code faster, but are not oriented toward vibe coding in its pure form. These solutions are typically used as a complement to more autonomous tools.

All of the tools listed above work differently and are suited for different tasks. Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf are for those who want to get as close as possible to vibe coding: the AI handles most of the work, while the person formulates tasks and tests the results. Lovable and Replit AI are convenient for rapid prototyping and MVPs without a complex technical background. 

Google Antigravity, GitHub Copilot, Codeium, and JetBrains AI are more like classic AI assistants: they help write code, provide autocomplete, and do code reviews, but do not build a product fully automatically.

Vibe Coding in Action: Real-World App Examples

This section shows how vibe coding is changing the way apps are built: AI handles the bulk of the technical work, while the human defines the task, reviews the output, and adjusts as needed.

Portfolio Website

A product manager used Lovable to build a personal portfolio with an interactive interface and even a chatbot that answers visitor questions — all without writing a single line of code. He described what he needed, reviewed the results, and refined his prompts, while AI assembled the finished product.

A Series of Apps

A founder built a series of small applications, including a podcast player, a WordPress news tracking tool, and a simple browser game. The user described the tasks, AI generated the code and UI, enabling rapid delivery of finished products without any manual programming.

SEO Calculator

A marketer built an SEO calculator as a lead magnet for lead generation. He described the functionality, tested the output, and Cursor automatically generated the logic, database, and frontend — no manual coding required.

Vibe coding is shaping a new development model where AI takes on the majority of the implementation work, and humans focus on the idea, task definition, and output review. Tools vary in their level of autonomy and code control, so the right choice depends on the specific task at hand.