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The Rise of Vibe Coding: 9 Tools That Are Changing the Way We Build Software

By Jordan GilliamApril 10, 2024 — 8 min read

It all started with a tweet. When Andrej Karpathy casually mentioned "vibe coding," few could've predicted how deeply it would resonate with the developer community. Today, vibe coding — the art of building apps and writing code with the help of AI tools that just get you — has become a movement.

Whether you're a seasoned engineer or a startup founder with zero technical background, vibe coding tools make it feel like you're collaborating with an intelligent, responsive co-pilot who's there to speed things up, eliminate friction, and make development feel... fun again.

In this post, we'll explore the top tools fueling the vibe coding revolution — and when to use each.

1. Cursor

Best for: AI-enhanced coding in a familiar IDE

What it does:

Cursor is an AI-first code editor that mirrors the look and feel of VS Code — but adds intelligent code completions, one-click refactors, and autonomous task handling.

Use it when: You want your usual workflow, but smarter. Perfect for developers who love their tools but want AI help with the heavy lifting.

2. GitHub Copilot

Best for: Automating boilerplate and navigating big codebases

What it does:

Copilot is like a second brain that lives in your IDE. It helps write code, tests, and even documentation — all while understanding your repository context.

Use it when: You're neck-deep in a large project and want to offload repetitive work while still staying in control.

3. Replit (with AI Agent)

Best for: Collaborative coding and fast app prototyping

What it does:

Replit's AI Agent lets you describe your app in plain English, and it writes the code. It all runs in the browser, with built-in hosting and database support.

Use it when: You're teaching, pair programming, or launching prototypes with a team — no local setup needed.

4. Lovable.dev

Best for: Non-developers building MVPs

What it does:

Lovable translates plain English into real, deployable apps. It integrates with Supabase for backend functions and has a visual editor for tweaks.

Use it when: You've got an idea and no dev skills. Ideal for founders, creators, and indie hackers who just want to ship.

5. Bolt

Best for: Full-stack prototyping in the browser

What it does:

Bolt provides a full-stack AI coding space that lives entirely in your browser. You can spin up Next.js apps and deploy with one click.

Use it when: You want rapid iteration without messing with your local environment.

6. v0 by Vercel

Best for: UI prototyping with React and Tailwind

What it does:

v0 converts text prompts into responsive React components using Tailwind CSS — all with stunning design defaults. It integrates with Figma, too.

Use it when: You're a designer or frontend dev looking to skip the scaffolding and get to working UI fast.

7. Tempo (by Tempo Labs)

Best for: Visual React development and team collaboration

What it does:

Tempo is a visual builder for React that lets teams design interfaces together with drag-and-drop tools, GitHub syncing, and Storybook support.

Use it when: You're co-developing UI and need tight collaboration without sacrificing code quality or performance.

8. Softgen

Best for: No-code full-stack app generation

What it does:

Softgen connects your stack (Firebase, Stripe, Resend, etc.) to generate working, deployable apps — no coding needed.

Use it when: You're a non-technical founder or marketer with a strong business case and want to launch production-ready apps fast.

9. Google Firebase Studio

Best for: AI-assisted backend generation

What it does:

Define backend logic using plain language and Firebase Studio takes care of generating schemas, rules, functions, and triggers for you.

Use it when: You're building Firebase-backed web or mobile apps and want to skip boilerplate backend logic.

So Many Tools… Which One Should You Use?

Here's how to think about it:

  • • Prototype fast: Use v0, Bolt, or Replit to go from idea to working app in minutes.
  • • Polish and scale: Lean on Cursor or GitHub Copilot for better structure, documentation, and code refinement.
  • • Build without code: Use Lovable or Softgen to launch without writing a single line.
  • • Team collaboration: Try Tempo if you're working on shared UI with a team.
  • • Need backend logic without the pain? Firebase Studio has your back.

A Few Tips Before You Dive In

🟢 Use vibe tools for:

  • • Prototyping fast
  • • Writing code from natural language
  • • Eliminating repetitive tasks and boilerplate

🔴 Avoid vibe tools for:

  • • Security-critical systems
  • • Complex backend flows
  • • Apps with highly customized architectures

🎛️ Mix & Match Strategy:

Start with v0 or Replit, polish with Copilot or Cursor, then scale in your favorite framework like React or Django.

Final Thought

Vibe coding isn't just a trend — it's a new paradigm. Whether you're building for fun, prototyping a startup, or streamlining professional workflows, these tools can make development feel exciting again.

Now go ahead. Build something with vibes. ✨